Getting ripped happens in the kitchen, so here’s what to eat

Personal trainer Dan Smullen runs us through what we should be eating to get the most out of our workouts, since the battle is mostly won in the kitchen

By Dan Smullen BSc

You might have heard me mention in one of the JOE Gets Ripped videos that the battle to lose weight is 70% down to your diet. If you're a member at the Fitness Dock gym, and you've ever asked me how to burn belly fat and get a six pack, my answer would have been incredibly simple: “It happens in the kitchen”!

Physiologists, dieticians or even doctors for years have been led to believe that weight loss occurs only when the amount of energy we consume is at a deficit to the amount of energy we expend. Wait, what does all that mean?

In other words, the theory we are talking about here is that the calories yout take in must be lower than the calories you use up, the famous “eat less exercise more phenomenon”. Wow wasn’t that a scientific breakthrough! Unfortunately it’s not quite as simple as that in order to burn fatand reshape our bodies in the long run.

The best diet out there does not concern itself with counting calories, cutting out carbs or even making you feel starved, it's a diet we got from our ancetors.

The Paleo diet is the healthiest way you can eat because it is the ONLY nutritional approach that works with your genetics to help you stay lean, strong and energetic.

Research in biology, biochemistry, dermatology and many other disciplines indicate it is our modern diet, full of refined foods, trans fats and sugar, that is at the root of degenerative diseases such as obesity, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, depression and infertility.

The Paleo Diet in a nutshell

So what should we be eating? Let's look at it in its most simple terms.

Eat this: Berries, Vegetables, lean meats and eggs, seafood, nuts and seeds, healthy fats

Not that: Dairy, grains, legumes, straches, alcohol, processed foods and sugars

Three reasons why the paleo diet works!

1.Lean proteins

Lean proteins are essential for our muscles, healthy bones and optimal immune function. Protein also helps you to feel satisfied between meals and stop snacking.

2.Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that have been shown to decrease the likelihood of developing a number of degenerative diseases including cancer, diabetes and neurological decline.

3.Healthy fats from nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, fish oil and grass-fed meat

Not only will this way of eating burn belly fat, but scientific research shows that diets rich in Monounsaturated and Omega-3 fats dramatically reduce the likelihood of problems with obesity, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and cognitive decline.

The diet is very simple and can be summed up like this: "If it doesn't swim, run, or fly, or isn't green and grows in the ground, don't eat it!"

For a list of over 1000 free online recipes check out this website dedicated to Paelo recipes.

For more about the Fitness Dock gym and how Dan Smullen can help you get in shape, head over to the Fitness Dock website.