When it comes to nutrition there is a hierarchy of needs that comes into play when determining what I believe is most important. This was made famous by Dr. Eric Helms in his book “The Muscle and Strength Pyramid: Nutrition”. He also has one on training that is a great resource as well.
As you can see in the image above, there is an order of importance when it comes to nutrition.
1. calories are first – total calories are most important
2. macros are next – macro balance aka your amount of protein, carbs, and fats.
3. Micronutrients – often forgotten about but very important. We need our veggies too!
4, Meal timing – Has importance but not as much as most people think.
5. Supplements – again, they have their place but they aren’t the most important thing to worry about.
This should always be thought of when we think of nutritional needs. After we work our way down the list we can worry about the next thing. Keep this in mind as you are trying to reach your goals through training and nutrition.
Not mentioned in the triangle was adherence. Which in my opinion, is the absolute most important thing to consider when changing your nutrition.
How well can you stick to this diet or nutrition protocol?
Can you do this long term?
These are questions you should be able to answer yes to before starting any new task inside of nutrition or training and that is exactly how we will break down your nutrition as we get started along this journey.
Take Action
If you would like to dial in your nutrition, set up an appointment with me to get a complimentary InBody Scan.
Justin Larrance – Eleventh Element Nutrition Coach
