Nutrition is a Battlefield

Nutrition is a Battlefield by Coach Jared MacDonald

Wondering what the best diet for weight loss is? Mass gain? Sports performance? Longer lifespan? That’s great! That means you are being conscious and are aware that nutrition plays a vital role in your fitness and lifestyle goals.

 

Unfortunately, there is no “best” diet, no matter what certain media headlines would have you believe. There are numerous reasons why there is no one “best” diet, but most importantly you are an individual with individual nutrient needs and metabolism.

The good news is we do know enough to build a great framework for you to follow to optimize your health and lifestyle and to help you reach your goals! Precision Nutrition lists 6 pillars to build this foundation. It sounds simple, it is in form, but I would argue that it takes great effort and practice to implement them all with a 90% compliance rate.

Once you have mastered the foundation, you can dig deeper and tune things to achieve greater results if you desire but you will always have a foundation to navigate, instead of chasing the latest fad that’s sure to fade just as quickly as it arrived. These 6 simple pillars are a powerful foundation that eliminate confusion and provide simplicity and stability.

 

 

  • Eat whole minimally processed plant and animal based foods

 

Sounds easy, but can be difficult when life gets busy and the golden arches are calling

 

  • Do routine physical activity

 

Mix low, moderate, and high intensity workouts 3 times a week for 30 minutes

 

  • Limit consumption of tobacco and alcohol

 

Limit consumption as much as possible

 

  • Get adequate sleep

 

7-9 hours a night

 

  • Find ways to control stress

 

Meditation, prayer, walks in the woods, yoga, whatever is a healthy stress relief

 

  • Cultivate supportive relationships

 

Have relationships that support your goals and lifestyle