Nutrition 4 Performance Philosophy
Optimal Nutrition is Essential for Peak Performance in all areas of life.
Whether you’re a teenager studying for the HSC, a parent at home with busy children, a corporate employee travelling frequently for work or an amateur or elite athlete; food is your fuel. It is your source of energy, your electricity.
Of course, by food I don’t mean any food, I mean real food.
Mainly plants in the right proportions, mostly in the morning and not too much.
Australian farmers supply us with fantastic produce ranging from fresh eggs and milk to grass-fed beef and organic chicken to chickpeas, bok choy and broccoli.
Given that this food is such high quality, we don’t need to cover it in sauces or add sugar and salt. Simply enjoy and reap the health benefits.
We need to be disciplined with ourselves and teach our kids that junk food really is treat food. Treat food means once per month and not every day.
Shopping, planning and preparing food should be part of our weekly to-do list and part of an ongoing family discussion.
If food is not planned, it is too easy to fall into the trap of take-away and convenience foods. This is fine when really in need, however not regularly.
We need to teach our kids how to approach their nutrition at an early age. If they eat well and limit packaged foods, they will be happier kids!
A Path to Better Health.
As per the Australian guidelines we need to aim for 5 serves or cups of vegetables and 2 serves of fruit per day in addition to fiber, and quality protein (eggs, pork, chicken, beef, yoghurt, almonds, milk) spread throughout the day.
Good fats found in oily fish such as salmon, avocados nuts and seeds are also essential. Don’t forget my all-time favourite anti-oxidant is berries of any kind frozen or fresh. Make sure they are on your weekly shopping list!
If there is one thing, I encourage you to do is fall in love with green vegetables of any kind. Challenge yourself to include then in every meal.
Spinach with eggs for breakfast, cucumber and hummus for morning tea, steamed broccoli with grated cheese for afternoon tea and bok choy in a stir fry for dinner!
Prioritise Quality and Quantity
If you want to gain the most out of your performance, start prioritising both the quality and quantity of your diet. Small changes make a big difference, and it is never too early or too late to make this a focus.
I promise you – you will notice a difference. Happy Eating!