When thinking of things that influence a person’s body weight, the first things that probably come to mind are eating habits and exercise regimens. Though both these things do indeed factor into a person’s body weight, the overall picture is more complex. Food-related habits, like the consumption of high-fat and high-calorie foods, and the speed at which a person eats, can influence body weight. Exercise, or the lack of it, is also a determinant of body weight. However, there are many factors that come together to determine a person’s body weight, and not all of them are related to lifestyle.. READ MORE »
Caffeine is a substance found frequently in energy drinks, gels, pills, and shots that advertise performance-enhancement effects. However, what exactly are these effects, and are they truly beneficial for athletes? As a future professional in the nutrition and health industry, it’s important to be knowledgeable about the claims and effects underlying different sports-related supplements. This includes knowledge of ergogenic substances: those that are intended to enhance one’s physical performance. Caffeine is perhaps the most widely consumed ergogenic substance, used all throughout the world millions of times a day to stay awake or boost productivity. Read on to find out how.. READ MORE »
In November 2019, the BC Centre for Disease Control began a collaboration with the BC Institute of Technology to test over 700 bottles of kombucha from all over Canada for their alcohol content. What prompted this study? Although kombucha has been commercially distributed for decades and the amount of alcohol allowed is regulated, procedures for transport, storage, and testing are still a little murky. If you are interested in the scientific fundamentals of nutrition, the history, processing, and regulation of fermented drinks provide a framework to consider several aspects of food processing and how it relates to health. Fermentation refers.. READ MORE »
Assessments are a large part of working in the fitness industry. They allow for information to be gathered about clients with minimal guesswork. A client’s diet will affect their health and performance, both at present and in the future. In cases where clients incur injuries or illness, eating correctly can also improve their chances of a speedy path to recovery and restoring their wellness. Factors affecting a client’s diet include: Finances Access Time Habits Psychological influences, like obsession with food and/or body weight Information they have been given It’s important when helping someone with their nutrition to assess and evaluate.. READ MORE »
Social media is where many people turn for quick tips on nutrition and fitness. With flashy influencers, quick videos, and wellness trends everywhere, there’s more information available than one can fully process. With the high traffic of online resources, it can get tricky to determine between fact and myth. As someone with an education in sport and nutrition, you can help clear up some of these false claims when you enter the industry, by focusing on scientific fundamentals. Here are a few of the common myths that appear on social media and why they aren’t true. Read on for a.. READ MORE »
Is there such a thing as a one-size-fits-all diet? Check out why a new study says no and what that means for students in nutrition and health training.
The margins at the top of competitive sports are consistently becoming finer and athletes are always searching for ways to gain an advantage. This may mean developing new athletic techniques, using new equipment, or devising new training regimes, but illegal means are also being used as a shortcut to success. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has a global remit to identify and eliminate the use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs), and create a level playing field in the process. WADA guidelines are complex and evolving, so they should be constantly monitored by nutrition and health experts involved in sports performance.. READ MORE »
When people hear the word “snacking,” images of chips, candy, and other indulgences will usually come to mind. However, members of the professional nutrition community have argued that snacking can be beneficial to an individual’s health. Many claim that it can improve metabolic rate, curb hunger, and help with weight loss. If you’re interested in becoming a health and nutrition professional, your future career could involve advising your clients on forming and maintaining healthy eating habits. Will snacking be a part of those habits? Read on to discover the truth behind snacking. The Benefits of Snacking Depend on the Food.. READ MORE »
In today’s fast food world, it’s easy to assume that eating healthy is too expensive for budget-conscious consumers. But while buying organic vegetables and premium juice in health stores can admittedly be costly, there are numerous other affordable options available. Students pursuing a Nutrition, Health, and Sport diploma program at a top college like AAPS understand better than most the important role that nutritious foods have in optimizing the body’s health. They also know that clients don’t necessarily have to choose between eating healthy and eating affordably. In fact, with the help of a few savvy shopping tips, your clients.. READ MORE »
If one athlete is running triathlons and one is a body builder, should these athletes have the same diet? As trained nutritionists know, the answer is probably not. One is seeking to stabilize blood levels to ensure that their body continues to perform at optimal capacity, and the other is seeking to build muscle by ingesting high levels of protein and carbohydrates. With two different body types and two different goals also comes two different diets. It’s one of the reasons why students completing their studies at the Academy of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS) take one course on the nutritional.. READ MORE »
