Marie spano

Mitigating the Pain of Overtraining

In college our cross country coach would often tell us to run an easy 60 minutes on Sundays after our Saturday races. The temptation to run further, just to see how long I could go, was too much and I’d often be out there for 2 hours (not to mention a few times I got lost and was frantically trying to find my way back to anything that looked remotely familiar). Ten hill repeats turned into 15 or 20 and …

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Don’t Let Halloween Treats Scare You!

If Haunted Houses, goblins and ghouls aren’t scary enough this Halloween, the candy your kids bring home or the overflowing bowl of sweet treats in your office may leave you frightened. However, I have 3 simple tips for a healthier Halloween. Check them out on this Let’s Talk Live DC TV segment: [brightcove vid=1910303705001&exp3=180211731001&surl=http://c.brightcove.com/services&pubid=115485208001&pk=AQ~~,AAAAGuN0bcE~,rS1wzGXkRNnKZBuQ4FRjFM7e28yVdmek&w=300&h=225] I had the pleasure of working with Pirate’s Booty, KIND Healthy Snacks and Wonderful Pistachios on this segment.

Sleep – a Critical Component to Sports Performance

Years ago hitting the gym and throwing around some steel was considered the most critical aspect of sports performance training. However, in more recent years a more comprehensive model of performance has developed based on decades of research on nutrition, sleep, psychology and several other critical components of an athlete’s training regimen. As a sports dietitian with an Exercise Science degree and CSCS, I focus mainly on food & supplements though I sometimes discuss training. But lately I’ve found that I’m …

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Looking for the Best Nutrition Bar?

Nutrition bars fit a need: they are convenient. Portable nutrition at it’s best, no stopping, no drive throughs and your hunger pangs are taken care of in an instant. So which bar is best for you? That depends on your particular nutrition needs. However, most people are looking for one is either low sugar or low carb, high protein or gluten free. Find out what bar is right for you by checking out this article on Superstar Bars. Or, if …

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Fighting Food Cravings

It’s 4:30 pm and you’re staring at the computer but can’t seem to read the words on the screen. Instead you are completely immersed in the thought of a light and fluffy cupcake topped ever so gracefully with swirls of sweet light yellow buttercream icing. The plan of action is simple and swift: as soon as 5pm strikes you’ll dash out of the office to the corner bakeshop before they run out of these freshly baked delights. If food cravings …

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Food & Nutrition Trend Setters – the Latest & Greatest from Expo East 2012

Natural Products  Expo East and West showcase the latest and greatest in natural, organic and healthy products. Here is a review of the trends I saw as well as some of my show favorites: Coconut – this flavor trend is still growing and can be found in several different beverages, confectionaries, packaged foods and dairy products (yogurt, frozen yogurt, coconut milk). Lentils – lentils are hot and I tasted several lentil crackers, chips, pasta, ready to eat meals, and breads …

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