Hello,
I am hoping for some specific advice regarding nutrition, lifestyle, possible supplementation, etc. I will outline as much important information regarding my diet and lifestyle below. Please feel more than welcome to ask any further questions for clarity. I certainly hope this thread is in the most appropriate forum, and I apologize if not. I acknowledge that the information I am looking for covers a relatively wide range and overlaps with several of the forums here. Thank you very much in advance.
As mentioned in the title, I am a 31 year old male, 175 lbs, with a somewhat active but by no means perfect lifestyle. I work 45 hrs/week at a busy grocery store, and I participate in all the physical activity that comes with such a job(lifting, stocking, moving pallets, etc.). However, as a manager I also spend my fair time in the office doing administrative work on a computer(NEVER while seated I should mention. Our "office" is our customer service desk area, and we do not use a chair or stool. Nevertheless, this part of my job involves much less movement and physical activity so I thought it best to mention). Apart from this activity, I don't get much exercise. I walk everyday with my wife and kids(~30 min), and 3 times/week I do some simple weight lifting and squats. I do a daily stretching routine, mainly targeted at my lower body, but also targeted at my neck and shoulders. Finally, I spend 45-60 per day in seated meditation, and an additional 45-60 minutes walking meditation approximately 3 days a week, when time and weather allows(as I do so outside) That's the "physical/exercise" part of my current life, now on to my diet...
It sucks, and has for many years. I have relied on cheap, processed food for too long, and I honestly find the taste of most fruits and vegetables terrible. However, I have recently taken small steps to better my diet. I am looking for any and all feedback. Here are the steps I have taken to better myself(these foods I currently consume everyday):
B-fast:
2.2oz(1/2 cup) muesli
1/4 cup raw walnuts or toasted almonds
1 Tbps shelled hemp seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 eggs, scrambled in a little unsalted butter
plenty of coffee(cream/sugar added)
smoothie(sometimes in the morning, sometimes evening):
1 cup frozen berry blend(straw/blue/rasp/black, no sugar added, just fruit)
1.25 cup OJ(not from concentrate)
1 scoop(~20g) Trader Joe's unflavored pea protein
2-3g matcha powder
1 Tbps NOW brewer's yeast
1 Tbsp toasted wheat germ
2 Tbsp 2% greek yogurt
1 Tbsp peanut butter
2-3 spinach leaves
lunch:
1/2 cup brown rice/quinoa/lentils/beans(I try to change this up every 2 days so I don't get too bored)
1 cup frozen broccoli, boiled for 5 min
some form of protein(baked tofu, baked chicken, or rarely lean ground beef)
PLENTY of hot sauce/fermented chiles/pickled jalepenos/etc. I love spicy food and have rarely gone a single lunch or dinner without it in literally years.
12.5g 100% dark chocolate
I also cold brew a pitcher of plain green tea every few days that I basically use now instead of water. So several cups every day.
I take no medications or supplements(except for Vit D noted below), and have no food related allergies. I also rarely get 8 full hours of sleep(I have 2 young kids and trouble sleeping in general)
When I run this all through Cronometer I am 100% or over on everything except b12, calcium, potassium, Vit D(I take 25mcg/1000IU every day say this is not an issue I'm assuming?), and zinc. Any suggestions or general tips? Any other foods I should consider adding as a daily staple? I am considering sweet potato every 2 or 3 days, and possibly avocado daily. Any reason(s) I should not?
What are my goals with regards to this thread? In short, I am looking to improve my overall wellbeing and introduce small but important factors into my life that will make a difference over time. I'm not looking for a super complex stack of supplements like some members here use, however I absolutely would be interested in a few simple, proven supplements that are generally recommended by this community. I get that the jury is still out on plenty of supplements, but it is my understanding that there are a select few that are basically proven to be beneficial for everyone. A good quality fish oil or something of that nature? Similarly, I am not looking for a full body fitness plan to get "ripped" and "shredded", but what sorts of simple, at home exercise can I do to supplement my semi active lifestyle that has proven benefit over the long term? These are the kinds of things I am looking for, and how you can best help me. Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully respond, and again, please reach out with any questions or concerns I canclarify.
