Swimsuit Season Nutrition: 10 Foods That Make You Look And Feel Great (Part 1)

10 Nutritious Foods You Should Be Eating To Prepare For Summer

1. Bananas
Bananas are rich in potassium which helps your body flush out water and sodium to reduce the appearance of being bloated. Potassium-rich foods are ideal for looking and feeling slim and trim in a swimsuit. Pack one in your lunch everyday or eat one before heading to the gym to help with feeling bloated. Bananas make for a yummy, healthy snack that provides your body with the nutrients it needs to fight off being bloated.

2. Cinnamon
This sweet spice helps reduce insulin levels, so less of the sugar you consume is stored as fat. Try sprinkling it in your oatmeal, coffee, yogurt, and anything else you eat that would taste good with a little cinnamon kick to it. 

3. Beets
Beets are a natural detoxifier that contain an antioxidant called betalains that help repair and regenerate cells in the liver, the body’s primary detox centre. If you like to have a drink every once in a while, adding beets to your diet will help you to feel less bloated and tired while keeping your liver healthy.

4. Sweet Potatoes
If the long, cold winter has left you looking a little bit pasty, we can certainly understand your lack of enthusiasm to jump into a swimsuit right away. Rather than spending money on a fake tan that will fade within a few days and leave your sheets stained orange, cook up some sweet potatoes. You will get a sun-kissed complexion from the carotenoids found in sweet potatoes, an organic pigment that gives the vegetable its orange color. This antioxidant will also help to stabilize your blood-sugar levels and lower insulin resistance, which prevents calories from being converted into fat. 

5. Green Tea
Adding a cup of green tea to your daily diet can help you fight off hunger cravings throughout the day. Green tea contains unique catechins which is an antioxidant that triggers the release of fat from fat cells in the body while speeding up the liver's ability to turn the released fat into energy. Green tea is a powerful weight loss supplement that helps burn stubborn fat while giving you a healthy dose of caffeine to give your body energy.

6. Lemon Water
Contrary to popular belief, drinking water does not make you bloated. Water is actually necessary to keep your metabolism functioning optimally. Drinking lots of water and avoiding dehydrating boozy drinks will signal to your body that it does not need to hold onto every last drop to stay hydrated. Adding a lemon to your water will help flush toxins out of your body while giving your intestines a bit of a wake up call to rid fat from your body to keep your stomach tight and toned. 

7. Apples
An apple a day will keep the doctor away! Eating this fibre rich fruit will help prevent metabolic syndrome (a disorder associated with abdominal fat), cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Studies have shown that this low-calorie fruit is an integral source to reduce visceral fat and keep your muffin top at bay. 

8. Wild Salmon
Fatty salmon that is rich in omega-3 helps fight inflammation while the lean protein content fights excess fat accumulation. This fish will also help your skin bounce back after a long day in the sun to reduce the effects of sunburn. Loading your plate with salmon a couple times per week will leave your skin glowing while also helping to trim your waistline and keeping your heart healthy.

9. Almond Milk
If you are looking to get your body bikini-ready in a jiffy, you might want to consider cutting out cow milk and replacing it with almond milk. Rather than banning iced coffees altogether, substitute with almond milk instead. Almonds are high in calcium which helps the body burn more fat and store less fat. They are also a great source of magnesium, a mineral that is involved with protein synthesis which helps to increase lean muscle mass.

10. Mustard
Just because you are trying to lose weight does not mean you cannot indulge in a burger now and then. But when you do, make sure you leave the mayo in the fridge and substitute with some mustard instead. The capsaicin and phytochemicals that give mustard its tangy flavour are known to boost your calorie-burning furnace for several hours after you consume them. Avoid mustards that are neon yellow or have a honey-base and opt for dijon mustard instead for a healthier option. 

Get Your Summer Body Ready With The Help Of A Jensen Fitness Personal Trainer

Eating a healthy and nutritious diet is only one part of the equation to achieve a toned, fit figure. For optimal results, you must also complement your diet with regular exercise. Working with a personal trainer will ensure that you are on the right track to achieving your weight loss and fitness goals before summer begins. They will be able to design a personalized workout regime that aligns with your goals and your body type to allow you optimal success. 

At Jensen Fitness, our personal training, fitness coaching, and weight loss programs will provide you with all of the support you need to achieve your personal goals while helping you sustain your new healthy habits for the long term and improve your overall health. To start your weight loss or fitness journey, contact our team of personal trainers in SE Calgary by calling 1-403-200-0199 or by filling out our online contact form.

FAQ

Q: Is it too late to start training to get my summer body?
A: It is never too late to embark on your fitness journey. By starting today, you will be one step closer to achieving your weight loss and fitness goals. A personal trainer will be able to get you on the right path to success right away so you do not have to go through trial and error figuring out what workouts to do as well. Working with a personal trainer will make you feel confident knowing you are on the path to success.

Q: Can a personal trainer help me with my nutrition?
A: Yes, a personal trainer will be able to give you some tips and tricks when it comes to food habits to help you see better results in the gym. Unless your personal trainer has a nutritional certification, they will not be able to come up with meal plans for you and can only recommend certain foods you should be eating. 

Q: How many times should I exercise per week?
A: It is recommended that everyone gets at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, however, if you are embarking on your fitness or weight loss journey, you should be going into the gym at least three times per week.