Can you have too much of a good thing? Not when it comes to the foods I'll present in this weekly blog. The more frequently you incorporate these into your nutrition plan, the better your results from exercise training will be. For foods 1, 2 and 3 see previous weeks posts.
4. Kangaroo
Yes, the Australian icon is also an incredible source of nutrition. Kangaroo contains less than 2% fat - half that of lean cut beef, with 40% of the fat coming from polyunsaturated sources, and its very high protein.
Aussie researchers have revealed that eating kangaroo meat each day led to a considerable reduction in cholesterol levels. Further research has found that ‘roo meat is also the richest food source of CLA (conjugated linolec acid). CLA has well documented body composition benefits - promote more lean muscle and lower body fat percentage as well as anti-cancer, antioxidant properties.
5. Legumes
Legumes are a unique plant family that house their seeds in double seamed pods. Clovers, peas, beans (all kinds), lentils, lupins, soybeans and even peanuts are all examples of legumes. Some people equate legumes with rabbit food - far from it.
Legumes such as pulses (chickpeas, beans and lentils) turn a salad into a satisfying meal with their crunch and amazing texture. Legumes contain an array of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that optimize health. They also provide the all-important fibre that regulates blood glucose and insulin levels that ensure the right biochemical environment for fat metabolism and muscle protein synthesis.
The fibre in legumes swells in the intestine to make the person feel more satisfied from the meal. The digestion and processing of legumes burns calories. This response helps to keep the metabolism elevated and fat-utilization at its peak. Apart from all these benefits, a diet rich in legumes is consistently shown to lower bad cholesterol and protect against heart disease. What a great excuse to indulge in homemade Mexican food!
Dr Paul Cribb is an award-winning sports scientist, author, personal trainer and the creator of mp-body.com – the first ever science-based, research-proven, nationally accredited body transformation program. Learn more here.