Eat Right and You will Reach your Training Goal!

Date: 05/11/07

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Eat Right and You will Reach your Training Goal!

April 16, 2007 (Halifax, NS) - Spring is here and what better way to get fit and healthy than to consider running or walking in this years Blue Nose International Marathon, May 18 to 20.

If you do, it is important to match your eating habits to your running habits. This will help maintain your weight and ensure optimum performance. Here are a few helpful nutrition tips to help you prepare for the marathon:

• Make it a practice to drink water throughout the day.
• Make at least half of your grain products whole grain each day.
• Enjoy a variety of whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, whole grain breads or whole wheat pasta.
• Cereal isn't just for breakfast. It can also make a great post-run recovery snack.
• Eat at least one dark green and one orange vegetable each day. Green vegetables can include broccoli, romaine lettuce and spinach. Orange vegetables can include carrots, sweet potatoes and winter squash.
• Add fruit wedges to salads, use the pulp and juice to marinate meat, fish, and tofu, or save the zest (skin) for baking and cooking.
• Drink skim, 1%, or 2% milk or fortified soy beverages each day.
• Have meat alternatives such as beans, lentils and tofu often.
• Select lean meat and alternatives prepared with little or no added fat or salt.
• If you eat luncheon meats, sausages, or prepackaged meats, choose those lower in salt (sodium) and fat.
• Combine nuts, seeds, dried fruit and dried cereal for a healthy and tasty trail mix.
• Include a small amount - 30 to 45 ml (2 to 3 tbsp.) - of unsaturated fat each day. This includes oil used for cooking, salad dressings, margarine and mayonnaise. Use vegetable oils such as canola, olive and soybean.
• Have breakfast every day. It may help control your hunger later in the day.
• A Professional Dietitian is a health professional specializing in foods and nutrition. If you're looking for individual counseling or advice on a workplace health program, contact a dietitian today by visiting www.dietitians.ca

Making healthy lifestyle choices is key to our well being," says Rebecca LeBlanc, Professional Dietitian at Creative Wellness Solutions. "Maintaining healthy eating habits and regular physical activity will give us increased energy at home, work and play. This will contribute to a well-balanced, happy and productive life. It's not about achieving a perfect body and following a strict plan. Instead, it's about making small changes you can live with for a lifetime."

Lets Giv'er. Gear up. Hit the streets walking or running. Remember, eat right and you'll reach your training goal.