Diet and nutrition are often the missing link in an otherwise comprehensive program. The CrossFit nutrition prescription in its simplest terms is to, "eat meat, vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar." This ensures that you are eating "real food," which was once eaten by our hunter-gatherer ancestors over a million years ago. As seen in the hierarchy of development pyramid (left), the base of development is nutrition. The logical flow begins at molecular foundations (nutrition), continues on with cardiovascular sufficiency (metabolic conditioning), body control (gymnastics), external object control (weightlifting), and ends with mastery of sport. Poor nutrition will cause all levels of development to suffer.
Evolution has not kept pace with advances in agriculture and food processing, resulting in a plague of health problems for modern man. Heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and psychological dysfunction have all been scientifically linked to a diet high in refined or processed carbohydrates. Many have observed that keeping their grocery cart to the perimeter of the grocery store while avoiding the aisles is a great way to improve their health. Real food is perishable. The stuff with long shelf life is all suspect. An easy rule is, "If you can hunt it or gather it, you can eat it."
Courtesy of CrossFit Inc.
So What Should I Eat?
- Lean Meat (all you want): grassfed beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, fish, and other seafood, eggs
- Vegetables (all you want): except for potatoes, corn, beans, and peas
- Fruit (not eaten alone and in moderation)
- Fats including avocados, coconut oil and olive oil. No corn or vegetable oil.
- Nuts and Seeds and nut butters (in moderation): no peanuts! Peanuts are not nuts!
- Honey and real maple syrup (only in extreme moderation)
What Not to Eat:
- No sugar or artificial sugar
- No grains: wheat or corn products, rice, pasta, bread, cereals, etc.
- No dairy: milk, butter, cheese, etc.
What is the problem with High-Glycemic Carbohydrates?
The problem with high-glycemic carbs is that they give an inordinate insulin response. Insulin is an essential hormone for life, yet acute, chronic elevation of insulin leads to hyperinsulinism, which has been linked to obesity, elevated cholesterol levels, blood pressure, mood dysfunction to name a few. Research "hyperinsulinism" on the internet. There's a gold mine of information pertinent to your health available there. The CrossFit prescription is a low-glycemic diet and consequently severely blunts insulin response.
Courtesy of CrossFit Inc.
For more information on the Paleo Diet please http://thepaleodiet.com.
