Fueling Better for All Athletes
You may not consider yourself an athlete, or even athletic, but if you move your body regularly, you can benefit from properly timed sports nutrition. When you work out, you are breaking down cellular and muscle tissue, so you can rebuild it back stronger. Give your body the highest quality building materials you can, at the right time, and your body will use them to rebuild the strongest version of you possible.
Evaluate Your Goals to Fuel Your Better
You may be motivated to move for a multitude of reasons. Maybe it’s to clear your head after a stressful day at work (or at home). Maybe it’s to stay healthy. Maybe it’s to manage your weight. Maybe it’s to find the energy to chase after your two year-old (or puppy). Everyone starts somewhere and it’s important to identify your goals and face your weaknesses head on. Feeling better before, during and after your workout is the result of fueling better.
If you’re having a tough time finding motivation right now…
It’s time to look at your pre-workout routine. Everyone has those days when it’s hard to get out the door and to the gym. Your first step is to look at how you can change up your routine to make it interesting again. It can be as simple as changing the distance, intensity, or time of day that you work out. Or you can try a different type of movement. If switching up your routine isn’t working, a little caffeine could be just the push you need to get out the door. Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer and Vega Sport Sugar-Free Energizer both have caffeine from green tea and yerba maté can help get you in the zone and enhance mental focus. For workouts longer than 30 minutes, the combination of low- and high- glycemic index carbohydrates found in Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer offers slow, steady energy. For shorter, less intense workouts, Vega Sport Sugar-Free Energizer is sweetened just with stevia and has only 5 calories.
If you’d like to push harder in spin class, without feeling like your legs are dead…
You need to work on mid-workout fueling. If you’re not working out for more than an hour, focusing on electrolyte replenishment is more important than carb replenishment. Vega Sport Electrolyte Hydrator replenishes the essential minerals and electrolytes lost through sweat. Pro Tip: Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator can be used for carbohydrates during a workout if it is longer than an hour.
If you’re sick of your muscles feeling sore after every yoga or CrossFit class…
Focus on recovery first and foremost. Don’t dismiss the importance of stretching and foam rolling after a hard workout. Eating foods rich in antioxidants will help to manage inflammation—one of the causes of muscle soreness. Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator is uniquely formulated to address all key elements of post-workout recovery—including inflammation management. After you’ve began to manage inflammation, eating a high-protein food will help your muscles rebuild. Vega Sport Performance Protein features 30 grams of complete multisource protein, 5,000 mg BCAAs, and 5,000 mg glutamine to help build and repair muscles post-workout.
The Vega Sport Nutrition System
Vega Sport is the clean, plant-based sport nutrition system to fuel your better through these three weaknesses and more. Each Vega Sport product is formulated so its ingredients work together within the individual product—and across the system as a whole—for maximum impact. Plus, the entire line of Vega Sport products is gluten-free, made without dairy or soy, and contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
After your weekend hot yoga or spin class, make a batch of protein-rich pancakes to satisfy your hunger (and taste buds) while repairing muscle tissue!
Blueberry Basil Summer Smoothie
Fresh blueberries from the farmer’s market pair perfectly with in-season fresh basil. Let this smoothie be the starting point for more herb-y smoothie experiments!
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 Tbsp hemp seeds
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup frozen blueberries
- 1 ripe pear
- Juice from ¼ fresh lime
- 3-5 fresh basil leaves
- 1 serving Berry Vega® Sport Protein
METHOD:
- Prepare a hemp milk base for the smoothie by blending 2 tablespoons hemp seeds with 1 cup water first in the blender, on high power for 1 minute, until completely blended, and the water has turned white. Voila: hemp milk!
- Add remaining smoothie ingredients: frozen blueberries, pear, lime, basil. Note: Use 3 basil leaves for a subtle taste. Use 5 basil leaves if you want a stronger savoury taste.
- Add a serving of Berry Vega® Sport Protein, blend and enjoy!