by Katie Barnes
Pick the Right Plate
When it comes to food, most people find that changing eating habits is a greater challenge than sticking to any exercise routine. Start out by learning proper portion sizes and nutrition quality of foods. Then spread your meals over the day, choosing smaller nutrient-dense items rather than large plates of empty calories. It’s essential to eat every three to four hours in order to control your weight, and to keep your energy levels high for a great workout.
Also, know what to leave on your plate. Each meal should contain a lean protein as the base (e.g. chicken or fish), a simple carbohydrate (the simple sugars, fiber and nutrients in vegetables and fruit), and a small amount of good fat as found in avocados, olive oil, and almonds. The slow-burning complex carbohydrates like rice, beans, pasta, potatoes and bread are all fuels that the body likes to store rather than burn right away. Therefore choose one complex carbohydrate per meal, or skip this food group altogether if you can’t find a wholegrain, high-fiber option.
Facebook: KatieBarnesFitness
Tweet Katie: @KatieBFitness