Smart Salmon promotes a healthy, active lifestyle!

Health and Fitness
Healthy eating habits are an important part of an active lifestyle.  The health benefits of our Smart Salmon are not exclusively for the very young or the 50 plus lifestyle, but for those who are physically fit either through fitness training or through playing sports, mountain climbing, bicycling or whatever your favorite activity is. 

When you exercise, you place a strain on your joints.  Also, when you exercise and take in a lot of oxygen, you can overwhelm your body’s natural antioxidant system.  Your body’s cells regularly produce “free radicals,” unbound oxygen molecules associated with aging and certain diseases.  The oxidative stress from strenuous exercise compounds the production of free radicals.  So, after your workouts, your diet should include foods rich in antioxidants, like sockeye salmon.

Whatever your level of activity, make Smart Salmon part of your healthy diet so that you can look and feel your best.

The health promoting properties of Smart Salmon include:

Omega 3
Omega 3 fatty acids are not just for the young and old.  The same benefits to the brain, heart and joints are good for active adults as well. 

Heart health
Omega 3 fatty acids are beneficial for your heart, keeping the lining of your blood vessels flexible while fighting the buildup of plaque. 

Brain function
The gray matter of the brain has a high concentration of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and requires a steady supply for proper functioning.   DHA can help improve your concentration while also helping to prevent mood disorders like depression.  The best source of DHA comes from fatty fish, like sockeye salmon.

Joint function
Omega 3 (EPA+DHA) has natural anti-inflammatory properties.  Eat plenty of salmon and other Omega 3 rich foods to help keep your joints lubricated and shorten your recovery time from workouts.

Antioxidants
Astaxanthin is a super anti-oxidant, as much as 10 times stronger than beta-carotene.   Antioxidants are important for health because they neutralize free radicals, thereby preventing oxidative stress on your body’s cells brought on by stress and diet.  It is also good for your eyes and skin.  It is the astaxanthin that gives sockeye its bright red color and helps protect it from the sun.

Selenium
Selenium is another important antioxidant that helps to offset the oxidative stress of exercise.  Smart Salmon is high in both astaxanthin and selenium.  Although no daily value has been set for astaxanthin, Smart Salmon is an excellent source of selenium with 85 per cent of the daily value in a single serving.

Health and fitness menu planning

Suggested recipe for active adults - Mediterranean Tabouli - a delicious alternative to pasta!

An active lifestyle requires the proper fuel.  The fuel you need includes your essential fatty acids, proteins, good carbohydrates and fruits and vegetables.

Essential fatty acids are not only important for heart and joint health, they are important for developing muscle and losing fat.  They help keep your energy level up.  The best type of essential fatty acids is Omega 3 oils found in fish like Smart Salmon. 

Proteins are crucial for building muscle, but it is important to choose the right ones.  Go for lean cuts of meat and fish.  Smart Salmon is a great source of protein.

Complex carbohydrates are important fuel.  Those with a low glycemic index like brown rice, oatmeal and sweet potatoes are good not only for fuel but for weight management.

Fruit and vegetables are an important part of maintaining good health.  Eat lots of green leafy and cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.

Health and fitness menu planning
If you are training, you know that your nutrition is just as important as your workout to achieve your fitness goals.  If your goal is strength and optimum fitness, your post-workout recovery meal is an important part of achieving your goals.  The general rule of thumb is a 1 to 3 ratio of protein to carbohydrates.  Smart Salmon is an excellent low fat source of protein.  The best carbohydrates for post-workout are those that can get into the bloodstream quickly.  Starchy vegetables and pasta are good choices, since they are easily broken down into blood glucose.  High fiber grains, nuts and seeds, etc. should not be avoided, but simply not included in your immediate post-work out meal.

If your goal is weight loss, protein plays an even more important role in your nutritional needs.  When you work out, you burn more calories than you are taking in.  As a result, the body needs a fuel source, and will burn protein for fuel.  Make sure you eat lots of good protein to give your body plenty of fuel.  Meals with protein also help you feel fuller than do meals composed primarily of carbohydrates, helping you avoid snacking and sabotaging your weight loss regimen.