The Science Behind Supplements What Works and What to Avoid
If you walk into your local nutritional supply store, it won’t take you long to realize there are way too many supplements on the market. Some contain basic essentials like vitamins and fish oils. Others advertise themselves with wild names like “MassiveMuscle” or “Core CRSHR,” and they contain a laundry list of chemicals. It would be hard for an expert to figure out the benefits of each supplement, let alone a regular person trying to boost their nutrient intake and get the most out of their workout. However, there are a few solid rules of thumb to follow if you don’t want to buy a jar full of placebos. Rule 1: You Can’t Go Wrong With Vitamins Vitamins and minerals are the catalysts for nearly every process in your body. Without a solid foundation of vitamins, higher-octane supplements won’t work as well. Unless you are the strictest eater around, you’re probably not With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you’re probably wracking your brain for the perfect recipe to bake for your loved one. There’s nothing wrong with store-bought chocolate, but there’s no topping the personal touch of some homemade baked goods. If you have kids, baking alongside them can be just as rewarding as enjoying the fruits of your labor. As an added bonus, baking is a hands-on opportunity where your child can learn all sorts of important concepts. Here is a short list of some of the educational lessons hiding in your kitchen. MATH Baking is a numbers game. Just take a look at any recipe, and you’ll recognize the importance of math in building a beautiful cake. Having children
getting all the nutrients you need from your diet. Look for natural or organic vitamins that contain a variety of useful compounds, like vitamin D, B vitamins, iron, and magnesium. Rule 2: Read the Ingredients (All of ‘Em) According to Harvard Health, supplements are the “Wild West of American health.” Companies have to do very little to get their products approved and on the shelf. Because of this, the buyer needs to be vigilant to avoid getting duped. Before you toss a supplement in your cart, be sure to read every ingredient, including the inactive ones. Alternatively, do some research before you shop to find trusted brands. Rule 3: Different Bodies Need Different Supplements Many supplements are tailored to specific types of workouts. If, for instance, you are doing high- measure out ingredients helps them learn about fractions and ratios. You can also test your kids by doubling or halving a recipe for multiplication and division practice. With older kids, practice unit conversions by asking, for example, how many pints are in half a gallon. FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS Not unlike computer science, baking requires a strict order of operations. The wet and dry ingredients often need to be mixed separately and then folded together. It only takes one deviation from the instructions for a pastry to go from delicious to disgusting. Spending time in the kitchen, then, is a great way for kids to learn the importance of reading directions carefully and comprehending what they’ve just read.
intensity workouts, you may want to consider adding some whey or creatine to your regimen. Your body metabolizes these compounds quickly during workouts, so keeping your levels high will enhance growth and speed up recovery. Except for basic multivitamins, there are no one- size-fits-all supplements. Rule 4: Don’t Overlook Natural Compounds Natural supplements, like fish oil, bone broth protein, and probiotics, have loads of benefits for the body. As an added bonus, you rarely need to worry about side effects, provided you don’t take more than is recommended. Take a look at your supplements and ask yourself where synthetic compounds can be replaced with natural ones.
Education in the Kitchen What Your Child Can Learn From Baking
CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING Cuisine is a fundamental part of every culture. Introducing your child to dishes from around the world will expand their horizons. Want your child to be a less picky eater? Involving them in the cooking process is the surest way to get them excited about trying new flavors and ingredients. NUTRITION Now, you might not think that baking cookies will encourage greater nutritional awareness, but hear us out. Sugar is often buried within packaged foods. When you bake something at home, a child gets to see, firsthand, just how much sugar goes into certain sweets. Meanwhile, cooking savory dishes also allows them to learn what constitutes a balanced, healthy diet.
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