This is Edition three of a series on bicycle commuting by guest contributor, Aaron Madrid. These posts are all about Aaron’s experiences as a newcomer to commuting, and he’s here to share it with you. We’re hoping this series will encourage you to become a commuter yourself? Be sure to check out the previous editions...
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Here’s a look at who’s loving the bike for February 2012. At the top of each month we like to feature the amazing stories and memories of people who are loving the bike. Please take a look at what these lovers have to say. Hey…..and we’d love to hear from you as well….feel free...
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Nobody likes to talk about crashing on a bike, but unfortunately it can happen. It’s one of those voodoo type subjects where you feel like you need to sacrifice one of your bikes to the bike Gods after talking about it. We recently did a podcast all about crashing over at Cycling 360, and...
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We’ve all heard the phrase, “Pay it Forward”…but what we might not realize is just how big of an impact it can have on someone’s life. Today, we share the story of two cyclists who had their lives changed forever and are so grateful that they continue to Pay it Forward. I’ve been thinking...
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Beautiful Cuban “work bikes” and a post about cycling in Cuba, by guest writer Kathy Campbell. Viva la Bicicletta – An article and photos on Cuba and their Working Bikes by Kathy Campbell If you love bicycle touring then you must make some time for a bike tour around Cuba. There are so many reasons...
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Not only do I have my review of the Helium Lazer helmet today, I also have details on how you can win one of your own. Be sure to check out my thoughts and opinions as well as the video about what I think of this cycling helmet. I have been in serious need...
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This new People for Bikes video featuring my good buddy, Ryan van Duzer has totally blown up on the internet since being released a few days ago. I’m sure you’ve already seen it because it’s everywhere right now, and I’m so happy that Ryan is getting such awesome exposure with it. Here it is,...
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Who I Be…..A Personal Confession How well do you know yourself? I recently decided to take part in a “Personal Confession” exercise to see how well I knew myself, and wanted to share my results in today’s Make it Happen Monday post. You may know me as a guy who loves bicycles, and if...
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Ever wonder how “The Love Affair” of cycling is seen through a “non-rider’s” eyes? Today’s guest post by Vania Selvaggi just might be the most beautifully written cycling story ever written by a non-cyclist. Earlier this month, I read an awesome “non-cycling” article online and liked it so much that I asked the writer...
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We’re posting this information on Hydrapak’s Selva so that our #bikeschool classmates can drop in and locate the correct answer to the question asked in class (Tonight – January 19th 2012)….think of it as a cycling tweet chat scavenger hunt. For any non-#bikeschoolers reading this, check out what the Selva has to offer and...
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Note from Darryl: We didn’t participate in this historic day of people blacking out their websites. To be honest, I haven’t even had a chance to see what all of this is about so I never had a chance to grab myself an opinion on it. I’m definitely one for free speech and individuality which...
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Right now in Austin we’re deep in the heart of cedar allergy season, and once again it’s wreaking havoc on my cycling lungs. They call it “cedar fever” and a lot of people over here get knocked down pretty hard with the punch it packs each year. One of the things it does to...
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I generally eat pretty healthily and stay relatively fit but I wonder if I’m getting enough vitamins and minerals. Is there a product (available in the UK) that contains the right mixes of daily vitamins and minerals and if not, which individual supplements should I take to compliment a healthy lifestyle. (ps… I don’t want to take so many pills that I rattle!)
Kelli’s Answer:
Thanks for the question! First a disclaimer: It’s always important to talk to your personal health care provider about supplements -some should not be taken due to medication interactions and individual conditions.
Now, my general recommendations:
Although a healthy and balanced diet is most important, I do believe that most people, and athletes especially, need a good multivitamin/multimineral, extra vitamin D, and fish oil (or another source of DHA/EPA omega-3s) in addition to healthy foods. Mostly, I recommend this because our soils have been over-farmed (which decreases the amount of nutrients in our foods), our waters are polluted (which is one reason we can’t eat as much seafood as we’d like), and our ability to get outside and get sunlight year round has decreased with more time spent inside and at a desk. And, there’s a lot of exciting research that supports higher levels of vitamin D supplementation than previous recommendations.
Generally, I recommend these daily supplements:
Additionally, individual athletes may need extra iron, probiotics, calcium, etc. But, these 3 pills are a good place to start for most healthy athletes.
As you look for supplements, the keys are to find ones that 1) have what they claim they have (no exaggerated claims) and 2) don’t have anything that’s harmful. You don’t want lead or other dangerous heavy metals, and I try to stay away from colorings, flavorings, and unnecessary additives. Since this industry is not really regulated, it can be hard to find good brands that have support from a 3rd party expert. I often www.consumerlab.com, a completely impartial 3rd party site that tests supplements and reports on their ingredients. They don’t have every brand, but it can be a good starting point. I hope this helps!
Please send us your questions for our Expert Sports Nutritionist, Kelli Jennings to “Ask the Sports Nutritionist“. Kelli Jennings is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for healthy eating, wellness, & sports nutrition. For more information go to www.apexnutritionllc.com.
Nutrition Tips
