Simple. Whole. Sustainable.

Nutrition Guide

A simple guide to build a clean, healthy, and sustainable diet using whole foods

by Jayden Santangelo · @justjtown

Protein

Grass-fed / Pasture Raised / Wild

Build each meal around a high quality protein source. Mix it up and utilize a variety of these options.

Beef
Bison
Chicken
Eggs
Turkey
Venison
Elk
Salmon
Tuna
Sardines
Shrimp
Mackerel
Tilapia
Greek yogurt / skyr
Cottage cheese
Bone broth
Whole milk
Whey (grass-fed)
Collagen (grass-fed)
Beef isolate (grass-fed)
Fruit Organic

Focus on berries daily. Rotate other fruits based on performance and goals.

Berries — antioxidants / low sugar
Blueberries
Raspberries
Strawberries
Cherries
Tropical — vitamin C
Oranges
Grapefruit
Other Staples
Apples
Pomegranate
Watermelon
Lemons / limes
Mango
Bananas
Dates
Kiwi
Vegetables Organic

Prioritize a variety of vegetables — especially leafy greens and cruciferous. The more color/diversity the better.

Spinach
Kale
Arugula
Broccoli
Broccoli sprouts
Brussels sprouts
Cauliflower
Asparagus
Zucchini
Peppers
Cucumber
Celery
Onion / garlic
Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Beets
Carrots
Radishes
Carbohydrates Quality sources

Use carbs to fuel your workouts and recovery. Adjust intake based on training load.

Sweet potatoes
White rice
Potatoes
Oats
Brown rice
Quinoa
Whole grain bread (Ezekiel)
Wraps / tortillas (organic / clean)
Buckwheat
Pumpkin / squash
Maple syrup
Raw honey
Fats & Cooking Sources Organic / Grass-fed

Use high-quality fats to support hormones, energy, and overall health. Prioritize organic/clean sources for daily cooking.

Olive oil (EVOO)
Avocados
Nuts / seeds
Butter
Beef tallow
Coconut oil
Ghee
Avocado oil
Duck fat
Nut butters (almond)
Seed butters (pumpkin)
Functional Foods Organic / Grass-fed / Wild

Use these foods to support digestion, recovery, and overall health. Small additions done consistently make a big impact.

Gut health — fermented
Sauerkraut
Kimchi
Pickled vegetables
Kefir
Kombucha
Spices — anti-inflammatory
Tumeric
Ginger
Garlic
Cinnamon
Cayenne
Other Staples
Dark chocolate (70%+)
Green tea / matcha
Bee pollen
Cacao nibs
Seaweed / kelp

Supplements

Supplements aren't required but they can help fill gaps and support performance, recovery, and overall health. Focus on high quality, well-dosed options based on your individual needs. Do your own research prior to taking any supplements.

Daily Essentials — most people are deficient in these 6
Vitamin D3 3,000–5,000 IU / day
Magnesium (glycinate or threonate) 300–400 mg / night
Fish Oil (wild caught) 1,000–2,000 mg / day
Creatine (monohydrate) 5 g / day
Whey Protein (grass-fed) 30–50 g / day
Minerals (trace mineral complex) 1 serving / day
Other Supplements I Take — most days
Collagen (grass-fed) 10–20 g / day
Electrolytes (high sodium) 500–1,000 mg · 1–2 servings / day
Beef Liver (grass-fed) 1 serving / day
Colostrum (grass-fed) 1 serving / day
Caffeine (coffee, matcha, tea) 200–400 mg / day
Thorne
Promix ★
Pure Encapsulations
Nordic Naturals
Transparent Labs
Cymbiotika
Optimize Minerals
Just Ingredients
Trace Minerals
Seed
Paleo Valley
Equip
Ritual
Armra

★ Main brand I use. Not all trusted brands are listed.

Daily Habits

Simple habits I focus on daily to support my health, performance, and quality of life.

01
Aim for 1–1.1g of protein per lb of bodyweight
02
7–9 hours of sleep per night
03
8–12k steps per day (more is great)
04
Stay hydrated — roughly a gallon of water per day
05
Wait 60–90 min to drink caffeine after waking
06
Limit blue light at night (blue light glasses)
07
Get natural sunlight within 30–60 min of waking
08
Prioritize whole foods — single ingredient, organic, grass-fed
09
Stop eating 2–3 hours before bed
10
Prioritize whole foods and limit processed food
11
Strength train at least 3–4x per week
12
Take time to relax daily — breathing, slowing down
13
Maintain a slight calorie deficit (if fat loss is the goal) with high protein
14
Incorporate faith / mindfulness into your daily routine
15
Consistent sleep / wake schedule
16
Consistency > perfection — always

Building Your Meals

Protein should be the foundation of every meal. On training days I include more carbs to support performance and recovery. On rest days I typically keep carbs lower. Don't skip fruits and vegetables — they're full of micronutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. Keep meals simple, consistent, and built around whole foods.

Each Meal Should Include
Protein
Carb (varies by training)
Vegetable and / or Fruit
Healthy Fat
Example Meal
Grass-fed ground beef
Sweet potatoes
Spinach + Side of blueberries
Avocado
First Thing
  • 16–32 oz of water with lemon
Pre Workout
  • Oats, whey protein, frozen blueberries, cinnamon, raw honey
  • Black coffee (cold brew or espresso)
Post Workout
  • Protein shake — 2 scoops of whey with water
  • Pasture-raised ground chicken, sweet potatoes, broccoli sprouts, avocado, blueberries
Snack
  • Yogurt bowl (Siggis), frozen berries, whey protein, cacao nibs, bee pollen, cinnamon
Dinner
  • Grass-fed ground beef, white rice, spinach, bell pepper, onion, pickles, kiwi

5 Simple Things

01
Eat whole foods
90% of the time
02
Weight train
3–5x a week
03
Walk daily
8–10k steps/day
04
Sleep
7–9 hours
05
Get outside
daily

I follow these principles daily and they've made a huge difference in my life. If you want help applying them to your own goals, DM me on Instagram.