Unsolicited BIG COMPANY feedback

 Aloha reader!

When I actively practiced as a nutritionist, I'd often encounter clients who were literally drowning and damaging their guts with Gu gels and other garbage ingredient nutrition products. A basic premise I learned in my 2014-2015 nutrition studies, resulting from science-supported takeaways, is that “inflammation is at the root of all disease/illness", which clearly didn't align (and still doesn't) with mainstream sports nutrition advice.

At one point, I dubbed my brand of nutrition counseling as "therapeutic sports nutrition", which, in part, referred to both fueling and rebuilding the body with nutrient-dense foods, etc. Call me a dreamer, but I literally thought I could change the sports nutrition world.

I was always very careful when crafting client recommendations and promoting my business to not ‘bad mouth' any brands, including my social media accounts -> I always wanted to promote positivity. As part of my nutrition coaching philosophy, I am also a realist and knew what was available on the race course... and sometimes, as my East Coast client, John, would say "Red Bull gives him wings" the last 5k of an Ironman - I’d respond: “go for it, John!”. Truth is, despite many common sports products not having the best ingredients for ideal long-term health of your body, there is a time & place for them! I can’t tell you how delicious, satisfying and energizing an ice cold coke is when you are tearing through the last 10k of an Ironman or a frosted cold brew tastes in the middle of a 100-mile hot bike ride!

On the note of imperfect foods & beverages (meaning: high sugar content and/or heavily processed), I learned to incorporate a level of joy with food and beverage in my own training fuel plan and most definitely ate some yummy baked goods (& encouraged my clients to do the same!).

When properly timed to the effort and goal your activity, local treats, like fresh apple pie, available on your training ride/run route can not only serve to fuel your activity, but can be a tasty way to support local business.

As a strategy, even with incredibly competitive clients, I never coached perfection in diet and if I fully re-open my practice again, I still won't - it’s definitely not my style. If you'd like proof, interview any of my previous clients. Also, I often emphasized to clients it's incredibly important to focus on what you're eating around the clock, too! It's not just about what you're consuming for the training session or on race day, but it's your everyday diet that ultimately affects your performance and ideal body composition.

Other than an obesssion with the bottom line (aka: greed!) and poor leadership, there is absolutely no reason why popular sports nutrition companies have products which still contain primarily brain-toxic ingredients (and yes, I'm looking at you, Gatorade & Clif Bar!) when I've seen other companies step up their game, not expand as quickly, but keep growing within their principles & led with leaders, who have integrity.

As a self-declared 'numbers' woman, I performed a sugar analysis over a decade ago at what Ironman.com published as the “perfect fuel plan”… which included at least a pound of sugar.. still listing (archaic) cereal as a 'race day' breakfast item. Almost comical to me! Every time I was able to help a client detox from their 3am bagel on race day, it felt like a win. Some even set an alarm to wake up, eat and get back up for their race breakfast... 

However you decide to fuel friends, enjoy your activities and don't take yourselves or your race too seriously! Taking your sports and/or nutrition too seriously will detract from other parts of your life, no doubt about it, especially in the longer distances you may compete. I've seen a lot of disordered eating result from an obsession in either area... it can be a slippery slope for endurance athletes. 

On a funny note/solution for all of the garbage foods still for sale… well, maybe we donate/distribute them and completely halt production on making more…. Or maybe you have better ideas, reader? Please, comment below!

Be well & may you fuel yourself and loved ones responsibly, tastefully & gratefully,

Heidi