My Diet Philosophy

I’ve been getting a few emails now about my “diet” so I thought I would answer up a few questions. Sorry if this post is scattered but I’m just letting the thoughts flow.

This summer I really played around with what I eat to see what fuels me best during my runs. I wanted to see if what I was consuming really did affect how I ran the next day. Needless to say, it really does. I also wanted to see what foods I really truly enjoy vs. ones I ate because I felt like I “should” since they were deemed a “superfood”. After reading Running For Women, my passion for running grew even more than I though was possible. In short, I loosely, and I mean loosely, follow the anti-inflamatory diet after seeing a lot of gains in my speed, endurance and recovery. However, I don’t base my food decisions on this “diet” – it really is just the way I eat naturally.

I gravitate towards healthy foods, like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and seafood.

That doesn’t mean I live off of fruits and vegetables.

In fact, a “whole” foods diet & “clean” eating makes me feel really weak, fatigued, cranky and achy.

I love carbohydrates and real desserts – not the low fat or “healthier” kind.

I don’t count calories or macros.

I do count calcium due to health and personal reasons.

I make it a point to get at least 5 servings of vegetables & fruits every day.

Naturally, I like vegetables more than fruit.

Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Tomatoes & Cabbage will forever have my heart.

I really don’t like peppers & cucumbers

I tend to do my cooking for breakfast and lunch and then get lazy when it comes to dinner

I don’t feel bad about having Poptarts or cookies the size of my face for dessert.

Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt give me really bad headaches and make me hungry so I usually avoid them now.

However, I have dessert every night & its not just a square of chocolate.

I am a frozen food junkie – Amy’s, Cedar Lane, Trader Joe’s, Rico & Evol will forever have my heart.

I like potatoes and bagels more than pasta for longer runs.

I tend to eat a lighter breakfast & lunch and a bigger dinner

I have a hard time resisting Goldfish.

I love trying new products that are on the market because that makes food fun for me!

Fiber the night before a long run = REALLY bad when there are no bathrooms on your running trail.

Generally, my dinners don’t include a lot of fiber – I have to limit myself.

There is no such thing as too much garlic powder, basil or cinnamon in my life <3

Every body is different and everyone has different nutritional needs. Running 70+ miles a week requires a lot of food. In my case, it means a lot of carbohydrates (whole grains until dinner) and fats (nut butters & gauc.) I eat to fuel so I can do what I love each morning.

This is how I eat. I don’t care if its highly processed, refined or sugar laden because lately my runs are been epic. Faster, stronger and easier. Rarely do I get sore now and when I do its not nearly as bad (unless its speed work, but that is a whole other story)

I no longer feel bad that I don’t fall into the “perfect” RD diet because there is no such thing. I eat what I want and enjoy it. Long gone are the days of making myself eat foods I don’t care for simply because they are good for the body.

You guys read my blog and see what I make – usually it is full of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy and lean proteins, which is the premise of the anti-inflammatory diet. But trust me when I tell you I have a sweet tooth that can’t be denied. The key is I don’t consider myself following a plan – I just eat what makes me feel energized, happy & satisfied.

Will my diet change when I am not running as much? Probably – but I will never give up my Goldfish or Vitatops.

Life is too short to not enjoy your food

About these ads