If you want to stay in shape, then steering clear of calories alone isn’t going to help. You need to minus the artificial sugars, trans fats and calories from your diet while adding some essential nutrients to it. If you workout to burn the extra calories, then you need to avoid getting exhausted after a workout. For this, you need a nutritious diet to start with.
Akshita Goyal, Nutritionist, Proquest Nutrition has suggested a list of essential nutrients for your body to stay in good shape:
Calcium
It's not only required for strong bones and teeth but also vital for muscle contraction and energy metabolism. Research shows that lack of calcium in the body can trigger the release of calcitriol, a hormone that could cause fat storage in the body. Make sure you take enough calcium rich food.
Vitamin C
This powerful antioxidant helps metabolise carbs for energy and also protects the body from exercise-induced oxidative stress. According to a review published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, higher vitamin C intakes are associated with lower body-mass indexes - an indicator of physical fitness.
Glucomannan
Glucomannan is a fibre which helps in weight loss. It does this by reducing the absorption of fat in the body. Thus, nullifying the calorie effect. Glucomannan also gives a feeling of fullness, so you feel less hungry and don't pile on calories through snacking on junk food.
Licorice Extract
Studies show that people with cholesterol problem managed to substantially reduce their LDL, or bad cholesterol after taking Licorice root extracts for just a month. Licorice was found to help the body to regulate cortisol, the stress hormone. This reduces the stress from the adrenal gland and increases the efficiency of your workout.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 ensures that the brain and muscles communicate efficiently, which improves muscle growth and co-ordination. Vitamin B12 is often included as part of a weight loss protocol. It boosts energy and improves metabolism which helps in weight loss.
Magnesium
It is a vital mineral needed by muscles, soft tissues and body fluids. Magnesium plays a vital part in muscle contraction and helps to boost energy levels. It also helps reduce fatigue and muscle cramps.
Iron
Iron is a mineral that's vital to our health. Most of the iron in your body is in our red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygen from our lungs to the organs and tissues throughout your body. Iron plays an important role in creating energy from nutrients. It also contributes to the transmission of nerve impulses - the signals that coordinate the actions of different parts of your body. Make sure you take enough iron.
(With ANI Inputs)
