Top 10 Basic Nutritional Guidelines

Back to basics. As a trainer, I am on my clients on a daily basis talking about nutrition. I have to because this is always the thing that holds people back from truly reaching their fitness goals. I see it all the time: people are strong in their workouts, but weak in the kitchen.

Remember those goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year? Well, I want you to look at that list and ask yourself if you’re doing everything you can to reach your fitness goals. Most of you will probably say no. So let’s get back to basics and refocus on why you made the decision to get fit in the first place.

Here are 10 Basic Nutritional Guidelines that everyone should follow on a daily basis:

1. Get used to the taste of food without dressings, sweeteners, etc. Ultimately you'll grow to like the natural taste of foods that you once thought tasted bland.

2. Try to eat more like a true vegetarian (i.e. the bulk of the diet should come from fruits, veggies, unprocessed and unbleached food). But don't get me wrong; I don't want you swearing off meat.

3. "Supplement" your unprocessed vegetarian-like diet with the high-protein foods such as chicken breast, lean meats, and fish.

4. Add healthy oils to your foods such as fish oil and milled flax seeds.

5. Drink only calorie-free beverages (green tea, water, etc.).

6. Unfortunately the worst foods usually are the most convenient and the most processed foods. Avoid eating for convenience alone. Stay away from any and all kinds of microwaveable dinners.

7. Avoid any easy-to-prepare breakfast foods (waffles, french toast, etc) as they're loaded with fattening trans-fatty acids.

8. Avoid products containing the ingredients or words "partially hydrogenated," "high fructose corn syrup," etc.

9. Avoid fast/fried food.

10. Avoid foods or meals that are high in both fat and carbohydrates.

It is not enough to adopt just 1 or 2 of the above. You have to commit yourself to make these changes. I hate to tell you, but if you can’t handle these simple guidelines, it will be tough to reach your fitness goals. So as Nike says: JUST DO IT!