Episode #104: Plant-Based Diets – What You Need To Know

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Brendan Brazier (pictured above) is interviewed in this podcast about his plant-based diet.

In this July 21, 2010 free audio episode: how to eat a plant-based diet, what causes weight gain after workouts, total immersion swimming style, how to cook for more than one, muscle adhesions, what to do about motion sickness while swimming, lead in your supplements, what to look for in a personal trainer, is a vitamin D test worth it, getting a broken bone to heal faster, do you need to gain muscle to lose fat, what is starvation mode, a supplement called sport legs, waist to height ratios, does sugar or fat make you fatter, a bracelet called C-prime, a supplement called Sport Legs, a bar called PR, what to pack on a picnic, training to run downhill.

Remember, if you have any trouble listening, downloading, or transferring to your mp3 player just e-mail ben@bengreenfieldfitness.com. And don't forget to leave the podcast a ranking in iTunes - it only takes 2 minutes of your time and helps grow our healthy community! Justclick here to go to our iTunes page and leave feedback.

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Featured Topic: Plant-Based Diets

If you've ever wondered if you can pull of a vegan or vegetarian diet, you won't want to miss this interview! Brendan Brazier is one of only a few professional athletes in the world whose diet is 100 percent plant-based. He’s a professional Ironman triathlete, bestselling author on performance nutrition, and the creator of an award-winning line of whole food nutritional products called VEGA. He is also a two-time Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion.

-Brendan's story of how he came to implement his current diet while maintaining the life of a pro triathlete. -Brendan walks us through a sample day of eating vegan and answers... -Is this style of eating just for the general population, for athletes, or both? -What are the benefits of a plant-based diet? -Is there a big difference between "raw" vegan and regular vegetarian? -Can you use a plant-based diet and still shop at the average grocery store? -And much more!

Click here to get Brendan Brazier's book "Thrive"! (highly recommended by Ben - pictured to the right)

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Special Announcements:

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Listener Q&A:

Do you have a question for Ben? Just call 1-877-209-9439 and leave a voicemail, leave a Skype voicemail to username "pacificfit", or e-mail ben@bengreenfieldfitness.com.

Listener Brad asks: 24 to 72 hours after a hard full body Crossfit workout accompanying my muscle soreness and stiffness, the swollen feeling, will be a 2 to 6 pound weight gain. When the soreness subsides my weight returns back to normal. What is the cause of this weight gain? Is it normal or healthy?

Listener Michael asks: I was wondering why I don't see or hear about the serious/successful athletes using TI swimming. Do you know why most seem to just do the standard freestyle stroke and steer away from TI? Do most not know about it, or do they just feel freestyle is good enough.

Andrewheeps asks via Twitter: hey ben, any tips for good recipes if cooking for just more than one?

Listener Allison asks: I am a sports/deep tissue and myofascial release practitioner. I wanted to ask you two questions:

1) I have a client who is an insulin dependent type 1 Diabetic, training for her first marathon. She struggles with lots of superficial myofascial adhesions, despite using the foam roller religiously and having a session with me every 2-3 weeks. Do you have any suggestions on how to help her body? Would the amino acids you mention help her? Also, as far as fueling for training and races, she has a lot of trouble, and thinks that will be her make/break as to whether she is able to get through the training. She's done her 1/2, but it's uphill form here.

2) Since I have lots of running and cycling under my belt, I often think of trying a tri ;) However, each time I go to the pool to try and swim some laps, I suffer from vertigo/nausea. I have horrible motion sickness on dry land anyway, and often get sick on boats, long car rides, etc... Can you think of anything I can do to help? (Ginger doesn't work and it's impossible to work out on Dramamine/Scop patches)

Listener Kai asks: Recently Consumer Reports published findings of high levels of lead and other metals in protein drinks and other supplements (including some green drinks).

1. What is your take on this / how significant is this risk from your perspective?

2. Are there any “certifications” we should look for on supplement labels that provide guidance as to the quality of the ingredients / lab testing?

3. What is your take on consumerlab.com? In my response, I talk about LivingFuel LivingProtein and Mt .Capra Double Bonded Whey (5% discount code BGF).

DougLloyd asks via Twitter: Feel unmotivated to restart lifting & running prgrm. Trainer might help. What should I look for in a personal trainer? In my response to Doug, I mention my team of personal trainers at Pacific Elite Fitness.

Listener Gabe asks: I recently have had interest in the Bioletics tests and protocols that you talk about. I have a limited budget, so I'd like to start with just the Vitamin D test. Do you think the Vitamin D test is the best place to start with Bioletics? How do I download Podcast episode #53 and #62 (I think) or any other episodes with Dr. Cohen? Your iTunes page only goes to Podcasts in the #70s, and I can't see how to download episodes from your website. I use iTunes with my iPhone 4, if that matters.

In my response to Gabe, I direct him to http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/feed/podcast

Listener Jason asks: I am a cyclist, and last week I was in a crash during a race, resulting in a broken collar bone. My doc says it will be about 4 to 6 weeks until this has healed. I'm wondering if my nutrition over the next several weeks can help or hinder bone healing. Are there certain foods or supplements I should be including in my diet (sufficient calcium for example)? What would you do for a broken bone?

In my response to Jason, I direct him to Podcast #49 and Lactoferrin, along with my book, "How To Recover Like Wolverine from X-Men", which you can get for free by clicking here.

Listener Zach asks: I'm a 35-year-old former marathoner that has decided to become serious about bike road racing...I realize I need to drop some weight to realize my full potential.I have a theory that I need to gain some muscle in order to lean out, and then I can worry about cannibalizing some of that muscle when it comes time to get into racing shape. I want to be in good functional shape in general, dropping muscle weight only when necessary to race. Should I focus for the next several months on building muscle in order to have that muscle help to burn fat stores, along with reducing fat through a healthy diet, and once my body fat percentage approaches a more ideal level, then worry about reducing muscle mass for racing? I'm never going to be the next Eddy Merckx, but I'd like to do well, and eventually maybe upgrade to Cat 3 or even 2. How would you go about this?

Listener Todd asks: I am a male 45 year ol d and 245lbs. I was wondering if 1500 calories a day is a good goal. I dont want it to be too little and slow down my metabolism to much? I do cardio at least 5 days a week, and if the machines are accurate I am averaging about 700 calories burned each day, as well as weight training three days a week. I believe that the mix of calories are what they should be. I just have a worry in the back of my mind that the calorie intake will put my body into starvation mode, especially with the huge calories that I used to consume daily.

Listener Toni asks: Just a quick question for podcast....have you ever used Sportlegs if so what are your thoughts about it. Listener Brad asks: Several months ago I watched a Dr. Oz interview where he told Jimmy Kimmel that your maximum healthy waist size should be half your height. Is this true? I am 74 inches tall and my waist is 35 inches, measuring two fingers above the belly button. Is my waist size healthy in relation to my height?

Listener Bernice asks: I am curious to know, what is more than likely to make you fatter. Consuming excess fat or sugar/ carbs? I always thought the best foods to avoid when trying to loose excess body fat, is to reduce your fat intake. As the body would prefer to store fat over sugar/ carbs because it takes less calories to do so.

In my response to Bernice, I mention my podcast: "How Low Fat Diets Make You Fat".

Listener Karen asks: I would love to hear your opinion about the C-Prime bracelet. I am seeing more and more of these and hearing so many claim that this bracelet has made the biggest difference in their running, biking, and swimming; even golf. Sounds too good to be true. What is your opinion?

Listener Rich asks: I have seen advertisements for a bar called the pr bar in Competitor Magazine. I called and the Pres. of the company answered and told me how his nutrition program would get my body burning fat for energy. Your thoughts? Have you heard of this bar? I could not find any nutritional information about it.

Listener Fernanda (from Ecuador) asks: I wanted to ask u if u could give some tips as to what to bring a picnic for maximum four people. just food that gives u energy to run all around the place. also im not sure bringing much fruit will help cause it is easiy digested and then we,ll be in the query for a near bathroom. and one last thing - another tip on activities like hit the ball ? please dont say hunting or fishing.

Listener Brian asks: I will be doing Syracuse IM70.3 in Sept and have a question on long distance downhill running after a heavy uphill bike course. The Syracuse bike course contains alot of climbing some 2900 foot change in elevation. Then after what I'm sure will be a tough ride the run course is all downhill for 13 miles! Can you offer up any tips on form, position, or training for either the bike and the run that will allow the quads and gluts to survive this back to back test.

Listener Tonya has a call in question about hiking at altitude and training hiking muscles.

Do you have a question for Ben? Just call 1-877-209-9439 and leave a voicemail, leave a Skype voicemail to username "pacificfit", or e-mail ben@bengreenfieldfitness.com.

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Remember, if you have any trouble listening, downloading, or transferring to your mp3 player just e-mail ben@bengreenfieldfitness.com And don't forget to leave the podcast a ranking in iTunes - it only takes 2 minutes of your time and helps grow our healthy community! Justclick here to go to our iTunes page and leave feedback.

Brand new - get insider VIP tips and discounts from Ben - conveniently delivered directly to your phone! Just complete the information below...

First Name Last Name Email Cell # (1+area code):

Scroll down to donate anything over $15 to the show, and Ben will send you a BenGreenfieldFitness.com t-shirt...you can also conveniently donate any amount with your phone by simply clicking here.

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