Issue 165

Randy Couture swears by them. Jake Shields can’t get enough of them. And Urijah Faber’s diet borders on vegetarianism.

Greens are all the rage when preparing for the Octagon at present, mainly because they form a large part of the alkaline diet, an eating regime aimed at preventing an overload of acid, which hinders an athlete’s performance and recovery. 

“Our bodies regulate the pH of our blood and tissues more closely than they regulate body temperature,” explained Couture in his autobiography The Natural.

“We must maintain a slightly alkaline pH to survive. Hard training, stress, high-protein or high-sugar diets can cause build up of acid.

There are mechanisms in place to deal with this acid, but when there is an overload, peak performance and health will often suffer.”

All of which explains why, under the guidance of Team Quest nutritionist Dr Ryan Parsons, Couture scoffs some kind of green fruit or vegetable every time he sits down at the table.

“Greens give the body lots of energy are loaded with vitamins and minerals,” reveals Dr Parsons. “They’re also easy to digest and pack a lot of nutrition. I’m a firm believer in including some type of green with every meal.”

What’s that? Up for raising your game, but no idea about what greens to buy and how to prepare them?

Fresh or lightly steamed veg

“Several times a week” Randy Couture starts his day with a selection of fresh of steamed veg. His menu of choice includes broccoli, green peppers, spinach and kale. Broccoli and green peppers are both great sources of vitamin C, which is essential for healing. ‘Superfood’ spinach is loaded with calcium, which strengthens bones, and coenzyme Q10, which strengthens muscles. And kale is beneficial because it’s packed with vitamin A, which promotes growth, vision and the immune system. Note: If straight fresh veg isn’t rocking your culinary world, Randy spreads humous on his veggies “to help them go down better” and Dr Parsons recommends chucking them in a blender, pressing start and creating a high-energy, body-cleansing juice.

Avocado on rye bread toast

It’s not just green veg that’s good for you; green fruit helps you kick ass too and Couture and Parsons swear by this healthy snack.

Just toast some rye bread and top it with sliced avocados to create a light bite that helps lower your cholesterol, boosts your immune system and, brilliantly, is easy to digest. “When you’re eating easily digestible and nutrient-rich foods it takes less energy for your body to take what it needs and get rid of the rest,” explains Parsons.

“So snacks like this mean you have more energy for other things, like healing your body.”

Wheatgrass shots

Yes, it tastes disgusting, but Randy Couture glugs a shot of wheatgrass a day. If it’s good enough for ‘The Natural’, it’s good enough for you.

Still not convinced? Here are three further reasons to close your eyes, open your gullet and swallow.

1. Wheatgrass provides an energy boost similar to coffee, but without the crash that follows a hit of caffeine.

2. Wheatgrass boosts your immune system.

3. Wheatgrass detoxifies your insides, leaving you less likely to come down with niggling ailments and more likely to be able to fight at 100%.