the Steve Nash diet

The Steve Nash diet isn't an actual diet, but in the last year the Suns' point guard has received some attention for the nutritional philosophy he follows to help maximize his ability and energy and continue to play at an all-NBA level at the age of 36. Essentially, Nash eats lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and he eliminates all added sugars from his diet. He also has some sensitivity to gluten, so he avoids certain pastas and breads.

Reading about his diet and the discipline Steve Nash exerts in following it - often packing food to carry with him when embarking on road trips, investigating a restaurant's menu for what does and does not fit his diet, and being prepared to ask for a dish to be prepared in accordance with his diet - I was very much reminded of myself managing my "salt is the devil diet."

I don't have any such gluten sensitivities, at least not that I'm aware of, so I don't shy away from carbs. In fact, since I have trouble keeping weight on, I enjoy carbs quite a bit. Since learning of my heart condition, I've given up lifting weights and focused more on cardiovascular and core exercise. My cardiologist informed me that lifting heavy weights was not a healthy practice and I found that even lifting light weights was sometimes uncomfortable - in addition to being not at all enjoyable. Building and even maintaining weight and muscle mass is hard, and often frustrating.

I think it's great that there are professional athletes who take nutritional matters so seriously. Often times these competitors are gifted with significant physical talents, but even those as skilled as Steve Nash can enhance their athletic performance by making healthy decisions regarding their diets and lifestyles. Having been forced to significantly alter my lifestyle, which was already pretty healthy, I definitely have a higher level of respect and admiration for such public figures. In fact, the Phoenix Suns have become my second favorite NBA team because of Steve Nash. Fortunately, the Lakers, because of Kobe Bryant, are still my favorite team.