1. Drink plenty of water! Water regulates body temperature and carries nutrients and waste products throughout the body. Low fat milk, 100% juice, tea (black or green) and moderate amounts of coffee sum up the healthy beverage list. As a “functional beverage” however, and training more than 1 hour, try a commercial sports drink (or a homemade sports drink: “diluted orange or cranberry juice”: cup juice per 1 cup water, & a tiny pinch of salt) to provide fluid and fuel to muscles – salt helps retain hydration, and the carbs will: fuel to allow maximal efforts right to the end of a game/training session, prevent the use of protein as a fuel source and inhibit stress hormone release linked to suppressed immune function.

2. Eat breakfast! What you eat today, fuels tomorrow’s workout. Glycogen (muscle fuel) storage today will be critical as an energy source tomorrow. Carbohydrates fuel exercise. Eat fruit, healthy muffins, bagel or toast & peanut butter, cereal, pancakes, waffles, or French toast. Add eggs, yogurt or glass of milk for protein, & add a banana or orange juice for potassium.

3. Calcium, found in milk, soy milk, yogurt, cheeses, cottage cheese, tofu, and green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, collard greens, and kale is needed for strong bones and may protect against muscle cramps. Calcium strengthens bone density. Select 3 to 4 servings per day of calcium rich low-fat dairy products & 1-2 servings of green leafy vegetables.

4. Carbohydrates are the fuel source for muscles and the brain, and they spare muscle protein. These are the primary energy sources for all types of exercise. 55-65% (6-10+ g/kg bodyweight) of calories should come from carbohydrates: whole grain breads, cereals, and pasta; potatoes, rice, beans, fruit & vegetables. Select 9-15+ servings of carbohydrate foods (fruits, veggies & grain products) per day. At least one third of the plate should be covered with carbohydrate foods.

5. Eat fruits and vegetables for fiber, potassium, and vitamins C & A, and lots of phytochemical antioxidants. Green & black teas also have lots of antioxidant power. Select 3-5 servings of vegetables (at least 1 green leafy veg), and 3-5 servings of fruits (at least 1 citrus fruit) DAILY. Optimal health/immunity means your best sport performance & recovery from training!

6. Meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, tofu, dairy products and nuts are protein sources needed for muscle development & repair, sources of B vitamins, and iron. 2-3 servings are needed per day. 12-15% (1.2-1.6 g/kg bodyweight) of the day’s total calories should come from protein sources. Try eating small amounts of protein often throughout the day, as it is not stored in the body, and amino acid concentration in blood dictates the rate of muscle growth/recovery.

7. Fats and oils should be used sparingly. 20-25% of the day’s total calories should come from fat (mostly good fats!). Good fats include nuts, seeds, olive oil & other plant-based sources. Fatty fish (eg salmon) are an important source of omega-3 fats – this can be taken as a fish oil supplement to ensure consistency/reduction of heavy metals common in ocean fish. Limit the unhealthy fats found in whole fat dairy products (choose low fat varieties), fried foods, meat, poultry, hot dogs, fast food burgers & watch trans or saturated fats in snack foods (chips, cookies, pastries, muffins, fries, doughnuts, ice-cream, milkshakes).

8. Snacks can be healthy – select bagels, low fat muffins, cereal, fruit leather, energy bars, fig Newton’s, yogurt, bananas, apples, oranges, peanut butter and crackers, popcorn, raisins, carrots, & some unsalted nuts (almonds, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, peanuts). Snacks supply additional protein for muscle development, and carbohydrates for muscle fuel & maintenance of blood sugar levels. Plan ahead so you always have snacks available before & after training (keep “healthy” trail mix, energy bars, protein bars, cheese strings, raisins, apples & bananas, sport drink (Gatorade) in your school/gym bag or car).

Chris & Steve Parker are the founding members of http://www.farparker.com your complete online recreational hockey resource destination. Find out more about your favorite hockey team in our forum section, we also have the best articles, blogs and games room on the net. If you like hockey, you will love FarParker “Life is Short, Park Wisely, Play Hard

Tags : eating habits, health, health food, Healthy Diet, Healthy Eating

Any fresh juice has a profound purifying effect on our body. Fruit and vegetable juices contain many amino acids, minerals, salts, enzymes and vitamins; you just have to consume them immediately after preparation. These natural drinks are necessary as a supplement, even if you don’t follow a special diet.

Natural juices provide to the body the necessary carbohydrates and sugars. A fresh can be prepared by squeezing fruits, vegetables and herbs. The market offers a wide range of preserved fruit juices, which are pasteurized, containing ascorbic acid.

Is t possible to gain weight by consuming fresh juice? Nutritionists say it depends on what product you choose. If you opt for natural juices with a lower content of sugar, then you won’t gain weight. Even more, this will act as a real weight loss diet, because fresh juices clean the body and help you to get rid of toxins. They are also a rich source of vitamin C. You don’t have to consume a fresh juice every day, but it’s better to do it as often as possible.

The vitamins found in fresh juice increase your immunity. It’s good to drink juices with pulp, which are rich in fiber. I’m talking here about fresh juices and not about preserved drinks. You can opt for light juices, as those of apple, grapefruit or tomatoes. They contain polyphenols, a type of antioxidants that protect you from certain cancers and heart diseases. Some juices even improve the condition of those who suffer from hypertension.

Tomato juice benefits are due to the vitamins contained. A 250 ml glass of tomato juice provides to our body the required daily amount of vitamin A and C. In order to realize the importance of vitamin A, it’s enough to mention some of the complication that may occur in its absence: risk of infections, the appearance of disturbances in tooth growth, eye diseases, etc. Vitamin C is also important for the body, because it detoxifies and regenerates the body cells. An insufficient amount of vitamin C in food reduces the body resistance against infections and induces fatigue and depression.

It’s indicated to drink fresh juice immediately after exercising. Your energy will increase and the body fluid will be restored.

Carrot juice is recognized for its healing proprieties. Also, it protects the skin against daily aggressions. Therefore, to slow the aging process, make sure that your skin is perfectly hydrated and consume fresh juices and water. The nutrients contained by carrot juice are able to reduce photosensitivity, protecting the skin from the harmful action of sunlight.

Celery juice is recommended in case of slow digestion, fatigue, overwork, convalescence, adrenal insufficiency, anxiety, bladder disease, heart disease, cardio-renal edema, diabetes, kidney stones, anorexia, urinary retention, obesity, gout, fever intermittent, bronchitis and chronic cough.

Fruit juices are even more appreciated due to their special flavor. Orange juice is rich in vitamin C, helping you to fight against flu and fatigue. Besides its pleasant taste and nutrients, orange juice helps you to cure anemia and to get rid of toxins.

Apple juice is one of the best natural remedies, being a tonic of the nervous system. This drink cleans the blood and acts favorably in case of hypertension, reducing the level of cholesterol.

Grape juice has a powerful antioxidant and detoxifying effect. It also contains calcium, iron, and phosphorus.

Max Tain writes articles about the Jack Lalanne Power Juicer at Jack Lalanne Power Juicer Trial.

Tags : fresh juice, fruits and vegetables, Healthy Diet, Healthy Eating, juicing