What are we SUPPOSED to eat?

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The hardest thing to understand about nutrition is what foods we are supposed to eat. My clients ask me all the time what they should be eating. The challenge is that the answer depends on who you are as an individual. ​

However, there are a few rules that I give my clients to begin the process of discovering what works best for them! ​

1. Eat Real Food.
   
2. Prioritize Protein
   
3. Be Aware of how you feel
   

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Real food is the foundation of proper nutrition. Despite the complexities that are presented across the internet the truth is that real whole foods must make up 95+% of our dietary choices. Real food is food that is not boxed, bagged, packaged, and has simple/single ingredients. At the grocery store this will largely be fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and eggs. Think of things that are on the outside edge of the store.

Prioritizing Protein is essential to improvements in our energy, metabolism, and body composition. Protein is best as fresh animal products and should be the focus of our plate at each meal. A great goal is to have 30-50g of protein at eat meal!

Finally, we need to be listening to our body. The human body is amazing at informing us if the lifestyle/nutrition habits have been beneficial or detrimental. The only thing we need to do is pay attention.

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Ask yourself: ​

Do I have more or less energy after that meal?
How do I feel like I am digesting the food I am eating? Stomach pains, Gas, Bloating?
How are my bowel movements?

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Andrew Cataldo, CSCS OPEX CCP
Director - Performance Division 
E: [email protected]