Want the Health of an Olympian? Eat Like One

Working out is the vessel we use for getting in shape and feeling great. That is only half of the equation, however. The other half consists of proper diet - eating clean and eating enough. Few know this as well as olympic athletes. health.com compiled five quick tips which will guarantee that your diet is on the right track.
 

Eat What You Need, Not What You Want
Some people use a cookie cutter method to eating - they eat the same foods and same amounts day in and day out. Nothing changes and it’s quite drab. Elite athletes tailor their food intake to their daily activity level. When they are training hard, they consume a lot of calories, and during times of lighter training, they consume fewer. This helps them to stay within the same weight range year round, unlike some athletes (bodybuilders, for instance) who put on weight during their off season. If you are not sure how many calories you should be eating, one way of finding out is by having your metabolism tested. Metabolism testing can provide invaluable information on exactly how many calories you should be taking in per day, which can help you plan meals and establish goals.

Put on Your Chef Hat
Cook your own meals. Home cooked meals, while not as convenient as tv dinners and fast food, can be made with fresh, healthy ingredients, eliminating the need for added preservatives, fats and such found in the aforementioned meal choices.

You are What You Eat
If you want to be lean, you have to eat clean. Make sure that your diet is rich in healthy carbs and protein, while staying away from things such as sugar, alcohol and fat.

Start Your Day Off Right
Your parents used to tell you all the time - breakfast is the most important meal of the day. They were absolutely right. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast is a sure fire way to get off to a good start. With breakfast being the first meal, you can afford to eat more, as you have the entire day to digest it before going to sleep. Complex carbs digest more slowly and will keep you fueled until lunch time.

Step on the Scale
Keep track of your weight. The scale is what will tell you whether or not you are in your target weight area. You don’t have to get on it daily (I usually do, though) but at least weekly. Try to weigh in at the same time of day each week.

Written by: Donnell Peavy