Day 4 : BE A NUTRITION ROCKSTAR

Are you ready to put some Rockstar tips into action? 

Then let’s get rocking!

5 Rockstar Nutrition Tips

While we’re on the subject of toning your abs, let’s look at five Rockstar nutrition tips (from The Healthy Plate – FREE with your Pilates Fit Studio On-Demand membership):

1. Make half of your plate vegetables and fruits. Eat more vegetables than fruit to keep blood sugar levels low.
2. Make half of your carbs complex. Include whole wheat and other whole grains such as bulgur and quinoa in your diet. Steer clear of refined simple carbs, which means no white bread and white rice.
3. Vary your proteins. In addition to lean meats and poultry, eggs and seafood, don’t forget nuts, seeds, legumes, and soy products.
4. Limit sodium, saturated fats and added sugars. Season with herbs and spices instead. Use olive oil where possible. Beware of added sugars in soda, iced tea, juice and desserts. Try to limit added sugars to 10% of your daily calorie intake (ex., 200 calories in a 2000 cal diet). Cook from home as much as possible so you know what you’re eating!
5. Don’t drink your calories. Watch out for soda and learn other names for sugar: high fructose corn syrup, fruit juice concentrate, fructose, syrup, corn syrup, honey, sucrose and dextrose. Cut high fat and sugary add-ons for your coffee or choose carbonated water. Add fresh lemon or cucumber to your water to make it taste good.

Rock It More With Less

When you keep fresh fruits and vegetables on hand, you are less likely to cave in to high-sodium, high-calorie and high-fat snacks, which do not promote optimal health. Here are three tips for everyday snacking:

1. Pre-slice veggies: keep sliced veggies in the fridge. Eat alone, or dip in hummus.
2. Embrace snack-size bags and single-serving containers: use these once in a while to learn what snack servings should look like. Once you get used to the snack serving, create your own snack portions in reusable containers and snack bags.
3. Protein power: skip high-sugar protein and granola bars and go for straight protein, like hard-boiled eggs, sliced lean meat or peanut butter on whole wheat crackers.

Keep in mind that snacks are not meals or dessert. As your body gets used to healthy eating, your unhealthy cravings will go away. This is a win-win for your health and your workouts. Your body will be fueled with clean nutrients and you will be properly nourished!

So, head on over to your kitchen or the grocery store and get your healthy snacks ready!