JUST SAY NO TO GRAINS!

JUST SAY NO TO GRAINS!

As we start of the new year, it is quite normal to have a multitude of questions regarding nutrition. Please don’t overthink this. It does NOT have to be the complicated-monster that many have made it. Here at Category Five Fitness, we preach a Paleo-diet. What this means is that ABSOLUTELY NO GRAINS OF ANY TYPE are allowed to be consumed. What constitutes a grain, you ask? Breads of any type, cereals of any type, any and all types of rice, corn, cornmeal, quinoa, millet and barley. Now, having said that, you may eat all of the vegetables that you enjoy and all of the beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish, shellfish, shrimp and eggs to your heart’s content! The simplest way that I can explain this is that if you take your dinner plate and divide it into thirds, one third will be your animal-based protein source and the other two thirds will consist of veggies, preferably, dark, green leafy veggies such as spinach, kale or collards. Those are the best three choices for you, but salad greens will work as well. As will broccolli or cauliflower. Just remember to avoid iceberg lettuce. It has next to no nutritional value. Romaine is a much better choice. As is arugula or any combination of spring mix. Here is a tasty meal that is easy to prepare.

Heat some olive oil in a large pan. Just enough to cover the bottom of the pan. 

Saute chicken breast that has been cut-up into cubes or chunks. Saute until it just starts to brown.

Add a handful or two of sliced portobello or shitake mushrooms. Or whatever variety you like. 

Continue sauteeing until the meat and mushrooms have carmelized. (they should look brown and yummy!) Add a package or two of fresh spinach and cook until the spinach wilts. Btw, a huge amount of spinach will cook down to about a handful, so don’t be intimidated by what looks like a huge amount. It will reduce big-time. Trust me.At the end, throw in a teaspoon or tablespoonful of minced garlic and cook for another minute or two.Voila! Dinner in about fifteen minutes tops and only one pan to wash afterwards! Season with salt and pepper and maybe a dash or two of crushed red pepper and enjoy!

On days when you have worked out, you may add a sweet potato to meet good carbohydrate demands. 

As you can see, I didn’t measure anything and I am getting a good amount of protein and healthy carbs and fiber. Follow that up with a Tblspn of fish oil or a handful or two of raw almonds or walnuts and you are good to go!

Be creative. Winter can be a little redundant with the limited availability of local produce, but you can get creative by sauteeing acorn squash w/ a granny smith apple, for example. I hope this helps to get you started on the road to healthy eating. I’ll be back with a more detailed eating strategy specifically for athletes and their goals.