Best Fitness Blog

... By Karli Taylor

It seems as though as soon as I stock my kitchen with the new “it” foods, a new batch of superfoods is in the news. Does anyone else feel that way? Move over acai berries and greek yogurt, here comes a whole new crop of superfoods bound to become the next big thing.

Have you heard of Skry? Iceland’s answer to Greek yogurt is technically a soft cheese, but its texture and nutrients are similar and it includes the same basic ingredients as yogurt. Skyr is made using a centuries-old straining process that removes the whey (liquid), which makes it creamy and thick without providing any fat. A single serve 6 oz container of plain, nonfat sykr packs 17 g of protein compared to about 15 g in Greek and 8 g in traditional yogurt.

How about Teff? Ancient grains like quinoa and spelt have been trendy over the past few years, and now the ancient African grain called teff has joined the clique. It’s known for its sweet, molasses-like flavor and its versatility. It can be cooked as an oatmeal alternative, added to baked goods or made into "teff polenta." It packs twice the iron of other grains and three times the calcium with comparable amounts of fiber.

Finding the next obscure fruit with a high nutrient value has become big business. Some such as dragonfruit, goji berry and açai are still power players, but the list is growing quickly. Experts predict that cupuaçu will be the next to compete for the championship. This creamy-fleshed, distinctly flavored fruit related to cacao grows in the Amazon and is known for its high levels of antioxidants. Its juice tastes like pear with a hint of banana.

Last but certainly not least is the chia seed. When most people hear the word chia, the first thing that comes to mind are the tabletop potted plants in the likeness of a dog, a sheep and even President Barack Obama. These small oval seeds pack more heart- and brain-saving omega-3 fatty acids than flax seeds, don’t go bad as quickly, and have been shown in research to lower blood pressure and inflammation, a known trigger of premature aging and disease. Just one tbsp provides 5 g of fiber, about twice as much as golden flaxseed. Whip some into a smoothie — just be prepared for gel-ish result since these gems soak up about 12 times their weight in fluid.

Visit one of our Best Fitness Clubs to learn even more about this topic. We have locations in Albany,NY, Tonawanda, NY, Schenectady, NY, Erie, PA, Nashua, NH, Chelmsford, MA, and Drum Hill, MA.

... By Karli Taylor

If asked, most people will tell you that drinking green tea is good for you. Over the last decade, green tea has been linked to health benefits ranging from fighting cancer and heart disease and lowering cholesterol to burning fat. More recent research has pointed out a few ways to get more out of that tiny little tea leaf….

Green tea has been linked to a reduced risk of heart attacks, thanks to powerful antioxidants called catechins. Studies show, however, that our bodies are only able to absorb about 20 percent of these healthful compounds. The good news is that by combining green tea with lemon juice, we can increase the absorption to over 75%!

So after brewing yourself a cup of green tea, squeeze in the juice of one whole lemon. If you don’t like the flavor of lemon, lime and orange can in at a close second and third in recent studies. It is the ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, that improves catechin absorption.

People who drink green tea with their meals report feeling more full and are less likely to want a second helping than those who drink plain water. Experts say the compounds in green tea can affect the hormones that regulate hunger and fullness. If you are drinking green tea for fat loss, you may want to try adding black pepper to your next meal. A recent study found that the combination of greet tea and black pepper boosts the absorption of EGCG, a key antioxidant in tea tied to calorie burning, by over 100 percent. Studies say as little as a half-teaspoon of black pepper can increase the absorption of tea’s beneficial compounds.

... By Karli Taylor

By now, everyone knows that acai berries, red wine and almonds are “superfoods”, but did you know that there are hundreds of other foods that offer many of the same benefits? Let’s look at a few that I’m willing to bet you have underestimated!

Mushrooms: When we think anti-oxidants, we tend to think berries right? Would you be surprised if I told you that not only do mushrooms rate very highly on the anti-oxidant meter, but they are also a great source of vitamin D? Throw some fungi into your next pasta sauce instead of meat- your family will get the texture they are used to without the fat and calories that comes with ground beef and will get an extra nutrient punch.

Cauliflower: You hear a lot about the value of brightly colored veggies, but what about cauliflower? One cup of broccoli's colorless cruciferous cousin supplies about three-quarters of your daily value of vitamin C. Cauliflower also contains anti-oxidants linked to the prevention of melanoma, but boiling or microwaving will diminishes the antioxidants so try roasting, steaming or grilling to reap the most benefits.

Beer: Beer drinkers rejoice. You no longer have to give up your brew for a glass of vino in the name of heart health. Studies show that people who consume one glass of red wine or one beer each night have a lower risk of developing high blood pressure than nondrinkers. Beer has also been linked to greater bone density in postmenopausal women because of the mineral silicon, an ingredient found most in india pale ales. Remember to limit yourself to one alcoholic drink a day, however, as research shows that more than that may have the opposite effect on your health.