Maxitone Lifestyle Nutrition Guide – Spring 2010
Maxitone Myths: We asked fitness journalist Laura Williams to answer some of the myths of lifestyle nutrition.
“Calories eaten after 8pm are more likely to turn to fat.”
False. You gain weight when you eat more calories in a day than your body burns – time of day is 100% irrelevant. So don’t sweat it if you’re a fan of big dinners – just make sure you’re not overeating full-stop.
“Protein shakes are just for body builders”.
False. The average woman needs 45g of protein a day – that’s the equivalent of eight medium-sized eggs! Not only do you need protein to stay alive, it also helps to keep appetite levels down – handy when you’re working out and trying not to overeat. If you struggle to get your RDA of protein, consider supplementing your diet with a protein bar or shake from the tasty Definity range.
“Not all fat is bad for you.”
True. We need some fat in our diet but there are such things as good fats and bad fats. The rule of thumb is that anything which solidifies at room temperature (e.g. butter) is likely to be a ‘bad’ fat which clogs arteries and raises cholesterol levels. Good fats, such as olive oil, seeds and nuts and oily fish, help to reduce the risk of heart disease, though, and boost immunity. If you want to upp your good fat intake without the hike in calories, try taking a supplement such as Finesse Omega.
“You need to cut out puddings and sweets if you want to lose weight.”
False. Ever heard the saying, “deprivation is the downfall of all diets”? You don’t need to cut out your favourite food or tipple to get in great shape – just make sure you’re aware of how many calories you’re taking in compared to how many calories you’re burning up. If you splurge on your favourite dessert one day, train a little bit longer or harder the next.
“Caffeine’s good for you.”
True. Caffeine works by increasing the rate of fatty acid metabolism and decreasing the rate of carbohydrate metabolism during aerobic exercise. Put simply, caffeine will encourage your body to hang onto your food stores and use your body fat as fuel instead. And if you needed any more reason to try caffeine-rich Sculptress bars, research from the University of Georgia found that drinking the equivalent of two cups of coffee before a workout reduced post-workout soreness by 48%!
To book a session or to find out how Laura can help you get into shape, email her at laura@laurawilliamsonline.co.uk
Or call her on 07712 001525.