21Aug

Nutrition Support During Injury Recovery (Multidisciplinary Approach)

 

Recovering from an injury involves more than just medical treatment, it requires a holistic approach that addresses both the physical and nutritional needs of the body. Here are some short brief about how nutrition can significantly enhance the recovery process in a multidisciplinary approach.

Multidisciplinary Approach

In order to the overcome the injuries, coaches, medical and sport science  are playing crucial role.

Coach (Technical/tactical skills coach and Strength & Conditioning coach)

  • Adjust training intensity

Medical (Doctor, Physiotherapy)

  • Diagnose the injury
  • Restoring, maintaining, and maximizing physical movement and function

Sport Science (Nutrition, Biomechanics, Psychology)

  • Enhanced performance
  • Injury prevention
  • Mental preparation
  • Nutritional optimization

 

What is the nutrition strategies goal during injury?

  1. Potential to assist in injury prevention
  2. Prevent the loss of lean mass during immobilization
  3. Changes in energy requirements during injury period
  4. Strategies that may promote muscle repair
  5. Avoid unnecessary fat mass gain

 

(Adapted from http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com)

 

10Jun

The Best Time to Drink Water to Maximize Energy

There’s no doubt that water is essential to your health. Accounting for up to 60 – 70 % of your body weight, water plays a key role in regulating everything from brain function to physical performance to digestion — and much more.

Still, while it’s clear that drinking enough water is important to health, you may wonder whether timing matters.

This article takes a look at the evidence to evaluate the best time to drink water.

In the morning
Enjoying a glass of water first thing in the morning is a simple way to start your day off on the right foot. Some may also find that drinking water right when they wake up makes it easier to maintain healthy hydration habits and increase fluid intake throughout the day.

If you’re dehydrated, increasing your daily water intake can help boost your hydration levels, which may be especially beneficial for improving mood, brain function, and energy levels.

In fact, studies show that even mild dehydration can negatively affect memory, concentration, anxiety levels, and fatigue (Ganio et al.2011; Benefer et al.2013). However, while some may find that drinking water in the morning works for them, there’s no evidence to suggest that it’s any more beneficial to drink water in the morning than at other times during the day.

SUMMARY
Drinking water first thing in the morning can help start your day on the right foot. However, while it may help some people increase their daily water intake, there’s no evidence to suggest that drinking water in the morning is particularly beneficial.

Before meals
Drinking a glass of water just before eating a meal is a great strategy if you’re trying to lose weight.

Doing so can not only help enhance feelings of fullness but also decrease your intake during that meal.

For instance, one study in 24 older adults found that drinking 16.9 ounces (500 mL) of water 30 minutes before breakfast reduced the number of calories consumed by 13%, compared with a control group (Davy et al.2008) Another study in 50 people showed that drinking 12.5–16.9 ounces (300–500 mL) of water before lunch decreased hunger and calorie intake in older adults (Van et al.2007) However, while all participants reported increased feelings of fullness, no significant differences in calorie intake or hunger levels were observed in young adults (Van et al.2007)

Therefore, although drinking water before meals can be an effective method to support hydration, more research is needed to determine whether it can also promote weight loss in younger individuals.

SUMMARY
Drinking water before a meal may help decrease the number of calories consumed at that meal, especially in older adults.

Before and after exercise
When you work out, you lose water and electrolytes through sweat.

Drinking plenty of water before and after exercising is important to keep your body hydrated and help replenish any lost fluids. Excessive fluid losses during your workout can also harm physical performance and cause electrolyte imbalances. It’s recommended to drink water or an electrolyte drink after exercising to help replace any lost fluids and optimize performance and recovery (Sawka et al.2007)

SUMMARY
Drinking plenty of water before and after exercising can help replenish fluids and maximize performance and recovery.

Consistency is key
Your body tightly regulates water balance during the day, and excess water is excreted out of your body via your skin, lungs, kidneys, and digestive system. However, your body is only able to eliminate a certain amount of water at a time.

Although uncommon, drinking too much water can disrupt your body’s sodium levels and fluid balance, causing serious side effects like headache, confusion, fatigue, seizures, and coma. Therefore, instead of drinking large amounts of water at once, it’s important to space out your intake during the day to stay hydrated.

Try setting a timer to remind yourself to drink at regular intervals, and keep a glass of water on hand throughout the day to help you reach your goals.

SUMMARY
Your body tightly regulates its water balance, and drinking too much at one time can lead to serious side effects. Therefore, it’s best to space out your water intake and drink water consistently throughout the day.

The bottom line
Enjoying a glass of water first thing in the morning may make it easier to maintain healthy habits and increase your daily water intake. Drinking water before meals can help increase feelings of fullness and may promote weight loss in older adults. Finally, drinking water before and after exercise can replenish any lost fluids to optimize performance and recovery. However, the most important thing is to drink water consistently throughout the day to stay hydrated.

References:

  1. Ganio, M. S., Armstrong, L. E., Casa, D. J., McDermott, B. P., Lee, E. C., Yamamoto, L. M., Marzano, S., Lopez, R. M., Jimenez, L., Le Bellego, L., Chevillotte, E., & Lieberman, H. R. (2011). Mild dehydration impairs cognitive performance and mood of men. The British journal of nutrition, 106(10), 1535–1543. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114511002005
  2. Benefer, M. D., Corfe, B. M., Russell, J. M., Short, R., & Barker, M. E. (2013). Water intake and post-exercise cognitive performance: an observational study of long-distance walkers and runners. European journal of nutrition, 52(2), 617–624. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-012-0364-y
  3. Davy, B. M., Dennis, E. A., Dengo, A. L., Wilson, K. L., & Davy, K. P. (2008). Water consumption reduces energy intake at a breakfast meal in obese older adults. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 108(7), 1236–1239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2008.04.013
  4. Van Walleghen, E. L., Orr, J. S., Gentile, C. L., & Davy, B. M. (2007). Pre-meal water consumption reduces meal energy intake in older but not younger subjects. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 15(1), 93–99. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2007.506
  5. Sawka, M. N., Burke, L. M., Eichner, E. R., Maughan, R. J., Montain, S. J., & Stachenfeld, N. S. (2007). American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and fluid replacement. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 39(2), 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e31802ca597
17Jan

Healthy Living Trick For Corporate Workers

Those of us who work crazy hours, living the healthy life can definitely be more challenging. I get you. But shifting your mindset to prioritize health is so important because it will actually help you function more efficiently in the workplace – increasing energy levels and cognitive function, keeping you satiated and focused throughout the day.

The trick is to commit to a little bit of healthy preparation, incorporated into your morning and nighttime daily routine. Once you set yourself up with a healthy routine and structure, it will become second nature. When you start to feel as good as you will when you embrace the healthy life – you’ll feel motivated to keep making these choices.

My one trick is PREPARATION!
Commit to 2 hours of healthy prep on the weekend: stock your fridge and pantry with healthy food. My online program and book contain my shopping list you can use – you can find them here. This really sets you up for a healthy week. You come home and you have the food ready to go to make dinner – as quick and easy as can be! Prepare large batches of things like roasted vegetables, beans, quinoa, and even salads (without the dressing) on Sunday so that your weekly meals come together in a snap! You can mix and match using different delicious seasonings and toppings like nuts and seeds, avocado and of course a variety of protein so that each meal is unique and exciting for your taste buds.

Here are some great snack ideas to help you:
Veg out! Keep pre-cut veggies like carrots, celery, cucumber and peppers in sealed containers to munch on with hummus or tahini.

Chia pudding is another yummy snack that you actually need to make in advance so that the chia seeds have a chance to set – it will keep in the fridge for a couple of days for easy snacking, just top with fresh fruit, nuts and seeds for a delicious energy boost.

And my personal favourite – protein bliss balls! I always prep a batch on Sunday so that I can easily grab one or two to keep in my purse. It’s the best travel snack!

Breakfast is non-negotiable – prepare it the night before if it helps: Skipping breakfast can slow down your metabolism and can lead to blood sugar level imbalance, making it difficult for you to stay focused at work! Having a high protein breakfast helps keep your blood sugar levels balanced all day.

Some great breakfast options you can prepare the night before or make quickly in the morning:

Trimshake Protein Power Smoothie (it literally takes 5 minutes)

Bircher Muesli or any variation of overnight oats!

Granola mixed with organic Greek yoghurt and berries

Preparing a healthy nighttime routine is essential: You need to have a delicious nighttime routine to look forward to – this makes you excited to go to bed and wind down. Make sure you switch off from technology at least two hours before you go to bed – this allows your mind and body to relax before sleep. Preparing a divine healthy dinner is also a must! Make extra protein and vegetables to save for leftovers the next day.

Here are some of quick dinner recipes:
Rosemary Chicken with Zucchini
Healthy Pesto Chicken Pasta
Japanese-Inspired Salmon with veg

Tips, tricks and meal ideas for corporate workers – Make An Appointment Here!