Allow me to introduce my latest contributor.
Kevin Cooper, Personal Trainer and Business Manager at Pinnacle Performance has been running in the fitness industry “marathon” since 2001. “Lots has been learned and more to be achieved” is his comment when asked to describe himself.
I am very excited that Kevin will share his vast insights. Intense, focused, humorous and above all knowledgeable. Kevin will say it as it is. Welcome aboard Kevin.
So much to say such little time or space, undoubtedly the most controversial topic out there when it comes to the industry….
What to eat ? What time? And why? Well to put it as basically as possible and for those of us that have some sort of idea about this black hole we call nutrition, the rules are trial and error based. Take ownership of it and learn to take basic guidelines and perfect them, the most intensive content out there might be unbelievable to me but not work at all for the next person.
Trial and error, ladies and gents, that’s the beauty of this game and all variables that you can imagine get broken down to a term we love to use – “it depends”.
Depends on the following:
Meal one time:
- Is meal one carbohydrate dominant?
- Is meal one more fat than protein?
- Is meal one a stimulant like coffee?
- Is meal one a mix of all forms?
An absolute no-fail choice that works for most, yes not for everyone, is to start your day off with a protein and fat meal. A simple choice will be scrambled eggs drizzled with olive oil. Easy yet effective. Don’t be scared of the yellow yolks that contain 9 essential amino acids! Get it in and enjoy risk-free taste and texture.
Once meal one is behind you keep meal timing down to max 4 hour intervals to ensure you send a consistent signal to your body of maintenance in energy and consumption through food. This will in turn ensure that your body does not create a storage pattern of energy. Instead it sends signals of absorbing and processing of food.
Keep up the protein+fat mix and consume a serving of a carbohydrate-based meal, like sweet potato for post workout only. This in turn creates an insulin sensitivity signal so that the carb can be utilized more effectively. And a greater percentage of it can be utilized in the body in that post workout phase.
So, many variables and one can successfully say that breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. It’s the first signal to your body of the day.
So the question is will protein and a fat be more beneficial than a carb start ?
Here we go …. it depends … How do you feel post meal? How does the meal effect your energy levels? What’s the effect of the meal on your digestion? Etc etc etc.
One sure conclusion that can be drawn is the simple fact of when you consume a certain food first thing in the morning it sends a signal that depicts the rest of your day – guaranteed.
Stay away from carbs till post workout. Be sure to consume them when they are going to be utilized fully. We will certainly delve deeper into this subject as your understanding of your own body commences.
This is where taking control of your meals comes in. It is never easy but I can vouch for the fact that it is well worth it.
This is certainly an easier read on this topic, however get the ABC right the first time and it will make the outcome much more simple yet effective.
Your time is now, go get it and own your results from start to finish!
Inspired by Miranda 