This American's Eating Habits

"Don't use machines - Become one" -Crossfit NATO

Some people ask me how I maintain my lean figure and what I eat to fuel my workouts (coffee with coconut oil and heavy cream). Of course, genetics plays a role in my musculature, but genetics has nothing to do with my work ethic in the gym (though I workout a lot less than you probably think) or my discipline in the kitchen. I am constantly experimenting and trying new things to make myself stronger, healthier, and feel better. I do my best to refrain from passing judgement on something until I try it for myself. 

I am amazed at how often people say a diet or lifestyle doesn't work, without ever having tried it. I like to try the different philosophies of eating to see for myself how my body responds, and then apply the principles that work for me. I like to try different foods and those that I enjoy and see the most benefit from, I incorporate into my diet. 

I grew up on the standard high-carb, low-fat diet, and unfortunately, as a child I didn't know the different options nor did I have the desire to experiment with my food. In adulthood, I tried the ketogenic diet with great success, and since have followed a diet loosely based on this low-carb diet. The main noticeable advantage I see in the low-carb diet vs the high carb diet is mental clarity, stemming from lack of sugar crashes. 

At home, I eat very consistently low-carb. When I go out to eat, I pretty much throw caution to the wind and eat whatever, with the exception of limiting my sugar intake. I drink mainly water, coffee and tea, and an occasional glass of wine, but never sugary or sugar-free drinks. Below are some of the foods that I eat regularly, and though I often will try new foods and recipes, I always come back to eating these same foods as the base of my diet.

Base foods:

Spinach

Avocado
Zucchini
Celery
Cucumber
Tomato
Onion
Red Pepper

Blueberry
Raspberry
Kiwi
Lemon
Raisin
Banana

Full fat cheese
Whole milk

Coconut oil
Eggs (20+ per week)

Nuts (walnuts, almonds)

Dark chocolate (85%)

Protein powder 
Peanut butter
Honey

Ginger
Garlic
Cayenne pepper
Cinnamon
Turmeric
Rosemary
Black pepper

Salmon and tuna (all seafood really)
All meat (dark, fatty meat usually - ribs, chicken wings, jamon, bacon)

New foods I'm experimenting with:

Homemade bone broth (chicken, pork, and beef)
Sweet potatoes
Beef liver
Coconut flour
Almond flour

Spices (cardamom, cloves, cumin, laurel)

Foods I avoid buying:
Bread
Pasta
Rice
Potatoes
Lentils and beans
Sweets
Processed foods

Sample Menu:
Breakfast -1 bowl of bone broth, then a 2-egg omelet with spinach, avocado, red pepper, bacon, cheese, black pepper, cayenne pepper, turmeric, coconut oil.

Snack - Banana or kiwi and a coffee with milk.

Lunch - 2 hamburger patties with cheese, tomato, avocado, mustard, topped with 'spaghetti' zucchini.  Fruit for dessert.

Snack - "Ants on a log" (celery with peanut butter, topped with cinnamon and raisins).

Dinner - Cucumber-tomato salad with tuna, walnuts, raisins, feta cheese, black pepper, olive oil, and vinegar. Baked salmon with thyme, garlic, ginger, honey, hot sauce, and sea salt.

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I get plenty of questions regarding my cholesterol (because I eat a lot of eggs) and my high fat intake and how it affects me. The whole "cholesterol is bad for you" is a sham, and the government finally admitted it. At the end of the day, if my doctor says I'm healthy, I feel good and strong, and I enjoy the food I'm eating, high cholesterol means nothing and I will keep doing what I'm doing.

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