http://whole9life.com/2013/02/grain-manifesto/
I know, I know! Everyone loves bread, pasta, corn, and rice. I really, REALLY miss bread! But, you have to weigh the "nutritional value" of grains against the health problems associated with consuming something your body is not capable of properly digesting. Please follow the link above; do some reading; and let us know what you think.
I can understand the science behind it all. I just don't want to give those carbs up.
ReplyDeleteSomething of concern for me:
My wife is vegetarian, so we eat almost no meat at home (why make 2 meals, when 1 will do?). A large portion of our diet is pasta and rice. I would be hard pressed to find something to eat if my pasta and rice were removed from the menu!
From a healthy-living standpoint, I think it's important to understand that your body needs three macro-nutrients: protein (notice I didn't say "meat"), carbs, and fats.(Optimizing these macro-nutrients will optimize your performance, but that's an entirely different conversation.)
ReplyDeleteThese needs don't discriminate based on your dietary preferences; whether you're a vegan, paleo, zoner, bulker, etc. We can't control what our bodies need; but we can control the source and quality our body gets these nutrients from.
The Crossfit prescription for eating is to eat meats and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar at intake levels that will promote exercise but not body fat.
Articles like this, books like "Wheat Belly" all blame grains as the primary evil. Though there is a lot of science and evidence to back up the detrimental affects of grain, in my humble opinion, if you do choose, or feel the need, to include grains in your diet, I stress moderation. I eat bread plenty of times of week, but I don't have it in excess (the "excess" comes on my cheat days :P) I emphasize quality proteins, low-glycemic carbs, and healthy fats and incorporate it through my nutrition plan. In a world dominated by grains, it takes a bit more work and planning, but the benefits you'll see in your body mass, athletic performance, and energy levels are worth the five minutes a night I spend planning the next day's meals.
We will definitely have more dialogue about nutrition, because it is the most important part of a holistically healthy lifestyle. The workouts are easy; health and fitness battles are won in the kitchen. I've lost and kept off about 60 pounds since 2011 (before I even heard about Crossfit) and between a rigorous workout regimen and a balanced, clean, healthy diet, being nutritionally-sound has made the biggest difference in my life.