DragonFit Oct. 2016 | Page 6

Protein is the only macronutrient widely viewed in a positive light, partially due to its role in gaining muscle mass and partially due to the prevalence of high protein content in fad diets. Protein is an amazing compound that is essential for cellular repair, and while it can be used for energy it is harder to store as fat and your body doesn’t particularly like to burn it for fuel, so its reputation isn’t completely unfounded. However, protein is hard for your body to break down and can have long term damaging effects on your organs if eaten in extreme excess. Your body needs a balance of all three macronutrients to properly function! The balance, however, depends on you and how YOUR body functions best.

To end, I want to lend a word of caution. Not all calories are created alike and while your body will use what you give it, it can ONLY utilize the nutrition you give it. There are many paths to healthy living and creating a healthy, sustainable eating regimen, but the one truth that remains constant is this: if you are sourcing your energy from foods with poor nutritional content, food loaded with toxins, hyper processed foods, and continually skip out on your vitamins and minerals, those choices will show not just in the mirror, but in your athletic performance, in your muscular definition, in your moods and mental state, in your water retention, and in the luminosity of your skin,

hair, and nails. If nothing

else, remember the

precious value in eating

minimally processed

whole foods, plenty

of vegetables, and

avoiding calorie bombs

empty of nutrients while

choosing wholesome fuel

that will enable you to

reach your goals and live your dreams.

Happy meal prep, ladies!