It’s a waistline, not a wasteline
“Paleo,” “teatox,” “juice cleanse,” oh my! The diet trends are endless right now. It seems like each week brings a new gadget or system that is the surefire way to a J-Lo body in two weeks. This makes me wonder… When did food get so complicated?
Your guide to smart nutrition
With all of this nutrition information available, you need a nutrition guide that gives you the knowledge to make smart choices. Look no farther than the second edition of Fitness After 40. I’ve included a completely overhauled chapter on nutrition talking extensively about how to fuel your body after 40 with expanded sections on:
- Macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat, fluids)
- Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals)
- Nutritional supplements
- Anti-inflammatory diet strategies
- Weight loss
- Strategic eating
- Vegetarian and vegan diet tips
A personal note…
My nutrition story starts during my intern and resident years. I often worked 120 hectic and exhausting hours per week. I ate whatever I could, whenever I could sneak to the hospital cafeteria. Often this meant 2:00 A.M. “consolation” cheeseburgers!
Though I was very active running around the hospital at work and even ran a marathon in my free time, this diet and lifestyle weighed me down (literally, by over 20 pounds). When I finished my surgical training, I started eating healthier and running more. The weight fell off. Along with plenty of fresh veggies, I maximize my own nutrition by making these five simple choices everyday:
- No fried foods. Ever!
- No salad dressings or sauces. Many dressings have 100 calories of fat… in one tablespoon.
- Limit juice. It is very high in sugar.
- Limit “good fats.” Even olive oil has 100 calories in a tablespoon.
- No sugar or simple carbs (unless I’m training for a race).
My sweet tooth used to hold me back on number five until one day I quit eating cookies, dark chocolate, and white pasta (some of my favorite things) altogether. It was hard. But I persisted, and the benefits were amazing! I lost 11 pounds, which felt great, but the second benefit was even better. All of my aching went away. I repeat: All of my aching went away when I cut out added sugar and simple carbs.
The anti-inflammatory diet
My new ache-free body was a result of following an anti-inflammatory diet. Our body needs some inflammation to maintain good health, but when inflammation occurs without cause, it becomes chronic. Chronic inflammation not only debilitates athletic ability but can also cause arthritis and allergies. In chapter 13, I provide a list of anti-inflammatory foods, including:
- Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms, brussels sprouts, kelp, leeks, olives, turnip greens, and sweet potatoes.
- Fruits: Apples (the skin especially), papayas, pineapples, grapefruit, guava, kiwis, limes, melons, and oranges.
- Herbs/spices: Turmeric, garlic, ginger, basil, black pepper, chives, cilantro, cinnamon, and parsley.
- Nuts/seeds: Almonds, flaxseed, hazelnuts, pecans, sesame/sunflower seeds, and walnuts.
- Vitamins: A, B6, D, E, and K.
For a complete look at the anti-inflammatory diet and a thoroughly detailed breakdown of nutrition after 40, check out chapter 13 of Fitness After 40, Second Edition!
