Boost Your Workout with Plant-Based Protein

Working out requires a lot of energy, as such, it's a good idea to eat energy-boosting, healing and beneficial foods to support your physiology. What you eat before and after hitting the gym can make a big difference to your workout and the results you will see for all your hard work. It's a common misconception that eating meat and dairy is key to getting enough protein, but in fact there are a lot of plant-based protein sources that can do wonders for your workout, are great for your health and boast many other benefits like vitamin B to boost energy, magnesium for optimal muscle and nervous system functions, and iron for good blood flow. 

Here are some plant-based proteins you can eat pre or post workout so you can train harder with more energy and recover faster. Add them to smoothies and juices, incorporate them in your breakfast, lunch, dinner or pre-work out snack. 

Spinach

One of the best sources of plant-based iron, B vitamins, magnesium, and protein is spinach. It helps deliver energy to the muscles as well as oxygen to the bloodstream to ensure healthy blood flow. Moreover, spinach can also prevent muscle breakdown. A cup of spinach contains around 5 grams of protein, thus, it can also aid you in keeping your blood sugar steady and improve lean muscle mass. Fresh spinach is super versatile and can be used in any of your meals or use spinach powder for a convenient spinach hit. 

Chia

Chia seeds can absorb up to a whopping 12 times their weight in water, often taken by athletes to boost energy these little seeds can help to super charge your workout. Chia seeds contain iron, B vitamins, potassium, protein, magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids, and a lot of fibre to stimulate you to exercise longer. Chia seeds are tasteless so they are great to add to smoothies, make chia pudding or try chia seed protein powder for a easily consumable alternative. 

Spirulina

This deep blue-green powder is incredibly rich in protein and is actually one of the few sources of plant-based foods that has more protein per 100g that meat. Not only is spirulina a protein powerhouse it is also rich in vitamins B6, B12, C, D and E, a huge range of minerals including iron, chlorophyll, iodine, magnesium, potassium, folic acid and tons more. Spirulina can be beneficial for healthy digestion, metabolism, blood pressure, blood glucose levels and circulation, connective tissue, and bone and joint support. 

Cacao

Cacao is another good source of energy and protein that has a delicious chocolate taste. It gives you an endorphin boost and contains a large dose of iron to deliver oxygen to your cells more efficiently. It's also a rich source of magnesium which can relieve muscle aches and spasms, aid sleep and increase energy levels. Cacao powder can be added to your smoothies or porridge, incorporated in to puddings, cakes and breakfast bowls.

Coconut butter

Coconut butter does not only contain fibre and oil from the coconut fruit, but it also has MCT fats that help distribute immediate energy to the cells via the liver and help provide a mood boost, too! You can add coconut butter to any of your meals to replace butter, oils and spreads, add to your snack before you hit the gym for an extra boost 

Plant-based protein powders

There are a huge variety of protein powders available to buy now, each with differing protein contents and added extra benefits. Hemp, pea, pumpkin, sunflower and chia are just a few of our favourites. 
When shopping around for your favourite protein powder be sure to look at the ingredients, some brands will add refined sugar, artificial flavours and emulsifiers to try to improve taste and texture but this decreases the quality of the product. Look out for pure, organic proteins that can actually create a big difference in your workout and your lean muscle mass. Protein powders are super simple to add to soups, stews, smoothies and juices, or use them in baking. We especially like adding them to pancakes, muffins and other baked breakfast goodies for a morning boost. 

Detox Trading offers plant-based proteins that will help boost your energy, build and tone muscle, sustain you for longer and replace whey or soya from your post workout shake. Visit our website for our full range of protein packed products here. ​

Enjoy a healthy sweet treat fix - with superfoods

A healthy diet needn't mean the end of desserts and the odd treat. Remember, everything should be enjoyed in moderation! It is also perfectly possible to maximise the nutritional value of your favourite sweet items by making a few careful swaps and by incorporating nutrient-dense superfoods - which supercharge your health and give you fantastic energy, health benefits and an overall zest for life - into your diet.

A soothing smoothie 


If you are craving chocolate, it could be a sign that you are deficient in magnesium. Luckily, you can find this in avocado and banana, both of which make a great smoothie. Whizz them up with a handful of berries and you've got a delicious, reviving smoothie that is thick and nourishing.


Chia pudding

Protein-packed chia seeds are one of the hot ingredients at the moment. They make a great breakfast pudding if you soak a couple of tablespoons in a pint of nut milk of your choice. By morning, they will have created a set pudding, which is wonderful with nuts and fresh fruit. Why not sprinkle a little maca powder on top for energy and vitamins galore?

Cacao wonder 

Pure and unprocessed cacao is packed with nutrients, including the vitamin spectrum, iron and fibre. You can use it instead of processed cocoa to make all manner of treats. Stir a spoon of raw cacao into coconut or almond milk for a soothing evening drink and sweeten with a little honey and cinnamon. Mix up cacao powder with avocado and raw manuka honey for a rich and indulgent pudding - and make little cacao bites by blending cacao powder, dates, nuts and almond butter. Serve them raw to maximise taste and nutrient profile.

Spirulina

You can even use spirulina in sweet treats! Try adding it to a green juice with spinach, banana, kiwi and lime - or add a little to a raw nut ball recipe with nuts, dates, manuka honey and chia seeds for a powerful protein and vitamin-packed health punch!

Chia Seeds - A Fantastic Aid to Weight Loss

I personally find these seeds to be the best aid in weight control (apart from avoiding too much sugar and any processed foods)

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and iron, chia seeds are great for weight loss because they act like a sponge, absorbing sugar and stabilizing blood sugar levels.

Chia seeds can help you lose weight by eliminating hunger. 

1. Chia Seeds have a high soluble fiber content, these tiny seeds can hold up to twenty times their weight in water.  When they are mixed with liquid, they form a gel in your stomach that curb your calorie intake by making you feel full longer and they absorb excess moisture, which makes feel you have eaten more than you really have.

2. Chia digest slowly, which means you will feel fuller and more satisfied for longer.

3. Chia is high in nutrition, which nourishes your body and helps you feel satisfied.

4. If you are have 1 Tablespoon of Chia that contains: 2 grams protein, 68 calories, 5.5 grams of fiber, B vitamins, 9 percent calcium, 7 percent iron and only 2.5 mg sodium.

To lose weight with chia seeds, have the chia seeds for breakfast and prior to each meal. Drink with plenty of water. The chia seeds should provide energy for your workout and keep you satisfied so you don't snack or overeat.

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Superfoods Good for your Brain

Chia means strength and Chia Seeds contains large amount of omega-3, calcium, antioxidants, iron, protein, fibre, and potassium which gives energy and stamina for the brain.

Acai is known to enhance brain health and improve cognitive abilities, packed with antioxidants with ORAC, omega-3, vitamins, and protein.

Goji Berries are said to improve the sharpness of your brain and help you retain information more efficiently and may help in reducing damaging inflammation of the brain as well as reducing the accumulation of toxins in the brain.

Spirulina also has many brain improving benefits, it is said to reduce the degeneration of the brain and prevents brain damage and studies have shown that it can reverse damage done to the brain from process of ageing.

Cacao has lots of minerals and nutrients that help boost the brains neurotransmitters and creates serotonin (the hormone that makes you happy) that keeps you calm. It has to raw to get the most nutritional benefit.

Maca is a fabulous superfood is known to improve the brains neurochemistry and helps fight against depression, stress, anxiety and acts as a mood enhancer.

Coconut is known as a great fuel to enhance healthy brain function with its rich source of medium chain triglycerides (MCT). 

Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) go straight to your liver to be processed into ketones which are then sent to the brain to be used for fuel. Being a stable fuel supply, coconut is considered to be great fuel for your brain by supporting your brain’s learning capabilities and memory retention.

Curcumin which comes from Turmeric shows neuroprotective properties and is said to help neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia and Alzheimer's.