Taking the time to properly plan out your fitness routine and committing to it is a great way to begin your journey of achieving your fitness goals. However, all the effort and dedication you put in might not be sufficient for you to achieve the results you want without having a proper fitness diet plan. In fact, choosing the right fitness food items is one of the most crucial aspects of making your fitness plan result-oriented.
If you are new to planning out a fitness diet, the chances are high that you will go wrong in some areas. While there are no ultimate rules for planning a proper fitness diet plan, there are some important factors which, if considered, can help you steer clear of taking the wrong path. The list of some of the important do’s and don’ts that we’ve included here can help you properly plan your fitness diet which will help you reach your fitness goals.
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Do assess your goals
When it comes to planning a proper fitness diet, many people usually jump into listing the food items that they want to include in their fitness diet. However, prior to doing this, it is important to first assess your fitness goals as different fitness foods give different results.
If your fitness plan is to lose weight and get in proper shape, you need to focus on lowering fat content and increasing fibre content in your diet. Lowering fat, especially artificial fats, and focusing on natural fats while limiting them at low amounts will help you avoid gain extra weight simply put your increasing weight towards a halt. Fibre, on the other hand, will keep you full which, in turn, will help you avoid overeating.
If your fitness plan is to gain muscles, protein is what you want to focus on as one of the most important nutrients in your fitness diet. Including carbohydrates and natural fat in the mix will also help you gain the results that you want in a short period of time, provided that you do the right type of exercises on a regular basis.
Don’t make it a three-meals-in-a-day plan
Sure, it is highly important to choose the right type of foods for fitness diet plans. However, it is equally important to plan your meal times to make sure that you do not deprive your body systems of the essential nutrients for long hours or a sustained period of time. In order to get the best results out of your fitness diet, plan your meal times to more than just three times a day
Health experts and dieticians recommend eating five meals in a day. And that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to eat more, dividing your three meals to five smaller portions per day will help you get the job done. Eating five meals in smaller portions every day will help you consistently nourish your body systems as well.
Do prioritise organic foods
One of the most important factors to consider when planning a fitness diet is to include organic food items. Organic food for fitness diet works significantly better than other types of food items when it comes to achieving your fitness goals in a short period of time.
Organic food items such as broccoli, kale, tomatoes, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, chickpeas, dairy products, and lean meat and fish are good sources for important nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, protein, and Vitamin A, B, C, and E. Also, organic fruits, including apple and banana are categorised as some of the best pre-workout foods as they have a high energy content.
Don’t include packaged foods
Including packaged food items in your fitness diet is a big no. Why? Unlike organic and natural food items, packaged food items contain artificial ingredients that can take a toll on your overall health. What’s worse is packaged food items such as frozen meats, ready to eat snacks, and instant-preparation meals contain trans fats and synthetic sugars in high amounts.
Eating packet food items on a daily basis is labelled as one of the most common causes of serious health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and overweight and obesity. Ask any fitness trainers and they will tell you that the best foods for fitness training are the ones that are available under the organic category.
Do include one or two cheat days
Strictly avoiding the food items that you love in order to commit to your fitness diet can, at times, be demotivating. There is no wrong in including one or two cheat days every week where you allow yourself to relish on your favourite treats. Doing this will also help you break from the mundane routine of following your fitness diet every day; as such, it can be a refreshing experience. However, make sure not to overeat on your cheat days so that you don’t break the habit of reading in limited, strategic meal portions.
Don’t ignore your hunger pangs
Lastly, following Ltd meal portions as part of committing to your fitness diet plan doesn’t necessarily mean that you ignore your hunger pangs. In fact, doing so can have a negative impact on your overall health. Although some of the best foods for fitness workouts do work wonders in keeping you full for a long period of time, it is natural and common to experience hunger pangs at times, especially after doing medium to high-intensity exercises. In such cases, make sure to eat some healthy snacks such as and oatmeal, mixtures of nuts, and/or some fresh fruits.
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