Nutrition is the First Discipline Simple, Sustainable, Functional, Enjoyable

“Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” – Michael Pollan

Anything that I say about the basic elements of nutrition are just an elaboration of Pollan’s statement above. An engine is only as good as the fuel that it consumes. The same is true for human beings. We all operate at an optimal level when we are eating the diet that is best suited for each of us. 

There are many, many diets out there that claim to have the solution. The way to make you lose all your extra weight, gain more energy, and solve all of your problems. The unfortunate reality is that many of these diets are gimmicks. 

If it’s not sustainable, it’s not effective. 

There are a few keys to an effective daily nutrition strategy. 

  • It must be sustainable – It must be a way of living which can be implemented for the long term, not just a short time frame. Otherwise, the unhealthy habits will return once the diet ends.

  • It should be simple – We human beings have a tendency to want to over complicate things. Many times the solution is really quite simple, and it’s staring us in the phase, even if we choose not to see it. Diet is much the same way. Eating healthy does not have to be complicated.

  • It should be fun – We should always find ways to enjoy what we put in our bodies. That enjoyment should transcend the simple pleasure we get from “taste”, which is short lived, and extend into how we feel, how we perform, and psychological well being. It can become enjoyable to cultivate a healthy lifestyle.

  • It should be functional – Everything we eat has a purpose. That purpose may be to provide our daily stores of macronutrients, or deliver nutrients to our bodies, or simply to give our brains an immediate and pleasurable sensation. We must recognize that some foods provide greater function to that which we are trying to accomplish, whether it be athletic performance, mental clarity, or a generally healthy lifestyle. As Hippocrates is credited with saying, “let food be thy medicine.”

The goal should not be to lose weight or to fit into that dress or pair of pants. The goal should be to discover the joy and fulfillment of enjoying life giving foods that energize your system, provide maximum brain power, and maximize performance.

Below, we present some options on how to implement simple and sustainable nutrition strategies.

Nutrition is the First Discipline in any Exercise Program

 

Daily Nutrition Guidance (Click on Each to Expand)

Before changing your diet, consult with a medical professional, and make sure you are keenly aware of the risks associated with any nutrition strategy.

Too many so-called “diets” overcomplicate nutrition. The reality is that a simple solution can be more effective, more enjoyable, and sustainable. The key is to find a solution which empowers you, not one that limits you. You should not put added stress on your body, starve yourself, or eat until you’re overly full.  

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