How to Eat for a Beach Body

When summer arrives, everyone wants to show off the perfect beach body. Achieving a beach body requires dedication, commitment and of course exercise. What some people do not remember is that diet and nutrition are as important in getting and keeping your beach body as exercise.

Instructions

• 1

  Drink plenty of water. About 60 percent of the human body is water. Drinking enough water not only ensures proper body function, but it detoxifies, reduces bloating and contributes to healthy, glowing skin. Having a healthy glow will add to the appearance of a beach body.

• 2

  Cut back on or avoid low-carbohydrate snacks. Snacks that are touted as low-carb contain sugar alcohols that cause bloating. The body does not know how to digest them, which leads to intestinal upset.

• 3

  Keep an eye on condiment use. Condiments are notoriously high in sodium, which is another substance that leads to bloating and puffiness. Read the nutrition labels on your condiments to learn which ones have a lot of sodium, and use them sparingly. You may also want to consider low-sodium versions of the worst offenders, such as soy sauce.

• 4

  Increase your potassium intake. Potassium is a natural diuretic, which means it helps reduce water retention and bloating. Supplements are available and can be used safely, but it is always recommended to get nutrients from food if at all possible. Good sources of potassium include tomatoes, bananas, salmon, almonds and cherries.

• 5

  Maintain a stable blood sugar level. A blood sugar level is the amount of sugar in your blood at a given time. This level changes in response to the foods you eat. If you eat a sugary snack or meal, your blood sugar spikes then tapers off. Conversely, if you starve yourself, your blood sugar level plummets. The best way to obtain a beach body is to maintain a steady blood sugar level, which is done by eating several small meals a day instead of one large one and concentrating on low glycemic foods --- foods that do not cause the blood sugar to spike.

• 6

  Eat plenty of protein, especially after you exercise. Muscles are made up of protein. After you exercise, your body needs adequate protein to repair and build your muscles. If you exercise regularly, but fail to eat the protein your body needs, you will not get that beach body you desire.