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Showing posts from March 15, 2009

Athlete and Vegetarian...can you be both?

It's my turn! This topic is close to my heart because, well, I am a vegetarian (Lacto-ovo). I have been living a meat-free life since I was 12 years old, which makes almost 15 years that I have been a competitive athlete, getting stronger on non-meat protein. Everyone knows my love for animals and that is how it all started at such a young age. Now I live a life of healthy eating in order to keep my body clean and well-fueled. I can say it took me a good 10 years to find out how to eat like a vegetarian athlete rather than an athlete who loves eating carbs to fuel workouts(ex. high school and college swimming years). It's not always easy (ex. traveling) to eat healthy on a budget, as a vegeterian, but I am always learning about what to feed my body as an athlete and I think being a vegetarian just makes life a bit more fun...and interesting. When I was in graduate school, many of my professors and researchers in the field told me that I wouldn't succeed as an athlete becaus

Healthy Cooking and Homemade Meals

My last dietetic professional is my friend Laura Rellihan. I listed her bio at the end of the article so you can read all about her experiences in the dietetic world. I knew Laura and I were meant to be friends when she showed up to Master swimming in a bathing suit with a healthy food print. Seeing that I have swept her under my wings and shared all of my experiences with triathlons, we have lots of fun together (usually chatting in the pool for kick sets) when we talk about anything from her first triathlon (St.A's) to healthy cooking. I think this article is just what everyone needs to get going on eating right (the motto of National Nutrition Month). She could not sum it up more perfectly of the importance of making your own meals and enjoying what you put in your mouth. Enjoy! Healthy Cooking and Homemade Meals Laura Rellihan RD, LD/N For some of us, even the idea of cooking stresses us out, not to mention all the slicing, dicing, and sautéing. Fortunately, the idea that we d

Good versus Too Good

My next dietetic professional is Ryan Andrews. Ryan has more credentials than I can dream of, but maybe I'm just jealous :) I met Ryan at my first ISSN conference in New Orleans (same one where I met Cass from the previous post). Ryan really got me interested in sports nutrition and from his bodybuilding background I was really intrigued how nutrition can play such an important role in the physique of the human body. Because I was just starting my graduate program and not yet a competitive triathlete, I had no idea that one nutrition conference would start a lifetime of wanting to know everything about sports nutrition. I think this article by Ryan is just great for all of us. We can all relate to the topic of foods that are good and just too good. This article makes me think of the several times that Karel orders something when we travel and when I try it I say "that can't be healthy..it tastes way too good!" Good versus Too Good Ryan D. Andrews, MS, MA, RD, CSCS, NS

Athletic Amenorrhea

Cassandra and I at the ISSN (International Society of Sports Nutrition) conference in New Orleans To start the week I will dedicate this to all the ladies out there (don't worry boys, there are more articles to come which relate to everyone). I think this is a popular topic that doesn't get much attention in magazines. Perhaps you have discussed it with people on a forum or you just keep it to yourself. It is also important that males understand the female body requirements and the struggles that we go through in order to be active and strong women. Remember, the human body does wonders for us everyday and we must give it the right fuel on a daily basis. If you have any questions please email me or post on my blog. If you would like to give your opinion or story, just email me and let me know if you'd like me to post on my blog w/ or w/o your name. This is from my good friend Cassandra Forsythe, PhD, RD intern, CISSN, CSCS. Author, researcher and nutritionist. Are you an

National Nutrition Month

From http://www.eatright.org (American Dietetic Association website) National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Registered Dietitian Day, also celebrated in March, increases awareness of registered dietitians as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives. I'm honored to be so close to being apart of this great organization. Everyday I learn more and more about nutrition I get more and more excited to obtain my RD credential and get more involved with dietetics. My passion will always lie with sports nutrition. I live and breathe sports nutrition and I love helping people with sports nutrition. I love reading research, studying and comparing products and help

Wonderful Sunday

Today was a great day. It was beautiful outside, despite being inside for most of it. However, I did get a bit of sunshine this morning. Karel and I rode together. Two times in 1 week! I feel faster already! Karel decided to pass on a crit today and since he didn't schedule himself to work, I had him all to myself all day long! So, how else would we spend our morning than a fast 53 mile ride. I say fast because it felt fast for me. I looked at my odometer at 25 miles it felt like 70. My legs were super tired from yesterday but I felt good on my bike. I drafted off Karel for the entire ride and because he is getting stronger by the day, I just can't imagine how my training will progress if I keep riding with him. I did complain a little bit around mile 30 because we were far away from home and I wasn't sure if I would have energy to get back home. However, we slowed down the pace for a few miles and then back up to tempo for the rest of the ride home. It was a quick morning