Fitness fueled by nutrition

Proper nutrition and overall fitness go hand in hand. Overall health cannot be achieved without a commitment to focus on both. Clean eating fuels your body and mind to tackle even the most difficult workout, and eating properly afterwards is where the real body transformation begins! I have had a lot of clients over the years ask me "What's the best thing for me to eat?"

My answer has always been simple. Lots of lean protein and high fiber carbohydrates combined with color, texture, and flavor. These three elements combined with your personal taste is how a healthy lifestyle can be achieved - instead of just fitting in a healthy meal here and there.

Color: By adding color to your meals you will inevitably be adding nutrients because colorful foods are typically fruits and vegetables. Some of my favorites are arugula, radishes, and purple potatoes. One of the things I challenge my clients to do is make a meal with 5 green ingredients or with 2 orange and 1 purple ingredient. At first it sounds difficult, but the meals I have seen them create are delicious!

Texture: Texture is anything that offers a satisfying crunch to your meals. Over the years studies have shown that when you add crunch, the more satisfied you are. The reason for this is because crunch is typically a high fiber ingredient which in turn fills you up and regulates blood sugar to keep you full for a longer period of time. Some of my favorites are almonds, chia seeds, and roasted pumpkin seeds.

Flavor: When I say flavor, I am talking spice and fresh herbs (not cookie flavored creamer...Sorry Jeremy Owens, that doesn't count! ) By adding spice to your meals, you are increasing your bodies ability to metabolize the foods you are eating while simultaneously making your meal delicious! Spices like cayenne pepper and chili powder have been proven to increase your metabolism . They also boost your immune system. Tumeric contains curcumin which has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. So... spice away and don't be afraid to experiment with new spices and flavor combinations! You will find and few you & your family like most, and those will be your go to spices. My family really loves all mexican food, so we eat A LOT of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, ground chipotle, & fresh garlic.

My children's teachers and our friends are often ask how we get our children to eat so well. My advice is to encourage healthy and clean eating by training those *color, texture, and flavor* taste buds as early as you can!

Post any healthy recipes you've made by incorporating these key elements and read more about how to fuel your fitness and energy levels with nutrition in my Cookbook coming soon!

Amber Owens * February 10, 2016 *

#HowTo #Recipe #HealthyLiving #eathealthy