At some point in the history of mankind, he realized that hunting wild game was difficult, time consuming and often dangerous. With this realization came the caveman version of “there’s gotta be a better way!”
Some caveman (Okay… probably a cavewoman… you know how stubborn we men are!) looked around and noticed all the green stuff all over. Maybe his keen sense of smell noticed how fresh the stuff smelled, as well. He certainly had to notice that there were a lot more leafy greens than available deer, antelope or mammoths.
So hunter gatherers began eating green and raw foods. Good for them, and good for us! Unfortunately, with the rise in world populations, the agricultural and industrial revolutions and the advent of the “instant gratification” lifestyle, Americans moved away from farm-fresh and towards pre-processed, pre-packaged and junk foods. Green foods and vegetables in general are making a “comeback” thanks to better education and lots of fear-inducing news stories about obesity, heart disease and other large scale health problems.
While green foods are claimed to have health benefits including improved immune function, better digestion, improvements in eyesight, brain function and heart health, I’d like to focus on the benefits to athletes of consuming green and raw foods (vegetables.)
Athletic performance is aided by consumption of fresh vegetables and green foods by virtue of the fact that these carbohydrate sources are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and enzymes.
Vitamins and minerals, while not a direct source of energy, aid the body in regulating metabolism and breaking down energy sources from foods. Enzymes also assist this process. A diet rich in raw and green foods, as well as vegetables in general, will therefore result in higher levels of energy absorption from food sources.
Recovery time between exercises, sports activity or workouts is enhanced by the consumption of green and raw foods. The chlorophyll contained in green veggies helps increase oxygen uptake in the body. This, in turn, helps flush lactic acid, allowing muscles to recover quicker and more fully. Increased oxygen uptake also means better muscular and cardiorespiratory endurance for athletes.
Antioxidants also help to reduce inflammation in muscles and joints. This helps avoid missed workouts, games, meets or matches. Pain is a great limiter, and inflammation causes pain. Eating greens and raw foods may just help you stay in the game!
What are “green foods?” Simple; they’re vegetables of various types. Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, asparagus), leafy greens (Romaine lettuce, green, red, Boston or bibb lettuce, spinach, collard greens, watercress), sprouts of broccoli, alfalfa or radishes, or sea vegetables like kelp. However, any fresh vegetable, of any color will help you perform better. Peppers, green beans, peas, squash and zucchini all contain beneficial goodies!
Add them to your diet in easy ways. Add peppers, broccoli or spinach to omelettes or egg whites, or even in soups. Include dark lettuce and/or watercress on every sandwich. Chop broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, peppers and cabbage and mix together with low-fat mayo and some parmesan cheese for a fresh take on slaw.
Now, let us talk about a few key tips to note regarding super green foods for inducing weight loss.
• You need to try a green smoothie in order to lose quick weight. Green smoothies basically contain several vegetables, some of which comprise in cucumbers, spinach, parsley, stalks and kale. By drinking these green smoothies you can easily consume nutrients, minerals, enzymes and chlorophyll.
• You must make a healthy salad that includes green vegetables, such as kale, spinach, celery stalks and cucumbers. You can even add up other vegetables including tomatoes, carrots and Brussels sprouts. You should avoid using iceberg lettuce. Unhealthy dressings should be avoided in order to enhance the health and nutrient quotient.
• Now, you got to blend a proper batch of your own smoothies. We all know that everyone’s taste is a bit dissimilar, and you might not like the ready – made smoothies. Therefore, you can mix up your favorite green vegetables to prepare a smoothie. You can add several spices such as ginger or pepper too. I am sure you are going to love the taste of these smoothies as they are not only tasty but quite healthy as well.
• At last, you need to cook a bowl of green vegetable soup. You can add some amazing vegetables to a boiling pot of clear water. Utilize celery stalks, kale, broccoli, cucumbers, arugula and spinach. You must consider adding other things like carrots, chick peas and beets. Ginger, pepper or salt could also make your smoothie tastier.
These are some of the most important things to remember regarding super green foods to lose quick weight. You must follow all these tips and instructions carefully in order to generate the best possible results in terms of weight loss. You must consult a health professional before taking on a particular health diet. Go through this article carefully if you want to know more about super green foods for weight loss. Enjoy a lot while maintaining a healthy body and a proper physique.
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