Food For Thought: A Daily Sample and More!

Lately I have been doing quite a bit of blogging about my training: how it is going, what I am doing, why I am doing it, etc. Although I have touched on basic nutritional strategy, a few of my readers have requested that I give a more detailed description of what a typical day of feeding looks like. Below I will detail a random day in my week so the readers can see what I eat and why. Keep in mind this is one sample day, and it does not imply that I eat these exact foods every day. However, the ratio of fats, proteins and carbohydrates that I eat stays pretty consistent from day to day.

So let’s get started! Generally speaking, my diet is kind of like an upside-down food pyramid. All the real scientifically backed research points to diets with a foundation on healthy fats as being conducive to better overall health.

Think I’m mixed up? Here is the real kicker. Saturated fats are good. Do not avoid them. I’m not going to get into the science behind it because I’m not a scientist, but if you want to know more, follow Ben Greenfield and read some of the information on the Vespa website. Basically, the heart and body rely on saturated fats to run efficiently. The problem is when people mix poor fats, like vegetable oils and hydrogenated oils with highly refined cabs that are full of gluten. This is where people end up running into health problems.

Also, you cannot go hog wild (no pun intended) on eating fat, as it is higher in calories by mass than proteins or carbohydrates. You still have to find out your caloric needs and follow them accordingly.

So am I saying to go completely ketogenic and avoid carbs altogether? No! Carbohydrate is still a fast-acting energy source and, when timed properly, it can do wonders for your performance. If you do not flood your insulin receptors with constant carb feedings, they will become very sensitive and that gel you take mid-race will feel like rocket fuel.

 I typically take in the most carbohydrates after workouts and on the two days leading up to an important race. My carb sources are typically fruit and vegetables. I avoid gluten and wheat almost entirely. Gluten is like the gum of urban legend: it can clog up the digestive track and wreck the good digestive flora in your gut. And our modern wheat has been altered so much over the past several decades that it can no longer properly digested. When looking for a more calorie-dense carbohydrate, I turn to starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, and sweet potatoes. (Quick side note: Sweet potatoes with extra virgin olive oil and some salt is to die for!)

Okay, enough of the reasoning... Let’s get to the sample day!

Pre morning workout	Cup of coffee with whole milk and honey, glass of water, and Vespa Junior
6:45 am	2 eggs, sour cream, pinto beans, corn, 1 carrot, peanut butter mixed with extra virgin olive oil, full fat yogurt with a small amount of protein powder
7:00 am	Extreme Endurance (3 tabs), Multi Vitamin (2 tabs) fish oil (1 softgel), Joint support (2 caps), Yucca Root (1 tab), and kelp (1 tab)
Throughout workday	2 24oz bottles of water, almonds as snacks
12:00 pm	3 carrots, sharp cheddar cheese, almonds
Pre afternoon workout (3pm)	Green Tea (decaf) full fat milk with honey
6:00pm	Glass of water, 4 servings of broccoli, green leafy lettuce, 1 onion, olive oil, sour cream, lots of salt, pinto beans, and corn
8:00pm	Decaf green tea with whole milk and honey, peanut butter mixed with extra virgin olive oil, and full fat yogurt with a small amount of protein powder
8:00pm	Extreme Endurance (3 tabs), Multi Vitamin (2 tabs) fish oil (1 soft gel), Joint support (2 caps), Yucca Root (1 tab), and Iodine (1 tab)

Like I said above, this is just one sample day. Below are other foods I typically eat that didn’t appear in this sample day.

• Avocado, raw
• Coconut oil
• Sweet potato
• Russet potato
• Spinach
• Almond milk
• Cream cheese
• Butter (real, not margarine!)
• Chicken
• Beef
• Peas
• Cornmeal
• Oatmeal
• Apples
• Bananas
• Cantaloupe
• Cottage cheese (highest fat content available)
• Mixed nuts
• Blue green algae, acai berry powder, CoQ10, Digestive enzymes (supplements)