Bee Active Personal Training 8 Week Challenge Nutrition Handbook - Sept 2013 | Page 22

Coconut water Sports Drinks Coconut water is the clear liquid inside a young coconut – it’s a natural isotonic which hydrates you faster than water. Modern science has validated its effectiveness, especially as an all natural sports drink. Coconut water is also healthier as it contains no added sugar, flavours or colours, like sports drinks do. Sports drinks which contain electrolytes have been shown to have benefits when you exercise for more than one hour. If your goal is weight loss though they really only become beneficial if you’re running a half marathon or play a competitive sport. You need to be aware that a 600ml bottle of sports drink will contain around 36g of carbs, all sugar, as they are designed to give you an energy hit when endurance training. Coconut Water contains the five essential electrolytes that gives your body everything it needs to stay hydrated and perform at your best. These include: ?Sodium ?Magnesium ?Calcium ?Potassium ?Phosphorus Nutrition... Coconut Water contains more potassium than a banana which would equal 15 regular sports drinks. Potassium is an important electrolyte that helps prevent cramps. Fluids – Tea and coffee Being mindful of the choices you make O ne of the main ingredients in many of the fat burning product you see advertised is caffeine. I’d prefer you eat well and enjoy a coffee or tea than pop pills. For coffee and tea we recommend black but if your taste buds are not ready for the strong taste we recommend a natural sweetener such as xylitol with a splash of milk. Avoid flavoured coffees – a mocha (168cal) or syrup flavoured coffee (231cal) can often double the amount of calories as a skim flat white (92cal). Frappes & iced coffees (215cal) are both calorie dense drinks to avoid!