What martial artists should eat

Every so often someone will ask me for dietary advice, either because I'm an exercise physiologist or because I am a martial arts teacher.  I guess they figure those two domains of education and practice make me an expert or something.  Folks will ask me what I think of some particular diet, like Atkins, or what I think of a particular suppliment, like creatine.  Some folks assume that because I'm a martial artist, I must be a zen guru and therefore vegetarian.

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So I thought I'd post my professional opinion (from both professions - physiologist and martial artist).  I try to be Flexitarian, A.K.A. Omnivorous - but within the general guidelines espoused by Michael Pollan in his excellent books.  And if you are at the stage of your life that you are interested in eating sanely, Pollan's books might help you too.

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Pollan's basic thesis is that we should, "Eat (real) food, mostly plants, and not too much."  If that general plan sounds pretty good to you and you want more details, Pollan's book, Food Rules provides great guidelines.  If you want more than the basic guidelines, you might enjoy In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto.

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Either way, These books describe my philosophy of nutrition, which I suppose you could call something like, "Read Pollan and eat sanely" (the RPES diet plan).

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Patrick Parker is a Christian, husband, father, martial arts teacher, Program Director for a Cardiac Rehab, and a Ph.D. Contact: mokurendojo@gmail.com or phone 601.248.7282 木蓮

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