Nutrition is part of every fitness regime.   It is where the body finds the fuel, lubricants and raw element required by an active body.  We are fortunate to have nutritionist Zach here at eXtreme Cabarete.

Zach has put together a list of popular restaurants in Cabarete, along with nutritional guidance on what to eat and why.

Zach’s intro to nutrition-

The other day, someone asked me if honey is a good sweetener.
My answer was, “Let me see it”.
If by “honey” you mean the stuff you buy in the supermarket that comes in the cute little plastic bear, then my answer is no. If by “honey” you mean raw, unfiltered, uncooked, unpasteurized organic honey, then the answer is an unqualified yes.
Not all food is created equal. Take salmon, for example. Incredible food that is on almost every nutritionists’ top food lists. One problem is that farm raised and wild salmon are not the same food. The striking color of the omega-3 fat loaded wild salmon is the result of the fact that it normally dines on krill, which provides it with a highly beneficial compound called astaxanthin, a natural carotenoid that gives salmon it’s rich red color. Farm raised salmon have never seen krill; they eat grain, which is like raising lions on chocolate chip cookies. They have almost no omega-3 fats, and their color is a result of whatever selection of dye the factory farmers decide on that day. The fact is that wild salmon and farm-raised are completely different foods. Yet we unknowingly use the same word for both.
Big Problem.
Without going too far afield, let me point out that I believe this problem in language has a lot to do with the difficulty in drawing conclusions from studies of “meat eaters” or “vegetarians.” It’s possible to be a “vegetarian” just eating twinkies and white rice, and it’s possible being a vegetarian eating nothing but vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and eggs. Similarly, “meat eaters”  can refer to people who dine exclusively on ballpark hot dogs and have never met a vegetable they didn’t hate, or it can refer to paleos who dine on pasture-fed wild game and tons of wild fresh vegetables, fruits, and nuts.

See where I’m going with this?
I think we are trying far too hard to find the perfect diet in terms of protein, carbs, and fats. Endless diet and weight loss books are written promising a perfect formula, when really it comes down to the actual quality of the foods we eat.

Zach’s local go-to meals.

Gorditos- Ask for the Zach bowl. No rice, black beans, grilled vegetables, and choice of protein- ground beef, chicken, pulled pork, or mahi mahi (dorado). Choose dairy or no dairy (, spice level- hot, medium, or mild, with guacamole, lettuce, cabbage and lastly a drink. Agua de Coco (coconut water) or Agua fresca (melon infused water) are Zach’s approved favorites.

Chichigua- Just tell them your with Zach. Here you have plenty of room for creativity. Choose a meat and flavor and they will do the rest. Always keeping the portions satisfying and nutrient rich.

Mojito Bar- Here you have the option of white flour ciabatta or pan integral (wheat flour). Plenty of sandwich options but Zach recommends going mayonnaise-less (if your sandwich has it) and opting for the pan integral. Each sandwich comes with fresh squeezed juice but ask for no added sugar or honey if you really have a sweet tooth.