Nutritional research reveals diets rich in plant-like foods offer a multitude of benefits to the wellbeing and longevity of the human body. A diet with a strong concentration of fruits and vegetables helps decrease metabolic syndromes, offers cancer fighting properties and supports proper balance of vitamins and minerals in the body. We are seeing more powdered “superfood” supplements on the market offering high amounts of probiotics, sugar balancing effects and anti-oxidants. The gut health and disease prevention effects these superfood supplements are vastly beneficial. However, foods that are right under our noses offer the same, if not better, outcomes if we simply eat more them. You can find these superfoods at your local grocery store for less than a dollar a pound. We call them fruits and vegetables. We teach our personal training clients in Napa that these are more beneficial than superfood supplements because of they are less expensive, offer the rawest effect of nutrient density in any food, and unless an asteroid hit the earth, we will never run out of veggies.
We see superfood supplements in the form of powdered green food concentrate, probiotic powder, collagen and other protein supplements being marketed to us. Local gyms, health practitioner offices and social media ads are sharing a new superfood product to consumers who are attracted to feeling healthier. While superfood supplements offer optimal benefits, what happens when they aren’t consumed on the recommended bases? How about when the purchasing source runs out of inventory? Or, worst case scenario, the product is recalled or discontinued?
When we look at how much these new “cutting edge” health supplements benefit you, we see a recurring trend circulating in the health food supplement fad, it’s challenging to sustain to get the real benefits. If health food supplements run out of stock on the shelf we got it from, the only people benefitting are the companies who make the product. Not our blood sugar concentration, gut health, or immune system. If there is an endless supply of superfood supplements available to you, I encourage you to reap the benefits and take the recommended amount. However, if this is not sustainable due to availability, finances, or some other barrier, perhaps it would be a better idea to try a more long-lasting approach. Enter the game of eating plant-like foods.
As life time fitness coaches in Napa, we receive inquiries about health food supplements when people train at our gym. We always recommend balance in the diet before turning to a supplement to achieve optimal health results from food. The first plan of attack is to look at what our clients currently eat in an average day for them. We can see if there is enough nutrient density and balance in their diet. A great lesson to start from is to coach the regular consumption of veggies, protein and carbohydrate in each meal. We coach that identifying aa good portion size is to use the palm of the hand as a measuring device. This means a palm full of “fruity” or “planty” carbohydrate, such as oats, fruit, or starchy veggies. Avoid the “bready” carbs. A palmful of protein such as eggs, nuts, or meat. A palmful of veggies such as salad, carrots to snack on, or creatively incorporated into your dish. Building balanced meals throughout your day with a healthy carbohydrate, protein and veggies at each meal will ensure you receive similar benefits to what superfood supplements offer. This way the body receives adequate protein for muscle repair, adequate carbohydrate for energy without insulin fluctuations, and enough veggies to offer probiotics, anti-inflammatories and nutrients to fend off disease.
A problem we see with supplements is the new “cutting edge” products that are offered by the gyms and other fitness professionals looking to sell products. While we can never discount the benefits health supplements offer, the supplement world is not for everyone. Finances and availability of the products will come and go, making it a challenge to adhere to consistently consuming the supplement. However, once the knowledge of how to consume nutrient dense foods is obtained, the awareness that we obtain from practicing healthy eating habits and identifying healthy foods will never cease. We just must remember that fruits, veggies, nuts and water are ever-present in our culture.
Supplement is defined as “something that completes something when added to it.” A foundation needs to be built first to supplement it to make it better. Perhaps we should build a strong foundation utilizing nutritional awareness of how much food to eat and identifying what foods to eat. Reinforce a strong foundation of consuming veggies, healthy carbs and adequate protein. After we master a strong foundation of nutritional awareness, we can start reinforcing the foundation with healthy supplements.
Sean McCawley, the founder and owner of Napa Tenacious Fitness in Napa, CA, welcomes questions and comments. Reach him at 707-287-2727, napatenacious@gmail.com or visit the website napatenaciousfitness.com.
