Guy: Meet James Newbury, an incredible athlete, coach and now gym owner. James is undoubtedly one of the fittest blokes in the country. (In fact he just placed second in the inaugural Men’s Fitness ‘Fit Bloke Challenge’ against an incredibly tough field). We caught up with James to hear exactly what a ‘superfood’ is and how he incorporates them into his diet. He also shares his favourite superfood recipe and gives us a look at what his daily diet looks like.
Over to James…
Khan: What is a superfood?
James: A superfood is a food that contains high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals or trace minerals and some of the best examples are mesquite, maca, coconut, gogi berries, chia, nuts, seeds, kale, kelp, blueberries etc.
Khan: How have superfoods affected your performance and overall health and wellbeing?
James: I put that extra 10% gain in progression down to superfoods and the way they help your body’s natural function. They supply your body with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to perform at its peak. You don’t run a Ferrari off low-grade fuel.
Khan: What are some of your favourite superfoods and superfood recipes?
James: Some of my favourites are avocado, cacao, mesquite, lucuma, kale and eggs. My all time favourite recipe is choc avocado mousse:
Ingredients:
- 1 Banana
- 1/2 avocado
- 1 scoop of 180 Natural Protein Superfood
- 2 tsp raw organic cacao powder
- 2 tbs raw organic honey
- dash of cinnamon
- dash of organic almond milk
- dash of organic vanilla
Method:
Blend up until smooth. Smother on paleo pancakes or just eat as is.
Khan: How would you suggest one of your clients introduce superfoods into their diet?
Khan: Start off with some basics then add nuts and seeds to the diet. As you progress start introducing new things like nori (seaweed wraps) then looking to things like goji berries, chia, maca and mesquite. Try to get one thing at a time and add 1 tsp to a smoothie, you will start to feeling amazing for it.
Khan: Outline your average daily diet.
James: Most days it looks something like this:
- Breakfast – Steel cut oats with 1 scoop of 180, water and almond milk
- Snack – Avocado mousse
- Lunch – Turkey, big leafy green salad with sundried tomatoes and balsamic vinegar
- Snack – Couple of boiled eggs with some nuts and apples
- Dinner – Chicken, steak, fish with big leafy salad and cherry tomatoes with balsamic vinegar
- Dessert – Greek yogurt with crushed cashews and some goji berries
Khan: Describe how superfoods help you with your training?
James: The nutrient intake helps me tremendously. If I eat badly I feel I perform badly, or at least not as well as if I ate well. My energy feels lower and my recovery isn’t as good. It has definitely helped me prepare for the 2013 Australian CrossFit Regional Games. My girlfriend Kayla has been incredibly helpful in terms of making sure I’m getting the right vitamins minerals and superfoods which has been outstanding.
Khan: Thanks James, good luck with the games.
As the 013 Australian CrossFit Regionals Games approach, we’re all super excited to see how James performs. Be sure to jump over to his Facebook page to follow his training up to the event and check out his gym CrossFit Mode.
What superfoods do you eat? Love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below… Guy
