Toning up is hard ladies! All those weights and endless reps! And don’t get me started on the problem of stiffness, trust me, we’ll be here all day. Because staying in shape is difficult, we need all the help we can get. I’ve put together a list of 8 protein-packed snacks to support your toning regime which will help you to develop great definition and keep you feeling supple in the process.
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1. Water
I know it’s not a food, girls, but water really is the key element in your toning support programme. In order for your muscles to work properly and develop, they need to be regularly supplied with water. Magical H2O washes them clean and carries useful nutrients and mineral to help keep them in tip-top condition.
2. Lean Chicken or Turkey Breast
As I’m use you ladies know, protein is crucial to developing and maintaining good muscle tone. Meat is a great source, but it’s important that you avoid fatty variations like beef and pork. Instead, go for lean cuts of chicken and turkey; these are low fat and high in protein to help you lose fat and build muscle.
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3. Unprocessed Beans
Beans are a fantastic natural source of protein and they’re low-fat into the bargain. Like chicken and turkey, beans don’t contribute to fat production and they also help to build strong, healthy muscles. They’re packed full of minerals, nutrients and vitamins as well, and will help keep your whole body in peak condition.
4. Wholegrains
There is a common misconception that carbs are bad in all diet situations. Girls, this is absolutely not true. Carbohydrates are a necessary source of energy and you definitely need them if you’re toning regularly. Making sure you find the correct sort is important though; too many ‘bad’ carbs (like white bread and potatoes) will simply cause your body to store energy as fat and cover up those rippling muscles. Complex carbs – like brown rice and whole-grain breads – will fuel your work outs and help you to maintain that fab shape.
5. Eggs
Eggs are a fantastic source of protein girls. Just a few of them a week will really help your body to build and repair muscles, developing tone as you do. If you’re worried about the fat content – it is small, but can be significant –simply stick to egg white dishes. They’re pretty tasty, packed with protein and won’t pile on any unwanted pounds.
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6. Lentils
Like unprocessed beans, lentils are a fantastic source of protein and they’re gre4at for the vegetarians among you. These little members of the pea family taste amazing in spicy Indian curries, and a regular dose will deliver the protein-kick your muscles need to firm.
7. Electrolyte-Rich Drinks
In order to combat the muscle stiffness that follows a heavy toning session, it’s a good idea to glug down a drink that’s rich in electrolytes. This will help the recently stressed muscles to repair effectively and minimise the feelings of strain the next day.
8. Citrus Fruit and Berries
Oranges and lemons are a great source of antioxidants and vitamin C which support a multitude of processes in the body. Recent studies have shown that some of the pain we experience after a work out is caused by free radicals – nasty chemicals that harm us from the inside out. Consuming lots of citrus fruits and Berries will help to combat the damage these cause and can helps us to stay feeling fresh even after a long burn.
These are 8 protein-packed foods to help support you in your toning programme, girls, can you think of any more that I haven’t mentioned? We’d all love long lean muscles and great abs, ladies, so let us in on your secrets! I’d love to hear from you …
Top Photo Credit: Rainbow Photos!
