11 Super Fitness Foods For You

Your body depends on certain nutrients to fuel it through a workout or after a power-packed session. Unfortunately, not all foods are fit for the job.

If you’re looking for superfoods that will keep you pumped all through the year and help you get the best results of your fitness goals, then here are some superfoods you should incorporate into your diet.

Bananas
Think of a banana as a sports drink. This fruit provides antioxidants, carbohydrates, potassium and other nutritional benefits and is a great way to get energised before a workout. Potassium helps with fluid absorption and is great for relieving muscle cramps, which are mostly a result of the lack of sodium.

Beets
Beets contain a good amount of nitrates, which can give you the little push you need to get you through your workout sessions. Research has found that nitrates improve oxygen use and help people exercise for longer.

Carrots
Believe it or not, carrots are so much of a powerful antioxidant that a single cup of this superfood provides almost six times your daily recommended allowance of vitamin A. It contains vitamin C and selenium, a nutrient that’s quite hard to come by, and is sure to help your body fight free radicals during your workout sessions. It also has complex carbs that provide energy to muscles and potassium that helps control blood pressure and muscle contraction.

Chia seeds
Chia seeds are packed with enough calcium to keep the bodies of athletes and fitness lovers strong. It is also very easy for the body to absorb nutrients from these seeds. So add a teaspoon of ground chia seeds to your post-workout smoothie or salad to enhance optimal recovery.

Eggs
Eggs are said to be one of the most nutritious foods in the world and there are many reasons why it is so. They are made up of protein, essential amino acids crucial in muscle and bone cell growth and regeneration, lecithin, calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc and vitamins A, D, E and B. An ideal snack for endurance athletes, having whole hardboiled eggs within 20 to 30 minutes of your workout goes a long way in keeping you fit.

Milk
There is so much more to milk than calcium. Milk hydrates just as well as water and contains nutrients that help increase muscle protein synthesis after strength and endurance training. It gives you the energy your body needs while keeping your calorie count low. Add a touch of cocoa to your milk drink for an extra kick that’s great for replenishing and repairing muscles.

Peppermint oil
All you need is a drop in your water bottle before you workout and this essential oil will help regulate your blood pressure, breathing ability and overall exercise performance during a session.

Spinach
It is safe to say that Popeye was right; spinach will keep you strong. A research done in Sweden discovered that inorganic nitrate, which is abundant in spinach, improves muscle performance as it helps the muscles require less oxygen to function optimally.

Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, which is a natural antioxidant that protects cardiovascular health and helps reduce exercise-induced muscle damage.

Watermelon
If you’re looking for something to help ease post-workout muscle pain, then watermelon juice is your best bet. Watermelon is rich in an amino acid called L-citrulline, which helps reduce recovery heart rate and muscle soreness.

Berries
Berries are one of the foods richest in antioxidants; just a handful can protect your muscles from free radical damage that may be caused by exercise.