Patrick O'Brien

THE demands of combat sports require some serious commitment to both training and skill development which is why fighters are amongst the fittest athletes on the planet. Nutrition in fight sports is an equally important aspect of the fight game. A good diet can improve a fighters performance and skill potential which can be the make or break for many of the top fighters. A fighter must decide if he/she needs to lose or add weight to their body and create a plan to help them achieve this goal. But what does a fighter do to achieve this and can I employ this in my daily regime to help improve your diet.

Is the microwave damaging our health?

FOOD is an essential element of life, but is it sometimes beneficial to go without? I am sure the mere suggestion of this brings, many a person out in a cold sweat. Some even liken the thought of fasting to starvation. In the UK today, food is so abundant that overeating is now more of a problem, in terms of public health, than under-nutrition. For those of us who are lucky to have food on demand, which thankfully is most of us, why should you even consider fasting?

THESE days everyone seems to have an opinion on nutrition, especially when it comes to breakfast. Once referred to as the most important meal of the day, “breakfast” is now the subject of intense scientific scrutiny. In the bitterly divided world of breakfast etiquette there seem to be two types of people – those who skip breakfast, and those that don’t.

5 health tips for a healthy liver to boost fat loss

HUMANKIND has made some remarkable advancements since our neolithic ancestors roamed the earth. Unfortunately our current state of health is in such disarray, it raises the question, are we really evolving or devolving as a species? We are fatter, less productive, and at a higher risk of developing disease than ever before. According to a recent report published by the Scottish Parliament, around 65 per cent of people aged 16 or above are overweight or obese. The annual cost to the NHS Scotland for weight problems and obesity combined may be as much as £600 million per year.

“What should I be eating before and after a workout?” It is one of the most frequently asked questions at Everyday Athlete gym. However, the answer is hotly debated in the fitness industry, with a widely differing set of opinions on the matter. Extensive research on workout nutrition has been carried out, however, more often than not this information is conflicting. If you were to ask a handful of experts for their input, you are guaranteed to walk away feeling even more confused, as there are so many variables which must be considered. Here are some guidelines you can apply to help you navigate this topsy-turvy world of pre- and post-exercise nutrition.

At our gym Everyday Athlete healthy eating is important. When coaching our nutrition clients, we find they crave carbohydrates that are loaded with sugars. The most common culprits include white bread, cereals, doughnuts, cookies and indeed anything that has that moreish effect. These are the foods that cause an insulin spike and as a result are the ones people crave.

FOR many among us January is synonymous with change, an excuse to make the new year a little better than the last. In truth, you’re probably worse off now than you were this time last year. What started as a great year has probably ended in a pool of turkey, Christmas pudding and beer. Most likely you are now champing at the bit and feel something drastic is needed to return to normality. Whether it’s kicking off a new gym habit, having a dry month or some other goal, January seems like the best month to do it. So why not try something a little different… why not cut out or at least cut down on your meat consumption for the month of January?