The Whole food Diet

The whole food diet. There are many diets, supplements and advice available to day that it becomes confusing and often unsuccessful. I personally follow the whole food diet which does not out too many foods, does not let you miss meals and keeps the enjoyment in eating.

The principles of the whole food diet are very simple. You will receive the six main components your body needs to work at its best, minerals - vitamins - essential fatty acids - proteins - carbohydrates and water.
1) Have three meals a day, breakfast - lunch and a evening meal. Avoid snacking.
2) Take time to eat properly, not eating on the go.
3) Drink at least eight large glasses of water per day.
It is common sense that the meals should consist of vegetables - fruits - pastes etc. It is the preparation that can make the difference i.e. steaming vegetables rather than boiling and taking all the minerals and vitamins out of them.

Foods to avoid

All sugars and sugar products
White bread and flour products e.g. biscuits and cakes
Refined and processed foods
Stimulants e.g. coffee - tea - alcohol etc.
Fried or fatty foods
Cured meats and red meat
Junk food
Food additives e.g. colourings - preservatives and flavourings

If you train on a regular basis then it is wise to keep your water intake and carbohydrate levels high so that you have energy to burn. Then to increase protein intake so that the muscle can repair and build quickly and efficiently.
There is so much more that can be written but a common sense diet is always the best, We all know what is good and what is bad so try and stick to the good.

Written for the AFTMA by D.Greenaway