Starting Strength Coach Grant Broggi explains common diet myths that get in the way of people losing weight. He explains a better approach to weight loss. This is a clip from The Okay Podcast EP 022.
Understanding Nutritional Needs for Starting Strength
When it comes to fueling for strength training, especially for beginners, many lifters struggle with what to eat. The goal is to find a balance that supports muscle growth and energy without leading to unwanted fat gain.
Common Misconceptions About Eating for Strength
A frequent issue is that many people are unsure about the right foods to eat to support their strength training goals. They understand what foods to avoid—like junk food and overly processed snacks—but often get stuck when it comes to what they should be eating.
The Role of Macronutrients
For effective strength training, a balanced intake of protein, fats, and carbohydrates is crucial. While there's some debate about the necessity of carbohydrates, they remain important for energy, especially for those new to lifting. It's possible to follow low-carb diets like the carnivore diet, but it generally makes the process more challenging.
Practical Advice: Food Logging
One effective strategy is to maintain a food log. This doesn't mean obsessing over calories but rather developing an awareness of what you're consuming. For example, a meal that seems healthy, like chicken wings without sides, can still be calorie-dense if it’s paired with excessive amounts of dressing or sauce.
Conclusion
Ultimately, understanding what and how much to eat requires paying attention to one's diet and making adjustments based on activity level and training intensity. Keeping a food log can be an insightful tool to help lifters make more informed dietary choices.