To stay in shape and fuel his rigorous workouts, Darrell eats a well-rounded diet of whole foods. But he doesn't stick to a strict diet. "Restrictive diets with lots of rules are tough to stick to," he said. "Breaking the rules and 'ruining your diet' can lead to feelings of failure and shame and can ultimately lead you to give up completely. Instead, I approach nutrition with some smarter, healthier choices and moderation."
Breakfast: Darrell wakes up each morning around 6 or 7 a.m. and has a cup of coffee with stevia. He'll usually eat breakfast after a morning workout and has one of three things: eggs and egg whites with some lean meat; oatmeal, often with a scoop of chocolate protein powder mixed in; or some sort of breakfast cereal with skim milk, like bran flakes or Special K Red Berries. Sometimes he'll have a piece of fruit as a mid-morning snack.
Lunch: He usually has some sort of lean protein and a side, like a veggie. Another lunch he has is a turkey burger on a whole wheat deli thin with a side of reduced-fat potato chips.
Dinner: Darrell said his dinner depends on his work schedule. If he's at the gym late, he'll bring a prepped dinner similar to his lunch. If he's home for dinner, he and his wife will cook something healthy like steak, chicken, or fish, usually with a veggie and a starch for sides.
Image Source: Darrell McTague