In case you haven't realized it, the things that you put into your body dramatically have an impact to your health. With the insane increase in diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other chronic health problems, it's amazing that people, especially doctors, don't think that the processed crap that most people living in a modern western society stick in their mouths have an impact at their health. These are new problems for humans in the sense that they are now epidemic in proportion. Has diabetes been around forever? Yes, even the Greeks talked about symptoms that we now say were more than likely caused from diabetes. The difference though, is that it was never an epidemic. Only in the last 100 years have humans really had a drastically changed diet. Processed foods loaded with preservatives and chemical crap can not be good for you. Doctors today are way to quick to prescribe a medication that they are being sponsored by to help you with the problems that you have caused yourself. Problems that you can fix yourself too if you really wanted to. Doctors are quick to promote the diet and exercise, but when you tell them that you are going to change your diet and exercise, and NOT take the medication they prescribe, they will look at you like you're talking a foreign language.
So what diet would I recommend, or what do I eat? Well, I would recommend ANY diet that is heavy in veggies, some fruit, lean meats and nuts/seeds. I would discourage everyone from eating as much processed foods as possible. I would also discourage people from eating grains because of the Gluten in the grains. Gluten is a protein found in grains that is highly inflammatory for our systems (and yes, Quinola is just as bad, if not worse for us). Chronic inflammation is the main cause behind a host of disease and health problems and the leading factor in Metabolic Syndrome X (definition). I would recommend everyone try to eat Paleo, or as close to Paleo as possible. Paleo is basically eating like a caveman. If you follow the theory of evolution, Paleo states that you would eat basically as I described above. Lean cuts of meat, lots of veggies, some fruit, nuts and seeds. No sugar, no processed foods, no dairy. It would also include no beans, lentils, grains, corn or potato's. Paleo is, in my opinion, is the best way to go; but it's not exactly how I eat.
I follow a semi-Paleo diet. This means that I eat very few processed foods. Most of the processed foods that I eat are usually because I'm starving and need food NOW. When I do choose to go processed, it's usually in the form of a protein bar. Right now, the bar of choice is called a Think Thin bar as it's Gluten free. I'm going to be trying the Honey Stinger protein bars as they are also Gluten free and probably better for you since they don't rely on isolated soy protein. Most of the food I eat is unprocessed, of course. Breakfast is usually eggs with coconut milk and a piece of fruit. Lunch and dinner vary, of course, but for me it is usually a plate of some kind of meat and lots of veggies. Snacks may include string cheese and a piece of fruit, or beef jerky, almonds and either fruit or dark chocolate covered cranberries. The dark chocolate cranberries are super yummy, and are totally addicting. I really need to be careful on how much I eat. But when I do eat them, it's mixed with raw almonds, so I'm getting good fat, some sugar and the anti-oxidant boost from the dark chocolate.
Here's a typical lunch/dinner for me. It's a BBQ chicken breast with a BIG bowel of mixed veggies (frozen is usually the preferred method as it's easier to keep from spoiling) some almonds for the fat, and then in the ziploc is my fish oil. This is a true picture for me, as it's what I ate right before I sat down to write this page down.
The other thing that I eat, which is a no-no for Paleo is dairy. I love my milk and cheese. I guess the biggest insult to the no processed foods for me is the chocolate milk that I have post workout. I have yet to really find something as easy and convenient as the chocolate milk to replace all the sugar I just burned through while working out. I know it's a big no-no, but for now it works. I have some chocolate milk and a whey protein shake after every workout. The only condition for the chocolate milk, is that it has to be free of High Fructose Corn Syrup. But, I just got a new book from the library that I'm hoping to start reading this week that may change the chocolate milk idea. It's called The Paleo Diet for Athletes, written by Loren Cordain and Joe Friel. I've heard some good things about it, and it already falls in line with most of what I'm doing already, so I'm excited!
I'm really trying to keep as much Gluten out of my system as possible. Although I do not have a particular sensitivity, or Celiac's disease, Gluten is horrible for you, so I try to keep it out as much as possible. Meaning, no bread, pasta, tortilla's etc. Having said that, I still enjoy a good beer, even though it has Gluten in it. You have to remember that I live 1/3 of my life, or more, at the fire station. This means that I have no control over what some of my meals will be like. I refuse to be the food Nazi of the groupno go for me, but otherwise I will eat whatever they make. The guys are usually pretty good about helping me out, and if they decide to do spaghetti one night, they give me a heads up and I'll get a spaghetti squash or more veggies and just place the meat and sauce on that instead of the pasta. Other things that I don't do is soda of any kind really. Which is funny, because 10 years ago, it wasn't a big deal for me to drink what was the equivalent of 3 soda's a day while at work. Now, I drink water, and coffee. Like I said early, I'll also do an occasional beer. I also have gotten into the habit of the 5 hour energy shots when I'm really tired from the lack of sleep because of the kids, or work, or both. I try to not have to rely on the 5 hour energy, but man do they work!
The biggest issue with my diet is what to eat during the event. Race day nutrition is crucial for a good performance (or even just completion). I've been recommended by a CFE coach to go with the Honey Stinger products as they are all natural and won't spike insulin levels. But I'm also curious about CarboPro, as it's a complex carbohydrate drink that is Gluten free. Maybe after I'm done reading that new book I'll have a better idea on my race day nutrition. I'll keep you posted and let you know what I decide to try and what has worked and not worked for me. Until then, remember that whatever you decide to stick in your face will have an effect on your health. Make the changes needed to be healthier, even if it's only baby steps. Every little bit counts and helps in the end.
