Nutrition Hacks
In a world where fad diets rule the marketplace, it is important to use discretion and do your research before jumping into the newest nutrition “hack”.
Make sure you are listening to your body (and your doctor) every step of the way. Many times these diets are beneficial because they are an “elimination diet”. Like the term eludes, it means that you are simply eliminating certain foods from your day to day eating. Complex carbs and sugars are the big ones that can get you into trouble so you’ll notice more people staying away from them.
Personally, I don’t follow a specific “diet” or even count my calories. For some people, that’s the best way to see results and more power to them! Every day I keep track of a few things:
-My water intake
-A ballpark number of how many grams of protein I consume
-My sugar intake
-Is half of my plate green?
I want to consume as little sugar as possible. Sugar is a huge contributor to fat gain (among various other health issues we will cover in another blog). I strive to eat close to my body weight in grams of protein a day. This may seem excessive, but it will help build lean muscle and drive your metabolism. Like I previously stated, listen to your body and your doctor, but this method works for me and many athletes that I’ve worked with. Water consumption is imperative for any diet. I drink a gallon, sometimes a gallon and a half a day. Most people drastically undershoot the amount of water they should have per day. Water helps properly metabolize stored fat and carbohydrates, increases calories burned, and helps remove waste from the body. Lastly, try to make at least HALF of your plate green. They provide important vitamins and minerals, reduce your risk for heart disease, some cancers, and high blood pressure. Oh… AND vegetables don’t store in your body as fat so enjoy seconds and thirds if you’re still hungry!
Veggies are often viewed as tasteless and boring, but you can use some healthy spices to make them more enticing. Recently, I was turned on to a company called Fresh Jax (This is NOT an ad and I don’t get paid by them). They make a variety of organic spices and rubs that I put on my vegetables and my protein of choice. They even incorporate ketogenic spices for those of you who follow the keto diet.
Depending on your specific situation, you may need to consult with your doctor, but these are some building blocks to living a healthy lifestyle. If you build a strong foundation, you can always treat yourself in moderation along the way.
