Training during the frozen tundra that is winter can be a challenging undertaking. Unlike those temperate spring days or sweltering summer afternoons, the colder seasons demand extra energy from your body—plus more motivation to crawl from the comfort of the covers and brave the elements. Thankfully, with the right community (and workout programme), Virgin Active can keep you on track. The rest is down to your body and how you keep it firing on all cylinders.
Keeping your body fueled with healthy grub before and after every winter workout is crucial, but most on-the-go options are high in sugar and calories and low on what you actually need: clean energy, immunity-boosting nutrients and fibre. Ultimately, the traditional quick snacks can make it harder to recover after workouts and leave you at serious risk of catching an illness or suffering an injury.
Fortunately, there are a wide variety of superfoods to choose from that’ll help supercharge your winter workouts. Need direction? Virgin Active has hooked you up with five of the best that can be found in some of the many delicious offerings available at Kauai—right inside the club. Grab one on the way in or out!
1. Ginger
Packed with nutrients and boasting a laundry list of health benefits, ginger truly lives up to the title of a superfood. Not only can it help nix inflammation; it can also help reduce nausea and—thanks to its blood-thinning properties—cut your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Most importantly, ginger has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, so it can give your immune system an instant boost, AKA the forcefield you need against winter colds and flus. Snag these benefits with Kauai’s Ginger Shot or sample their aptly named Floo Juice which combines ginger, orange, carrot, lemon and cayenne pepper to supercharge your immunity.
2. Red Peppers
Citrus fruits aren’t the only source of Vitamin C; some vegetables—like red peppers—pack healthy servings of this flu fighter. These crunchy peppers can also help improve digestion and help you maintain a healthy weight thanks to its ability to rev up your metabolism and suppress appetite. Evidence has shown that cayenne peppers—made from red peppers—can even help clear congestion and alleviate headaches. Snag that cayenne pepper kick by digging into Kauai’s Thai Crunch Salad Bowl or Spicy Burrito Wrap.
3. Raw Nuts
Raw nuts are a powerhouse of health benefits, helping lower bad cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and control blood-sugar levels. They’re also a great source of Omega-3 and are rich in Vitamin E, magnesium and antioxidants. Bonus: nuts can also help strengthen the lining of your arteries, reducing your risk of developing blood clots. Snack on these benefits (and more) with a pack of Kauai’s Raw Mixed Nuts or slurp on a delicious Nut Milk Smoothie after your workouts. For the perfect start to the day, try their Almond Nut Porridge.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon can help you produce healthy red blood cells and prevent spikes in blood-sugar levels—a common side-effect for many after a particularly grueling workout. It also has probiotic properties that can help improve gut help and aid digestion. Much like ginger, cinnamon is nature’s immune booster thanks to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Scoop up these perks with a portion of Kauai’s Plant Porridge Pot or their Cinna-Bomb smoothie.
5. Chicken is a Winter Winner
Chicken is the ultimate comfort food—and for good reason. High in vitamin B-6, about 90g of chicken contains up to 50% of your daily recommended intake. That’s important because B-6 is essential to many of your body’s chemical reactions such as the formation of healthy red blood cells. Kauai’s Butta Chicken tastes great and delivers the protein you’ll need to rebuild your muscles after leg day. Want something spicier? We recommend the Cajun Chicken Quesadilla.
When you’re fueling your body, every bite matters. Leverage the superfoods here to make sure you stay healthy, strong and ready to hit the gym all winter long. Check out the delicious superfood options available in your nearest Virgin Active club at Kauai now.
Even better—if you sign up in June, you’ll qualify for a free smoothie every day for 30 days to get you through the Winter slump. Click here for more information or to sign up.
