Moderation is the key!

IMG_20141010_170335Hello everybody!

I have a little tip for you today. do you see this wonderful, delicious dessert on the picture? Well I ate it all…. and no I don’t eat things like this every day! Now maybe you ask yourselves now, but is this kind of food allowed in a diet? My answer is, yes BUT moderation is the key!

Everything in moderation! It’s important to have balance and have treat like this every now and then if you crave it. Otherwise you will go totally crazy, you will get out of control,  and eat the whole fridge :))

One thing I’ll say though, after I eat things like this heavenly dessert, the next day I eat extra healthy and clean!

Enjoy your life! Live it, and don’t restrict yourself too much!

Have a wonderful weekend! :*

Tips on how to stay fit and avoid weight gain while traveling

mushroomsHey everybody, how are u today?

Lately I was travelling a little, so I wasn’t able to write…but now I am back with a very useful topic. What should we eat when we are travelling? It doesn’t matter if it’s a road trip or by plane, the point is we cannot eat our usual healthy cooked meals. People tend to crave junk food while travelling, so to avoid this I have some tips for you about what you should pack with you, to not to be tempted to eat those crackers, croissants, chocolate bars and sugary juices.

Traveling nowadays means waiting and waiting, and unfortunately this means we eat and drink. The reason we crave more those junk foods in the first place because of the stress that goes with travelling. The stress hormones fires up your body to crave those sugary high calorie foods. Just one Starbucks blueberry crumb cake and a coke (“just” 800 calories) and you are not even satisfied.

So here is your solution!

  • Near your things you should pack a banana, which is full of fiber, potassium, vitamins and it satisfies your hunger and your sugar craving. Other option could be an apple or any kind of fresh fruit.
  • Another good snack to pack with you are natural unsalted unroasted almonds. A pack of 40 gr is enough for you to not to feel hungry. Almonds are rich in proteins and healthy fats, so I can say it is a perfect snack.
  • My third option is a protein bar, but please look for one that provides a minimum of 20 grams of protein and nor more than 20 gr. of carbs. My favorite is the Quest bar, is one of the less processed and contains the fewest ingredients on the market.
  • The forth option in actually 30 gr of whey protein powder. You just buy a bottle of water and you shake it. Perfect if you feel hungry and thirsty as well.
  • Other option could be a trail mix containing natural unsweetened nuts and dried fruits, but pay attention, those are really high in calories, so do not eat more than a handful.
  • And the last but not the least on my list is water. Very important to drink a lot of water, especially when you are travelling by plane, and the air is so dry. Skip the diet drinks and sugar free “healthy” juices, water is your best friend 🙂

So these are my tips, hope I was helpful and hope you have a nice travel!

See you soon! :*

Why is protein so important in our diet?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAHello my dear readers!

I have something to share with you about  a question I’ve been asked a lot. My diet and supplementation. So here you go a little story about our best friend the Proteins! 🙂

Protein builds, maintains, and replaces the tissues in our body. Our muscles, organs, and our immune system are made up mostly of protein.

So protein is the building block for muscle and, since the body can’t store excess protein for later as with carbohydrates and fat, consistent intake throughout the day is needed in order to keep muscles strong and healthy. Consuming a higher protein diet can help you lose weight. Protein helps regulate appetite and cravings by enhancing the feeling of fullness for longer after a meal or snack.

Because it is recommended to eat protein frequently throughout the day, you might think this means you have to eat beef several times a day, but that’s not the case. Here is a short list of plant and animal protein sources:

Animal Protein

  • Fish (anchovies, calamari, cod, flounder, salmon, sardines, swordfish, tuna canned in water, tuna steak, sushi)
  • Shellfish (crab, lobster, oysters, shrimp/prawn)
  • Poultry and other meat (chicken, turkey, buffalo, filet mignon, flank steak, lean ground beef, fat-free ham, lean pork loin, top and bottom round of beef)
  • Dairy (milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese)
  • Eggs
  • Supplements (whey, casein)

Plant Protein

  • Legumes (beans, peas, lentils, soybeans)
  • Vegetables
  • Grains
  • Cereals
  • Nuts & seeds

Supplements

Whey protein contains many essential amino acids that boost the immune system and promote overall good health. You can find it in dairy foods, but also as a supplement in powdered form. The flavored powder tastes great sprinkled on oatmeal or mixed with milk, water or juice.

Whey is quickly digested, which makes it great for eating around workouts. Many protein shakes combine whey protein with another type of slow-releasing protein, casein. This mixture provides a combination of fast and slow releasing proteins, which allows for complete coverage over two-and-a-half to three hour window between meals.

Protein shakes with some additional carbohydrate accelerate workout recovery. You can easily make them yourself by mixing water with a scoop or packet of powder, so they’re a quick and easy snack that’s rich in protein but low in of bad fats.

10530911-1395068394-711095My choice:

As you know some time ago I got a package from a brand called MYPROTEIN, UK’s nr. 1 sports nutrition brand. They sent me some products to try them out, and I have to tell you I love their products.

I am a very busy girl, so I like the quick and healthy snacks throughout the day.

Immediately after a full night of sleep or a tiring workout, the body has little to no protein available to rebuild tissue. So if I have to run in the morning I just drink a tasty shake from MYprotein, my personal favorite is the Impact Whey Protein in strawberry cream flavor – you can purchase it here http://tidd.ly/ad8d69fe

Sometimes I like my protein shake denser, in this case I add some Protein Crispies http://tidd.ly/4824e202 – they are so so tasty and they fill you up for hours.

Another very important thing in my diet is the presence of greens and antioxidants.

I put a scoop into my smoothies from this delicious Total Nutri- Greens in Tropical flavor which is a blend of 22 different super foods – http://tidd.ly/83adc24b.

Hope you enjoyed this little presentation about the supplements from my diet, I really think you need good supplementation if you are working out on a daily basis.

 Have a nice day guys! :*