Training aside, what do you all eat??
jordymils
Posts: 230 Member
Hi everyone.
I know this isn't 100% related to crossfit but I'm curious as to what you all eat, if you follow particular diets, etc? I know this would all depend on our individual goals of weight loss, weight gain, muscle gain, bulking, BF loss, etc etc but given the hype in the crossfit community of following the paleo diet, I just thought it would be interesting to see what everyone does.
I'm vegetarian so paleo isn't really an option for me (too restrictive without meat) and I currently don't follow a particular diet but focus on getting most of my calories through clean, natural foods with the knowledge that a little treat won't kill me if it fits in my calories and macros. I tend not to stress over food as I don't enjoy eating oily, fatty, sugary, junky foods anyway BUT every now and then I do get in my own head thinking that I should be more strict, and then reminding myself that being completely restrictive is also not the answer.
That said, my current goal is to lose 7-8kg but focusing more on BF loss rather than actual scale weight, and I just keep thinking that I could be doing things better... But I do have a tendency to over-think things...
I train 8-9 times a week and follow a 40% carb and 30% protein/fat macro ratio.
Anyone have any stories of what worked well for them to support their training and lifting gains as well as supporting whatever weight goals they had?
I know this isn't 100% related to crossfit but I'm curious as to what you all eat, if you follow particular diets, etc? I know this would all depend on our individual goals of weight loss, weight gain, muscle gain, bulking, BF loss, etc etc but given the hype in the crossfit community of following the paleo diet, I just thought it would be interesting to see what everyone does.
I'm vegetarian so paleo isn't really an option for me (too restrictive without meat) and I currently don't follow a particular diet but focus on getting most of my calories through clean, natural foods with the knowledge that a little treat won't kill me if it fits in my calories and macros. I tend not to stress over food as I don't enjoy eating oily, fatty, sugary, junky foods anyway BUT every now and then I do get in my own head thinking that I should be more strict, and then reminding myself that being completely restrictive is also not the answer.
That said, my current goal is to lose 7-8kg but focusing more on BF loss rather than actual scale weight, and I just keep thinking that I could be doing things better... But I do have a tendency to over-think things...
I train 8-9 times a week and follow a 40% carb and 30% protein/fat macro ratio.
Anyone have any stories of what worked well for them to support their training and lifting gains as well as supporting whatever weight goals they had?
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I basically follow the paleo diet...nothing processed, no added sugar, no grains, etc etc..
however, I have added peanut butter, milk, and butter back into my diet...and chocolate every once in a while
btw, I do know a few vegetarians and vegans who do paleo and just dont eat the meat.0 -
I'm probably 75-80% Paleo. I might have one cheat meal a week. I'm getting fairly strict for the next month to prep for a competition so I will try to get up around 90%.
I do have cream in my coffee as I tolerate dairy with no issues. My mixed nut snack mix (I measure it out into 1.5oz portions so I don't gorge on it) had some dried berries and dark chocolate in it too.
I'm not particularly against eating grains but I find that I feel less bloated and have better energy when I avoid them.
Not going to stop me from having pizza once in a while though
I don't do butter but made my own ghee, which is ridiculously easy. Crockpot, 8 sticks of organic butter on low. Melt it, skim the solids off the top then strain it through cheesecloth over a fine mesh strainer. Chill if you want (it is shelf stable)0 -
And for the record I did not experience any dramatic weight loss with CF until I committed to Paleo.0
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And for the record I did not experience any dramatic weight loss with CF until I committed to Paleo.
Interesting... I lost ~30kg a couple years ago, some before I started crossfit and some after.
I'm lactose intolerant so tend to stay away from dairy anyway, except for 1 type of greek yoghurt that I can tolerate and helps with my protein intake.
Paleo has intrigued me for a while, but being vegetarian the thought of not being able to have any beans, lentils, chickpeas etc is too overwhelming. I also find it really difficult to meet my protein needs without soy products. I'm sure paleo is possible as a vegetarian/vegan, but I just don't think I'd be able to get my protein in unless I lived on egg whites for every meal...
I tend to stay away from wheat for the post part except for the occasional bread, but I do have oats most mornings for breakfast and will have quinoa, buckwheat etc 1-2 times a week. My body doesn't process heavy carbs (pasta, rice, bread) well so I almost never eat them.
I guess I'm still trying to find what 'clicks' and works for me and my body...0 -
Jordy, I'd definitely try a modified version of paleo if it intrigues you, add in lentils and whatever else beans.0
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Ok another question for you all... How does everyone feel about fruit??
I personally love it and could eat it all day. I tend to stick to 2 pieces per day, including an apple or banana 30 mins before training, sometimes I have 3 pieces a day though on days I train twice.
I ask this because there is SO much hype at the moment about quitting all forms of sugar, processed and natural. I can understand where the logic might come from in that sugar is sugar regardless of where it comes from, but I don't understand how cutting out all those amazing vitamins and minerals can be a good thing...0 -
I think you're right. I probably eat an average of 5 fruit servings a day0
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I am not a professional dietician or expert but I think that any diet which advocates avoiding any fruit or vegetable is pretty suspect.0
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I am not a professional dietician or expert but I think that any diet which advocates avoiding any fruit or vegetable is pretty suspect.
As you said, you aren't an expert. And you think bacon is overrated, which immediately calls your judgment into question.
The overriding goal of Paleo is to maintain as constant a blood sugar level and insulin level as possible. Avoiding grains, dairy and starches is the best/easiest way to do that. It also makes it near impossible to eat to many calories.
Fruits and vegetables are not created equal.0 -
I would describe the way I eat as eating “real food” and eating stuff where I can pronounce all of the ingredients or there is no ingredients list at all. I hardly ever eat dairy or gluten because they make me feel like crap, if you want to call it some of form of paleo that’s fine. My current goal is performance and while I would like to lose a bit of body fat to see all 6 of my abs instead of just the top ones, I’m not willing to sacrifice the amount of weight I can lift or my social life. I had my body fat measured in a bod pod at 19.7% a few weeks ago and probably would need to drop 3-4% but I also believe in life needing to have a balance. I think we all just need to find that works for us, I just make sure my meals consist of meat and veggies a majority of the time and try not to think about it too much
Edited to add- I will also say I have not lost any weight since starting crossfit (almost two years ago), but when I started crossfit my body fat was 25% so I’ve dropped a fairly significant amount. I was a slave to the scale for so many years, seriously my morning weigh in would dictate my mood for the day. I made my husband hide it 6 months ago and it’s been so nice. My clothes and the mirror are just fine to know if I’m keeping myself in check.0 -
I am not a professional dietician or expert but I think that any diet which advocates avoiding any fruit or vegetable is pretty suspect.
As you said, you aren't an expert. And you think bacon is overrated, which immediately calls your judgment into question.
The overriding goal of Paleo is to maintain as constant a blood sugar level and insulin level as possible. Avoiding grains, dairy and starches is the best/easiest way to do that. It also makes it near impossible to eat to many calories.
Fruits and vegetables are not created equal.
From what I've read it appears that the premise of the paleo diet and the justification behind it (we should eat the same way that the caveman did!) shows only a basic grasp of human evolution. Further, restrictive diets never seem to work and they eventually end up in the fad diet dustbin. You've found success with it, good for you, but I will continue to follow my dietician's advice as I trust her credentials more than yours.0 -
I watched a paleo lecture last week and they said 3-4 servings of fruit a day are ok.
I don't know what my diet is, but whatever it is it works. I have a good level of energy in the gym, good focus, my weight has only been varying for the past 2 months by a couple of pounds.
I usually eat oats, fruit, nuts and raw milk for breakfast.
Banana Protein bread with Organic Peanut Butter, or Chocolate Spread.
A handful of carb (sweet potato, brown rice, sometimes even pasta), a palm size of protein and as much green veg as i can get on there.
Protein Shake with a piece of fruit post workout.
At night, probably a 2 egg omelette mixed with some raw milk with spinach and tomatoes.
Before bed i have a bit of corn flakes and raw milk.
So I guess its the Mo Diet that I follow :laugh:0 -
I follow keto. My primary goal is weight loss, and keto (low carb, high fat, moderate protein) has been working well for me for the last 15 months. My macros are 70-75% fat; 20-25% protein; 5% carbs.
I eat a lot of vegetables, primarily green leafy types. I do not eat starchy vegetables or grains. I don't eat much fruit due to the sugar content. I do eat dairy (cheese, cream, sour cream) and also enjoy nuts.
Everything is better with bacon.0 -
I watched a paleo lecture last week and they said 3-4 servings of fruit a day are ok.
I don't know what my diet is, but whatever it is it works. I have a good level of energy in the gym, good focus, my weight has only been varying for the past 2 months by a couple of pounds.
I usually eat oats, fruit, nuts and raw milk for breakfast.
Banana Protein bread with Organic Peanut Butter, or Chocolate Spread.
A handful of carb (sweet potato, brown rice, sometimes even pasta), a palm size of protein and as much green veg as i can get on there.
Protein Shake with a piece of fruit post workout.
At night, probably a 2 egg omelette mixed with some raw milk with spinach and tomatoes.
Before bed i have a bit of corn flakes and raw milk.
So I guess its the Mo Diet that I follow :laugh:
Best way to do it. Find what works for you and that you can stick with.
I wish we had a local place to buy raw milk, btw....I've seen signs for it out in Western MA near my in-laws but never here in the city.
People also think Paleo is all about meat. I do all I can to make sure I'm eating as many vegetables as possible. One, they taste good, two they fill you up, three they are extremely good for you.0 -
I am not a professional dietician or expert but I think that any diet which advocates avoiding any fruit or vegetable is pretty suspect.
As you said, you aren't an expert. And you think bacon is overrated, which immediately calls your judgment into question.
The overriding goal of Paleo is to maintain as constant a blood sugar level and insulin level as possible. Avoiding grains, dairy and starches is the best/easiest way to do that. It also makes it near impossible to eat to many calories.
Fruits and vegetables are not created equal.
From what I've read it appears that the premise of the paleo diet and the justification behind it (we should eat the same way that the caveman did!) shows only a basic grasp of human evolution. Further, restrictive diets never seem to work and they eventually end up in the fad diet dustbin. You've found success with it, good for you, but I will continue to follow my dietician's advice as I trust her credentials more than yours.
It's doubtful human digestion has evolved far in the past 5000 years (since the development of modern agriculture.) Evolution and natural selection don't work on that small of a scale in humans. Shorter-lived creatures, perhaps. But not us. Given that, it is doubtful that we have evolved the ability to properly digest grains. Anyone who eats a large amount of corn gets a graphic display of this a day or so after the feast.
My evidence is purely anecdotal but when I eat grains I feel lethargic and bloated. When I avoid or minimize them I feel much better. Since I have educated myself about my diet I feel comfortable with eating Paleo. Just because you find it suspect doesn't mean it is0 -
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Best way to do it. Find what works for you and that you can stick with.
I wish we had a local place to buy raw milk, btw....I've seen signs for it out in Western MA near my in-laws but never here in the city.
People also think Paleo is all about meat. I do all I can to make sure I'm eating as many vegetables as possible. One, they taste good, two they fill you up, three they are extremely good for you.
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I get mine from a local supermarket, you get creamy bits in it as the fat in it has not been stripped it means i can get all the goodness from the grassfed cows milk such as the vitamins, proteins and complex carbs.
Boston do you eat lentils, beans, pulses? I eat those too, as you can see not much meat in my diet. Although eggs are under that category in the paleo diet.
I agree man, nutrient dense foods!0 -
Boston do you eat lentils, beans, pulses? I eat those too, as you can see not much meat in my diet. Although eggs are under that category in the paleo diet.
I agree man, nutrient dense foods!
Not as regularly as I once did but I definitely don't avoid them. Lentils in particular are pretty easy on the gut if you cook them right.
I have a couple of nice smoked sausages that are probably going to be the base flavor for some lentil stew in the crockpot in the near future.0 -
It's doubtful human digestion has evolved far in the past 5000 years (since the development of modern agriculture.) Evolution and natural selection don't work on that small of a scale in humans. Shorter-lived creatures, perhaps. But not us. Given that, it is doubtful that we have evolved the ability to properly digest grains. Anyone who eats a large amount of corn gets a graphic display of this a day or so after the feast.
My evidence is purely anecdotal but when I eat grains I feel lethargic and bloated. When I avoid or minimize them I feel much better. Since I have educated myself about my diet I feel comfortable with eating Paleo. Just because you find it suspect doesn't mean it is
Just because you act like you know it all doesn't mean you do. The fact that people can digest milk and grain today at all suggest that human physiology has evolved in a relatively short period of time thanks to selection pressure. You can read more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic_diet#Opposing_views
Oh, and agriculture began 10,000 years ago, not 5,000.
EDIT: I do really like that the Paleo diet places an emphasis on natural foods, fruits, nuts, vegetables, etc. All those things are great and part of my diet as well. But I enjoy milk, bread, and cereal grains. I have oatmeal for breakfast and I think its great. Paleo is a better diet than most people eat but it is not some health magic bullet and the "science" behind it is far from certain.0 -
I try to eat a whole foods diet with an eye towards Paleo, but am not super strict about it. It's all about sustainability for me (being able to cope with the real world without being super anal or a burden on others). That being said, I try to stay away from processed carbs and sugars because I don't handle them well - those are the items I am most likely to go overboard with or get 'addicted' to/cravings for. I love the idea of Paleo though, just can't put it into practice 100% of the time in my life without undue stress on myself or others.0
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Interesting to hear everyone's thoughts. At the end of the day there isn't a single diet out there, no matter how natural or clean or whatever, that will work the same for every person on the planet.
I like the idea of paleo but as a vegetarian it is just not sustainable, especially if I'm not in control of my food (eating out, at friends houses, etc) and I hate stressing over what I can or can't eat. It's hard enough trying to find a healthy, balanced meal that doesn't include meat!!
My diet is probably 90% natural, unprocessed whole/real foods anyway with the exception of some soy products, greek yoghurt, some veg protein options and the occasional treat/cheat meal. It's a balance that makes me feel good about what I eat, gives me enough energy for training and life in general and doesn't lead me to freak out when my usual options aren't available. It works for me. And it still lets me eat the things I love like oats, soy lattes and dark chocolate.
I'm still working on body recomp but having recently cut my calories a little and significantly increased my training, I am starting to see small improvements so here's hoping it continues!!0 -
I eat as paleo as possible (no dairy except ghee). I eat fruit probably once a day and a serving of nuts daily. Coconut cream in my coffee. Since starting crossfit and paleo I've actually gained a good bit of weight, but my lifts have also nearly doubled and I started out probably too thin. I feel much healthier now. I rarely eat sweet potatoes but have nothing against them, and eat them if I want/feel like it. So far this is working for me. I'm gluten and lactose intolerant, so I am rarely tempted to cheat with non-paleo treats.0
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Yesterday's eating for me:
2 whole eggs, three whites for breakfast (out of avocados)
1oz mixed nuts (with some dried cranberries and dark chocolate)
Paleo chili and 6oz of slow roasted pork shoulder (both home made)
1oz mixed nuts
A few crackers with WisPride spread on them (made by my wife, how could I say no?)
About 8oz of kielbasa (made in a Polish deli in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and beyond good) and 4 mini crab cakes.
About 3000 calories total (target is 2600 so I was a bit high) 227g protein, 110g carbs, 110 or so of fat
Had two muffins for second breakfast today because I was still starving after my eggs. I'm doing a 5k row in addition to our WOD tonight so I'm not too worried about them. I'll eat clean the rest of the day and have a grilled chicken salad after the workout to get some veggies into the mix.
I also take 4 1000mg fish oil pills, a Vitamin D suppliment and a multivitamin every day.0
