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Budget Performance Boosters

  • Jun 5, 2020

Updated: Jun 6, 2020



Every athlete is always looking for ways to improve their performance. No joke, I constantly looked for ways to improve when I was playing professionally and still look for ways even though my workouts are maxing out at one hour and consist of a spin bike (maybe a treadmill) and a few free weights. Also, as I and many other people that I know search for performance improvement methods, the options often come with a hefty price tag. BUT high ho cheerio, I'm here to tell you that performance boosters don’t have to be expensive to work. I have put together this sweet little list of food and non-food performance boosters that are easy on the pockets. Download the handy chart version for free HERE.


Do you use any of these? What are your thoughts?


Budget Boosters

  • Carbs! Carbohydrates come in many shapes and sizes! Beneficially, though diverse in profile, they help with energy levels and endurance by providing glucose and fructose for the body to use as fuel or store as glycogen. We also can't forget about how it can level up our focus since glucose is the brain's primary source of fuel!

  • Beets (eat em’ or juice em’) - Beetroots and other leafy greens are filled with nitrates which when absorbed is converted to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide can aid in muscular respiration, contractions, and recovery while adding an additional layer of anti-inflammatory support.

  • Tart Cherries (eat em’ or juice em’) - Similar to beetroots, tart cherries are high in nitrates. They also boast a loaded polyphenol profile, functional nutrients that aid in inflammation and overall wellness. Extra bonus: tart cherries are high in the nutrient serotonin aids in the production of melatonin in the body for some sweet bedtime z's!

  • Nuts and seeds are high in omega 3's, 6's, & 9's. In the right ratio, omegas are excellent for heart and brain health as well as inflammation.

  • Turmeric + black pepper - Turmeric contains curcumin, a nutrient found to be helpful in mitigating inflammation and delayed onset muscle soreness. Some may see added absorption when pairing with black pepper!

  • Salmon - Salmon contains a trifecta of protein, omega-3s & vitamin D! Aiding in heart & brain health, inflammation, bone health, and hormone production - there is no reason to not LOVE this food.

  • Kale along with other fruits and vegetables contains polyphenols, more specifically, quercetin a flavanol antioxidant that aids in inflammation reduction!

  • Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) can be used as a buffer to preserve pH and allow our muscles to handle a higher workload and essentially increase strength.

  • Coffee - Just a bit of caffeine has the potential to increase alertness, endurance, and power performance. Though dry powder forms may be absorbed better, a cup of joe can still provide similar benefits. Be careful, though caffeine itself is not prohibited in sport, too much detected in the system can raise a red flag and lead to disqualification, per the World Anti-Doping Administration. So stick to 1-2 cups to be safe!

  • Yogurt and kefir both contain naturally present probiotics strains that may help to decreases GI distress symptoms (such as cramping & diarrhea), and provide immune support!

  • Fluids - The most simple way to enhance performance is by staying hydrated. Utilizing water and electrolyte drinks during exercise aids in muscle contraction regulation, electrolyte replenishment, cognitive function, and reduction of post-workout soreness.

  • Milk + Milk Powder contains casein and whey protein which aids in muscle growth, maintenance, and repair.

  • Eggs + Lean Animal Proteins (includes fish) - contain leucine and creatine, naturally present nutrients that aid in muscle building and repair and essentially helping to increase workload capacity

  • Beans + lentils contain isoleucine, leucine & arginine, amino acids (in particularly arginine) that aid in energy production, muscle maintenance, and muscle growth.

Download the handy chart version for free HERE.

Sources:

References

  1. Barrett, E. C., Mcburney, M. I., & Ciappio, E. D. (2014). ω-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation as a Potential Therapeutic Aid for the Recovery from Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion. Advances in Nutrition,5(3), 268-277. doi:10.3945/an.113.005280

  2. Close, G., Hamilton, D., Philp, A., Burke, L., & Morton, J. (2016). New strategies in sport nutrition to increase exercise performance. Free Radical Biology and Medicine,98, 144-158. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.01.016

  3. Gammone, M., Riccioni, G., Parrinello, G., & D’Orazio, N. (2018). Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Benefits and Endpoints in Sport. Nutrients,11(1), 46. doi:10.3390/nu11010046

  4. Goldstein, Erica R, et al. “International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Caffeine and Performance.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 7, no. 1, 2010, p. 5., doi:10.1186/1550-2783-7-5.

  5. Hoffman, J. R., Gepner, Y., Hoffman, M. W., Zelicha, H., Shapira, S., & Ostfeld, I. (2018). Effect of High-Dose, Short-Duration β-Alanine Supplementation on Circulating IL-10 Concentrations During Intense Military Training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research,32(10), 2978-2981. doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000002625

  6. Jeukendrup, A. E. (2017). Periodized Nutrition for Athletes. Sports Medicine,47(S1), 51-63. doi:10.1007/s40279-017-0694-2

  7. Karpinski, C., & Rosenbloom, C. (2017). Sports nutrition: A handbook for professionals: Sports, cardiovascular, and wellness nutrition dietetics practice group (6th ed.). Chicago: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

  8. Maughan, R. J., Burke, L. M., Dvorak, J., Larson-Meyer, D. E., Peeling, P., Phillips, S. M., . . . Engebretsen, L. (2018). IOC consensus statement: Dietary supplements and the high-performance athlete. British Journal of Sports Medicine,52(7), 439-455. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2018-099027

  9. Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). (2017, June 30). Retrieved April 15, 2019, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/

  10. Peeling, P., Binnie, M. J., Goods, P. S., Sim, M., & Burke, L. M. (2018). Evidence-Based Supplements for the Enhancement of Athletic Performance. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism,28(2), 178-187. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0343

  11. Philpott, J. D., Witard, O. C., & Galloway, S. D. (2018). Applications of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for sport performance. Research in Sports Medicine,27(2), 219-237. doi:10.1080/15438627.2018.1550401

  12. Rawson, E. S., Miles, M. P., & Larson-Meyer, D. E. (2018). Dietary Supplements for Health, Adaptation, and Recovery in Athletes. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism,28(2), 188-199. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0340

  13. Saunders, B., Elliott-Sale, K., Artioli, G. G., Swinton, P. A., Dolan, E., Roschel, H., . . . Gualano, B. (2016). β-alanine supplementation to improve exercise capacity and performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine,51(8), 658-669. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096396

  14. Thomas, D. T., Erdman, K. A., & Burke, L. M. (2016). Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and Athletic Performance. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,116(3), 501-528. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2015.12.006

  15. Tsuchiya, Y., Yanagimoto, K., Ueda, H., & Ochi, E. (2019). Supplementation of eicosapentaenoic acid-rich fish oil attenuates muscle stiffness after eccentric contractions of human elbow flexors. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition,16(1). doi:10.1186/s12970-019-0283-x

Is Plant-Based Best?

Updated: May 21, 2020


In 2017, 1 in 7 people reported following a specific eating pattern or diet with Paleo, vegan and vegetarian being the most common according to IFCIF. Along with skyrocketing purchases of meat alternative products (reaching well over $550 million in goods sold), we naturally see that there is an upward trend. So, you can imagine that to date I am always being asked: “Bri, is plant-based really best?” After taking some time to break down the research, I have put a cliff note version of what I found so that you can make an informed decision for yourself. Here’s the scoop!


What is vegetarian? Vegetarian is a dietary pattern that is free from all flesh foods such as red meats, poultry, and fish but may or may not include dairy products and eggs. However, there are different types of vegetarian diets that are mistakenly claimed, unclaimed and misbranded. Before we move forward, take a look at the types identified by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:

  • Vegetarian – May or may not include egg and dairy

  • Lacto-vegetarian—Plant-based + dairy

  • Ovo-vegetarian—Plant-based + eggs

  • Lacto-ovo-vegetarian—Plant-based + dairy + eggs

  • Vegan – Contains NO animal products. Period.

  • Raw Vegan – Vegan + 75-100% uncooked foods. Throw in a side of sprouted grains.

What are the potential benefits?

Fortunately, following a vegetarian diet has been found to be associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases, reduced incidence of certain cancers, and promotion of bone health. Also, if followed with proper nutritional balance, a vegetarian diet may lead to the achievement of a healthier weight and BMI. Depending on the goals that you are looking to achieve and what your definition of ‘healthy’ is, there are plenty of benefits that can promote your consideration for adopting a plant-based diet.


What are the potential risks?

Contrary to popular belief, animal products do have tremendous nutritional value being rich in nutrients such as calcium, B-12, vitamin D, Iron and protein to name a few. So, quite inevitably, eliminating those products can put you at risk for nutrient deficiencies, leading to compromised health status. However, with appropriate planning and supplementation, these risks are indeed preventable.


Tip Sheet

It is hard to ignore the benefits, but at the same time, there is flexibility in acquiring those benefits without driving yourself crazy! So I leave you with these tips:

  • Even the most minimal changes in diet can be beneficial to your health—start with adding vegetables to each meal and work your way up to one vegetarian day per week.

  • Want to achieve benefits? Consider including other lifestyle adjustments: avoid smoking, try to exercise regularly, and try to drop a few pounds.

  • REGULAR consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains were a consistent point in the research. EAT THEM! EAT THEM! EAT THEM!

  • You can follow a plant-based diet without being vegetarian and still reap valuable benefits, consider DASH or Mediterranean diets.


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