How important is eating “healthy” for strength/recovery?

[Bobby32]

Hello. I was wondering if it really matters what kind of food we eat, as long as we are hitting our macros. For example would, would I see a difference in preformance if I ate Froot Loops instead of oatmeal, as long as they both eaqualed 30g of carbs?

[Robert Santana]

Hello. I was wondering if it really matters what kind of food we eat, as long as we are hitting our macros. For example would, would I see a difference in preformance if I ate Froot Loops instead of oatmeal, as long as they both eaqualed 30g of carbs?

Great question! So yes because when you eat a diet rich in empty calories you lose out on micronutrients, which are essential for energy production. You also get bigger swings in blood glucose and insulin ,which can cauase you to crash and feel like crap. Now do you have to eat "clean" all day? Not necessarily. You definitely want to aim to get most of your food from nutrient rich sources though.

[Bobby32]

Awesome! Very informative, thank you!

[Robert Santana]

Awesome! Very informative, thank you!

You are very welcome!

[George Christiansen]

Is it fair to also say that a the higher your overall caloric needs the less important food quality becomes?

In other words: If you ate say 2500 calories of "healthy" foods, could you not get all the micronutrients, vitamins, ect...and possibly even most, if not all of your necessary/minimal macros, and the still simply need more calories for energy?

[Robert Santana]

Is it fair to also say that a the higher your overall caloric needs the less important food quality becomes?

In other words: If you ate say 2500 calories of "healthy" foods, could you not get all the micronutrients, vitamins, ect...and possibly even most, if not all of your necessary/minimal macros, and the still simply need more calories for energy?

This aruguably makes it more important. Think about it: you are running more TCAs and electron transport chains and thus need MORE micronutrients not less. The higher the energy expenditure the more high maintenance the diet.

[George Christiansen]

This aruguably makes it more important. Think about it: you are running more TCAs and electron transport chains and thus need MORE micronutrients not less. The higher the energy expenditure the more high maintenance the diet.

Interesting..

I'll let that roll around the noggin for a while.

[Robert Santana]

Interesting..

I'll let that roll around the noggin for a while.

Sounds good buddy!