It’s been said for years, and we’ll say it again, “you can’t out-exercise a bad diet.” What you need is the right meal plan. Health is made up of two equal parts: diet and exercise, and you need to have both honed in and working cohesively together to maximize your results. Eating right is arguably more important than the right workout plan because food is fuel and what we put in our bodies affects our appearance, our mood, and so much more.
Nutrition Benefits on the Body
We are what we eat. If we eat junk food, we feel like crap. If we eat clean, whole foods, we feel energized and happy. Those who do not have a “balanced” nutrition plan are prone to disease, infection, fatigue, and low performance.”
According to WHO (World Health Organization), eating a balanced and nutritious diet helps to “protect you against many chronic non-communicable diseases, including heart disease,” which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Many people have no meal plan at all and therefore eat whatever, whenever, putting themselves at greater risk.
Some benefits of eating a healthy meal plan include but are not limited to:
- A healthy heart
- Slow down the process of aging
- Stronger bones
- Better mood
- Better hormone regulation
- Decreased stress
- Stronger immune system
- Improved gut health
- Decreased risk of diabetes
- Improved cognitive function
Eating a healthy diet will also help you achieve and maintain your aesthetic goals. It will help you to feel better mentally, too. The gut is said to be our second brain, and it’s susceptible to what we put in it. Eating well can help to alleviate fatigue and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Nutrition Benefits for Fitness
We know you love to train hard, so you need to fuel right. When you miss a meal or eat poorly, it’ll reflect in your energy levels at the gym. It’s essential to eat a protein-dense diet, especially if you’re looking to lean out and stay fuller longer. Protein is perhaps the most critical of the macronutrients and is recommended to be consumed every meal, even for your snacks when possible. Maintaining a proper diet will help you achieve your specific goals of packing on muscle, staying lean, or losing any unwanted weight.
The 80/20 Rule
Eating clean doesn’t have to mean sacrificing everything you love. In fact, that can lead to binge eating. There is something known as the 80/20 rule. Following this rule in principle is simple; it means sticking to the value of eating clean, organic, whole foods 80% of the week and enjoying some treats 20% of the week. This balance is enough to keep you in line with your short and long-term goals and allow you to feel less like you’re being punished, and instead lets you focus on enjoying it.
Conclusion
Remember, the best kind of diet is one that you can stick with. Following a diet that is a fad or one that worked for someone else tends to lead to failure. Every person’s biological makeup is unique, and so are your aesthetic goals. Your diet needs to be tailored to you personally, and never copy/paste someone else’s calorie goals or meal plan. Find what works for you, and it will be a lot easier to be consistent with your plan.
