Maybe you've asked yourself "Is a Vegan diet right for me?" Maybe you're a Vegan already. And that's OK... we all make mistakes; let's talk about it.
Let's take a look at why Veganism may not be ideal for many people. IMO, the main issues are that it is difficult to achieve balanced nutrition on a vegan diet, especially if you are strength training. That doesn't mean it's all bad... I do agree with reducing dairy, eating less processed foods, staying hydrated, eating more veggies, staying alkaline, more fiber, etc...but I do suggest caution with such an extreme/restrtictive approach. It may be better to take what works and leave the rest (what some call being a "flexitarian").
Here are some of the main issues with a vegan diet:
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Now what about DR and those YouTubers who suggest high carb, low fat, low protein diets and lots of cardio? Check out these links to learn the real issues with excessive cardio:
Also remember, there are NO essential carbohydrates, but there are essential amino acids (protein), and essential fatty acids (in fat). If we stopped eating ALL fat, we die. If we stopped eating ALL protein, we also die. But we can live without carbs.
I'm not suggesting to stop eating all carbs... just making a point that your body can function without them. In fact, FAT is a far more efficient fuel source. Find out why at the links below (interesting shit!):
Every health organization on the planet agrees that consuming enough vegetables and fruit in your diet is paramount to maintaining good health. Canada’s Food Guide recommends eating between 5 and 10 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. There’s a good reason for this: vegetables and fruits are among the most nutrient dense foods available, and contain important health-promoting and cancer-preventing anti-oxidants, as well as vitamins and other essential nutrients.
So all we have to do is consume close to 10 servings of fresh vegetables and fruit each and every day and we’re well on our way to drastically improving our health and longevity... that’s great! However, as you and I both know, that is easier said than done. Most of us eat nowhere near that many servings of these vital food groups, and when we do it’s often over-processed, over-cooked, or (unless you live near a farm) we have no idea how fresh it is. Even if you do make an effort to stock your fridge with plenty of vegetables every week, how many of you have ended up throwing a lot of it away after several days because it’s gone bad before you could eat it? It takes discipline to incorporate these foods into your regular diet.
In addition, if you are trying to lose weight, or managing diabetes, then you may need to monitor and reduce the amount of fruit you consume, because fruit (especially fruit juice) is loaded with fructose, which is a simple sugar that can lead to weight-gain and negatively affect insulin. In this case, how are you going to get the nutrition you need from these foods?
Many look to vitamin and mineral supplements to fill the nutritional gap in their diets. However, these nutrients do not absorb very well in pill form, and they are missing most of the important micronutrients, plant enzymes, and phytochemicals that you would get from eating the whole food. So basically, you are not getting the same necessary nutrition, and the vitamins and minerals you do get from most supplements are not very bio-available (your body won’t use them efficiently). Most of us are not suffering from a vitamin deficiency... we are suffering from a “whole food” deficiency.
So what can we do about this?
As a personal trainer I’ve worked with hundreds of clients, many of whom have struggled with getting enough vegetables and fruit in their diet. My focus has always been on getting the nutrition you need from real food sources, but in this case I understood that a supplement would be a great benefit for most people. After trying various “greens” products, and reading ALOT about multi-vitamin supplements, I was finally introduced to a product called Juice Plus+ by a friend of mine in the health and fitness industry.
Juice Plus+ is different in that it is a whole food supplement, simply containing the concentrated nutrition extracted from “whole” fruits and vegetables, reduced to powder form, and put in capsules. It’s not isolated vitamins and minerals like other products, or an exotic super-food powder... it’s just fresh, raw, whole fruits and vegetables, which is just what we all need.
The main thing that I liked about this nutritional product is that it is the ONLY one I found on the market that actually has legitimate scientific research demonstrating its effectiveness! Juice Plus+ has been the subject of several clinical studies performed at reputable universities and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals world-wide. Check out this research and other information about this supplement on my website at http://www.stayfitwithjuiceplus.com/ .
It’s worth looking into, because it’s important to know what you’re putting in your own body.
The second thing I really appreciated about Juice Plus+ is that when the fruits and vegetables were dehydrated into powder form, most of the sugar was removed along with the water. This makes it an excellent choice for diabetics and those struggling with weight control! You can now get the necessary nutrition from fruit without worrying about the sugar.
Because I am a fitness expert with a strong web presence, every week I am contacted by many supplement companies and invited to sell various nutritional products. Some of these other products may be beneficial in some way, but I am not comfortable promoting a product that does not have solid research behind it. I also just don’t see myself as a “supplement-sales” kind of guy. And as I said, my focus is on getting the nutrition you need from whole food sources. This is why Juice Plus+ is the only nutritional supplement that I chose to endorse.
As you may already know, I am a strong advocate of consuming enough fruits and vegetables in your diet (especially vegetables). The reasons for this are extensive and include:
Disease prevention
Boosting immune function
Maintaining a healthy bodyweight
Supporting athletic performance
High in anti-oxidants
Much, much more....
But I also recognize that it can be difficult to get the recommended 7 to 10 servings every day, which is why I suggest making Juice Plus+ a regular part of your nutrition plan. In fact, this is the only nutritional supplement I am personally a distributor for at present, and I've been offered to promote any number of supplements!
I really believe it is important to cover the basics first when it comes to nutrition, before investing in other supplements. For example, I would first make sure you are eating the right amounts of whole foods in the correct balance. Then I would incorporate Juice Plus (as a fruit and vegetable concentrate), fish oil, and vitamin D. Only then might I suggest using whey protein, Branched Chain Aminos, or other supplements such as creatine, depending on a client's goals and needs.
It doesn't make sense to take supplements for performance enhancement or fat loss if you aren't already consuming the essential nutrients your body needs to maintain good health!
If you are not currently consuming at least 7 servings of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables every day, do yourself a favor and check out this site for more info:
Watch the videos and read the studies... you'll understand how this product is different from your typical multi-vitamins. After you check out the website and the video I'd like to hear your feedback:
Do you already use Juice Plus?
What other supplements have you taken in the past in order to maintain good health?
Do you believe that you eat enough fruits and vegetables?
Do you have any tips or tricks to increase your consumption of these important foods?
Do you have any related questions?
I look forward to hearing from you!
Stay Fit,
Josh Hewett
Btw, I have the next couple of posts ready for you, which will include an article on Fat Loss Tips from Craig Ballantyne, some info on Overtraining from Mike "The Machine", a quick summary of my trip to the Arnold Fitness Expo in Ohio, and a few important health tips I'm sure you'll appreciate!
