Just came back from a great day of snowboarding in the Canadian Rockies. Snow conditions were average, but company, weather, and that “getting out there” feeling were grand. And I nailed my lunch today. Actually, to be honest, I don’t think I ever mess that up. Maple ham, green peppercorn cheese, cucumber, spinach, mustard, and honey in a flaxseed bun; mmmmmm. I love eating because I love food. Correction: I love GOOD food. But what makes good food good? Obviously taste is important. But when you’re active, it is essential that what you’re eating provides you with the fuel you need to ‘get the job done’ (whatever that job may be).
(Warning: Insert soapbox mount here):
In a world where McDonalds sponsors the Olympic games (yeah sure, a healthy diet of Big Macs and milkshakes will fuel you to gold!), where organic, natural, sugar free, and low fat are worn-out advertising slogans, and where a healthy diet consists of 47 doses of random herbs and supplements, what really constitutes as healthy?
Let’s face it. There are some great foods out there that aren’t good for you. So what? They taste good. But what happens when you eat too much of the bad stuff and not enough of the good? Because according to medical gurus everywhere, I shouldn’t be eating deli ham (high in sodium), cheese is bad for you (high in fat), I should be avoiding carbs (watch those thighs!), and honey, that spinach better be organic! Thank goodness for the organic supermarket down the street telling me if I drink this green drink supplement with a million vegetables every morning (“Oh what’s that? It tastes like a fish tank? Try it with some apple cider…”), I will live to be 203. (I hope my sarcasm came through on that).
Here’s my theory: I can eat the bad foods that I want to eat as long as I’m eating the good foods I should be eating. But what do I eat? Well apparently, we now have these things called “Superfoods”. Picture a band of blueberries in matching unitards fighting in the name of mood/concentration improvement, reduced susceptibility to sickness, and strong bones, and most importantly, ENERGY. Don’t like blueberries? Fine, think of almonds, wild salmon, spinach, tomatoes, oats, beans, walnuts, broccoli, whole grains, fruits, artichokes, or pomegranates. And trust me, that’s not where the list ends. Google “Superfoods” and you’ll get a hundred webpages toting their ‘top 10’ superfood list with very little overlap. But this is great news! It means there are HUNDREDS of superfoods out there! So where do you start memorizing to know what to eat to get that extra kick of energy at the end of along trek?
Courtesy of http://sweettater.files.wordpress.com/
Here’s a secret: superfoods are nothing but natural foods high in nutrients. Here’s another secret: processed and refined foods are NOT superfoods. Stick to natural, in-season, and low in preservatives and you’re in the clear. If you read the ingredients, and you can’t pronounce half the items on there, maybe go for something else. If you have the option between white and whole-wheat, choose the latter. If nothing has touched it but the love of Mother Nature, it’s probably good for you.
We’re not suggesting to superfood your life, but if you’ve a big, energy draining adventure ahead of you, it’s a good idea to fuel your body properly along the way. That’s how you get value out of adventure. That’s how you squeeze in that extra mile. That’s how you push yourself beyond your limit. Save the beer and nachos for when you get back.
(Soapbox dismount).
