What WAS a strange occurrence it the fact that I decided that I wanted a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich too.
Now let's back up a bit...
I have been mostly following the Paleo for the Athlete style of eating for the last couple of months, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is not the ideal food choice, even if you eat it after a killer workout.
The last couple of weeks I just don't feel like I have my normal strength and power. I have also been struggling with carb binges and cravings. This has been playing with my head a bit. I even confessed to Dawn on Sunday's bike ride that I think I need to change things up a bit.
So back to yesterday. I made Lola her PB&J-all natty PB, quality strawberry jam on whole wheat bread. And then I made one for myself.
And it was amazing. Delish. Wonderful.
I love peanut butter and I could eat an entire jar easily in a week (but I don't).
Yesterday afternoon I had a couple wheat crackers with hummus.
Last night after dinner, I had a graham cracker with honey on it.
This morning I had steel cut oats for breakfast.
Today my training plan was a run followed by a swim.
I felt fantastic too.
My legs were strong even after a big week of workouts.
I am wondering if it is the fuel. The way I feel today leads me to believe it made a difference.
While I think the basis of the Paleo for the Athlete makes sense, I think I am going to add some grains back into my nutritional plan and see how things go. I don't know if it is a mental thing for me but I do know that my usually strong legs have been feeling a bit lackluster lately.
I have always been a big advocate of eating clean foods and of course, I am going to stick with those basic principles and keep the garbage out.
But I am going to add back in some oats and some whole grain breads.
The volume and intensity of my training plan kicks up next week AND on top of adding in some other classes and workouts for work, I really need to be able to keep strong.
Nutrition is such a personal thing and everyone responds differently so...
Let's see what happens!
21 comments:
oh snap,now i will have that song in my head the rest of the day!!!
probably a smart move adding back in SOME grains--do what feels right for YOU and listen to your body...
proud of you for embracing your athelticism and picking thigs up next week.
i am planning on kicking it up a notch too after this weekend....swim run bike run lift swim lift run bike run...swim!
heres to a great rest of the week chica!!!!
I have a PB & J pretty much every day for lunch when I'm training and I still have yet to get sick of it. It's the perfect fueling option before I head out for my afternoon run. On the weekends I have a PB with a little bit of honey on a slice of toast before I head out for my long runs, and again, can't mess with perfection! I wish you the best of luck figuring out what works for you!!!
I find I walk a think line between just enough carbs and way too many. I try to mainly concentrate on getting my protein in and the carbs seem to follow suit! I had never heard of the Paleo for Athletes and just checked out their website, still not sure about it! I definitely don't do well with wheat.
I love peanut butter & jelly! I hope you find the best food for energy so you can kick butt your training season!
Good luck! (The first go round I accidentally typed "Good lunch!" haha) I am a new follwoer of your blog, but after you mentioning Paleo I decided to look into it. I like the foundation and principles of the Paleo way of eating but agree with you about needing just a little bit of whole grain for fuel. I'm still not really sure what the Paleo adversion to whole grain is all about. Maybe you can enlighten me? :) Hope the change in diet really boosts your energy level!
My opinion: I think it would definitely be hard to get all the calories you need in a day to fuel and repair your body on the Paleo diet. Carbs are where we get our energy, and you can't get enough on Veggies and fruits alone (Protein doesn't have many carbs). I see nothing wrong with eating brown rice and beans for a different source of protein, as well as peanut butter. I think it's more about moderation than cutting out certain foods (besides junk food of course). Good luck on your journey!
Before I even read anything, the title had me singing the song and dancing in my chair, quite the site at work
Something I enjoy to make, is a PB&J wrap, replace the bread with a wheat tortilla wrap and if your adventures, put a banana in it
Sometimes you just gotta have a PB&J. I put PB and J on a banana the other day, no bread, just that, to die for yummy!!!
I love how you try things and then adjust to what works for you.
I have friends on the Paleo diet and they feel great, but they are not athletes. As runners we need to find the best way to fuel our bodies, and we need to listen when our bodies tell us that what we are doing is not working.
Eating clean is good, you can enjoy eating clean and enjoy grains. Don't feel bad you are right to listen to your body.
Happy Running,
Elena
I think that sounds wise...your body was telling you something.
Just had a pb&j sandwich for lunch, btw!
Bird,bird, bird, the bird is the word !!!
PBJ- I love them, but I keep them at bay. I do have 1/2 of one in my jersey 90 % of rides over 45 miles. Good source of calories/sugar/energy.
I swear there are days when you wake up and you just need a pb&j. I think that your body was telling you something especially if you are starting to turn up your training. Good luck.
p.s. i could eat a pb&j right now.
I love PB&J. :)
And nope...Presque Isle as in Erie, Pa. :)
Fill me in on why whole grains are out of the Paleo diet for Athletes. I am interested to find this out b/c didn't paleo people eat grains? I am so confused by this concept.
And I eat a PB&J virtually everyday. Mine is typically and almond, sunflower or some other nut butter with blueberry perserve topped with a sliced banana (1/2 of a banana to be exact), dried fruit, sunflower or pumpkin seeds and 1 tbs of dark chocolate chips. I toast the bread and this gives off enough heat to melt the chocolate.
Yup, I love it and I eat it virtually daily.
I tried to do the P90X diet and it was the same way, I felt heavy and week. It was high protein and actually limited my veggie intake which is tough for a vegetarian. I think everyone is different, it might have paid off if I stuck with it and wanted to be a body builder!
I went through a stage a while ago when I LOVED PB & J. I was totally craving it- I haven’t had it in a while but I think you reminded me to eat it again. :) And yes, never thought of it, but that could totally be a good fuel for workout! Carbs + Protein + Yummy = yes please!
I don't think I could survive with my training without some sort of grains. I love my oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and other lovely grains! Yum!!
I'm glad you decided to change things up and listen to your body instead of following the diet as written. Woohoo for you!
I miss PB & J. We don't keep PB in the house due to our niece's severe nut allergy. *sigh*
Paying attention to your body seems to be the right way to go with respect to the starches. :)
I think its hard to stick to a plan that absolutely restricts certain types of foods. When I focus on my diet, I work on adding foods. Its counterintuitive, but if I make myself have 7 servings of fruits and veggies or a certain amount of protein, then I'm more focused on getting the good in and I'm not even hungry for the junk.
I think it is ok if your body is telling you to sprinkle in some good carbs here and there.
I can.not.be.trusted.with.PB!!
I'm singing the song...
I love PB&J and agree that maybe your body is telling you something! :) Stick some at least some grains... they aren't bad for you!
I couldn't train without carbs, and since I'm vegan paleo is obviously out for me! But I think integrating some principles - good fats, fresh veg and fruits - with more traditional approaches (carbs!) sounds like a great plan!!
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