Here’s the way I eat. It’s based upon reading a ****-ton and observation of what works for ME and what doesn’t work for ME. It comes from how I perform and how I feel before, during and after a workout. It doesn’t stop there working out is only a small portion of my life. It extends to all other aspects to include home life, work, and so on…
Spend some time investigating health and nutrition on your own. Determine WHAT your goal is and then make your food choices based upon that.
The diet I follow is based upon need. It changes, to some degree, constantly but is grounded in a few basic principles.
1. Almost ALL my nutrition comes from whole foods.
a. I try to minimize or omit supplements. Using only an occasional multi-vitamin and protein supplement.
b. I try to minimize the amount a food has been processed. Everything gets processed a little. I want to be able to count the steps on one hand.
c. I avoid “Enriched Foods”. Typically these have been so over processed that the original nutritional value had to be put back in.
2. I buy organic.
a. Especially if it comes out of the ground. If it grows on a tree or bush the organic label is not as important to me. I know it costs more but I think it is worth it.
b. If it is grown in good soil then the food holds more nutritional value.
c. If pesticides are not used then the veggies have to defend themselves. They do this with phyto-chemicals and these are beneficial to us.
d. It takes longer for organics to grow so it absorbs more nutrients if it is in good soil.
3. I use Veggies, legumes and grains as my main food source.
a. Meat is not the dominant item on my plate. I do still eat it most everyday. In particular I eat Buffalo, Elk, Ostrich and Lamb.
b. No veggie or fruit is off limits.
4. I read all labels no matter who makes them.
a. I avoid chemicals and additives in my food as much as possible.
b. “All natural” does not equate to healthy.
c. I pay particular attention to sugars, fat and what has been added to replace them. In the case of “no sugar added” items those pricks almost always add Agave , corn or rice syrup.
5. I try to buy from local markets as much as possible.
6. I’m not afraid to eat something I’m craving
a. I think our bodies know when it’s missing something
7. I eat three to four meals a day:
a. I eat heavier in the morning and taper as the day goes on.
b. I eat snacks in between whenever I can.
c. I’m not afraid of bread, milk or cheese. In fact they are an important part of my diet
If I feel tired or lack energy for a workout or any of the rest of the day, I make sure that I have gotten enough sleep. If I have then I will up my carbs just a touch.
If I am not gaining strength or feel like I’m losing some I will up my protein.
If I am starting to get hungry a lot and I haven’t changed anything else in my life then I will up my fat intake a touch.
Here’s a short list of some of the brand names I use:
- Ezekiel (sprouted grains breads and pasta)
- Applegate Farms (Deli meats, breakfast sausage)
- Rain Coast Trading (Canned Tuna)
- Valley Fresh (Canned Chicken) I don’t eat this often but when I’m in a pinch…
- Seeds of Change (Pre-mixed grain dishes, pasta sauce, chocolate) I typically make my sauces from scratch but once again, when I’m in a pinch…
- Kashi (7 grain cereal)
- Blanxart and TAZA (both chocolate)
Everything I eat supports performance and health.
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