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Pre-workout weight loss supplements are usually taken to help provide your body and muscles with all of the energy needed to move through your workout without losing stamina.  They are quite helpful for those who train very hard, and often experience soreness of muscles and general stiffness during or after a workout.  Since this discomfort can last for days, and sometimes weeks following exercise sessions, it may be hard to continue to train as often as desired. Today, there are many weight loss products and pre-workout supplements that speed the recovery of the muscles and help to improve general circulation to the region that is affected.  These supplements can help to reduce wear and tear on the muscles, thus reducing inflammation, and thereby alleviating the pain and discomfort allowing exercise to continue on uninterrupted. More and more workout enthusiasts now prefer pre-workout weight loss supplements.  The reason for this is because they are easily taken before a workout, and provide a great boost of energy to the body.  This allows for longer, harder training sessions, which then leads to greater burning of calories and more overall weight loss.  Wear, tear, and muscle fatigue is essentially eliminated, creating positive results all the way around. If you are serious about increasing the effects of your workout, and finally reaching your target goals, pre-workout weight loss products may be just the product you have been searching for.  In order to ensure the best results, it is important to choose a product with the best ingredients.  Below is a list of what to look for, along with their benefits. Amino Acids:  Just as amino acids are vital to overall health and well being, they are just as critical for providing energy to the muscles.  These acids help to increase testosterone levels naturally, as well as help to reduce anemia. Creatine:  Creatine is another component that helps to increase energy.  This will allow you to workout longer, while helping your muscles to grow and repair quickly. Glutamine:  The more you workout, the more glutamine levels in the body fall.  Glutamine works to produce energy, reduce muscle fatigue, and build up the body’s natural immunities. Pre-workout supplements can truly do wonders to increase your endurance, and give you a greater overall capacity.  Not only that, they can provide the body with a great deal more flexibility.  By adding the above mentioned components to your body, you can easily repair and heal the tired cells of major muscle groups in no time at all. The post Pre-Work Out Weight Loss Supplements appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

Proti products are a type of nutritional food products that are manufactured by Bariatrix.  These products are part of a weight control program and are high quality, high in protein, and taste great. Bariatrix is a family run business that has been a leader in the weight management industry creating weight loss programs, food products, and nutritional supplement for more than three generations.  The company continues to expand their product offerings while providing only the best in nutrition and weight loss products.  The ProtiDiet is based on the principle that properly balancing protein and other ingredients can keep clients on the diet by causing them to feel full.  The Proti brand includes cookies, bars, squares, cold and hot drinks, soups, oatmeal, and even dinners.  The top 5 products are listed below. Soups:  These soups are the perfect combination of great taste, and slow digesting proteins that keep hunger at bay for a long period of time.  They come in a variety of flavors and are between seventy and one hundred and ten calories each.  They can be eaten on their own or added to other foods as a low calorie option for seasoning or making sauces. Drinks:  The cold and hot drink offerings from Proti include delicious flavors such as lemonade, grapefruit, peach mango, orange, chocolate, and cappuccino.  These drinks are low calorie and contain no sugar.  Each mix contains proteins that are easily digested and provide a feeling of satisfaction and fullness that is long lasting.  Each drink mix contains seventy calories, less than one gram of fat, three grams of carbs, and fifteen grams of protein. Proti-Squares:  The ProtiDiet is not complete without these popular squares.  These nutritious snacks offer a quick boost and contain about two hundred calories each.  They come in delicious flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, and mocha.  Each square has about fifteen grams of protein nine grams of fat, and thirteen grams of carbs. Bars:  When cravings hit, reach for a convenient and tasty bar.  These bars have layers of flavor such as coconut almond, and caramel nut.  There are even crisp bar options such as vanilla peanut, chocolate peanut, cinnamon pecan, and caramel.  Each bar contains between one hundred and fifty and one hundred and sixty calories, and has fifteen grams of protein. Dinners:  Convenient food options that are quick, delicious, and provide all the nutrition needed.  These dinners provide a great deal of satisfaction and come in pizza and spaghettini varieties.  You can even find chocolate cake for a tasty and responsible dessert. The post Top 5 Proti Products for Weight Management appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

Bariatric surgery has become a procedure that continues to grow in popularity for a number of people who are considered morbidly obese.  This procedure can truly be life saving and transform people in more ways than one.  Even though the surgery can be extremely helpful, it is also necessary to note that various changes need to be made following the procedure and that certain supplements are needed for adequate nutrition. Because proper nutrition is quite important, specialized supplement lines such as Bariatric Fusion and Bariatric Advantage have been developed.   While both products are effective and provide plenty of nutritional benefits, they are somewhat different.  Below is a comparison to help you determine which supplement is best for your needs. Bariatric Advantage is comprised of the following nutritional breakdown:  One hundred and fifty to one hundred and sixty calories per serving; twenty seven grams of protein; seven grams of carbs; five grams of fiber; one gram of sugar; no lactose; twenty five hundred IUs of vitamin A; two hundred IUs of vitamin D; fifteen IUs of vitamin E; thirty milligrams of vitamin C; three quarters of a milligram of Thiamine (vitamin B1); 0.85 milligrams of Riboflavin (vitamin B2); one milligram of Pyridoxine (vitamin B6); 3 mcg of Vitamin B12; ten milligrams of Niacin;  150 mcg of Biotin; five milligrams of Pantothenic acid; 200 mcg of Folic acid; one hundred and fifty milligrams of calcium; 60 mcg of Chromium; one milligram of Copper; 37.5 mcg of Molybdenum; 75 mcg of Iodine; 6.3 milligrams of Iron; one hundred milligrams of Magnesium; one hundred and fifty milligrams of Phosphorus; seven and a half milligrams of Zinc; two hundred milligrams of Potassium; and two hundred and ninety milligrams of Sodium. Bariatric Fusion is comprised of the following nutritional breakdown:  One hundred and thirty eight calories per serving; twenty seven grams of protein; seven grams of carbs; five grams of fiber; one gram of sugar; no lactose; twenty five hundred IUs of vitamin A; four hundred IUs of vitamin D; fifteen IUs of vitamin E; thirty milligrams of vitamin C; three quarters of a milligram of Thiamine (vitamin B1); 0.85 milligrams of Riboflavin (vitamin B2); one milligram of Pyridoxine (vitamin B6); 6 mcg of Vitamin B12; ten milligrams of Niacin;  150 mcg of Biotin; ten milligrams of Pantothenic acid; 200 mcg of Folic acid; five hundred milligrams of calcium; 60 mcg of Chromium; one milligram of Copper; 37.5 mcg of Molybdenum; 75 mcg of Iodine; zero milligrams of Iron; two hundred milligrams of Magnesium; five hundred milligrams of Phosphorus; seven and a half milligrams of Zinc; ninety two milligrams of Potassium; and forty six milligrams of Sodium. The post Bariatric Fusion vs. Bariatric Advantage appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

Health direct supplements are a line of health and nutrition products that have been designed with quality in mind.  These supplements are intended to be used by people who are truly serious about their health and well being and are looking for only the best. Health direct has been a leader in the nutrition world for the last two decades.  The company began by providing products along with marketing advice to other nutrition and health companies, as well as consumers.  After the founder lost more than twenty five pounds and improved his own body, he began educating his family and friends about certain products and tricks he learned along the way.  From here, he decided to bring his wisdom and products to the masses, and launched a line for the public.  After a great deal of preparation and research, the company was officially launched in 1996 and continues to market their own brand of completely unique and effective supplements. Whether you are looking to lose weight, or if you are just conscious about your body healthwise, Health direct has plenty of products for everyone.  From basic health and well being supplements, to healthy aging supplements, and from joint health to digestive health and everything in between, there is sure to be something to benefit you. The company prides itself on being all natural, safe, and devoid of ingredients that may be harmful or contain stimulants.  All formulas sold are scientifically based, with real concrete evidence available to back up all of their claims.  These supplements are not like any other sold on the market, and cannot be found in generic form anywhere other than sold by the company. The company is so sure that you will love their products and that you will notice real results that cannot be seen or experienced with any other similar product, that they provide a money back guarantee.  This is simply not something you will find with other products, and something that you should take a great deal of stock in. If you are truly serious about your health, losing weight, or just feeling great, be sure to check out Health direct and their line of products.  Taking the time to learn more about the company and what they can offer can make all the difference in the world.  You will be quite impressed by the quality offerings available, and the many health benefits they can provide. The post Health Direct Supplements & Who Can Benefit From Them appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

Fast weight loss is something that many people have longed to find for years.  People tend to really start their quest for quick weight loss when a special event such as wedding or reunion is looming near and they want to look their very best.  While there are tons of weight loss products on the market today, along with diet gurus and a variety of exercise products, and even fad diets that all promise quick results, many people are still left with less than desirable results.  So, is it really possible to lose weight quickly? One method people often turn to for fast results are diet pills or supplements.  These products are meant to supplement a regular diet in an effort to cause people to drop excess weight.  They can boost metabolism, burn fat, or suppress the appetite.  For the most part, diet pills and supplements are not a meal replacement. Meal replacements are also commonly used for fast weight loss.  These replacements can be in the form of bars, or drinks and usually have all of the nutrition needed to sustain health, while reducing caloric intake.  In some cases, these replacements are combined with diet supplements. There are even liquid diets that promise quick weight loss.  Many celebrities and Hollywood elite swear by these diets and claim their bodies are detoxified in as few as one to two days, with near immediate results noted. Diets to lose weight quickly have a few key advantages.  One such advantage is that they can cause almost instant weight loss, and are ideal for people with a body mass index in excess of 30. That being said, diets that promise fast results also have disadvantages.  One such disadvantage is that people tend to regain the weight loss, and then some, once the diet is stopped.  This has been attributed to several different factors including a lack of dietary fiber.  Not consuming enough fiber can lead to digestive issues, constipation, malnutrition, dehydration, and even heart disease. Perhaps the best and healthiest way to lose weight is through consuming a proper diet and getting plenty of regular exercise.  This will naturally burn fat and calories, while increasing the metabolism.  Of all the ways to lose weight quickly, it is recommended to follow a diet and exercise plan that is doctor approved and designed by a trainer or nutritionist.  While you may not see immediate results, making positive changes will encourage results for the long term, and will allow you to lose the weight and keep it off. The post Fast Weight Loss: Is There Such a Thing? appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

With the changing seasons, and the fall colors starting to appear, thoughts naturally begin to turn toward Thanksgiving.  This one meal often packs thousands of calories, and adds a number of pounds to the waist lines of millions of people each year.  Even though the holiday is one of the most fattening, so many people really love it.  So, is it possible to enjoy Thanksgiving, but keep it healthy at the same time?  The simple answer is yes! Believe it or not, turkey is actually one of the healthiest meats around.  It is packed with lean protein, and is high in vitamin B6, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, and selenium.  Best of all, turkey is extremely low in carbs.  A three ounce serving of white meat contains just three grams of carbs, fifteen grams of protein, and only eighty seven calories. Another key to keeping Thanksgiving dinner healthy is to watch the amount of sides you consume.  For example, go easy on the stuffing.  Stuffing is stuffed with calories and carbs, as it is nothing more than butter and broth drenched bread.  In many cases people add extras such as sausage or shellfish which only compounds the calories and fat.  If you simply cannot skip this tasty side, make sure you keep your serving small and reasonable, to about a half cup. Finally, make Thanksgiving healthier by beginning a new tradition.  After dinner is over, suggest a fun activity that everyone can take part in.  A simple walk around the neighborhood or a game of touch football out in the yard can get your blood pumping, and help burn off some of those delicious dinner calories. The post Keeping Thanksgiving Dinner Healthy appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

The cold weather often keeps people inside.  When people are kept inside they tend to become a bit lazy, snack a bit more, and spend more time lounging on the couch, starring at the television.  After all, heading out into the frigid air, and the snow drifts does not appeal to everyone, and not everyone enjoys colder temperatures.  So, how do you stay active when you just cannot bear to head outside? One great way to stay active is to simply move your exercise routine indoors.  Buy some light weights to lift, a few workout DVDs, or a piece of exercise equipment.  Workout just as you would outside, at least a few times a week for best results.  You can even make use of common household items such as canned goods, bags of rice, and your stairs to create a complete exercise circuit. Winter is also a great time to tackle those household projects you have been putting off.  If you have been meaning Finally, some of the new video games actually provide a great workout.  Be sure to choose games that are completely interactive, and if possible, ones that track your personal results.  What will seem like a few hours of afternoon fun can turn out to be a wonderful, fat burning session that yields tremendous results.to rearrange your closets, organize your kitchen, or redecorate a room, do it now.  Not only will be thrilled to have your projects done, you will also get a great workout at the same time. The post Ways to Keep Active When It’s Cold Outside appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

You may have come across the phrase meal replacements but may not know exactly what it means, or what is involved in the process.  This type of diet plan is somewhat new, and requires the eating of foods that are prepackaged, supplements, or shakes to curb your appetite, instead of more traditional meals. Meal replacements and meal replacement shakes are designed to help control the amount of food that is consumed, but they are also low in fat, low in calories, and well balanced.  These programs are relatively easy to follow since they do not require dieters to count calories, and since everything is set up for you, you do not have to select individual foods to eat.  These types of meal packages or shakes typically provide the right amount of calories and nutrition to achieve healthy weight loss. The main purpose of meal replacement plans is to create a caloric deficit within your body, which will then cause the extra fat that is already stored to be burned for energy.  This will then result in a reduction of pounds, causing you to lose weight.  General muscle mass will most likely remain unchanged, unless combined with a weight training program. Meal replacements and meal replacement shakes work to keep dieters from feeling hungry, which helps to curb snacking and nibbling during the day.  This in turn helps to keep you from falling victim to many of the common issues that come with other types of dieting programs.  Even though the replacement meals are somewhat smaller in size, you can eat them more frequently during the day, usually every couple of hours. There are a variety of meal replacement options, and most eliminate sugar entirely.  Men and women also are provided with different meals as they tend to require different nutritional requirements.  Specialized meal options for people who have specific dietary needs (such as diabetics and vegetarians), as well as for those who are very active are also available. So, it is really worthwhile to change your diet and take part in one of these programs?  There are a large number of people who say yes and have found these programs to provide great results, proving as much as five pounds of weight loss each week.  While these results are good, they are exceptional, as most people report losing roughly two pounds per week. Meal replacement diets have another advantage as well.  While you do have to purchase the specialized meals, the cost is roughly equal to that of the amount traditionally spent on groceries.  This is not the case with other types of diet plans, such as those that require the use of expensive medications or supplements.  Also, there is no need to purchase extra vitamin supplements, since these programs are healthy and well balanced. Finally, meal replacements can be stopped as soon as you reach your goal for weight loss.  You can then resume making your own meals, or continue on with the program as long as you wish. The post Curbing Your Appetite With Meal Replacements appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

Bariatric surgery has been a life saver for a large number of overweight people all over the world.  While the surgery can help in a number of ways, it is important to understand that changes do have to be made following the procedure, and certain nutritional supplements may be needed.  Because of this issue, certain lines of supplements such as Bariatric Advantage, and Celebrate Vitamins have been developed to help patients receive the necessary nutrition. Regardless of what brand or type of supplement you choose to use following bariatric surgery, it is important to ensure you select a product that contains the following key nutrients. Iron:  Anemia is a common condition seen in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.  The most common reason for this is because of an iron deficiency that is said to affect twenty to forty nine percent of all patients.  It is recommended that bariatric patients take a good quality multivitamin that contains iron and/or an iron supplement for an indefinite period.  Those who regularly consume a high amount of coffee, tea, or soda can cause iron interruption which can keep the body from properly absorbing iron.  Doctors often order blood tests to monitor iron levels in post surgical patients. Calcium and Vitamin D:  Bariatric surgery can also cause the body to have difficulty absorbing calcium.  While multivitamins do contain some calcium, those who have had this procedure will need higher levels to maintain health.  It is recommended that patients ingest between one thousand and twelve hundred milligrams of extra calcium per day.  These supplements should be taken at least two hours before or after iron supplements are taken.  Since there are many different types of calcium supplements available on the market today, it is important to note that calcium citrate is more easily absorbed by those who have undergone bariatric surgery.  Vitamin D also helps the body to efficiently absorb calcium, and it is recommended that patients take one thousand IU of Vitamin D per day. Vitamin B12:  Bariatric surgery also impedes the body’s ability to absorb and process Vitamin B12 that is found in food sources.  Since the amount of Vitamin B12 that is needed cannot be obtained in pill form, an alternative means is needed.  It is recommended that patients receive shots of the vitamin on a monthly basis, or that it be administered sublingually every day, every other day, or each week depending on the dosage of the supplement recommended. The post Nutritional Supplements for Bariatric Surgery Patients appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

…And is there such a thing? With the hectic pace most people live their lives today, it is becoming more and more common to eat on the run, eat convenience foods, and eat whatever is handy rather than plan a well balanced healthy meal.  This has led to a growing problem, more specifically growing waist lines.  This in turn has led to countless diet plans, exercise program, and weight loss gurus telling us how to get in shape and drop those excess pounds.  So, what is the best weight loss program? As you probably have heard by now, there is no one quick trick for losing weight.  Even the experts agree that while some of the weight loss pills, fad diets, and crash diets do work temporarily, they do not provide results that can be sustained for the long term. The best weight loss diet is one that allows you to modify your lifestyle for the better, get into shape physically, and sustain the changes you make for the rest of your life.  Eating healthy, eating proper portion sizes and getting regular amounts of exercise are truly the best ways to get fit and lose weight.  If you are unsure how to go about making these changes, you may want to consider consulting with a nutritionist, a personal trainer, or joining a health club.  It is very important that you start off correctly so that you can stick with the changes you make. You should also remember that the best weight loss program for you may not be the same as the one your best friend is doing, or your neighbor down the road.  You should take some time to look into different plans to find the one that will best fit into your lifestyle and allow you to accept the necessary modifications. You must also be aware that results may not be seen immediately.  You did not put the weight on overnight, and you will not be able to take it off that quickly either.  It is quite normal to actually gain some weight after starting an exercise program, due to the building of lean muscle mass, which gives you that ideal toned look.  Once you have overcome this however, it is reasonable to expect about a pound of weight loss each week.  Remember, set goals that are reasonable, and ones you can actually attain.  This will keep you from becoming discouraged.  You should also set smaller goals, such as losing two pounds this month, rather than a larger goal of wanting to lose twenty five pounds in total.  In time you will realize these changes are simple to adhere to and the results are well worth the effort. The post What is the Best Weight Loss Diet? appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

The weather has turned colder.  The decorations are starting to appear.  The hustle and bustle of shoppers begins to pick up.  There are wonderful smells starting to emanate from the kitchen.  That’s right!  It’s the holiday season once again.  What does all of this mean?  While it often brings feelings of togetherness and excitement, for many, it also means weight gain. Even though no one wants to be “that person” who is constantly harping on how bad all of the food at the holiday party is it is still possible to avoid the unwanted holiday weight gain.  One way to go about this process is to prepare in advance.  When heading out to a large holiday dinner, consider the food possibilities that will be served before you leave, and make a game plan.  Fill your plate with healthy options such as salad, vegetables, and lean protein.  Try to stay away from empty fillers such as rolls, stuffing, gravy, and mashed potatoes. Next, just because you see a ton of food in front of you, does not mean that you have to eat more than normal.  Consider the amount of food you would normally eat, and make your plate to resemble that amount.  Skip the seconds, and refrain from extra nibbling while conversing with others at the table, or while packing up leftovers. Then, conquer the dessert table in a way that is practical.  Have one small piece of fruit pie, one or two cookies, or a sliver of cake.  Do not feel as though you have to sample every delicious treat that is on display. Finally, try to avoid alcohol as much as possible.  Alcohol adds a ton of calories to your diet and can completely derail your plans.  If you must have a drink, choose a glass of wine or beer which you can sip to last longer, without reaching for another.  Steer clear of drinks such as eggnog, which are loaded with sugar and fat, and can pack more calories than your entire holiday meal. The post Preparing for the Holiday Season Weight Gain appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

With the growing healthy living trend, more and more people are becoming focused on their personal level of fitness as well as their body image.  Along with this craze has come a wide variety of products that are meant to help with the quest for a better body.  Some of the most popular products to hit the market include protein bars and shakes.  While these items seem to fly off the shelves, it is still worth examining the benefits of such products, and determining if there are any risks associated. One concern that many have is that consuming too many protein bars or shakes can cause your kidneys to be strained, leading to renal failure.  While this is somewhat true, and sustained periods of overloading on protein can cause kidney issues, it is not likely that consuming a regular amount of these products will cause harm. So, how much protein is safe, and is really needed?  This amount depends a great deal on your level of physical activity as well as your total body weight.  The minimum requirement for men is fifty six grams of protein daily and forty six grams of protein per day for women.  A more effective rule of thumb to follow, regardless of gender, is to consume 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight if you are not very active, and twice this amount if you are quite active. If you are interested in building muscle mass, you must make sure you are getting enough protein because the body is not very capable of storing protein in an accessible form, aside from in muscle tissue.  This means that your muscles will start to be broken down for nutrition if your body finds a need for more protein than it is receiving.  Also, protein is considered to be one of the major building blocks for muscle.  This means that in order for them to grow, they will need a higher level of protein. The benefits of the best protein shake and protein bars come mostly from their easy access following a workout.  When you work out, your muscles become primed to absorb the most protein.  Consuming a form of protein after exercising, especially after endurance training or resistance training, is an ideal way to send nutrition directly into muscle tissue, prompting them to grow.  Shakes and bars offer a large amount of protein quickly, which is easily digested.  Not only that, these products are quite convenient and easily transported them, making them simple to consume at any time. The post Benefits of Protein Bars and Shakes appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

With the weather turning a bit chillier, and the days getting a bit shorter, it is once again time to start thinking about Halloween.  This time of year causes many parents (and dentists) to shudder a bit at the mere thought of all of those sweets children will be eating.  This does not have to be the case.  There are some great healthy Halloween alternatives that allow for great fun, without all of the unwanted sugar. One great alternative to the candy bar is the granola bar.  These treats are still sweet, and still satisfy a child’s need for something tasty and fun, but actually provide a plenty of nutrition.  Choose bars that contain good amounts of oats, nuts, and natural sweeteners such as honey, and you have a beneficial snack to drop into trick or treater bags. Another good option is juice boxes.  Children love juice, and choosing an option that is one hundred percent real juice with no added sugar provides nutrition and vitamins, while keeping kids happy! Finally, consider handing out mini bags of pretzels.  Pretzels are tasty, crunchy, and offer a great respite from the gobs of other types of sweet treats.  Today, there are a wide variety of shapes, and flavors, which are sure to please every little ghoul that rings your bell this season.   The post Healthy Halloween Alternatives appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

Breast cancer is a devastating disease that affects thousands of women on an annual basis.  While just the thought of this can be extremely scary and just about every woman has been somehow affected by the disease, it is important to understand that awareness is key, and you can protect yourself. One of the best ways to protect yourself from breast cancer is to perform regular, routine, self breast exams.  These exams are simple to do, and should be done once per month, preferably following your regular menstrual cycle.  Even though physical examinations by a doctor are extremely important and play a large role in preventative care, there is no substitute for self exams.  In fact, a high number of cases of breast cancer were first detected by the patient through a self breast exam. Mammograms also play a critical role in the early detection of breast cancer.  For women who are over the age of forty, and for those who are younger with a family history of the disease, an annual mammogram is a valuable tool in this fight. Finally, maintaining a healthy diet with plenty of regular exercise can be quite beneficial to maintaining overall health and well being, and even fighting off cancer.  Consuming a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low fat dairy, and whole grains has been shown to provide many benefits.  Exercising at least three times per week for about thirty minutes per session also keeps body fat levels in check, weight under control, and the body overall fit and healthy.   The post Breast Cancer Awareness – the Best Way to Protect Yourself appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

If you are one of the many people who dread the weather turning colder because you always seem to catch a cold or the flu, fear not!  You can still enjoy everything the winter season has to offer, while staying healthy. The first thing you need to do to stay healthy this winter may sound overly simple, but it really does work:  wash your hands!  Be sure to wash your hands frequently, for at least twenty seconds at a time, with warm soapy water.  This is especially important to do before eating. Next, you should be sure to stay well hydrated.  This means drinking eight, eight ounce glasses of fluid per day.  Water is a great option, as is tea, milk, and one hundred percent fruit juice. Then, make sure you eat a healthy well balanced diet.  This should include eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low fat dairy products, and whole grains.  You may also want to incorporate foods that help to keep your immune system strong such as ginger, garlic, and warm and cozy soups. Finally, make sure you are well rested.  In order to fight of illnesses, your body will need to be strong and well rested.  This means getting plenty of sleep at night, and making time for regular bouts of daily exercise.  When your body is in top condition, so is your immune system, which will do wonders to keep you strong, fit, and healthy all year long. The post Staying Healthy as the Weather Turns Cold appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

More than ever before, children need to be careful about what they put into their bodies, and the first place to make changes is lunch.  School lunches can be high in fat, calories, and sodium, so packing a lunch is a better option.  Here are some tips to make the best lunches for your kids. Let’s begin with drinks.  Bottled drinks and juice boxes can be expensive, and may not be the healthiest options.  Instead, buy a leak proof thermos and fill it with one hundred percent juices, water, milk, or homemade lemonade. Next are sandwiches; perhaps the most popular lunch box item, but also the most boring.  No more peanut butter and jelly.  Try using leftover chicken to make homemade chicken salad, and leftover ham or roast beef for fresh sandwiches.  Adding fresh veggies such as lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, and cucumbers make them tastier and healthier.  Also, stay away from plain white bread.  Opt for whole grain breads, pitas, bagels, and even wraps. Fresh fruits and vegetables make great healthy snacking options.  Carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber slices, broccoli florets, and grape tomatoes packed with a small cup of dip or dressing is a great choice.  Fresh fruit such as apples, oranges, blueberries, and bananas are easy to eat, and easily stay fresh until lunch time. Finally, try to stay away from prepackaged snacks of greasy chips and sugary cookies.  Instead, choose leaner options such as pretzels, dried fruit, popcorn, and trail mix.  These snacks are easily packed into lunch boxes, and still give the sweet or salty satisfaction kids need.   The post The Best Lunches to Make For Your Kids appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

Fall is a great time to get serious about dieting.  With the cooler temperatures, come a variety of fresh fruits, nuts, and veggies that you should most definitely take advantage of.  These foods are easy to get during the fall season, and can help you stick to your plan, while providing a great deal of nutrition.  Here are some of the top fall foods for dieting. Apples:  Not only do apples taste great in the fall, they make a perfect food for dieting.  Apples provide an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, and flavonoids.  This tasty fruit is also linked to warding off high cholesterol, cancer, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Grapefruit:  Citrus fruit comes into season in the fall and is packed with tons of vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.  They are also low in sodium and calories.  Some studies suggest that eating grapefruit regularly can even help your body to burn more fat. Cranberries:  While often associated with turkey and Thanksgiving dinner, cranberries are a great source of vitamin C and proanthocyandidin, which helps to keep your urinary tract in tip top condition. Walnuts:  You may not be aware of it, but fall is nut season.  Walnuts are perhaps the perfect nut for dieting because they provide a good amount of omega 3 fatty acids, protein, fiber, magnesium, vitamin E, and B vitamins.  Walnuts have also been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease and provide vascular benefits, by lowering LDL cholesterol levels. Broccoli:  Well known as a super food, broccoli contains fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin C, B vitamins, and many other important nutrients.  This veggie is also linked to lowering the risk of diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.   The post Great Fall Season Foods for Dieting appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

While at first glance school lunches seem to be a healthy option that provides children with a hot lunch for a low cost, in reality they may not be as ideal as you may think.  The use of poor ingredients, cheap alternatives, and schools cutting their budgets has led to lunches that may be doing more harm than good. Schools are mandated to provide certain types of foods in their lunch programs, such as fruits, and vegetables.  In many cases, starches such as corn and potatoes are used to fill these requirements.  To make matters worse nearly forty two percent of schools investigated did not provide any type of fresh fruit or vegetables.  Of the schools that did offer some type of option that was not a starch, the quality of the food was so low, it would not pass inspection by large food corporations. On top of poor quality foods, school lunches average thirty eight percent of their calories from fat, with fifteen percent coming in the form of saturated fat.  While some schools are taking steps to reduce fat contents, most still contain levels that are considered to be far too high to be healthy. Finally, school lunch programs tend to be very high in sodium, with the average lunch coming in at nearly sixteen hundred milligrams.  U.S. dietary guidelines recommend no more than twenty three hundred milligrams of sodium daily, so this amount is more than half of that recommendation with just one serving.  The USDA is seeking to mandate that school lunches contain no more than six hundred and forty milligrams for elementary schools, seven hundred and ten for middle schools, and seven hundred and forty for high schools.   The post Are School Lunches Healthy? appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

Today, it seems as though more and more people are taking part in low carb, high protein diets.   Many of these people choose to add powdered protein to their diets, but what is the point?  What benefits does powdered protein offer? The first thing powdered protein does is help muscle to develop.  Protein is a great source of amino acids that help your body to produce much needed hormones and enzymes for healthy muscles. Protein also directly affects how hungry we feel, and it is recommended that we consume ten to thirty five percent of our daily calories as protein.  Women need less protein than men, but still need a fair amount of protein.  Adding extra protein to your diet can keep you from feeling hungry, which can help you to lose weight by not being tempted to snack. Extra amounts of protein can help you build muscle mass as well.  When your muscle mass is higher, you metabolic rate increases.  The higher your metabolic rate, the more calories your body is able to burn, without having to increase your need to exercise more. Finally, adding powdered protein to your diet ensures you are getting a good source of protein, as opposed to less desirable sources.  Protein from animal sources, such as meats, dairy, and eggs are good, but they also contain high amounts of saturated fats.  Other types of protein such as from oily fish and poultry are considered to be better, as is that which comes from vegetables.  That being said, powdered protein makes use of the best types of lean protein so you get only the good results, without the unwanted fat.   The post The Advantages of Powdered Protein in Your Diet appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.

          With more and more people out of work, the economy being a bit uncertain, and bank accounts being tighter than ever before, the idea of a vacation may seem out of reach.  Many people can no longer book a two week vacation to a far off place, to lounge on the beach and enjoy decadent foods. This has lead to a new trend that many are finding very worthwhile, both financially and physically:  the healthy vacation.  These vacations allow people to get away, have some fun, take part in great activities, and go home fit and trim. One popular option for a healthy vacation is the spa vacation.  Many larger hotels and resorts now offer spa packages that are reasonably priced, and offer workouts on the beach, access to fitness rooms and saunas, and even pool side treatments. If you would like to save a bit more money, a hiking or camping vacation is another healthy option.  Pack up your gear and your family, and hit the trail.  You can easily find many great camp grounds all across the country, many of which offer unique adventures and plenty of family fun.  If you would like even more adventure, and have a bit more money to spend, consider taking a camping and hiking vacation outside of the United States.  No matter the location, you can have great fun exploring different regions, while getting a ton of fresh air and exercise, without spending a ton of money. As you can see, healthy vacations are possible, and can be done quickly and inexpensively.  Even if you just have a long weekend, that is a perfect time to head out and pamper your body with a fit getaway. The post Where to Take a Healthy Vacation appeared first on Nashua Nutrition Blog.