The Daily Diet: Food for a traceur

What many traceurs don't realise about Parkour is that exercise and fitness are not the only things required to achieve Parkour immortality: An aspiring traceur must have a proper diet as part of his lifestyle and daily practise, or else his/her skills will soon amount to nothing. Of course, dieting does NOT mean cutting down on what you eat – it actually means eating more of the healthy foods out there. To put it as simply as possible, it all comes down to eating natural, unrefined foods whenever you can – fruits, vegetables, fish, some meat, etc – and maintaining good levels of hydration. You don’t need to analyse everything you eat with a magnifying glass – just be sensible, aim for a balance of the good stuff, and avoid the refined sugars, too much fat, and unnecessary additives and chemicals. This will provide you with the daily diet your body needs in order to be able to train hard and long for many years to come.

BREAKFAST

A hearty breakfast is indeed the key to a fresh start. Whether you're going out for a morning practice run, need to study and cram for a science exam, or simply want to feel energetic and revitalized during the day, you need to start it off with a nutritious breakfast. This means throwing out waffles, pancakes, and most cereals in the morning; the aim is to start out by stocking up on healthy foods. Don't be afraid to cram more fruit onto your plate. Never hesitate for that extra glass of orange juice. If you need it, go for it. You can't get too healthy! Some examples of healthy morning foods include:

·        Yogurt - provides calcium, only 40 grams of sugar for a jumpstart to the day, and a low 240 calories (per 8 ounces)

·        Orange Juice - You can't get enough Vitamin C, and preferably buy orange juice with the pulp, also with added calcium (in case you don't like yogurt too much).

·        Strawberries - This tasteful fruit is rich in Vitamin A, C, Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorous, and Foliate. All of these are healthy, nutritious ingredients that create a keen mind and able body.

·        Peanut Butter Sandwich - It may not sound like much, but the protein and carbohydrates in even one slice of bread with peanut butter is enough to keep you alive and kicking during those arduous morning classes.

Hint: Try some celery sticks as a morning snack. The Sodium and Vitamin C will help support you throughout the entire day.

LUNCH

If possible at all, bring your own lunch to school. You do not want to put your own health into the hands of school cafeterias. Remember, pizza, hot dogs, and hamburgers are acceptable once in a while, but do NOT over-eat them, because they will make you fat, ugly, lazy, lacking in vitality and easy to tire. An example of a good lunch might include:

·        Chicken/Turkey Sandwich - Folks, every time I have a chicken sandwich I feel amazing half an hour after I eat it. Eat this with lettuce, cucumbers, and mushrooms, and you will get a good bunch of vitamins and minerals which will set you up for a positive afternoon.

·        Green Vegetables – Incredible source of vitamins and iron, very good for the blood and overall health. Spinach is always a good side for your lunch, due to it being rich in Sodium, Calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Carbohydrates. Aim for a minimum of three helpings of vegetables every day.

·        Grapes - There's nothing like a side of red or green grapes with your fulfilling sandwich. Grapes provide large amounts of Carbohydrates, Vitamins A and C, Calcium, and Iron.

·        Gatorade/Vitamin Water - Drink one bottle with your lunch and you'll have the stamina to keep going through the day. Water keeps every bodily system flushed and working properly – dehydration is one of our worst enemies, and most people are dehydrated a great deal of the time without even knowing it. Remember that caffeine (coffee, cola etc) and alcohol actually dehydrate you. If in doubt, pure water is always the best option.

DINNER

Remember, class - steak is good, but too much of a good thing can be bad. The iron content of meat will eventually turn your skin yellow, and you will end up on the nasty end of a coronary. As a traceur you must cope with enough potentially dangerous situations as it is, so why add heart attacks to the list? Just remember to brush after dinner, and try not to drink soda with your meals. Just one example of a healthy evening meal:

·        Fish – A great source of protein, and the natural oils work wonders for your bones and joints.

·        Salad - Yes, it might be rabbit food, but a good leafy salad with croutons, vegetables, fruits, chicken, and a low-fat or non-fat dressing is a great way to end your day.

·        Pulses, Beans, Seeds, Nuts – All raw foods such as these contain enormous amounts of energy and nutrition. Eaten raw within salads, or thrown into stews or stir fries, these things are the stuff of life and bring real vitality to your whole system.

·        Apple Slices - Apples are a great source of Vitamin A, Phosphorous, Carbohydrates, and Potassium. Plus, they only hold around 81 calories. Any and all fruit is a bonus – preferably organic, and washed.

Finally, use your imagination! Clementine oranges are, for me, the best snack ever invented: I usually have four or five a day and it certainly has a very positive effect. There are so many ways to eat healthily, the choices are almost limitless and varied enough for everyone to find something they like.

If you are used to a diet of refined sugars and overpowering unnatural tastes, it may seem difficult to make the transition to a more natural, healthy menu every day – but once the toxins and additives are flushed from the system, you will find that healthy eating provides just as much a range of delicious tastes and enjoyable meals. And the results you will experience will blow your mind and keep you coming back for more.

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