As a serious athlete it is no doubt that you are concerned with consistency of stamina, energy, strength, body condition, and repair time, in and out of the dojo. Whether just starting up or training for years, you probably already know that fuel is a very important component in strenuous martial arts training.

However, fueling the body is more than just protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Ask yourself this question--Would I feel differently after eating a meal of a fast food burger and fries versus a plate of salmon, brown rice, and green beans? I hope that the majority would answer with a resounding YES! If you said no, please take this moment to check-in with yourself again. Do you ever feel bloated, gassy, hungry, overstuffed, or sleepy, after any particular meals? What kinds of meals would they be? What kind of meals make you feel light, satiated, energized, or alert? In the long and short run of things, quality foods provide a better form of energy, cause the body less stress to digest, and assimilate with little difficulty.

A quick flashback of Nutrition 101 - food goes down the throat, into the stomach, the small intestines, and the blood carries it to the skin, hair, nails, muscles, ligaments, and to every cell in the body. Food affects brainpower, emotions, thoughts, concentration, and more. Actually visualize the nutrients filling in the gaps in the body and working to repair it. Once you realize the important connection between the consumption of good quality foods and it's effect on the body, mood, and energy-the choice is easy. Whole foods, freshly prepared by you with organic (whenever possible) will ALWAYS be much better for the body than something from a box, can, freezer, or restaurant.

I realize that we are all super busy between training, loved ones, work, studying, commuting, or whatever it is. If you are like me, living alone with no family, you may have the occasional urge or craving to get something quick, easy, and cheap from fast food. When this happens, I remind myself of the well-known cliché, "You are what you eat." What good would it do to consume something that does not benefit your body, and can even negate the hard work and sweat in the dojo? There has to be a tradeoff somewhere.

So...what will you be having for dinner tonight?