Nutrition Quiz…not as complicated as you think

Below is an old article from EliteFTS by Jim Wendler. Wendler is known for keeping training and nutrition simple- while others try to complicate it. I read anything I can find written by Jim Wendler and attempt to apply it to my training and training of others. I’ve only heard him speak at a seminar once but will definitely make it a point to see him again. Check out the quick article below and you’ll be surprised at how simple diet and nutrition can really be.

Front row seat to hear Jim Wendler speak at a seminar at Elite this past April…no B.S. and a very entertaining speaker



Advanced Nutrition
By Jim Wendler
For EliteFTS

Call it a curse or a gift but when it comes to training, I have a tremendous need to break things down to the basics and cut away all of the fat. I have been doing a lot of research on diet recently and decided to do the same. Like many people, I get confused with the amount of information on diet. The “gurus” seem to make things much more complicated than they need to be. So after reading through a mess of articles and books I’ve come up with a basic nutrition quiz which should help you with your diet.

1. Is candy good for you?
a) Yes
b) No

2. Is fast food good for you?

a) Yes
b) No

3. Should your protein come from chicken, lean beef, lean pork, eggs and protein powder?

a) Yes
b) No

4. Are fruits and vegetables good for you?

a) Yes
b) No

5. Should your carbohydrates come from rice, pasta, fruits, vegetables, oatmeal and potatoes?

a) Yes
b) No

6. If you want to gain weight you should;

a) Eat more calories
b) Eat less calories

7. If you want to lose weight you should;

a) Eat more calories
b) Eat less calories

Tips and Tricks

1. All of these diet gurus are missing the boat with diets and helping athletes. Since most athletes do not eat 6 perfect meals a day, how do they expect them to drastically change their diets right away? Start out by eating one or two good meals a day and (maybe) one protein drink per day and progress from there. You wouldn’t throw a beginner into an advanced training routine; diet should be no different.
2. On gaining weight; try increasing your calories by a small amount and let your stomach and body get used to the increase. Don’t try to go from 2,000 calories/day to 10,000.
3. On losing weight; decrease portion size and take it slowly.
4. Use your fist as a guide; your portions should be the size of your fist.

We all know what to eat but often choose not to eat good, healthy foods. I am certainly not perfect, but you cannot tell me that diet is that complicated. Everyone knew the answers to the questions listed above. So the next time someone ask about diet and all of its wonders, ask them the seven questions and they will realize that it’s not about knowing what to eat (we all do) it’s really about the discipline to do it correctly.

LINK to actual article