Show notes
Today, I am grateful to have here with me, Danny Vega, part of the Fat Fueled Family - a blog, podcast, and YouTube channel dedicated to leading a movement that will empower families to eat better, move more, and grow closer. They invite you into their lives and hope you enjoy their content.
In June of 2016, Danny discovered the ketogenic lifestyle, and he never looked back. Danny found so many benefits within a week of switching that he knew this would be the new way of life. Inflammation and injuries from years of playing on turf and beating himself up with heavy lifting were gone.
Danny regained control over his hunger and found mental clarity and an increase in productivity that he had never experienced before. In August of 2017, after over a year of dipping their toes in the water, his two boys joined him. Desmond, the eldest, felt an immediate increase in energy and improvement in his allergies and asthma. Dean, the youngest, has had astounding improvements in his eczema and mood.
Danny's children are immune to cravings. It has been a fantastic thing to see. They thought their kids were "picky" just like most kids supposedly are; keto changed their taste buds, and now they crave real, nourishing food. Best of all, they do not feel restricted in any way!
In this episode, Danny breaks some common myths about the ketogenic diet – during the first three weeks of the diet, you shouldn't be lowering your protein intake. Danny also touches on the importance of salt, potassium, electrolytes, and magnesium. Then, Danny explains why he would carb load during high-performance athletic workouts. Stay tuned to hear the ways Danny's kids utilize the ketogenic diet and how they navigate the kid's menu at restaurants. Plus, Danny reveals the science behind SuperStarch®.
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[06:45] About Danny Vega
Danny was getting recruited to big-name schools for his football skills, even Columbia University.
In 2013, Danny got into power lifting – making it into the top 25 in the country. When he deadlifted 700 lbs., he tore his left meniscus.
In 2016, Danny’s knee was hurting like crazy, so he decided just to get healthy. He tried a typical bodybuilding diet; they did well. Eventually, he and his wife started on the ketogenic diet.
[18:25] Mistakes Made with the Ketogenic Diet
There is an obsession with moderating protein. Keto is getting to a point where there is enough information out there that most people think they know what it is. People think if they overeat protein, it will turn into sugar. Danny says you can’t lower protein too much in the first three weeks. Make sure your protein is high in the first three weeks.
Aim for five to eight grams of salt per day. Five grams of salt is not five grams of sodium. A teaspoon of salt will give you two grams of sodium.
Get to a higher point with your metabolism so you have more to work with. Danny gets women to eat more each day because they do not eat enough. Being undernourished will impede fat loss.
It’s not just cramps we should be worrying about. Potassium will help minimize overnight muscle spasms, which may contribute to you waking up in the middle of the night. Keep your electrolytes high and take a magnesium supplement.
[28:10] Should You Do a Weekly Scheduled Carb Load?
Fifty grams of carbs post-workout was all Danny could give to himself. However, he knew the keto diet wasn’t taking into account high-performance athletes.
A fat-adapted athlete is going to be able to eat a lot more carbs. Although, that doesn’t mean they should eat more carbs. Fat can create the sugar that we need.
If you are chronically doing high-performance training, your body will be stressed without the carbs. It’s important to have carbs during days like that.
Glucose intolerance can act up over time while practicing the ketogenic diet.
Use carb loads when you need them; weekly might not necessarily make sense.
“Everything should be done strategically.”
[34:30] Never Feed Your Kids From The Kid’s Menu
This is one of Danny’s biggest pet peeves. We are doing our children such a disservice.
If you are trying to conceive, take methylated b vitamins.
Breastfeed your children for gut health and immune health. Nurse your babies until they start showing interest in food. Then, cut the babies food into strips.
When you go to restaurants, you will see the kid’s menu with mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and hotdogs.
If both parents are together, get both parties on the same page. Talk to your partner about what is okay for your kids to eat.
Get rid of all the crap in the house – have a list of non-negotiables.
When you go out, have a plan. In the car, Danny pulls up the menu and scopes out the options.
“Don’t fight your kids on nutrition.”
[47:50] About SuperStarch
SuperStarch® is a patented energy source without sugar or stimulants that delivers a slow-release of carbohydrates to steady your blood sugar.
With SuperStarch, Danny’s blood sugar doesn’t go crazy.
Danny is consulting and spreading the message for supplementing the fat-adapted athlete.
SuperStarch® is a smarter energy source to avoid the spike & crash in blood glucose that commonly occurs with most simple carbohydrates like sugars and starches.
AND MUCH MORE!
Resources from this episode:
Check out Fat Fueled Family
Sign up for Muscle Intelligence
Follow Fat Fueled Family YouTube
Follow Danny Vega Instagram
Listen to the Fat Fueled Family Podcast
Read The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance
Check out The Ketovangelist
Listen to Benjamin Bikman - 'Insulin vs. Glucagon: The relevance of dietary protein'
Read More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Protein & Gluconeogenesis
Listen to Ryan Lowery | Building Muscle on Keto | Keto Done The Right Way: KKP 39
Read The Introduction to SuperStarch
Find SuperStarch
Join the Keto Kamp Academy
WatchKeto Kamp on YouTube
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Disclaimer: This podcast is for information purposes only. Statements and views expressed on this podcast are not medical advice. This podcast including Ben Azadi disclaim responsibility from any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. Opinions of guests are their own, and this podcast does not accept responsibility of statements made by guests. This podcast does not make any representations or warranties about guests qualifications or credibility. Individuals on this podcast may have a direct or non-direct interest in products or services referred to herein. If you think you have a medical problem, consult a licensed physician.