Unsolicited BIG COMPANY feedback

 Aloha reader!

When I actively practiced as a nutritionist, I'd often come across 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 rebuilding the body with nutrient-dense foods, etc. Call me a dreamer, but I literally thought I could change the sports nutrition world :) If you go on YouTube, my alma mater, Bauman College, interviewed me in 2017 and you can check out my story in more depth.

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 businesses!

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! In addition, I always stayed in my lane, unlike a few annoying triathlon coaches (which my clients would often hire in addition to my services). Many would give the same ol 'eat 200-300 calories per hour recycled dumba$$ advice, even after reviewing my customized plan, which may vary from mainstream advice, if you’re looking at nutrition purely from a calorie perspective. As a professional, I would curse them in my head and gently guide my clients back to a harmonized approach, which worked for them. I often emphasized to clients it's incredibly important to focus on what you're eating around the clock, too!

Other than an obesssion with the bottom line (aka: greed!) and poor leadership, there is absolutely no reason why popular sports 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!

However you decide to fuel friends, enjoy your activities and don't take yourselves or your race too seriously! Taking your sports or nutrition too seriously will detract from other parts of your life, no doubt about it, especially in the longer distances you may compete.

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