Fuel for the athlete

with Ben Greenfield

Athletes seek to maximize their performance, often at the expense of their long-term health and longevity. Ben, a former bodybuilder, is an ironman triathlete, speaker, and author who understands how to nourish the body for both peak results and optimal health. He has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Idaho in sports science and exercise physiology. Ben coaches and trains individuals for general health, longevity, weight loss, lean muscle gain, holistic wellness, and sports performance–using a real food protocol.

Says Ben, “I love getting fit, feeling good about the way my body looks, and fulfilling my deep-seeded drive to live life to the fullest by achieving difficult feats of physical performance. But I was fed up with feeling like crap from all the extreme exercising, strange foods, feeling of constant stress and soreness, and worry about the toll my hectic lifestyle was taking on my body. So I have found a way of training, eating and living that is perfectly healthy and natural, but still allows me to look, feel and perform at my peak capabilities.”

As a consultant to many athletes, Ben has noticed a trend of acne, digestive issues, and adrenal issues that plague those who fuel their bodies with what Ben calls “franken fuels.” In today’s episode, he contrasts popular sports drinks, gels, and bars with the real fuel the athlete needs to turbocharge their performance without sacrificing gut health. He gets into the science of how various proteins, fats, and carbs work in our bodies. He talks about his own sweet spot of carb/protein/fat percentages and what foods he recommends for everyone to include in their diet. You will be fascinated by what he has to say and will want to apply it to your own diet, training, and lifestyle.

Notes

In today’s episode you will hear:

Ben’s story- what got him into the fitness field, what he learned from his bodybuilding years, and why he believes real food is key for real results
why overly processed foods are not helpful to the elite athlete
what makes up “frankenfuels” and what does not
why so many athletes sacrifice longevity and gut health for performance
the damage done by fructose and maltodextrin (ingredients in many sports bars/gels)
the effects of caffeine on the central nervous system
why so many athletes are suffering from acne, joint pain, and gut problems
the books that motivate Ben
alternatives to the packaged sports drinks, bars, and gels
how to travel light, even with real food, in competition
the top snack foods Ben recommends
the specific benefits of chia seeds and macadamia nuts, coconut oils and more
the benefit of high sat fat and ketones
why Ben believes athletes “bonk” or get fatigued (it’s not from a lack of sugar)
the benefits of pemmican (a rendered Native American fat)
why gut and adrenal issues are so prevalent among athletes
the aging caused by excessive protein
the dangers of a low-fat, high protein diet
how one source of gut distress is improper preparation of beans and lentils
the problems with too much exercise, inadequate calorie intake, and not enough emphasis on recovery methods like meditation and adequate sleep
Ben’s personal sweet spot – percentages of fat, protein, and carbs
how his own body suffered when he followed the “carb loading” diet often recommended for elite athletes
the issues that come with going too low-carb
The surprising “one thing” that he recommends people should do to improve their health