You Are What You Eat...What Does That Make You?
Posted on Nov 20, 2014 6:15am PST
Though I cannot stress enough how important exercise is, another necessity
is diet and nutrition. The pursuit of food is no longer our primary goal
in life, but making the best food choices provides us with sustenance
to become victorious in our journeys. Ever since the days we were escaping
predators and seeking prey, it's been about balancing energy in and
energy out to optimize the performance of the human machine—in other
words, striking the right equilibrium between the food we consume and
the activity that keeps us strong.
A comprehensive and dynamic nutritional and hydration program is important
to prevent problems, optimize performance, and facilitate self-care when
you are sick or injured. What that program looks like depends on your
individual requirement and needs, which change on a daily, and even minute-by-minute, basis.
Do you have a balanced diet? Or have you given in to the readiness of processed
foods? Are you overweight? Underweight? Are you taking vitamins and supplements
that are specifically relevant to you and your health?
Do you even know what your body needs? We all remember the "Food Guide
Pyramid" from our elementary years. Although it has changed over
the years, it still requires grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and proteins
every day. To find out if you are eating the rights foods, you can visit
the website of the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, an organization
of the US Department of Agriculture, at
www.choosemyplate.gov.
Is your diet out of whack with this standard? If so, what can you do to
improve the quality and quantity of the food you eat? Remember—you'll
have a much harder time summoning your inner victor if you're not
giving your body the fuel it needs (or giving it too much poor fuel).