What's good for pro athlete is good for us, too
Carmelo Anthony is a high-performance athlete who needs more protein and healthy carbohydrates than the average person to stay on top of his game, but aspects of his eating plan would be good for the rest of us, says Beth Danowsky, registered dietitian at Forza Fitness and Performance Club, 1849 Curtis St.
It all comes down to choices, she says.
People trying to lose weight should eat more fresh and frozen vegetables and high-quality proteins at every meal and snack. Similarly, they should decrease the amount of carbohydrates they get from breads, pastas, pastries and other baked goods.
And don't think you have to eliminate all fats, she says. "Healthy fats from things like avocados, nuts, flaxseed and olive oil are actually very good for a person and should be consumed daily."
She also recommends eliminating trans fats, hydrogenated oils and high-fructose corn syrup. "You wouldn't put a harmful substance like molasses into your gas tank, so why would you put things like that into your body?" Danowsky says. "It's not the most efficient fuel and will eventually cause your 'engine' to shut down," from such ailments as heart disease and diabetes.
Forza is building a kitchen and will soon be offering meals to clients. In the meantime, it is having Three Tomatoes catering make breakfast and lunch items that patrons can pick up after a workout. Tofu quiche and breakfast burritos made from egg whites, vegetable salads and wraps are among the items that provide the 10 grams of high-quality protein the typical adult needs within 30-45 minutes after an intense workout.
"The ingredients in the foods are functional — nothing has been added for flavor's sake," Danowsky says. "We've tried our best to balance the carbohydrate-to- protein ratio so the body maximally absorbs the energy from the food for optimal recovery."
