Bonitas Member Magazine Issue 4. 2019 | Page 19

Drink chocolate milk for fitness A professor of sport and exercise nutrition at Loughborough University says: “There are two primary things you are trying to do after exercise: Recover and encourage the muscles you have worked to become stronger. A bit of protein provides the most effective way of doing this. If you drink milk, you are getting a consistent source of protein, along with water and electrolytes. The chocolate provides useful carbohydrates and even the relatively high sugar content is an acceptable means of restoring lost energy.” Beef up your diet with lentils Compared to other types of dried beans and pulses, lentils are relatively quick and easy to prepare. They readily absorb a variety of wonderful flavours from other foods and seasonings and are high in nutritional value. Cooked lentils provide 18 grams of protein per cup, with less than 1 gram of fat, negligible saturated fat and no cholesterol. In comparison, other good sources of protein, such as beef, poultry and fish, contain much higher amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol. In addition, lentils are rich in fibre, vitamin B1, iron and zinc. Take care before you slip on your heels New research has shown a link between high heels, foot deformity, osteoarthritis and other injuries. A comprehensive review of a host of studies on the bad health effects of high heels, published in the journal BMC Public Health, found clear evidence of an association between wearing high heels and foot deformities, musculoskeletal pain and injury. This is further supported by evidence that wearing high heels increases the risk of osteoarthritis. The reason for this is attributed to the narrow front of high-heel shoes, which exerts immense pressure on the toes, often accompanied by musculoskeletal pain and in some cases, deformity. Due to the unnatural angle, abnormal pressure is also borne by the foot’s heel, causing a detrimental knock-on effect on the knee joints. Wearing high heels causes unnatural bending of the knees, which can shorten the posterior leg muscles and damage the Achilles tendon.