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It's
a brave man, they say, who first ate an Oyster; Nicki and Dr. Jack's Oyster Adventure
N i c k i B a r t o n
It's a brave man, they say, who first ate an oyster.
There was a night after teaching a seminar that Dr. Jack and I, carb
depleted, limped our way to dinner in the world famous Faneuil Hall, Boston. We decided to eat at my FAVORITE seafood
restaurant. When the menu’s were placed in front of us, we both looked in awe at the variety of seafood.
Not only the variety, but also the detail as to where in the world it had been caught! Than naturally compared belly growls.
And then I saw it.
The Oyster menu…Immediately
I ordered a dozen. Each from a different bed throughout the world, each with it’s own amazing taste I couldn’t
wait to share with him and compare. (OK I am kind of lying, I wanted them all to myself).
Normally Dr. Jack
and I can talk forever about food and its qualities AND agree on everything, but I have a secret to share. He claimed
he HATED Oysters! Well, needless to say I learned at least 2 other facts during this dinner.
1. I could
talk him into eating one. (I should have been a lawyer)
and
2. He, super man himself, actually LOVED them and hasn’t
stopped talking about it since!
Thank you, thank you…
So, this article isn’t one to gloat (too much) I am just
very proud to have had the opportunity to grow up on the shore and eat so many amazing types of foods. These foods have
given me the strength to force 6’5” power lifters to eat shell fish! (NOT TUNA) True story!
Now
into the facts…
Oysters are not only delicious, but they’re also one of the most nutritionally well-balanced of foods, containing
protein, carbohydrates and lipids. The National Heart and Lung Institute suggest oysters as an idea food for inclusion in
low-cholesterol diets. Contrary to the popular misconception, oysters are extremely low in fat, cholesterol and calories,
while being high in essential minerals. Ounce for ounce, oysters offer fewer calories and about the same level of cholesterol
as white-fleshed fish, and are much lower in fat, cholesterol and calories when compared to poultry.
Oysters are an excellent
source of vitamins A, B1 (thiamin) B2(riboflavin), B3 (niacin), C (ascorbic acid), and D (calciferol). Above all? ABUNDANT
in Zinc!
Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of more than
300 enzymes needed to repair wounds, maintain fertility in adults and growth in children, synthesize protein, help cells reproduce,
preserve vision, boost immunity, and protect against free radicals, among other functions. Including enhanced athletic
performance!
There was
a study published in the May 2005 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The authors of the study write: In
addition to improving metabolic response, research shows that zinc provides other key health benefits, such as enhancement
of the immune system, assistance in the repair of damaged tissues, and inhibition of the abnormal clotting that contributes
to cardiovascular disease. And a daily zinc intake of 80 mg has been shown to help improve vision, while also reducing the
risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Need I say more?
Now
I want you all to take this information, book a flight to Boston, walk the Freedom Trail with Dr. Jack (please save him from
being hit by cars when he gets excited) and meet me at the end to explore the glory of the Oyster!
(Editor's Note:) Ten years
ago I took a big leap from teaching continuind education classes (and a full time practice) for Doctors, to offering workshops
for Trainers, and the honor of teaching the Certified Fitness Trainer Classes for the International Sports Sciences Association
(ISSA). In that very first seminar sitting dead center was one of the most enthusiastic students I would
ever meet, Nicki Barton. Nicki is a champion multi-sport athlete, former restaurant owner, mother of two, ISSA Personal
Trainer and New York Strength Master Trainer (in the first class we graduated).
Nicki traveled from New England to New York in order to complete her course work, and along with
KiaMichelle Bourne, became one of the first two Master Trainers through N.Y. Strength. Her commitment to our vision of making fitness available
to everyone has made her an invaluable member of our family. Nicki was featured in our current marketing campaign as
our "Fitness Role-Model". We're proud of Nicki, and all our Fitness Pro's and Master Trainers around
the world, changing lives every day. You can read about Nicki in the N.Y. Strength Fitness Pro's International Directory, or e-mail her at nicole@w2sportsfitness.com Dr. Jack Barnathan
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