Justin Fitzpatrick, (Ireland & Ulster & London Irish) Coach at Dungannon Rugby Club, teamed up with Linwoods Superfoods last month to try out their range of foods for the active sportsman or sportswoman.
“I like many of you always intend to make the healthy choice, and I like many of you don’t always do this, even though having been a professional player for most of my adult life, you would be right in assuming that my training and nutritional guidance input over the last while has been more academic and intense than most peoples, it has, which is why I make sure to eat from all the food groups. Being healthy in body and mind takes a little bit of effort granted, but it’s not a negotiable option – my investment in maintaining peak condition has been the mainstay of my career which I am not prepared to put into jeopardy. My knowledge of health is quite specifically tailored to my own needs. I know things like the brains only food source is pure glucose, I know how to time my eating so that my body does not ever go into a state of hypoglycaemia – low blood sugar. Knowing what to eat to prepare for a game so that I function optimally.
I give my body the best option of peak performance from the start of the day by having a breakfast containing fibre which slows down the release of sugars, I use linwood flax seeds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds every morning, it sets me up for the day by providing all the necessary goodness I need sesame seeds contain as much calcium as many milks. Magnesium , great for relaxing tired muscles is found in sesame and pumpkin seeds wheat germ and whole grain cereals. Lecithin granules and wheat germ lower cholesterol. I make a morning smoothy daily and literally chuck in a handful of all the above, from the various easy packets of linwood seeds, and grains, mix it with pure yogurt, add some seasonal berries or fresh fruit Its easy and its quick – it salves my conscience and more importantly its healthy. I like win-wins, there is no way I am going to compensate my well being. I know 40% of our diet should be raw foods as in fruit seeds and vegetables, eating breakfast this way ticks those boxes as well. I know I may have nutritionists find a hole or two with my eating plan when they read this, but my logic is sound. It is based on the love for a simple life – it’s based on the reality of life in the 21st century and by my logic I have it all pretty sussed. I have factored in my luxury items, I more than compensate by buying nearly the whole range of Linwoods from which to cover all my bases and Its kept me healthy and able to compete in a tough business. It has given me energy and vitality for all of the trials and tribulations of being a profession player but as importantly it has laid down the habits for a healthy future. I am healthy – I would not trade that for anything.
Justin Fitzpatrick
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