The Basics

With so many conflicting claims about the BEST diet, no wonder we're confused

This part of my blog will feature short pieces on the basics of nutrition, based on what the current research supports, rather than my personal opinions (aside from a little side commentary, which is usually obvious!). The information on these pages are what I use as the foundation for my own diet, to support my training and overall health.

diet (NOUN)

1 The kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats.
‘a vegetarian diet’

2 A special course of food to which a person restricts themselves, either to lose weight or for medical reasons.
‘I’m going on a diet’

These days, the second description above is more common, with diet meaning a practice you are undertaking to manipulate your body weight. But the word diet, first and foremost, is simply to describe what we eat. It’s funny that lately in some circles it’s almost become a dirty word that we should avoid. Your diet is what you eat on a day to day basis.

Protein

Protein contains essential amino acids, which we must get from our diet.

View Posts About Protein

Carbohydrates

Carbs are life!

View Posts About Carbs

Fats

Important for overall health, while considering how much of each type of fat we consume.

View Posts About Fat

Micronutrients

The vitamins and minerals we need for optimal health.

View Posts About Micros

energy (NOUN)

The strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity.
‘changes in the levels of vitamins can affect energy and well-being’

balance (NOUN)

A situation in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.
‘the way to some kind of peace and personal balance’

When people decide to make a change to their diet often it’s because they want to feel better, so they start making healthier choices. But what is the healthiest diet? Is there such a thing?

optimal (ADJECTIVE)

Best or most favorable; optimum.
‘seeking the optimal solution’

macro (ADJECTIVE)

Large-scale; overall.
‘the analysis of social events at the macro level’

micro (ADJECTIVE)

Extremely small.
‘a micro buffet area’
Small-scale.
‘many people think on a micro level’

Supplements

How to know which (if any) should you consider?

Diet & Training

What are the main considerations for nutrition around training?

Muscle Growth

How can your diet help to maximise hypertrophy?

Sleep

What is the relationship between sleep and nutrition?

critical (ADJECTIVE)

Expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art.
~ incorporating a detailed and scholarly analysis and commentary.
~ Involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement.
‘professors often find it difficult to encourage critical thinking amongst their students’

Hydration

Why water and hydration are important.

Alcohol

The fourth macronutrient!

Coffee

The pros and cons of this wondrous substance (watch for my bias here!)

Fibre

Why is it a hugely important part of your diet?

Meal Timing

In what instances does meal timing matter?

Sodium

Salt intake and its relationship with health and chronic disease.

health (NOUN)

1 The state of being free from illness or injury.
‘he was restored to health’
1.1A person's mental or physical condition.
‘bad health forced him to retire’

Nutrional considerations across the female lifespan

vegan (NOUN)

A person who does not eat any food derived from animals and who typically does not use other animal products.
‘I'm a strict vegan’

vegan (ADJECTIVE)

Eating, using, or containing no food or other products derived from animals.
‘a vegan diet’

Dairy

Do you need to worry about consuming dairy?

Keto Diets

The claims vs the reality.