When it comes to food, I always look for nourishment and functionality.  I pay close attention to how my body feels and responds to the food I eat.  If something doesn’t digest easy, I can immediately feel the discomfort in my tummy.  And since that is not a pleasant feeling, I know better to avoid such food next time around. 

Functional foods act as natural nutritional “helpers” and can directly complement your training effort.  In fact, ongoing attention to balanced whole food nutrition gives you an immediate boost in both mental and physical performance; it can help you achieve performance breakthrough.  How awesome is that?

If you are looking for some healthy snack options that will fuel your fitness activity and will also satisfy you in a delicious, nutritious way,  this here is your PERFECT fuel:  Sprouted Ezekiel bread, raw almond butter, sliced banana and sprinkle of cinnamon.

Why sprouted bread?  Besides tasting good, sprouted bread is very nutritious, it has a low glycemic index and is easy to digest.  It is also an excellent source of omega 3 essential fatty acids,  contains all 9 essential amino acids which makes it a complete protein, and it is 100% flourless.  Sprouted-grain breads are made from whole-grain kernels that are allowed to sprout and then ground up and baked into bread. Because the kernels are not ground into flour, such breads are often referred to as “flourless.”

Whether you are an elite athlete or a recreational fitness enthusiast, a healthy balance of all macronutrients is necessary for optimal athletic performance, and for optimal health in general.  I am not one of those who can do the “no carb” low carb” or  ”no fat” diet –  I have found my body performs best when I combine protein, healthy carbs and healthy fats in every meal – something I learned from Brendan, author of the book “Thrive“.

Protein is needed to build muscle and also aids in recovery from workouts.  Carbs are awesome as fuel; they are the preferred source of nutrients for energy from our bodies.  Though make sure you only eat healthy carbs from whole grains, fruit and veggies  – sorry but candy and sugar do NOT fall into this category.  As long as you are eating healthy complex carbohydrates, you will be getting the fiber that your body needs as well.  The benefits of fiber are endless.  Studies have shown that fiber might be a key in preventing certain diseases because fiber ensures that the waste is being flushed out of the body.  I know I feel my lightest and best when I am eating plenty of complex carbohydrates and plenty of fruits and veggies.  And lets not forget the healthy fats.  Nuts and seeds contain essential fatty acids as well as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.  Walnuts, almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, coconut meat and coconut oil, avocado and dark chocolate are all great examples of healthy fats.   What’s more is that these healthy fats play a crucial role in the beauty department as well — incorporating them in our diet will give us healthy looking hair, nails and glowing skin.  Just be sure to watch your portion sizes with these fats.  I usually stick to 1 tablespoon of nut butter, 1/4 of an avocado, no more than a 1/4 cup of nuts and 2 teaspoons of oil per serving.

Everyone seems to have an eating style that works for them best.  Experiment with a variety of food and find what works best for your beautiful, unique body.

x ek