Published on: 21 June 2017
Last Updated on: 22 July 2024
Salmon fish, also known as salmoniform, is found in the Pacific and northern Atlantic oceans. These marine features are anadromous because they are born in fresh water; drift to the sea, and then gets back to fresh water for reproduction. Their appearance varies. Some have black spots on their bodies while others are silver-blue.
One of the finest salmon species in the field of nutrition is the wild Alaskan Salmon. It is an exceptional choice of seafood when you compare it to typical farmed fish. It has immense health benefits to the human being.
Five Alaskan salmon species kinds thrive in the water namely chum, sockeye, Chinook, coho, and pink.
You can identify the sockeye salmon with its dark red color on the body. Its tail does not have coloration, but its head becomes bright green in color. You can differentiate male sockeyes from females because they have a long Skype and pronounced shoulders. You can see them with a gum line and a white mouth.
You can distinguish Chum salmon by the calico bands that are green, yellow, or dark purple on each body side. They have a white gum line and a white mouth. The white tip on the chum’s anal, large pupil and forked tail distinguishes them from the others.
The coho salmon is also known as the silver salmon. The color that covers its body is dark reddish or maroon, and it includes the tail and head. They possess blackish or dark gray mouth with a whitish gum line.
The Chinook or king salmon possesses a black mouth with a black gum line. Black spots are covering the lobes of their back and tail.
The Pink salmon is the smallest among the other salmons. You can identify them by the large and ovular spots that are on their lobes, tail, and backs. They possess a white mouth and a black gum line.
People term the wild Alaskan salmon as the hallmark of nutrition. Putting it in your diet once or twice per week will increase your lifespan and reduce the risk of contracting a cardiovascular disease. It is rich in vitamins, proteins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. When you add it to your daily budget, it will help you fight depression, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis.
Researchers associate omega-3 with a lower risk of contracting high blood pressure, cardiovascular ailments, arrhythmia, and high blood cholesterol. It also acts as a rich source of phosphorus, selenium, and magnesium. These minerals are good for the health of bones, cellular tissue health, and DNA.
A single serving of the Alaskan salmon will give you the highly recommended allowance of vitamins B12 and B6 that are essential for metabolizing proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. They are necessary for synthesizing the nervous system and hormones of the body.
Research shows that eating this fish frequently will increase your life expectancy by more than two years and reduce your risk exposure to heart diseases. The rate at which coronary diseases reduce with eating fish reduces by more than forty percent.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
A cold winter night with a delicious dish of chili is all you need to enjoy your moment. But wait, Are you left with too much liquid in your chili? Ah! No need to worry at all. There are numerous ways on "how to thicken chili".
Honestly, you don’t want a thin chili because there is nothing better than a cheerful bowl of thick chili as your winter dish. Many times, just to thicken the chili, people cook it more than it is necessary. Later, other ingredients in it fall apart and turn to mush.
Don’t panic. There are effective and easy ways to thicken chili at your home, and all of these methods are tried and tested. Just be sure to use at least some of these methods to thicken chili before your precious moment turns into sour.
How To Thicken Chili - Tried and Tested
You may be wondering that cooking your dish for a little longer will make your chili thick. But do you know that you are mushing other ingredients in it? So, you must know other effective ways about how to thicken chili. Below listed are the perfect ways to thicken chili for the perfect night.
1. Flour - Standard Thickening Method:
Wheat flour is composed of proteins, sugars, lipids, starch, and enzymes. It is used for making different types of foods. Flour is widely used for thickening chili in most of the kitchens. It really works great. Now its time to try for yourself as well.
Ingredients:
30ml or two tablespoons of flour and 60ml or ¼ cup of cold water.
How to Use?
Take a separate bowl. Mix flour and water thoroughly in it.
Make sure that the resulting mixture has no lumps and is smooth.
Then add the flour mixture in your thin chili while cooking it in medium-high heat.
Stir constantly. Let the mixture boil and thicken well. It will hardly take few minutes.
Make sure to continue stirring an additional few seconds to see if you are able to detect flour in your chili flavor.
So, here is your hearty chili dish! Now, it is much thicker and tastier than before. You can even serve this to your guests.
2. Arrowroot- Best Thickening Agent:
Arrowroot contains Vitamin B, Iron, Potassium, low-protein, starch, etc. It is widely used as a thickening agent in all household kitchens. It is a starch that is extracted from the arrowroot plant. When you will use arrowroot in your dish, then it will give an amazing surface gloss to your liquid chili.
Ingredients:
5ml or 1 tablespoon of Arrowroot and 5ml or 1 tablespoon of cold water.
How to Use?
Take a separate bowl. Mix thoroughly water and arrowroot to turn it into a smooth paste.
Make sure that you add only a small amount of arrowroot as it is potent and flavorless.
Then add slurry into your thin chili cooking it in medium heat.
Stir constantly below the boiling point.
Then after 1 to 2 minutes, your thin chili will thicken instantly.
Arrowroot adds gloss like appearance to your chili dish making your dish thicker and delicious. I have used this method and got the result, so now it’s your time!
3. Cornstarch- Anti-sticking Agent:
Cornstarch is also known as Maize starch which is extracted from the maize grain. It is a food ingredient that is used in thickening soups and sauces. Cornstarch gives a moderate glossy appearance and when mixed with liquid, it rearranges itself.
Ingredients:
15ml or 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 15ml or 1 tablespoon of cold water.
How to Use?
Take a separate bowl. Mix thoroughly cornstarch and water before mixing it to chili.
After adding cornstarch paste to chili, heat it in a medium to high flame.
Stir it well until the bubbles start appearing.
Wait for few minutes to see the results.
If you still feel that your chili should be thicker then you can add more cornstarch and water on it.
Then let it cook for an additional few minutes.
You can use cornstarch to thicken your chili because it will not alter the taste of your dish of chili as cornstarch is flavorless.
Other Simple Ways to Thicken Your Thin Chili:
4. Mix it in Tomato Paste
Now, no need to worry about how to thicken chili. If you want your chili only a little thick then you can use this method. Tomato is one of the main elements in chili. So adding it to your mixture won’t alter its taste and makes your chili thicker.
Ingredients:
170 grams of tomato paste.
How to Use?
I am suggesting that you should use fresh handmade tomato paste.
Since tomato paste is recognized as bitter in taste, so you can add a pinch of sugar in it.
Sugar will add a mild sweetness to your dish by removing tomato’s bitterness.
During the final thirty minutes of cooking add 170 grams of tomato paste into your thin chili.
Slowly add tomato paste to your thin chili. You can also add it after every ten minutes if you wish (⅓ of the tomato paste).
Stir constantly to combine it well.
You can use tomato paste to thicken your thin chili dish. But keep all the instructions in mind so as not to make any mistakes while preparing it.
5. Use More Beans to Thicken Your Thin Chili:
A bean is a seed of numerous genera of the flowering plant. They have the ability to curl up on any medium. Beans can be use to thicken your thin chili. Do you know that India is the largest producer of dry beans in the world? Yes, it is.
Ingredients:
125ml or a half-cup beans.
How to Use?
If your chili contains beans then strain half cup of beans. Then refry and blend it.
Then again mix this mixture to your chili and cook for a few minutes.
Stir occasionally to warm it well.
You can use canned or home-cooked beans as per your wish.
If you still feel that your chili is thin, you can add extra beans in it but make sure you blend it well.
Here you go! Your thick chili dish is ready now to serve your family. If you don’t like beans then no need to worry. You can add meats to make your chili thicker.
Wrapping it Up
"How to thicken chili" is one of the major problems for all the cook masters. Even I have used many methods to thicken my thin chili but all went in vain!
Therefore, all the above methods are tried and tested about how to thicken chili. So, you can use it to thicken your thin chili. I know nobody likes to serve thin chili to their family or guests. Even I don’t like it. Do you?
Image source: wikihow
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When you are into bodybuilding, your primary goal is to build muscles through weightlifting and proper nutrition. Bulking is a part of the bodybuilding process. However, bulking requires proper nutrition along with weightlifting. You need to consume the best bulking foods to ensure the right nutrition.
In this article, you will learn about the best bulking foods. Here, this article will explain the key nutrients bulking nutrients and the best protein sources.
Apart from that, you will also learn about the best fat and carbohydrate sources useful for bulking. Finally, you will also get some tips for effective bulking. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.
Why Is Bulking Integral To Bodybuilding?
Generally, bodybuilding involves two phases: bulking and cutting. In the former, the goal is to gain weight and build muscles, while the latter consists in reducing body fat.
Basically, bulking is a dietary process where you consume excess calories for muscle growth and weight gain. In fact, it is a common approach that athletes and bodybuilders use to increase their strength and muscle mass.
Hence, bulking refers to an increase in calories that your body consumes when it is in the process of intense weight training.
It is the stage where you gain muscles in your body. Here, you have to consume more calories than your body needs. However, you do it for a set period of time (4-6 months).
The extra calories that you consume works as a necessary fuel for muscle growth. Moreover, it provides strength to your body through weight training.
Best Bulking Foods: A General Overview
In bulking, your focus should be to give your body more energy than it consumes, thus creating a calorie surplus.
Meanwhile, this surplus creates extra energy, with the help of which your body creates muscle mass. Moreover, this energy helps you repair damaged tissues and fuel intense workouts.
Actually, bulking is one of the most important aspects of muscle growth. This is because if you build muscles, you must provide your body with enough energy. This way, it can build and repair damaged muscle tissues after your workout.
However, just because you are bulking, it does not mean that you have to consume as much food as possible. In fact, you must choose the best bulking foods and count your macronutrients. This way, you can support your muscle growth and minimize fat gain.
Key Nutrients For Bulking
If you want to achieve a clean bulk, you have to make smart food choices. In fact, if your choice of food is poor, it will lead to “dirty bulking.” As a result, you will end up with a lot of accumulated fat and minimal muscle gain.
In fact, in healthy bulking, you must consume quality foods and minimize your fat gains. This is because your goal is to maximize your muscle gain and ensure proper metabolism.
When bulking, you must focus on protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Here is a breakdown of each nutrient you need for muscle gain:
Proteins
The importance of protein in muscle growth and repair is the highest. This is because proteins are the building blocks of muscles. Hence, in your bulking phase, aim to have a higher protein intake.
Consume 1g of protein for each pound of your body weight. For example, if your body weight is 180 lbs, consume 180 grams of protein each day when you are bulking.
Some good sources of lean protein include lean meats, eggs, poultry, fish, dairy products, lentils, beans, etc.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates help you in providing energy for intense workouts. Also, it helps create a bulk in the muscles. Basically, carbs replenish the glycogen inside your muscles.
However, when you are bulking, take 1.5 grams of carbs for 1 lb of your weight. For example, if your body weight is 180 lbs, consume 250-270 grams of carbs daily when you are bulking.
When choosing carbs for bulking, focus on consuming complex carbohydrates. These include brown rice, whole grains, fruits, sweet potatoes, and vegetables.
Fats
Healthy fats are necessary for overall health and hormone production. Apart from that, it also helps in nutrient absorption. Hence, to consume healthy fats, you can include sources like nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, etc.
Best Protein Sources For Bulking
The following are some of the best protein sources when you are in your bulking phase:
Lean Meats: Some good sources of protein are chicken or turkey. This is because they have less saturated fat than red meat. For instance, you will get 18-25 grams of protein from 100 grams of chicken breast.
Dairy Products: Generally, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk have high protein and high calories. Hence, they help you to build muscles faster. Apart from that, cottage cheese helps you in muscle recovery and growth due to its slow and steady dissolution.
Fish and Seafood: Fishes like salmon, tuna, and shrimp are high in protein and healthy fat. Hence, you can consider consuming them from time to time.
Eggs: Eggs are a good and fast-acting source of lean protein. Also, it contains healthy cholesterol. However, do not consume the egg yolk (yellow part) more than 2 in a day as it will increase cholesterol in your body. Meanwhile, you can consume multiple egg whites of boiled eggs in a single day. In fact, this is a good source of lean protein.
Plant-Based Proteins: Plant-based proteins are lean and healthy at the same time. Some good sources of such protein are beans, lentils, tofu, and tempeh.
Protein Supplements: If you eat too much, you will feel bloated at the end of the day. Hence, you need protein supplements that will help you supplement the shortage of protein that you consume in a day. Some examples of protein supplements are whey protein, casein protein, and plant-based protein powders.
Best Carbohydrate Sources For Bulking
Here are some of the best bulking foods for carbohydrates that will help you during the bulking phase:
Sweet Potatoes: a great post-workout snack that contains nutrients and fibers. Also, it will help you restore glycogen levels in your body.
Fruits: Different types of fruits come with various nutrients and carbohydrates. Apart from that, fruits also add antioxidants to your body. For instance, a good fruit option to consume after a workout is a banana.
Whole Grains: You can find whole-grain bread and pasta helping you consume complex carbs. Generally, they contain more vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Apart from that, you can also choose brown rice to get good-quality carbs.
Legumes and Quinoa: Quinoa, beans, and lentils are excellent sources of carbohydrates.
Best Fat Sources For Bulking
Here are some of the best bulking foods for healthy fats that you can use during your bulking phase:
Nuts and Seeds: Some essential and healthy sources of fats are almonds, chia seeds, walnuts, and flaxseeds.
Oils: For instance, coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil are great additions when considering fat for your diet. Hence, try to use coconut oil and olive oil in your cooking. This way, you can increase healthy fats and additional calories.
Avocados: Avocadoes are rich in healthy fats and nutrients. Basically, they contain monounsaturated fatty acids that add healthy calories and fat to your diet. Also, it is a source of antioxidants and vitamin E.
Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel, and sardines are fatty fishes that help you remain healthy and achieve clean bulk. Also, a large dose of omega-3 fatty acids, can improve your joints and cardiovascular health.
Dairy: Full-fat yogurt and cheese help your muscle restore glycogen stores. This helps more in the muscle-building process.
Tips For Effective Bulking
The following are some of the major tips for effective bulking:
Meal Frequency: Eating multiple times a day is important to ensure a good flow of nutrients and faster metabolism. Hence, make sure to eat small multiple times throughout the day.
Caloric Surplus: Always count your calories and your nutrients. For instance, if you see a caloric surplus to support muscle growth, you will have more energy for intense workouts and repairing damaged tissues.
Hydration: Since you are working out and eating a lot, you must stay hydrated. This will support overall health and performance.
Consistency: When you are in your bulking phase, be consistent with your diet and workout. Moreover, make sure to adjust your Intake. For instance, you can tweak calorie and nutrient intake based on progress and goals.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
To ensure efficient bulking, here are some common mistakes you must avoid:
Do not eat too much quickly, as it will get difficult to cut later on.
Make sure there is not a big gap between the two meals.
Getting ample rest will not be helpful for your muscles. Basically, your muscles need to get rest for growth. Hence, it would help if you got enough sleep when you are working out regularly.
Do cardio at least once a week. This helps you increase your appetite and helps you break down your calories faster.
Summing Up
Now you know the best bulking foods to help you grow your muscles and gain muscle weight. However, your nutrient intake and workout must go hand in hand. Only then will you get your desired results.
Do you have more suggestions on the best bulking foods to consume? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.
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Have you ever eaten a protein-based coconut bar and tasted just how satisfying they are? Offering flavors that take your mind to the sun-drenched beaches of the Caribbean, coconut products like these get your mouth watering when you know you’re about to take one out of your day bag and eat it. It’s one of life’s little pleasures.
As a low-carb, high-fiber snack, it’s great for bedding down your hunger, but did you know that the humble coconut offers a bunch of health benefits? Well, they do, and by reading on, you’ll understand just what a wise move including them in your diet really is.
The fruit of the palm tree is cultivated around the planet, being used in many different types of cooking and health-food products. As we’ll see in a moment. However, the range of body support this natural food source provides is surprisingly extensive.
Ways The Coconut Bar Helps The Body
So, aside from the delicious taste, what exactly do coconut products like these do for your health? We’re glad you asked, and here are five ways that they assist…
1 - Bacteria-Fighting Power
One of the first great things about your average coconut bar is that it’s able to prevent the growth of particular strains of bacteria. Studies have shown that coconut is particularly helpful as oil, at the same time stemming the growth of bacteria like Streptococcus.
Since coconuts are naturally antiviral and antibacterial, they can actually help you safeguard your immune system. A hefty immune system is critical for helping you prevent diseases as well as illnesses.
2 - Packed With Nutrition
Coconut is different from many other types of fruit in that they contain mostly fat and not carbs. They are also known to contain a range of vital minerals, as well as B vitamins. Also on offer is manganese - something that’s great for supporting your bones.
Copper and iron also exist in coconut, boosting the health of your blood vessels. A coconut bar is packed with satiating fiber as well as digestion-friendly ingredients. It never fails to provide minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, and manganese.
3 - Blood Sugar Stabilizing
Being low in terms of carbohydrates means that coconut does not cause those blood sugar spikes you get after a typical candy bar. As such, they help to keep your blood sugar levels nice and stable, and the fruit is even thought to be beneficial in preventing insulin resistance - a problem that causes misery for many.
A study found that HDL cholesterol levels improve significantly on consuming coconut oil for 8 straight weeks. It also enhances triglyceride levels and ultimately reduces blood sugar.
4 - Free Radical-Busting
Free radicals are elements in our environment that cause cell damage. We’re talking about things like pollution and stress, and again, coconut comes to the rescue with its innate antioxidant compounds that hold them at bay. Battling them in this way helps to keep you looking younger and feeling great.
Coconut, in any form, has hydrating properties. Electrolytes in it help to hydrate and regulate the fluid balance in our body. Moreover, they also help regulate muscle contraction and blood pressure.
How To Choose The Right Coconut Protein Bar?
Protein bars are not just snacks, they are the prime energy sources for fitness freaks. While choosing the right one might be daunting, the process should never go unnoticed. Thus, the last thing you would want is to select the wrong coconut protein bar for yourself. Here are some tips to opt for the right protein bar enriched with the goodness of coconut.
Check The Protein
A coconut bar offering 10 grams of protein, at least, in every serving might just be the right one for you. Proteins help the body to build muscles extensively and also recover after rigorous exercise. Further, it enables the stomach to remain full in the middle of meals and fulfills cravings.
The Carbohydrate Factor
A coconut bar offering carbohydrates of less than 10 grams is excellent for your health. If that amount exceeds, chances are you will have an increased fat amount in the body. This further results in more carb cravings which are not good for your fitness.
Sugar
A coconut protein bar offering more than 6-8 grams of sugar on each serving is fine. Manufacturing companies usually add sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners to enhance the taste. But these added sugars take a toll on your health. In a coconut protein bar, avoid sugar alcohols such as mannitol, erythritol, and sorbitol, to name a few.
Cut Down Fats
Search for coconut protein bars that have increased healthy fats and reduced saturated fats. If your bar has trans fats, it is best to avoid it. Healthy fats present in protein bars consist of nuts, coconut oil, seeds, and nut butter. Always search for a coconut bar that has no trans fat, as it can affect your health significantly.
Calories
Last but not least, you will have to consider the calorie factor of your coconut protein bar. For men, a protein bar must consist of calories between 170 to 250 per serving. On the other hand, a coconut bar should have 140 to 200 calories in each serving. Considering this might help you reap significant health benefits.
A Regular Coconut Bar Is A Great Way To Stay Healthy!
So, as we can see, the coconut is a bit of a hero when it comes to human health. Busting free radicals, stabilizing your blood sugar, fighting bacteria, and supplying you with essential minerals and vitamins, it’s one of the best types of snacks you can put in your body.
One thing is for sure, you don’t get this kind of body support from a candy bar, so why not consider switching to something that’s no less tasty but so much better for you in the long run? Like the sound of something sweet without the guilt? It would seem coconut protein bars might just be the answer!
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