Sometimes it pays to invest in something. For example, cheaping out on your shoes is a horrible idea. You’re on your feet all day, and for those of us who train hard in the gym, proper foot and arch support can keep your dogs from barking and your lower back from aching. With food, whole grains can cost up to 46 percent more than refined grains, according to whole grains seminar in June. But the return is more beneficial than going the cheap route and purchasing refined grains; whole grains provide longer lasting energy and can boost fiber, vitamin, antioxidant, and phytochemicals intake. In turn, you can feel fuller for longer and ward off insulin spikes, which trigger hunger cravings.
The gluten-free craze has gained popularity in recent years. Only one percent of the U.S. population suffers from celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that’s triggered by ingesting gluten. But gluten intolerance isn’t as uncommon as it once was. Why? Perhaps it’s due to overconsumption. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and so many other food products many of us consume everyday; the lack of variety has made our bodies more susceptible to developing food allergies than if we were snacking on a more varied diet.
While you’ve heard of gluten-free whole grains such as oats, corn, wild rice, and quinoa, you may not have heard of amaranth, teff, or millet. Amaranth, for example, contains about 13 to 14 percent protein, which is more protein than many other whole grains. Aside from the protein content — you can get protein from whey, whey isolate, and lean meats — actively attempting to insert these gluten-free whole grains into your diet can help boost variety. Just like when you train, the more you change things, the more benefits you receive. In this case, it’s introducing more nutrients. Plus, it’s a healthy way to discover new dishes and tastes that you may otherwise miss out on.
At Proven4 we believe that proper nutrition, a strict training regimen, and our NSF Certified for Sport workout supplements —Pre Game Formula, Energy Formula, and Recovery Push Formula — can help you achieve optimal results in the gym and on the field.
