by Cliff Smith

What you eat has an enormous impact on how well you perform each day.  A healthy diet supports metabolic processes and supplies your body with the energy required for peak performance.  To be in good shape, you need the right fuel.  This means avoiding junk food cravings for sugary, salty, or fatty foods.  Eating mindlessly, when stressed or bored, can lead to low energy and an unhealthy body.  It’s best to “eat with a purpose”, which is to fuel the body.

One of the fitness and nutrition experts we look to for advice is Dr. Reuben K. Chen, MD.  He recommends a healthy diet based on this macronutrient ratio:

• 30% Fats for flavor, fullness, and brain food.

• 30% Carbohydrates to fuel workouts and supply energy.

• 40% Protein to help muscles grow and repair, while supporting mental and physical energy.

This ratio of carbohydrates may be lower than people are used to, but a focus on complex carbs from vegetables and grains is better than taking in simple carbs from sugary foods.  Since carbohydrates are the main energy source for the body, the more complex they are, the better.  Complex carbohydrates, like vegetables and whole grains, contain fiber, which helps you feel full while maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

Fats have many benefits, especially those rich in Omega-3’s.  Fats are not all bad, and, in fact are essential for developing a healthy body.  However, they need to be healthy fats.  The human brain consists of 60% fat.  Fatty acids are crucial for determining the brain’s ability to perform.  Healthy fats from foods like avocado, nuts, and olives are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not always easy to be sure you are following a perfectly balanced diet.  That’s why we rely on Sunrider whole food concentrates for convenience to get optimal amounts of macronutrients and create a perfectly balanced body.