For many people, food is a form of entertainment. They eat for pleasure rather than function. Of course, bodybuilders and athletes consume quality calories that help them achieve specific goals. Sure food can taste good, and provide pleasure, but these 5%ers know that food serves critical functions in the body. We’ll explore these two extremes in this article, provide healthy food and beverage suggestions, and tell you which 5% Nutrition supplements can help.

Food As Fuel

There’s an entire industry of highly processed, unhealthy food that exists solely for pleasure and entertainment. However, the purpose of food is functional. The calories your body needs to survive come from the macronutrients you consume: protein, carbohydrates, and fats.

Fueling The Body

Carbohydrates are the body’s primary energy source. The body converts digested carbohydrates into glucose for immediate energy. Excess glucose is then converted into glycogen. When it comes to carbohydrate foods, the goal is to choose mostly slower-burning, lower glycemic carbs for sustained energy. Higher glycemic, faster-burning carbs are best used to fuel your workouts.^(1,2)

The Need For Protein

Protein is one of the main components of the body. It is necessary for hundreds, if not thousands, of daily bodily functions. Protein does not contribute as readily to fat gain as carbohydrates and fats. In terms of food as entertainment, protein is more of an afterthought. That’s because most foods of this type have little nutritional value and a ton of excess calories from sugary carbs and unhealthy fats.

In terms of protein as fuel, it is not a primary fuel source for the body, contrary to recent mainstream marketing. Protein can only be used for fuel in the absence of carbs and fats. It has more of a building role, not an energizing one.⁽³⁾

Why Some Foods Are Entertainment

This comes from the fact that highly processed, high-sugar, high-fat foods serve as a type of entertainment. Think of the TV food shows that glorify foods like this. In addition, there’s an entire industry devoted to junk food and fast food. Foods like this provide empty, non-nutritious calories.

High Glycemic Carbs

The body can only use so many carbs for energy needs, what it can’t store gets stored as fat. High glycemic, high-sugar carbs compound this problem. It’s easy to eat lots of high-glycemic carbs. That means extra calories that most likely end up as fat.

High-Fat Foods

Fat is calorie-dense at 9 calories per gram. Processed/junk/fast foods are high in unhealthy fats. The bottom line is that excess sugar and unhealthy fats lead to fat storage and contribute to poor health.

The Foods 5%ers Should Focus On

As bleak as this sounds, the average 5%er knows he or she should focus on clean, healthy foods. Rich believed in eating whole foods first, even before using supplements from his own supplement line. Foods like lean protein from beef, chicken, turkey, dairy, and fish. Clean carbohydrates from oats, brown rice, yams, and sweet potatoes. Also, healthy fats from fish, nuts, and seeds.

What About Beverages?

Common beverages such as soda and fruit juice contain excessive sugar. Water is your best bet. Hydration drinks are also OK. Other healthy beverages include low-fat milk, low-sugar milk alternatives, unsweetened tea, unsweetened coffee, and freshly squeezed orange juice. Homemade smoothies are also healthy options.⁽⁴⁾

Don’t Forget 5% Nutrition Supplements

Of course, the first step is to use 5% Nutrition powders such as Real Carbs, Real Carbs Rice, and Real Carbs + Protein. There’s also Shake Time, now with stunning new flavors, including Cookies and Cream and Birthday Cake! These powders are basically a meal in a glass. From there, All Day You May is a great intra-workout or all-day drink. For a delicious caffeine hit, try All Day You May Caffeinated. Also, don’t forget Hydrate Sticks for your workout hydration needs.

Recap

As you can see, eating with the mindset of food supporting your physique goals makes much more sense than making poor food choices. Why purposely choose unhealthy foods? Obviously, there’s no good reason. Rich believed in clean, healthy, whole-food meals. You should too. So make the right food choices and don’t forget 5% Nutrition!

Food - Fuel Or Entertainment?