Crossfit is one of the most intense, challenging, and competitive workouts in the health and fitness industry. Since CrossFit workouts or WODs change on a daily basis as opposed to the regular gyms, and it is also fast-paced and physically strenuous — the food you eat as an athlete determines how effective your CrossFit Gym session will be. Hence, nutrition and a well-balanced diet are essential for successful CrossFit training.
What is CrossFit Diet?
As a general rule, the CrossFit diet is low in carbs but high in macronutrients from whole plant foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats. In addition, the starting goal body fat for CrossFit Men is 10% to 20% body fat, and as for women, just add 8%.
Although there are many diets can be considered fads, here are the three (3) most common diets that CrossFit enthusiasts follow.
1. The Paleo Diet
The paleo diet is intended to be similar to what our hunter-gatherer forefathers ate thousands of years ago. It is categorized into two in which 2/3 of your plate is covered in plant-based foods and ⅓ will be animal-based. Because this is an ancestral diet, processed foods, sugar, soft drinks, grains, most dairy products, legumes, artificial sweeteners, vegetable oils, margarine, and trans fats should be avoided.
2. The Zone Diet
This diet takes a more traditional fitness approach to nutrition, with a macronutrient component of 40% carbohydrate, 30% protein, and 30% fat. Macros and calories are tracked in "blocks," with a certain number of these blocks constituting your daily calorie intake.
- 7g of protein = 1 block of protein
- 9g of carbohydrate = 1 block of carbohydrate
- 1.5g of fat = 1 block of fat
3. The Keto Diet
Keto is a diet that is high in fat, moderate in protein, and very low in carbs (20 grams or less per day). The macronutrients in this type of diet are roughly divided into 55% to 60% fat, 30% to 35% protein, and 5% to 10% carbohydrates. This level of carbohydrate restriction puts anyone’s body into ketosis, which causes their primary source of energy to switch to fat rather than glycogen (carbohydrates).
So what is the best diet for Crossfit?
The truth is that there is no best Crossfit diet. The best diet is one that can be sustained in the long run and it depends on your fitness goals. Some people do Crossfit to lose weight, others to gain muscle, and some just want to remain fit.
In the end, it comes down to your personal fitness goals and what is realistic. Following a diet does not have to be a sacrifice; and whatever your reason for doing Crossfit, you should choose a diet that works for you and that you can commit to in the long run.
.png)
.png)
