#mattfitzgerald

Runners frequently ask me what they should eat before a race and my response is always the same: “Whatever you’ve been eating before your long runs and workouts.” But I’m not a sports nutritionist and that's about the extent of my advice. I'm always looking for ways to learn more, so I jumped at the chance to speak with certified sports nutritionist and acclaimed runner / author Matt Fitzgerald.  Matt has a new book coming out called Diet Cults and, as it turns out, we share a similar belief in proper eating (I’ve just never referred to myself as an “agnostic eater” before…) Here are some of the main points he had to share with me:

There isn’t one right way to eat 

If there’s one takeaway from the conversation with Matt, this is it. If anyone ever says their way is THE right way, you should probably run, not walk, away from that individual.  Matt advocates what he calls an “agnostic” approach to eating, meaning not adhering to any particular diet and eating what works for you.  Elite runners like Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher are “agnostic eaters.”  Look in their diet logs and you might find a burrito, a steak, or even pancakes (yes, wheat and carbs and everything!) You’ll also find balance and a whole lot of vegetables.

You cannot ever eat enough vegetables. 

Matt told me only 27% of Americans eat at least 3 servings of vegetables a day, and that 14% of the average American’s diet comes from sugar.

Yikes.  Pretty startling stats, but I’m not that surprised.  When I began thinking about my own diet I realized that the majority of my fruit and vegetable intake is done in the morning and night and a good day for me is just about 3 servings.  I’ll aim higher moving forward.

Stick to high quality food as much as possible 

We all know that fruits and vegetables are good for us and sugar is not.  As Matt put it, “The average 3rd grader knows how to eat healthy.” True, but the problem is that there are so many books coming out these days claiming “This new diet will work for you!” and we forget.

Fad diets CAN work

In his most surprising disclosure, Matt told me, “Diet cults are sustainable for certain people. It actually makes it easier when you can invest your whole personality into a way of eating even if it is extreme.” It does make sense though. It’s almost as if by adhering to the “laws” of a Paleo diet, for instance, you constantly have an excuse to NOT eat certain foods.  You don’t have to say “I’m not eating that piece of pizza.” Instead you can say, “The Paleo diet tells me not to eat that piece of pizza.” The diet is just holding you accountable.  (Matt doesn’t necessarily dislike or like Paleo diets, he just recognizes that it’s one —and not the only—way to live a healthier lifestyle.)

Set a goal

If you’re a runner, you’re probably pretty good at following a plan, so set diet goals for yourself. For example, try eating 3-4 servings of vegetables a day 4 days a week. Start small.  When you accomplish that goal, up the ante a bit and make it 6 servings of vegetables.  By the time you’re eating 6 servings of vegetables a day, I’d almost guarantee that the quality of your overall diet has gone up and you’re feeling better about the foods you’re putting in your body. And that’s not a “diet,” that’s a lifestyle.

For more information on Matt Fitzgerald, you can go to his website.

His new book, Diet Cults will be available in May 2014.