Glancing back on the past 8 months of my whirlwind existence I can’t say much was consistent beyond my love for good quality whole foods. As I dabbled in nomad living in Australia and tested my own definition of lifestyle design I continued to tinker with my diet and discover what works for my body. As I floated through various locations I continually had to reevaluate what I was putting in my mouth and be honest with how much exercise I was doing to stay in shape.
Whole Foods and my beloved Trader Joes were not just a quick six block walk and fridge space to store such goodies was vehemently fought over in packed hostels. No date on your grocery bag = no food next morning. Brutal when you just spent your last five bucks on greens and tomatoes because you want a salad instead of instant noodles.
Let’s just say since I’ve been back in San Francisco I couldn’t feel more blessed and privileged to have such incredible variety of locally grown, organic produce and products. Though I knew it growing up, we Californian’s have it good!
Since the beginning of EpicSelf I have pushed the importance of balance in nutrition. Offering a mix of Eastern and Western approaches to the subject while showing you how to eat for optimum nutrition and performance without the cost. Whilst traveling, I must admit, trying to define how I eat and my personal philosophy on food became a nightmare. I experimented a lot and now have found what balances perfect with my current activity levels, energy needs, season and aesthetic. The trick…our nutritional needs are ever evolving. We have to constantly re-evaluate! What keeps you lean and mean now won’t work forever. Not by a long shot.
The more I read the more I realize that each person needs to experiment and do what feels right for their specific body at that time in life. Experimenting and trial and error with food is the only way to truly find what approach satisfies and energizes your unique make-up. We must learn to adapt and ebb with changes in age, metabolism, allergies, and overall demands of life, like stress.
There is no magic bullet nutrition plan that works for everyone at every moment. You can stop dieting and start loving food again if you take the time to understand your own body. For some, dairy is not an option. As I discussed in Dare We Eat Dairy? the milk industry and it’s role in our national food pyramid is up for heated debate. For others, gluten, wheat and white flour are the culprits. You might choose to eliminate certain foods all together just because you have more energy, feel less bloated, etc, without them. That’s okay! You are building mind-body awareness.
Let the scientists fight over whether eggs actually increase cholesterol or coffee is a must drink super bean. There is so much back and forth it’s ridiculous and infuriating. I say absorb the info and then make your own decisions based on how your body feels.
What’s soothing my soul at the moment is a blend of raw, vegan, non dairy eating with some eggs and an occasional night out for sushi (raw fish). Meat isn’t quite out of my life yet. I just can’t give up sashimi! Loads more to come on my transition into more raw, vegan living!
Next Up: Video Interview with raw food expert Natalie Lussier the Raw Food Witch.
What are some of your unique dietary needs and how have they evolved with your ever changing lifestyle? I’d love to hear what works for you!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
This is so true, Amber! If we were to try and keep up with all the “recent studies” or listen to what new thing science is discovering is “good for us” or “bad for us”, we’d be doing nothing but trying new fads and ignoring the most informational and most scientifically sound of them all: our own body!
When I was 17 and started learning about fitness, I quickly discovered that for every argument or “true” statement in the industry, there was an equally compelling counter argument! (This goes for diet as well as fitness training.)
My eventual solution was to figure out the unique way my body reacts to foods and workouts and use that as a guiding rule. And when I finally discovered that my body actually was so unique, it made me realize why there was such a huge disconnect in the fitness industry: everyone is trying to sell a magic pill, or a magic piece of information, that fits everyone. It’s simply not possible!
We have to listen attentively to our bodies and develop that mind-body connection. Only then will we be able to discover how to live in harmony with our mind, body, and nature.
@Raam- sounds like you have found what works for you! thanks for the lengthy comment and passion
I find that depending on my activity level, my nutritional needs will vary. The more in run, the more carbs I will crave. So pasta and veggies are great when I run 40+ miles per week. I also consume wheatgrass and electrolytes like crazy. These make me feel incredible and also help with the energy levels when running. Sushi is also a huge player for me.
absolutely Tom. Our bodies need different things depending on our energy needs and activities. I find when I am dancing a lot I can munch way more without feeling or seeing a difference. When I wasn’t as active, like during my travels, I had to rein in my appetite big time! Really hard when your body is used to expending a ton of energy for hours on end. I had to allow my mind and cravings catch up with my body.
So you’re a runner eh? Planning any marathons soon?
@admin I’ve been sticking to half marathons and below for races (last one I participated in was the Big Sur Half a couple months back). My goal this year is to run a marathon – thinking the Chicago marathon in October. Any races you suggest?
Watch your sushi and sashimi intake tuna accumulates toxic mercury in their flesh