I don’t know of any other subject in our industry that is more confused, twisted and all together molested than the subject of nutrition. Honestly it makes a very simple subject quite complex and intimidating. Nutrition is also a very intimate part of our lives so there is a lot of validity as to the necessity to customize it person to person while keeping in mind what is important. Will power, likes and dislikes, personal schedules, and even food allergies are just some of the valid reasons a “one size fits all” approach is doomed to failure. Nourishment, weather for our physique or strength goals, is not nearly as complicated as one might think. Avoid these very common mistakes while customizing your nutrition to your life and with enough time, you’ll be well on your way to achieving and maintaining your physique goals. [Read more…]
The Elephant in the Room: Emotional & Other “Non-Physiological” Reasons for Eating- Part 1
Imagine this…
You’re at the office, cranking diligently away on an intense project that was just assigned to you and your division. You look up, and glance over at one of your teammates, only to see him staring blankly at the wall, totally lost in trance.
You’d say to yourself, “How lazy! We have so much work to get done and here I am working my ass off, while he’s just sitting over-there twiddling his thumbs!” [Read more…]
“Good Question!” – Are Flexible Dieting and Accurate Food Tracking Mutually Exclusive?
Welcome to our “Good Question!” series, where we answer the best questions from the 3DMJ community in blog format. Today, I’ll be answering the question, “I went to a lecture on metabolism and food tracking, and learned everything is variable and full of errors. [Read more…]
“Thinning the Skin”: Fish Oil Supplementation By Steve Taylor R.D.
Before we go any further, I should probably clarify my little “Thinning the skin” joke. Unfortunately, fish oil does not thin our skin (although the omega-3 fatty acids present in fish may help to thin our blood by reducing platelet aggregation). [Read more…]
Whey vs. Casein: The Protein Powder Showdown
When you think of protein powder, what are the first two “types” that come to your mind? For many, it’s whey and casein protein. Why is that?
Recovery Diet > Reverse Diet
“I blew my reverse diet”
“This time I plan to be strict with my reverse diet right”
How many times have you heard this come out of a competitor’s mouth regarding their last attempt to “reverse out” of a show? [Read more…]
Understanding the Glycemic Index: Carbohydrate Digestion & Absorption By Steve Taylor, R.D.
The glycemic index is one of those things, which at least in name, many of us are familiar with. However, when it comes to the actual understanding of its workings, things can get a bit confusing. What is the glycemic index? What factors affect the digestion and absorption rate of carbohydrates? What are the practical applications? [Read more…]
Degrees of Nutritional Adherence – Accuracy, Flexibility, and Consistency
One of the most common false dichotomies that physique athletes believe is they are “ either on their diet” or “off their diet”. Many believe they are being “good” or “bad” depending on their nutritional choices at any given meal during any time of year.
“Negative” Calorie Foods? By Steve Taylor, R.D.
For years, there have been not only claims, but entire diets based around the philosophy that certain foods such as: celery, cucumber, lettuce, citrus fruits, etc. result in a negative energy balance when consumed. The theory, is that eating enough of these foods will help one to “burn-fat”, [Read more…]
The Inclusive Vs Exclusive Mindset – Going Beyond IIFYM
If you’ve ever heard me discuss nutrition, you’ve heard me caution against a “clean and dirty/good and bad” outlook on food. You’ve heard me say there are no “bad” foods that measurably harm you or your goals if consumed, regardless of the frequency of their consumption, their dose consumed, or the composition of the rest of your diet. [Read more…]