| Boxes, athletes and martial arts fighters usually have | | | | ways, Shaolin fighters do not. They boil and steam |
| their own nutritionist and medical team that dictate | | | | these vegetables or just eat them raw because they |
| what they should eat - their fight diet. What about | | | | believe that cooking might reduce the nutrients that |
| Shaolins who lives in and train in temples or in an | | | | these vegetables can give. Fruits like bananas, figs, |
| excluded place? They do not have nutritionists or | | | | apples are also included in their diet. These fruits give |
| whatsoever. Do they also follow a certain fight diet | | | | them the necessary energy they need as they train |
| regimen? | | | | hard everyday. |
| Shaolin warriors are known around the world for their | | | | Shaolins prepare their food in simple ways. They |
| focus and dedication in their training of traditional kung | | | | believe that they should live life in the humblest, |
| fu. They have devoted their lives in their beliefs, | | | | simplest way possible, that's why their simplicity also |
| practices and training to become righteous persons | | | | extends in their daily activities including the way they |
| and perfect warriors. They wake up early in the | | | | prepare their food and eat. |
| morning to meditate for hours and become one with | | | | Kung fu is a very strenuous activity. Proper fight diet is |
| the nature. These Shaolin warriors start their kung fu | | | | required to nourish these warriors properly. Aside from |
| training with an empty stomach and do their drills after | | | | carbohydrates, protein is very important as a source |
| their meditation. This is the first part of their training. | | | | of energy and is necessary for tissue repair. Though |
| Afterward, they go and eat their first meal of the day | | | | meat is a very good source of these dietary needs |
| then go straight to their teachers for the second part. | | | | and is usually part of a fight diet, Shaolins do not eat |
| They spend most of their time doing intense physical | | | | meat. To overcome this gap, they go into non animal |
| and mental trainings. This discipline requires them to | | | | protein sources such as soy beans, almonds, peanuts, |
| endure this kind of lifestyle which enables them to | | | | tofu and seitan (can be made from soy protein or |
| withstand such hardship. | | | | wheat gluten¬) |
| Shaolin's Fight Diet | | | | Shaolins are prohibited to drink beers or any alcoholic |
| The traditional fight diet of Shaolin consists of rice, fruits | | | | beverages and use drugs. They believe that these |
| and vegetables. Rice has always been a common | | | | substances can affect the mind and body by breaking |
| food in China for so many years. Shaolins usually boil | | | | your concentration and keeping you away from your |
| or steam the rice or make noodles out of it. Rice is | | | | balance. They also avoided spices such as garlic, |
| one the main dishes in their fight diet because it is not | | | | onions and ginger for they believe that the flavor of |
| just nutritious, it can also come from different variety. | | | | these spices can stir up emotions that can blur Shaolin |
| Of course vegetables like sprouts, beans, taro and bok | | | | warriors' spirit and mind. One main objective of being a |
| choy are also important in their healthy diet. While other | | | | Shaolin is to live in purity. That is why these are |
| people prepare these vegetables in many different | | | | excluded in their fight diet and lifestyle. |