I started making chocolate after becoming increasingly frustrated by the fact that the cocoa content (the healthiest ingredient) in most brands seems to be gradually decreasing to make room for more sugar. I've experimented with raw chocolate, buying my own cacao liquor and cacao butter which is fun, but it can be expensive and some people struggle to source these so the basic ingredient of these homemade chocolates is 85% dark chocolate.
It seems not a day goes by where fat loss isn't in the headlines. Plus the messages consistently relayed have become increasingly confusing. Butter is good yet it's fat that is the enemy. No wait, it's carbs that are the enemy. Make sure you do cardio oh wait, it's cardio that makes you fat etc etc. Suddenly everything you thought you knew and understood about health has come into question, your head is spinning and you're in desperate need of a brew but even that's too complicated as you have no idea what flaming milk to put in it!
The world of fat loss can be incredibly overwhelming, confusing and often contradictory. This is partly due to the fact that people like to complicate things, so they sound more impressive, but it's also down to the fact that so many people are looking for a quick fix or a short cut in order to lose body fat, fast.
Over the last few weeks we've been detailing all of the essentials you need in place to support optimal health and fat loss. This includes sound nutrition, daily exercise, stress management and soooo much sleep! We have already discussed supplements in detail but if fat loss is your main focus it might be wise to consider some of the following also. The science suggests they have the potential to support our body's biological mechanisms, responsible for achieving and maintaining a healthy body composition.
Although many of us have become a little 'carb-phobic' these days it's important to remember that in healthy quantities carbohydrates (including glucose and fructose) can be processed effectively by our body, either used for energy or stored in our muscles and liver as glycogen. For this reason one of the best times to consume carbohydrates is following exercise, when our need to replenish glycogen stores is greater.
Like most people we are still reeling from the recent government proposals for the NHS to encourage people to lose weight with either financial or material incentives. We understand the need for action here (we’ve been at it for a while!) but this scheme seems flawed on every level, especially when you assess the practical detail.
Do you ever feel like your efforts to be healthy aren’t bringing the expected fat loss results Perhaps you’ve fallen into the trap of the 'In Denial Diet' and are continuing with underlying behaviour which is significantly hindering your progress. Take a moment to read some of the typical traits below and see if they ring any familiar bells...
Fitter Food’s Matt Whitmore offers expert advice about training, nutrition and fat loss.
After years of eating cereal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and pasta for dinner we totally understand why the thought of ditching these for good might seem daunting, or even impossible. In a busy world where convenience often overrides health as a priority and ready meals have become the norm, the notion of sourcing and cooking all of your own food might just send you over the edge! With that in mind we’re offering you a few ideas on where to start your Fitter Food transition and develop healthy habits that ensure eating awesome, nourishing nutrition is effortless.
One of the most common questions from our amazing Fitter Food community often looks a little like the below:
When it comes to fruit we tend to observe polar opposite approaches, either people are chomping down several servings and downing pints of orange juice to get their daily vitamin C fix or they’re avoiding it like the plague as someone informed them “fruit makes you fat!” So what is the score with fruit?
Fitter Food's Matt Whitmore offers expert advice about training, nutrition and fat loss.