Re-energize Your Exercises With Pistachios, says Fitness Professional Sapna Khanna

With improving living standards and rising incomes, individuals are no longer content with meeting basic needs alone. Instead, there is a growing inclination towards health consciousness and wellness. 

Consequently, adopting a healthy lifestyle, which encompasses following a balanced diet and initiating an exercise routine, has become increasingly popular across all age groups. Regular physical activity enhances cardiopulmonary function, facilitates gastrointestinal movement, strengthens the immune system, and stimulates the brain's release of dopamine—a chemical associated with feelings of pleasure and happiness. Dopamine also contributes to regulating sleep patterns, ensuring a well-maintained sleep cycle.

"Many weight loss journeys are derailed by the evening snack hour. So, while preparing clients' diets, I give enough quantified healthy and low-calorie choices as a health coach. But I also look to add value to their nutrition through every snack, meal or mini-meal. Pistachios are a great low-calorie, protein-rich, fibre-rich option consumed in controlled quantities. Also, being qualitative, plumper and of a standardized biggish size, American pistachios make them a more satiating option. One of the most important qualities of pistachios is that they are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids for vegetarians and vegans. Rich in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and fibre, they are dependable for re-energizing your exercises and help in weight loss and management goals, gut health, and overall wellbeing. As a fitness professional and coach, pistachios get a thumbs up from me!" Says Sapna Khanna

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sapna Khanna (@sapnakhannafitness)

Meanwhile, exercise is essential to stay fit and maintain a healthy figure. When it comes to exercising, the ultimate goal is to shed fat and increase muscle mass. Shedding fat requires having a negative calorie intake: expending more energy than is absorbed. One way to reach this state of negative calorie intake is by eating fewer calories while increasing physical activity to burn energy. On the other hand, achieving positive nitrogen balance is key to building muscle mass. It is built on a scientific and balanced diet and supplemented through resistance exercises such as strength training or weight lifting.

Exercise regimes require many dietary considerations. Sufficient energy intake is essential for the body to sustain itself during physical activity. In order to build muscle mass, the body needs high-quality protein sources. In addition, the body requires replenishment of water-soluble vitamins and inorganic salts, particularly B vitamins, which are lost when exercising through sweat. A healthy, nutritionally balanced diet includes choosing healthy snacks that can provide sufficient energy and many nutrients to the body. 

When considering snack options, pistachios emerge as an exceptional choice due to their provision of plant-based protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients. They offer a balanced amount of carbohydrates that effectively fuel the body during exercise. A single one-ounce serving (approximately 28 grams) of pistachios supplies 160 kilocalories of energy and 5.9 grams of protein, equivalent to the protein content found in a medium-sized egg. Furthermore, pistachios are abundant in beneficial nutrients like beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin K, and vitamin E, as well as minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron. They are also a reliable source of phytochemicals such as lutein and phytosterols. With their high-quality nutrient profile and associated health advantages, pistachios are an excellent snack choice, delivering energy and essential nutrients to support the body during and after exercise.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sapna Khanna (@sapnakhannafitness)

Also Read

Namrata Purohit's Exercise for Stronger Core with Abs on a Roller Foam is Must Try