The link between health and diet is well established in nutritional science. When the body is placed under additional stress, that link becomes even more consequential. For athletes, the demands of sport require a greater source of energy and nutrients for the body to maintain the level of activity. A nutritionally adequate diet is the foundation of an athlete’s performance; it has a significant impact on the strength of the body and its ability to recover after exercising. A thorough understanding of the interaction between diet, health, and exercise can help athletes develop optimal training programs, achieve a healthy weight,.. READ MORE »
The vegetarian lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular for its environmental, nutritional, and ethical considerations. Unfortunately, for some people, a vegetarian diet can be difficult to maintain, since it requires more careful attention to protein levels and caloric intake. This is where the flexitarian diet comes in. Essentially, the flexitarian diet is a vegetarian diet with flexibility. It focuses on consuming mostly plant-based foods while allowing room for animal products in moderation. When it comes to athletes, nutrition and diet plans play a more significant role in developing optimal training programs, achieving a healthy weight, and reducing the risk of injuries.. READ MORE »
In the diet world, low-carbohydrate and high-protein nutrition plans are some of the most popular options. These are commonly referred to as a ketogenic or keto diet. Unlike many low-carb diets, which focus on an increased protein intake, a true keto diet is centred around fat. The idea is to increase your fat consumption in place of carbohydrates to supply as much as 90% of your daily calories. The keto diet has a long-standing history in science with potential health benefits against diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease. While research remains inconclusive, the keto diet is also followed in popular.. READ MORE »
If you enjoy working with people and have an interest in activities that promote health, a career in sport and nutrition may be right for you. Whether you want to work in fitness, become a health coach, or pursue opportunities in healthcare, it will be useful to have an understanding of the types of exercise and nutrition that support pregnancy. During pregnancy, parents will likely experience a range of emotions, and feel both excited and nervous throughout. As a sport and nutrition professional, you can help. What kinds of questions might come up and how should you answer them? Keep.. 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 »
Since when did ingesting bacteria make us healthier? For centuries, doctors have understood the connection between good food and good health, but it hasn’t been until recently that doctors and nutritionists have started to recognize the relationship between ingesting good bacteria and good health. One of the fastest growing and widely supported trends in the health food industry is probiotics—live bacteria and yeast that benefit the digestive system and the general health of a person. According to Agriculture and Agri Food Canada, 35 per cent of Canadians have consumed probiotics, and 56 per cent said they are probably going to.. READ MORE »
Sports supplements have become such a common sight that it’s hard to imagine them as potentially harmful. We pass by nutritional supplement stores while shopping at the mall, we see advertisements on TV, and they’re openly available on the internet from seemingly trustworthy websites like BodyBuilding.com. The truth is that although supplements are packaged professionally and may be sponsored by a famous celebrity, they usually haven’t received FDA approval. While FDA approval isn’t mandatory to market a sports supplement, all manufacturers must comply with FDA guidelines for accurate marketing and labelling. Because supplement regulation is such a grey area, some.. READ MORE »
Every athlete has their own unique nutritional needs designed for their training, body composition and with their performance goals in mind. These professionals work closely with a sports nutritionist to make sure that their bodies get the proteins, fiber, carbohydrates, minerals and nutrients that they need to perform at their best. For vegetarian athletes, the need to follow a balanced and well-structured diet is even more important. Without a properly balanced diet, they can suffer from problems such as: Fatigue Decreased performance Vitamin and mineral deficiencies Fortunately, with the help of a trained nutritionist, vegetarian athletes can get all of.. READ MORE »
The human body is approximately 60% water. That water plays a vital role, as it helps transport nutrients, eliminate waste, and regulate body temperature. Unfortunately, that water reserve is constantly being depleted through sweat, urine, and stool. This is why nutritionists recommend drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated. But “plenty” of water has meant very different things over the years, and old theories about hydration are changing thanks to new scientific research. So just how much do nutritionists recommend people drink to stay healthy? Read on to find out what the latest research is saying about healthy hydration. Not.. READ MORE »