Nutrition
Nutrition has been my focus of late, mainly due to the desire to reduce my fat content and become leaner and hopefully meaner as the saying goes. I invested in a set of a kitchen scales and really started paying attention to what I am eating, trying to eat better foods and the right amount of them.
During my sailing days we had numerous lectures on sports nutrition but it is a bit different sailing as you’re out on the water for 5 hours a day at the very least so you needed more complex carbohydrates as opposed to simple carbohydrates. For those of you who don’t know, the difference is that complex carbohydrates release energy slowly over a period whereas simple carbohydrates release them quickly.
One of the immediate things I noticed when I started weighing my food is how little you need to reach the recommended allowance of 2000!! I have unscientifically set my target at 2200 calories but tend to fluctuate by about 200 either way.
The key dietary change so far has been reducing the amount of frozen food I buy and replacing it with proper food. Instead of buying turkey burgers and chicken dippers I have bought more proper meat in the form of chicken breast and pork chops. It surprised me how you have fewer calories from proper meat but you get so much more out of those calories in terms of protein and carbohydrates than you do from frozen processed meats.
Also, I have started eating more potatoes and rice in place of frozen chips and occasionally subbing vegetables for beans. But let’s face it, beans are awesome!
In the morning I have switched to porridge for most of the days of the week instead of a sugar cereal and if I am riding to work throw a banana in the mix. I will generally have cereal or jam toast at the weekends.
Nutrition has been my focus of late, mainly due to the desire to reduce my fat content and become leaner and hopefully meaner as the saying goes. I invested in a set of a kitchen scales and really started paying attention to what I am eating, trying to eat better foods and the right amount of them.
During my sailing days we had numerous lectures on sports nutrition but it is a bit different sailing as you’re out on the water for 5 hours a day at the very least so you needed more complex carbohydrates as opposed to simple carbohydrates. For those of you who don’t know, the difference is that complex carbohydrates release energy slowly over a period whereas simple carbohydrates release them quickly.
One of the immediate things I noticed when I started weighing my food is how little you need to reach the recommended allowance of 2000!! I have unscientifically set my target at 2200 calories but tend to fluctuate by about 200 either way.
The key dietary change so far has been reducing the amount of frozen food I buy and replacing it with proper food. Instead of buying turkey burgers and chicken dippers I have bought more proper meat in the form of chicken breast and pork chops. It surprised me how you have fewer calories from proper meat but you get so much more out of those calories in terms of protein and carbohydrates than you do from frozen processed meats.
Also, I have started eating more potatoes and rice in place of frozen chips and occasionally subbing vegetables for beans. But let’s face it, beans are awesome!
In the morning I have switched to porridge for most of the days of the week instead of a sugar cereal and if I am riding to work throw a banana in the mix. I will generally have cereal or jam toast at the weekends.
Peanut Butter Jelly Time
The worst thing for going over the calorie budget is snacking! I generally don’t tend to snack that much but sometime I need something to tide me over between lunch and dinner or dinner and bed. It is generally common knowledge that crackers with some peanut butter are a good snack to fill you up. The only problem is that I absolutely hate nuts! Whenever I am offered something with nuts in, I turn it down and usually face the question “are you allergic?” To which I have to explain I’m not allergic, I just despise the taste.
I decided to buy small tub of peanut butter at the weekend and I will attempt to convert myself if not learn to tolerate the taste for the huge nutritional benefits. I ate a small finer lick yesterday and I am already regretting the challenge I have placed upon myself!
Coming soon
In other news, the Stinger duathlons is only a few weeks away and I should hopefully be taking possession of my new bike this week!! I am looking forward to getting the bike and putting it through its paces.
More on the new bike in the next post!
The worst thing for going over the calorie budget is snacking! I generally don’t tend to snack that much but sometime I need something to tide me over between lunch and dinner or dinner and bed. It is generally common knowledge that crackers with some peanut butter are a good snack to fill you up. The only problem is that I absolutely hate nuts! Whenever I am offered something with nuts in, I turn it down and usually face the question “are you allergic?” To which I have to explain I’m not allergic, I just despise the taste.
I decided to buy small tub of peanut butter at the weekend and I will attempt to convert myself if not learn to tolerate the taste for the huge nutritional benefits. I ate a small finer lick yesterday and I am already regretting the challenge I have placed upon myself!
Coming soon
In other news, the Stinger duathlons is only a few weeks away and I should hopefully be taking possession of my new bike this week!! I am looking forward to getting the bike and putting it through its paces.
More on the new bike in the next post!
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