Diet as well as purposeful practice is key to improving our Kickboxing and Martial Arts skills so we asked some students to share their ‘five a day’ super foods ideas in the run up to Grading.

Keen followers of Dai Master Raf’s ‘Fit for Life’ philosophy Maria Pecoff and her children Julius and Isabella chose cucumber, celery, orange, carrots and apples as their 5 super foods.

Louise O’Driscoll, Xen-Do’s affiliate Health Coach says: ”these are good choices, due to the incredible dose of vitamins, fibre and antioxidants they provide.

Cucumber has B vitamins, hydrates you and is good for your joint health, very useful when practising those roundhouse kicks!

Celery and orange contain lots of vitamin C and antioxidants which help your immune system ward off nasty bugs.

Carrots provide lots of vitamin A and yet more antioxidants, so they are good for your skin and they really do benefit your eyes due to the beta-carotene they contain.

An apple a day, as we all know, keeps the doctor away – perhaps not just a saying because they are packed with vitamins C and K which like the celery and carrots, boost your immune system to help you fight diseases. They are also great for your digestive health.

Have you tried mixing different combinations of the juices of these 5 super foods? It’s always better to eat whole fruits and vegetables if you can, but as a quick way to pack in the vitamins now and then, a raw juice can be very useful.”

To find out more about Louise O’Driscoll and her Eating Psychology Coaching, follow her blog for recipes and a tips and advice for a healthy mind and body especially relevant to Martial Arts and Kickboxing.

This article is based on opinion:
– the author is not a qualified doctor or anyone who can dispense medical advice.
– any opinions stated are just that and people should consult a doctor before making any dietary changes or changes of any nature prompted by the articles published by or on behalf of Xen-Do.
– under 16’s please obtain parental permission before posting anything online.
– any opinions stated are that of the author and do not represent the opinions of Xen-Do.