When you have a race or other athletic event on the calendar, you follow a training regimen to prepare yourself. But are you equally intentional about the food you consume leading up to the big day?

This guide explains the why, who, what, and when of healthy carbohydrate-loading before a race. And it's not all garlic bread, pasta, and potatoes!

Are you a vegetarian, gluten sensitive, or just plain carb obsessed? Then quinoa is the perfect super food for you! This ancient grain is native to the Incas and was praised as “The Mother of All Grains.” Unlike most plant based foods, quinoa is a complete protein source with 6g protein per 1/4C serving, dried. Nutritional benefits don’t stop there; it is also a great source of fiber, magnesium, and iron.

It’s been a busy spring, so you might have missed it, but Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. has come out with a brand new diet book. That’s right, the low-carb kings are at it again, with a new spin on their decades-old approach to managing weight. “The New Atkins for a New You” has received mixed results from nutrition and weight management experts, but that shouldn’t be all that shocking. These guys are no strangers to controversy. In fact, they thrive on it! Here’s a brief rundown of the low-carb craze, the new book, and a few of my personal thoughts.