10 best fitness foods for women [Online Source]

Source: 10 Best Fitness Foods for Women

Diet is an integral part of any healthy lifestyle. And although basic rules like cutting down on fat and reducing your sugar intake are effective, there are a number of specific foods that can take you that extra mile.

Here are 10 of the best foods for fitness, all geared towards the needs of women. If you live an active lifestyle, or just want to improve your overall health, get these on your grocery list today…

10 of the Best Fitness Foods for Women

Bananas – Bananas often get a bad rap when it comes to dieting, because they’re a little higher in calories. But I’m not such a big fan of calorie counting, especially if you’re working out and staying active. Bananas are a great source of energy (perfect just before a workout), and they’re high in potassium to make up for what’s lost when you work up a sweat!

Avocados – You can’t remove fat completely from your diet. Your body needs it for a number of things, including hormone production and prevention of injury. But you should be making the right choices when it comes to fat. Avocados contain healthy monounsaturated fats that actually boost your metabolism and help you burn fat! They’re also really high in protein to support lean muscle.

Raspberries – Like all berries, raspberries are high in antioxidants to aid in metabolism and keep you looking young and healthy. Raspberry ketones, natural compounds responsible for giving the fruit its aroma, have been shown to improve weight loss. You can also get them in a fat-burning supplement like L-Carnitine Plus Raspberry Ketones.

Cucumbers – Cucumbers are made up primarily of water, making them ideal for women who are trying to lose weight. They’ll fill you up, and offer a natural detox. They also contain natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Oats – When it comes to carbs, oats are ideal for a fitness-focused lifestyle. They’re less processed than many other grains, and they contain a ton of energy in the form of complex carbohydrates. They’re also very high in protein. Just try to stick to all-natural options, and add things like nuts, cinnamon, and fresh fruit.

Hummus – If you like your snacks, you should always have some hummus on hand. It contains health unsaturated fats, complex carbs, and a decent dose of protein – everything you need to support a healthy lifestyle. It’s also pretty low in calories overall. Use it as a dip for veggies, or spread it on sandwiches as an alternative to butter and mayo.

Eggs – Eggs have also gotten a bad rap, but one or two a day will not be any problem for those in relatively good health. They’re a great source of protein, and the yolk is high in iron. To reduce your fat intake and watch the grease, eat your eggs hardboiled or poached.

Salmon – Fish like salmon contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown in research to actually redistribute fat away from your waistline, minimizing the appearance of a belly and love handles. It may be hard to include in your diet on a daily basis, which is why I also recommend supplementing with a natural fish oil like these Optimum Fish Oil Softgels.

Chicken Thighs – You don’t want to be eating dark meat in every meal, as it does contain more fat than white meat. But it’s still lower in fat compared to red meat, and it contains a lot of healthy ingredients that make it worth your while. Dark meat like that found in chicken thighs and drumsticks is high in zinc and iron to support energy, as well as B vitamins to support healthy brain functioning.

Almond Milk – In my opinion, this is the healthiest milk alternative you can find. Although it’s higher in fat, it’s the healthier kind of fat compared to cow’s milk. It’s also high in vitamin E for healthy skin, manganese and magnesium to support overall health, potassium and iron for energy, and calcium for your bones. With an added dose of fiber, you really can’t go wrong. And the chocolate flavor offers a great treat when you’re craving something sweet.