We all talk a good game about how to eat, what to eat, and the importance of preparing our own food from quality ingredients. The truth is that everyone faces the same dilemmas from time to time. Whether it's travel, working late, business lunches, social outings, or simply not being interested in cooking, there are many reasons that eating that home cooked meal may not always be possible.
I've decided to pose a series of questions to our members on a weekly basis on what gets them through these situations. You might be surprised at some of the answers and others might be exactly what you expected — either way, I'm hopeful that this will help you navigate your way through the myriad of awkward, inconvenient, or simply lazy situations you find yourself in.
Daniel Stickler from Asheville, North Carolina
CA: Do you put much thought into where you eat out? Or do you simply go anywhere and try to make do with what's on the menu?
DS: I have been more of a strategic eater most of my life, so yes, I do think about where to eat out. When I really shifted to considering food choices by looking at the response it achieved in my physiology, that was a real turning point. I have always been able to eat most foods without issues regarding weight, in fact, I used to believe in the cockroach approach to eat anything and everything and justifying that it will create a great hormetic response. Once I began eating with a focus on my own genetics and the nutrigenomic response I was driving for, then there was a definite change in how I felt and performed.
CA: Most memorable restaurant meal in (or near) Asheville?
DS: It is hard to pick one favorite but Cúrate is a great Tapas restaurant that has an Iberico cut that will melt in your mouth like butter. Posana is a close second, it is 100% gluten-free everything. When we take visitors to Posana, it is always funny to watch them ask the server, "are you sure this is gluten-free?" Yes, gluten-free can taste amazing.
CA: Most memorable restaurant meal outside of Asheville?
DS: In the US, we spend quite a bit of time in San Antonio and one of my favorite is Ostra at Mokara on the River Walk. I do have to mention my favorite restaurant in the world which would have to be Ristorante Vissani near Civitella del Lago in central Italy.
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CA: For people with special diets, how do you suggest they talk with restaurant staff in order to get what they need?
DS: I find that many restaurants are a little confused when requesting special diets. In my opinion it is much easier to focus on restaurants that cater to the specific special needs.
CA: Do you prepare an emergency meal when you travel? If so, what do you include?
DS: Honestly, I can almost always find food that will fit into my dietary profile. It does sometimes require more effort but I am rarely ever at a loss. Traveling with healthy snacks is always useful - nuts, jerky, etc.
CA: Your favorite quick meal to prepare at home?
DS: Shrimp that is sautéed in garlic & herb KerryGold butter with olive oil, add capers and sun-dried tomatoes.
CA: Do you consume alcohol? Explain why you think it is or isn’t a good idea.
DS: I went five years with no alcohol and felt really good but missed the taste of wine and so now, a glass of wine a couple of nights per month works great. I never liked the idea of drinking calories unless it was strategic like a protein shake so I still consider it a bit of an indulgence.
CA: In terms of food, what is your guilty pleasure?
DS: PIZZA! I love pizza more than any other food and I will allow for that indulgence. I find that when you eliminate a food completely, it is much harder to control the urge. Knowing that I will allow myself that indulgence periodically keeps me focused on eating healthy the rest of the time and not feeling guilty when I do consume it.
Dr. Stickler is the visionary pioneer behind the human potential medicine movement, a shift away from the disease model to limitless peak performance in all aspects of life. A physician to high-performing entrepreneurs who want to optimize their superhuman capabilities, he’s also an author, speaker, blogger and host of the weekly internet radio show/podcast, the Ironman Executive.
Dr. Stickler is an expert in the use of genetics and epigenetics in clinical practice and trains health care clinicians from all over the world in interpretation of genomic data for optimizing human potential. His one-on-one and group educational programs at the Apeiron Academy are highly acclaimed and sought after by many entering the exciting new field of precision medicine. Dr. Stickler works personally with each client to find his or her hidden potential. He develops personalized human potential optimization plans based on the individual blueprint of DNA combined with quality of life factors and the seven foundational aspects of health. His unique approach is highly effective and results in transformation. www.apeiron.academy.
Read More Q&A's from the "What & Where They Eat" Series
