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How Do I Get My Cat to Lose Weight? Tips for Weight Loss

Obesity is not only common in humans. Many cats experience obesity due to laziness and diet and may find themselves requiring to lose weight. If your cat is 15 to 20 percent above the ideal body weight, your cat would be considered overweight.    Obesity in cats is more common than you think. About 44 percent of the pet population in North America is obese. It is one of the most common nutritional disorders amongst pets and what they eat has much to do with this.    Your cat may be lazy or you may have been feeding your cat a diet that is bring about weight gain. Regardless of the reasons why they are gaining weight, it is important that you try to get them to shed those pounds before it becomes a health concern. What’s more, fat cats usually have a hard time getting around and are often seen sitting ideally. You want your cat to be more active and the less excessive weight they have to carry around, the more active they will be.   

  Is My Cat Overweight?

With humans, we have ideal body weights for a specific body size, which makes it easier for us to understand when we are overweight. Cats have varying body sizes which makes it difficult to pinpoint exactly the ideal body weight for all cats. Instead of relying on charts to determine body size and shape, we use something known as the Body Condition Score (BCS) to visually grade cats.  Read the full article

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10 Benefits of Plant-Based Meats: Are Plant-Based Meats Healthy?

Plant-based meats are the newest sensation on the market. Cruelty-free meat which is produced in the lab is starting to gain traction. More and more of these plant-based products are gaining popularity due to their ability to mimic the taste, smell and feel of real meat.    When it comes to plant-based meats, there have to be some real benefits of choosing it over real meat. We’ll dive into the details to understand the various benefits of plant-based meat and answer the question of whether it is healthy for you.    It is a known fact, that meat consumption around the world is at an all-time high. This has brought about many questions about the impact of the meat industry on the world. The climate is shifting and we are led to believe it is due to the high amounts of atmospheric carbon. The meat industry is responsible for a good portion of the atmospheric carbon content. Plant-based meats which are derived from plants allow for the reverse action on atmospheric carbon content. The meat is made from plants, which during growth stages will work to remove carbon from the air.    There could be major environmental benefits of choosing plant-based meat for the future. However, that being the case, plant-based meats only account for 1% of the total meat sales in the United States. It is new and people haven’t gotten around to get accustomed to plant-based meats.    Though the percentage of sales of plant-based meats is rather low, it is important to understand the exponential growth the plant-based industry has seen. Over the last year, plant-based meats grew by 23% compared to the year before, leading us to believe that over time, plant-based meat would take up a large chunk of the meat industry.    Various factors are taken into account by consumers who choose plant-based meats over real meat. Price is one such factor that plays heavily on the consumer’s mind. With current costs of plant-based meat higher than real meat, it is understandable that only a fraction of consumers opts for plant-based alternatives.    Taste is similarly important to many consumers who are looking for a similar taste to real meat. More and more companies are coming out with products that brilliantly mimic the taste of real meat. With an increase in competition in the plant-based meat market, the prices of products should decrease over time. If the products become cheaper or just as affordable as real meat and are able to mimic the taste and smell, chances are, more and more people will opt for plant-based alternatives over the real thing.  Read the full article

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15 Best Fruits for Diabetes: Top Fruits for Blood Sugar Control

Fruits are a great way to stay healthy. If you are struggling with diabetes and high blood sugar levels, reaching for fruits in your fruit basket could help you better regulate blood sugar levels and keep your condition in check. It is a popular myth that the sugar in fruits is bad for those who suffer from diabetes. This myth has been debunked time and time again and we now know that the sugars in fruits are actually great for regulating blood sugar levels and will work to help you better manage diabetes.    The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has reported on the value of fruits in managing diabetes. The vitamin and mineral content is great for health and the fibre content is especially beneficial for those who suffer from diabetes. What's more, it is a great way to treat yourself to a healthy sweet snack, without reaching for unhealthy alternatives which could cause havoc on your blood sugar levels.    Fibre that is found in many fruits and vegetables can promote the feeling of fullness, which will lower cravings, which will prevent you from unhealthy snacking. Further to this, the fibre allows for the slow absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, thereby enabling the better management of blood sugar levels. Eating a diet rich in fibre including many fruits will prevent insulin spikes caused by sudden absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, thereby working to better manage diabetes. That being the case, not all sources of fibre are considered good for diabetics.    Certain fruits work to directly lower blood sugar levels. With such fruits, you have to be careful of the amount that you consume. Though these fruits can be beneficial for those who suffer from high blood sugar, eating too much of these fruits can cause low blood sugar which can too be dangerous.    When it comes to fruits, some fruits are considered better than others when it comes to managing diabetes. People who suffer from diabetes have much to gain by incorporating certain fruits into their diet. We have a list of 15 of the best fruits for those who suffer from diabetes. Hence, without further adieu, let's dive into our list and find out how these fruits work to help you better manage your condition.    Read the full article

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10 Benefits of Plant-Based Meats: Are Plant-Based Meats Healthy?

Plant-based meats are the newest sensation on the market. Cruelty-free meat which is produced in the lab is starting to gain traction. More and more of these plant-based products are gaining popularity due to their ability to mimic the taste, smell and feel of real meat.    When it comes to plant-based meats, there have to be some real benefits of choosing it over real meat. We'll dive into the details to understand the various benefits of plant-based meat and answer the question of whether it is healthy for you.    It is a known fact, that meat consumption around the world is at an all-time high. This has brought about many questions about the impact of the meat industry on the world. The climate is shifting and we are led to believe it is due to the high amounts of atmospheric carbon. The meat industry is responsible for a good portion of the atmospheric carbon content. Plant-based meats which are derived from plants allow for the reverse action on atmospheric carbon content. The meat is made from plants, which during growth stages will work to remove carbon from the air.    There could be major environmental benefits of choosing plant-based meat for the future. However, that being the case, plant-based meats only account for 1% of the total meat sales in the United States. It is new and people haven't gotten around to get accustomed to plant-based meats.    Though the percentage of sales of plant-based meats is rather low, it is important to understand the exponential growth the plant-based industry has seen. Over the last year, plant-based meats grew by 23% compared to the year before, leading us to believe that over time, plant-based meat would take up a large chunk of the meat industry.    Various factors are taken into account by consumers who choose plant-based meats over real meat. Price is one such factor that plays heavily on the consumer's mind. With current costs of plant-based meat higher than real meat, it is understandable that only a fraction of consumers opts for plant-based alternatives.    Taste is similarly important to many consumers who are looking for a similar taste to real meat. More and more companies are coming out with products that brilliantly mimic the taste of real meat. With an increase in competition in the plant-based meat market, the prices of products should decrease over time. If the products become cheaper or just as affordable as real meat and are able to mimic the taste and smell, chances are, more and more people will opt for plant-based alternatives over the real thing.  Read the full article

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How Do I Get My Cat to Lose Weight? Tips for Weight Loss

Obesity is not only common in humans. Many cats experience obesity due to laziness and diet and may find themselves requiring to lose weight. If your cat is 15 to 20 percent above the ideal body weight, your cat would be considered overweight.    Obesity in cats is more common than you think. About 44 percent of the pet population in North America is obese. It is one of the most common nutritional disorders amongst pets and what they eat has much to do with this.    Your cat may be lazy or you may have been feeding your cat a diet that is bring about weight gain. Regardless of the reasons why they are gaining weight, it is important that you try to get them to shed those pounds before it becomes a health concern. What's more, fat cats usually have a hard time getting around and are often seen sitting ideally. You want your cat to be more active and the less excessive weight they have to carry around, the more active they will be.   

  Is My Cat Overweight?

With humans, we have ideal body weights for a specific body size, which makes it easier for us to understand when we are overweight. Cats have varying body sizes which makes it difficult to pinpoint exactly the ideal body weight for all cats. Instead of relying on charts to determine body size and shape, we use something known as the Body Condition Score (BCS) to visually grade cats.  Read the full article

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Is Plant-Based Meat Good For You? Dangers and Benefits

More people are looking for healthier, greener and more ethical alternatives to meat. With a portion of the population living a vegan lifestyle, more and more people are opting to eat a plant-based diet. However, as these plant-based alternatives to meat such as the Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat healthy by way of nutrition? Are they considered nutritious substitutes for real meat? Do they provide more or less value by way of nutrition? After all, even if these plant-based meats taste the same, are they similarly good for you?   Plant-based meat is high in fibre, folate and iron which makes it a good source of nutrients. However, though they contain helpful doses of some nutrients, they lack certain nutrients such as protein, zinc and vitamin B-12. Hence, in some ways, making the switch from real meat to plant-based meat can be healthy, though if you are not careful about deficiencies, it could be detrimental to health.    Everyone's nutrition requirements are different. Different people have varied health goals and what you eat should be based on the goals that you have for yourself. For instance, if you look to meat as a source of protein, replacing real meat with plant-based meat won't provide the same nutritional value.    Further to this, the nutrient content of all plant-based meats vary. This means you have to always check the product label to ensure what you are consuming is what you are looking to achieve by way of nutrition. For instance, if you are watching your saturated fat intake to improve heart health, it is important that you check the label for low saturated fat content. Some plant-based meats contain as much saturated fat as ground beef, making it unhealthy for those who are looking to control their saturated fat intake.   

  Are Plant-Based Meats Healthy?

In the grand picture of everything, we are led to believe that plant-based meats are actually healthy for you. According to research funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, it was found that plant-based meat contains high doses of fibre, folate and iron while simultaneously containing less saturated fat than ground beef, making it a healthy option.   That being the case, you really have to check the product description on the label to understand the nutrient profile of each product. Though most products have a low saturated fat content, some products contain as much saturated fat as ground beef.   Further to this, the fact that these products don't usually contain vitamin B-12 in the same amounts as real meat, makes it another worrying reality. Meat, dairy and eggs are considered the most popular sources of vitamin B-12. A deficiency in vitamin B-12 could lead to serious health issues such as pernicious anaemia.   Though there are certain sources of vitamin B-12 on a plant-based diet, when switching from regular meat to plant-based meat, you have to be extra careful of your vitamin B-12 intake. This is because plant-based meat does not contain the same levels of vitamin B-12 as regular meat. Some have vitamin B-12 added to them, while other products don't. Read the full article

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Can Dogs Eat Chocolate? Is Chocolate Safe for Dogs? (Answered)

Chocolate is not considered safe for dogs and you shouldn't be feeding your dog chocolate. If you didn't know already, you may have thought to give your pooch a small piece of chocolate as you enjoy your favourite chocolate bar. This is a complete no-no and under no circumstances should you make it a habit of feeding your dog chocolate.    This is because chocolate is considered toxic for dogs and can lead to a host of illnesses. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine which though fine for humans cannot be metabolised by dogs. The inability to metabolise theobromine makes it toxic for dogs and can even lead to rare fatalities.    As a pet owner, you may have noticed your pooch, gawking away at the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and may have thought, 'what's the harm in feeding him one?' Chocolate in any form can be dangerous for dogs and you should work to inform yourself to care better for your pooch.   

  Can Dogs Eat Chocolate?

Plain and simply no, dogs cannot eat chocolate and it is not considered safe to feed your dog any amount of chocolate. Chocolates contain a toxic compound called theobromine which isn't metabolised by your pooch's system. This leads to the build-up of toxic levels of theobromine which can become poisonous. Though fatalities from chocolate poisoning are rare, chocolate could make your pooch very sick.  Read the full article

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What Should Runners Eat: Best Diet for Runners

If you are a runner, you would know that diet is an integral part of success. When it comes to training as a runner, the diet that you consume is as important as the running itself. Even when you eat a healthy, balanced diet, some foods are better for runners and a diet particularly designed for runners would have more to benefit the runner by way of better performance.    For instance, long-distance runners require a good carbohydrate source to provide for glycogen reserves in the body. On the other hand, short distance runners would require protein to build muscle mass and maintain them to allow for greater acceleration and faster speed.   Regardless of the length of your run, there are elements of the diet that you can control to help you see real results in performance. Some food will help you run longer, while others will help you run faster.    This article will discuss various aspects of a runners diet. We will try to cover most tangents to provide you with a good idea of the type of diet you should look to maintain to see optimum results from training.    Hence, without further adieu, let's dive into the good stuff.   Read the full article

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Can Cats Eat Chocolate? Is Chocolate Safe for Cats? (Answered)

Chocolate contains a chemical compound called theobromine which is lethal for cats. The harmless chocolate that you considered a treat is not much of a treat for your cat. Even a few grams can produce a toxic reaction in your cat's body causing death. Dark chocolate has a higher concentration of theobromine than milk and white chocolate, however, all types of chocolate contain enough theobromine and are all very dangerous for cats.    While enjoying your favourite chocolate, you may have considered giving your feline friend a lick. You may have thought it to be a safe and healthy treat offered to your cat on an occasional basis. You couldn't be more wrong.    Cats are picky eaters, which means they may not even eat the chocolate if you offer it. However, you as a pet owner should know and we hope you do know that chocolate is a big no-no when it comes to cats.    That being said, there are pet owners who have found that their cats actually love chocolate and leave wrappers of eaten goods all over the place. However, when it comes to the truth of the matter, chocolate isn't safe for cats and if your cat has been eating chocolate, it is high time you realise the harm this could be doing to your cat and stop it.   

  Can Cats Eat Chocolate?

Chocolate isn't safe for cats to eat. This is because chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine both of which are dangerous in large quantities. Unlike humans, cats cannot break down theobromine and eliminate it. This can stimulate the central nervous system and cardiac system causing havoc on your cat's internal functioning.    Cats have no problem chewing and swallowing chocolate. Although they are picky eaters, some may even take a liking to chocolate and won't hassle themselves, gobbling pieces of chocolate. It is your duty as the pet owner to care for your cat and ensure they don't consume something dangerous. After all, you don't want to feed them poison.  Read the full article

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Food Runners Should Avoid: 15 Foods That Are Bad For Runners

When it comes to running, diet plays a significant role in performance. If you are strict about what you eat and maintain a healthy diet, your body will be performing at optimum levels, thereby ensuring better performance.    All athletes look for ways to excel in their sport. When it comes to running, one of the most important things that you can do is to take into account your diet. Unhealthy eating habits could cause havoc on performance. They can cause fatigue and tiredness and even cause cramps which is disastrous for athletic performance.    When it comes to runners, there are certain foods that you should look to actively avoid. Avoiding these elements from your diet will ensure greater success during training and a stronger performance during an event.    Regardless of whether you are a sprinter or a long-distance runner, these foods that you should avoid apply to all runners, regardless of the length of the run. Avoiding these foods should be the best place to start when looking to optimise performance.    As an added bonus, we discuss the ideal diet for a runner, so you have a better idea of what food to include further to what should be avoided. We will also discuss the ideal pre-run meal for you to consume before a run or on the day of the event that will give you a competitive edge by providing your body with the necessary fuel. Hence, keep reading this word to word as we uncover the foods that runners should be looking to avoid.   

  15 Foods That Are Bad for Runners

As mentioned, there are certain foods that runners should look to steer clear of. These foods will do more damage than good and will hamper athletic performance. Hence, for those who are looking to gain a competitive edge over opponents, it is important that you avoid these foods.   Hence, without further adieu, let's dive into the list of 15 foods that are considered bad for runners.    1. Processed Red Meat Though red meat can provide the body with a good amount of protein to aid with muscle growth and recovery, processed red meats are considered really bad for runners.    Consuming a lot of processed red meat could lead to an increased risk of colon cancer. To iterate, examples of processed red meat include sausages, bacon, cured and smoked meat, ham and hot processed red meat. Though it isn't entirely clear exactly what component of the processed red meat increases the chances of colon cancer, the nitrates that are formed during the cooking methods are more likely to blame.    If you are a big fan of red meat, you should make it a point to enjoy it in moderation. Remember, when it comes to running, you should look to consume everything in moderation.    Though red meat can be a great addition to the diet of a runner and contains heaps of essential vitamins and protein, processed red meat should be avoided when possible. The more you consume processed red meat, the greater it will impact your health negatively, thereby hampering performance.    2. White Chocolate Don't get us wrong, cocoa has plenty of antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body. That being the case, though dark chocolate contains cocoa, white chocolate has little to no cocoa in it. This means they don't have the same nutritional value as dark chocolate.    Read the full article

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Can Cats Eat Vegetables? 17 Cat-Friendly Vegetables and 9 to Avoid

Cats are carnivores, hence, they don't really like the taste of vegetables. That being the case, small portions of vegetables is considered good for your cat. They are rich in vitamins and minerals and is a good source of anti-oxidants.    Vegetables work to maintain the health of your cat. That being the case, due to the fact that cats are carnivores, they don't really have any need for vegetables. They can source these nutrients from elsewhere. Though that is the case, feeding your cat some vegetables is considered wise, if your feline actually eats it. They bring with them a host of benefits for your cat and will work to improve your cat's health and wellbeing.    A lot of the trouble many pet owners face is getting their cats to actually eat the vegetables. They may prefer one vegetable over another. The trouble is, not all vegetables that are safe for humans are safe for cats. Hence, as pet owners, it is important that you are aware of what you should be feeding your cat and what you should avoid. We have a list of vegetables that are considered safe for cats and a list of vegetables that you should avoid. This way, you get a good idea of the various benefits of feeding your cats some veggies and steer clear of those that are not considered safe.    Hence, without further adieu, let's dive into our first list of cat-friendly vegetables that will work to aid your cat to maintain better health.   

  Cat-Friendly Vegetables

Vegetables can be a good source of nutrition, but you should never feed your cat an all-vegetable diet. They require protein from meat and should always attain much of their nutrition from a meat-based diet.    Read the full article

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Can Cats Eat Fruits? What Fruits are Cat-Friendly? (Answered)

Cats are carnivores in nature, so where does that leave fruits? Can cats eat fruits? Are they able to properly digest fruits and reap their benefits? Read the full article

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Why Do Puppies Eat Poop? How to Get Them to Stop? (Answered)

Though it may sound odd, poop eating is actually a common and rather normal behaviour in puppies. To you, it may be shocking when this happens, but you don't want to scream at your puppy nor punish them when they do this. Startling your puppy will do more harm than good and may lead to more poop eating and other behavioural problems.    Unless properly addressed in a timely manner, poop eating, also known as coprophagy, can become a recurring habit for puppies and dogs.   So the question that led you here, why do puppies eat poop? Let's dive a little deeper and understand why they do it before we look into how to go about stopping it.   

  Why Do Puppies Eat Poop?

There are actually many reasons why puppies eat poop. Though lack of understanding may be the first inclination we have towards why they do it, there are a host of reasons, some of which are rather shocking and interesting. Take this first reason for instance and you will know exactly when we mean.  Read the full article

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Are Eggs a Good Pre-Workout Meal? (Answered)

Athletic performance is based on diet. Diet plays a crucial role in the gains that you achieve and can either make or break performance. If you workout but don't take into account what you eat, you won't see results. In order to gain the most out of your workouts, you have to ensure that you are eating the rights foods at the right time.    So when it comes to eggs, are they a good pre-workout meal? We all know that eggs are loaded with protein, so will it help improve performance during a workout?   The food that you eat before a workout will provide the fuel and energy for the intense exercise that you will be partaking in. Hence, a pre-workout meal, usually about an hour before a workout is quite important. That being said, you don't want to eat foods that are hard to digest. The harder it is for your body to digest a certain type of food, the more digestive issues you may face during your workout. You don't want to feel bloated during your workout and you don't want things like gas messing with your performance.    So when it comes to eggs, are eggs a reliable source of nutrients to be consumed before a workout? Let's dive a little deeper and find out whether eggs are a good source of nutrients to include in your pre-workout meals.   

  Why Eggs are Good Before a Workout?

Eggs are loaded with protein. During your workout, you will be using your muscles and placing strain on them. This will result in tear and wear of muscles, which will need protein to recover, repair and grow. As a result, reliable protein sources are very important in the diet of anyone who works out.  Read the full article

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How to Select the Best Bath Towels: Things You Need to Know

So you're soaking in the bath, the bath salts and the aroma in the bathroom all add to the delight of the bath. You realise it is time to dry up and reach for the towel, only to realise that it is in bad shape. The whole experience of taking a nice bath goes down the drain when you don't have the right towel to dry up after.    So you, plan a trip to the towels aisle and soon realise that you are overwhelmed with the options that are available. So many fabrics, so many types, how do you know which towel works best for you? Do you go for the most expensive towels or the ones that you think are the most durable? Or do you simply do with thickness and go with something that is thick and heavy?   Picking a towel doesn't have to be hard. However, if you are like me, you put extra emphasis on the little things in life and having that perfect towel to dry up just makes your day. You want something soft, something that absorbs the moisture, something that is large enough to wrap yourself around and of course, something that is durable. You want the best and when considering the best, there are various parameters that you have to take into consideration.    One of the first things you should be asking is, where am I going to use this towel? Am I going to use it in the bath, at the gym or looking for something that will provide a quick dry after a quick shower? There is a towel for every purpose and you don't want to be stuck with a gym towel after a nice long bath.   Regardless of how you came across us, you are at the right place, for we have a great guide on picking towels for you. We will list out everything you need to know, to make an informed purchase next time you are buying towels.   When picking towels, you don't want to only go with size and thickness, you want to consider all the parameters and more importantly, find the right towel for the right purpose.    Further down this article, we talk about picking the right towel for the right purpose, 'Towels for Every Purpose.' Do read that section of this article if not anything else, for it will give you a good idea of the type of towel you should pick for every purpose. However, we do recommend that you read this guide word to word, for it will give you the intel that you require to be an expert towel buyer and pick those towels like flowers on a beautiful spring day.    Before we go into the depths of picking the right towel, there are a few things that you have to take into account when picking towels. Here is a list of things that you have to consider, to ensure that you have at hand a reliable towel that will serve the purpose.   

  Things to Consider When Choosing a Towel

When picking a towel, one of the first things that you have to consider is the fabric content. The fabric composition of the towel is one of the most important things to consider, for it will tell you how absorbant the towel is. At the end of the day, you don't want to pay for an expensive towel to realise that it doesn't work to absorb moisture too well, making it darn right useless as a towel.    Fabric 100% cotton is considered the softest and most absorbent. You can consider premium cotton like Egyptian cotton or Supima cotton, but I wouldn't look too into it. The premium cotton doesn't really have much variance by way of softness, absorbency or durability and standard 100% cotton works just fine. Another good option is a cotton and polyester blend. This option is often less expensive and is a quick-dry towel, perfect for those who are always on the run. They are also considered more durable than cotton towels.  Read the full article

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10 Best Fruits for Runners: Fruits to Boost Performance

If you're a runner, you are probably always on the lookout for the best means to tweak your performance for optimum results. One of the best ways to do this is through a well planned and monitored diet. Your diet plays an integral role in your performance levels. Based on what you eat, your performance levels could go up or down. Some foods simply produce digestive issues which hamper performance, while others are hard to digest making them a not so reliable source of energy.    When it comes to fruits, fruits are some of the best foods to consume for runners, especially before a run. They contain essential nutrients including vitamins and minerals and are easily digested by the body. Most fruits undergo a slow digestion process whereby the energy that is released from these fruits are made available to the body in a slow and steady manner. This allows you the runner to maintain energy levels for a longer period of time and thereby improves performance.    When it comes to fruits, some fruits simply contain a better nutrient profile than others. Some fruits help to greatly improve performance while others not so much. Fruits get bad press due to the fact that they contain sugars. Many people are under the impression that eating fruits could cause you to gain weight and bring about a host of negative attributes. This is a complete misconception. Though fruits contain sugars, these are natural sugars that are readily burnt in the body to produce energy. They aren't stored as fat and is also bundled with fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Hence, it is in no way the same as processed sugar.    The sugars in fruits act as a quick energy source for your working muscles and helps you boost performance. With all the good things that fruits bring to the table for athletes, we thought it would be helpful for runners to have a list of the best fruits they can include in their diets to help boost performance.    Hence, without further adieu, let's dive in and explore the various benefits of the 10 best fruits for runners.    Read the full article