Bike Food for the Fegan

Expert Ennui
I like to eat. I think that's part of the reason I like to ride so much. It burns off calories so I can spend time replenishing calories. It works for me. But ever since my infarction (I like the word for its vaguely suggestive qualities of things other than coronary distress) I've changed my diet dramatically. That's not new news to those who know me.

It has taken a while to figure out what's good for someone like me, who loves riding so much and enjoys putting a bit of spirit into many of my rides. Spirit requires energy and energy comes from putting the right things in my mouth, chewing well, then swallowing them. My diet consists of a combination of what I like to think are healthy food approaches. Let's face it, we are in an information age. There's tons of information with a lot of statistical data to back it up and many detractors and promoters behind each approach. Worse, they're mostly doctors or Ph.D's of one form or another with often wildly differing opinions on what keeps us healthy. Who do we trust? Or do we just listen to those who align most closely to our own prejudices and opinions.

With that in mind, I recognized that I am not a doctor (you have to get a degree in that if I'm not mistaken), I don't have a very scientific mind that I know of (though I do like to see what frog insides look like if given the chance, a middle school biology class, and a consenting frog), nor do I like to read a complex analysis of metabolic intake, expulsion, or regurgitation. I tend to read articles that speak in a language I understand--simple--and piece together the parts that I can go along with, shaping my diet accordingly.

Nutrition Mantra
I've enjoyed dipping into Monique Ryan's Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes for her clarity. There are thorough technical descriptions about measuring things like body fat, identifying specific nutrients needed for the endurance athlete, and clear guidelines for competition nutrition, to name just a few. She also offers common sense advice like, there are "many destructive ways to attain an overly idealized body composition that may not be realistic for your lifestyle, level of training, or genetics." This book is not simple by any means, but the writing is clear and understandable and you can glean a lot from her information and guidelines.

Let's face it, to keep at it we need to be honest with ourselves. My mantra throughout my active life is that whatever I do has to fit with my goals and interests at the time and that if I'm not enjoying one approach it's time to change to another. I'm not someone who over-analyzes each aspect of my food intake, nor do I spend time anguishing over my training and riding activities. On the other hand, I do take seriously my need for a healthy lifestyle and I like to be prepared for the activities I'm foolish enough to get myself into.

Omnivore to Fegan
Before the infarction, I was an omnivore. I'd eat anything: squid soup in its own ink, barbecue spare ribs, fish eggs, oysters (ocean and mountain dwelling), head cheese, steak (occasionally), lots of chicken, bacon and eggs, butter scones, and so on. Put it in front of me and I'd go for it. I didn't eat massive amounts of processed or fat laden foods, but I didn't deny myself these things at times either. Post infarction I moved into an entirely new intake regimen. Vegan, low oil, and then to mess up the vegan part I added fish, particularly small non-mercury laden fish. Thus, fegan.

It's not a self-righteous thing. You go ahead and eat what works for you and I'm fine with that. My job is to listen to my own body and fend off another painful affair of the malfunctioning heart. I'm not even sure if that's possible, but given the information I've read, I decided to potentially lessen the chances of a repeat. My diet approach is probably a mix of Ornish, Esselstyn, the China Study, Pollen, and my own brand of making sure that baked corn chips and salsa are still part of the equation.

In the process I've reduced the variety of options that athletes are supposed to eat in order to be rough and ready in the face of heavy exertion. Red meat comes to mind. It is a great source of protein and iron readily supplied. Fegans don't eat steak. I have to find these things elsewhere and that's meant a bit of searching for things that I like and things that will do good things for my body. I do a lot of beans and fish, though in general I just try to eat a good balance of fresh foods, mostly fruits, grains, and vegetables in large enough quantities to keep me energized. After doing this for nearly three years I've got a reasonable handle on it, though it's always in the process of fine tuning as my body ages.

I drink a lot. Taken out of context that could be incriminating, but what I drink is mostly water. I use an energy drink while riding to replace electrolytes. I also like coffee and tea in the morning, more tea than coffee these days for some reason. Black teas are fun to explore. Coffee and tea reduce the intake of iron, or so I've read. I'll have to work that one out. I also like beer. Not excessive amounts, but with the beer renaissance now happening in this country and especially in Michigan it's hard to deny myself the joys of a good craft brew now and then.

My guess is, knowing me, I'm not doing all the right things. I'm probably eating too much of one thing and not enough of another. So be it. It's a work in progress. I think about my physical exertion, then try to keep the calories coming with wholesome foods, a balance of proteins, carbs, fluids, and plenty of variety. And exercise. The pedals get turned over a lot.

It is possible to be a fegan and still be highly active. It does take a bit more focus and education than it did in my omnivore days in order to make sure that I'm getting the right balance of foods in good quantity, but that has also helped me understand more clearly where high quality carbs, proteins, and nutrients come from and to appreciate the cooking skills required to make tasty food without the flavorings offered so readily by meat.

None of this will help me, of course, when I forget to eat enough during a race and my legs give out five miles from the finish. That's a brain thing. And that brain thing gets in the way of so many good decisions. I don't care how many tasty Sudoku puzzles I feed it, it still has a mind of its own that doesn't always work in my best interest.