As a registered dietitian (RD), I have always known that nutrition was important for health, disease prevention, and weight loss. Throughout my college years, and during my dietetic internship, this was stressed incessantly, time and again. Clinically, I had learned a great deal of useful information, but my specialized education had never focused specifically on sports-related nutrition.

01/29/2012 | Nutrition Talk | Amanda Cassell

As we slip into the colder months, I often see a steady decline in the consumption of fruits and vegetables of many of my clients. While much of this can be explained by reduced availability, especially in the northern regions, it should serve as no excuse. When this is coupled with increased cravings for holiday treats and comfort foods, the athlete is sure to miss many of the vital antioxidants and phytonutrients necessary for fighting off those winters colds, supporting recovery, and general overall health. One easy, and often overlooked, way to ensure that you are incorporating these into your diet is with homemade power smoothies.

01/17/2012 | Nutrition Talk | Jaime Windrow

Today is not much for tropics, but with left over pineapple and papaya I will try to give it a go. I have previously decided to add the ginseng over the horseradish, and so do. There is nothing sparkling today about my juice as I feel like predetermining the ingredients removes a bit of the excitement. Maybe if I add a spontaneous ingredient, things will perk up. In attempts to mask the tropical feel, I go with beet and romaine, and am quite surprised at the smooth vegetable taste.

01/09/2012 | Nutrition Talk | Anne Rollins

Project Juice: Day 19

This morning I am participating in a workout/lecture (I'm lecturing in between intervals of circuit training) so I think that juicing before this event may be helpful. I like the superfood properties of the kale and the tomato addition really adds some substance. The two of these together seem like they may stand on their own quite well, but something is telling me to add some kind of heat. Perhaps cliché with the tomato, but I pull out the forgotten horseradish root. Somehow I will work the juicer into an adult beverage, but alas, another blog topic. Not knowing much about horseradish, I had purchased some while in the root section picking up my ginger and ginseng. Now, I am quite pleased that I did. Properties of horseradish root include strong antibiotic, expectorant, bronchodilatator, antibacterial, coronary vasodilatator. However, systemically horseradish raises blood pressure associated with its heat characteristic. The immune system is stimulated, and oh yes! it has anti-inflammatory properties in addition to being antiparasitic, antianemic, antiscorbutic (prevents scurvy by preservation of vitamin C) and is a diuretic. It can stimulate the appetite. Also it is known that horseradish has aphrodisiacal properties. Seriously! Where has this been hiding and why does this not get more press! Horseradish, I love you.

01/08/2012 | Nutrition Talk | Anne Rollins