"In Brazil we don't go out much to eat so mostly its home-cooked food not fast food," says Burnquist, who placed fifth in last nights X Games Vert competition. "I grew up on lots of fresh juices and fruits and vegetables. So when I moved out here in 1995 for skateboarding, my body went into shock - it was totally weird because the food was so different. Even the smoothies here are different than in Brazil where everything is fresh and local."

Burnquist, who will compete in the Vert Best trick competition on Saturday at 6PM PT and the new mega-ramp Big Air competition on Sunday at 1PM PT, says the American fast food diet actually hurts his performance.

"When I am on tour its a lot tougher to eat healthy because were rushing from skate park to skate park so you cant prepare your own food very easily," Burnquist states. "The guys all eat Burger King and all that, but I make them take me to the market so I can buy fresh food. I just cant skate and eat fast food."

In fact, Burnquist was having so much trouble finding a healthy place to eat in San Diego County where he now resides that he started his own restaurant, Melodia. The restaurant featured vegetarian food and some seafood and was primarily organic.

"My preference is for organic food but you cant always get it," says Burnquist, who has a four-year-old daughter with professional skateboarder Jen OBrien. "I dont mind spending a little more for organic because it really is investing in your health and your own body. Body preservation in my profession equals a longer career."

Fan appreciation

Despite experiencing "around 25 fractures," Burnquist says he heals extremely quickly because of his healthy diet. But what pains the Brazilian skate champ more is seeing high-profile athletes pitching junk food.

"I skateboard for a living so most of the fans are kids and it bums me out to see guys like Shaq doing Burger King," says the 27-year-old skate legend. "And I love Tony Hawk but I dont get the whole fast food thing? When you have that much money, why?"

Because of his daughter, Lotus, and the increasing number of endorsement offers that come his way, Burnquist has been extremely selective about what he pitches.

"I remember being a kid and mimicking whatever the pros did or said or wore," Burnquist explains. "I am a dad now so I try to make sure I give the kids a healthy message without being preachy."

Nutrition and health expert John McDougall applauds Burnquists rejection of fast food and eating "high on the food chain." The expert says that Burnquists primarily vegetarian lifestyle and organic eating are big health advantages.

"Organic foods biggest advantage is the removal of toxic chemicals, like synthetic pesticides or herbicides, from the foods themselves," states McDougall, a board certified internist and director of the McDougall Program in Santa Rosa, California. "The science is quite extensive from major research groups and major publications and demonstrates two broad categories of disease that are strongly linked to these toxic chemicals. One is Parkinsons and other neurological diseases. The other category is cancer, particularly breast cancer."

McDougall says that the damage is likely caused by organophosphates, which are pesticides commonly used in food production.

"Organophosphates are metabolized by most of us fairly efficiently," McDougall says. "But some people cannot process them very well so they accumulate and these people develop Parkinsons and other health problems."

While there are other theories about the safety of pesticides, McDougall wonders why people wouldnt avoid these pesticides if you could. "They certainly arent a nutritionally necessary part of your diet," notes McDougall, who has written ten best-selling books on health. "These chemicals in our food certainly cause me to pause when I go shopping for food."

Burnquist got so frustrated finding good organic food that he actually started his own organic farm ' Burnquist Organics ' and invites schools and kids out to see and taste organically grown food for themselves.

"The skate ramp in my backyard usually interests them first and then when they learn who I am they seem to really get into learning about organic food," Burnquist says. "Now organic farming is cool to them."

Going low

But both Burnquist and McDougall note that not everyone can have their own organic farm or even afford to eat organic food which is typically more expensive than factory-farmed foods.

"There are two ways to eat more organic - eating low on the food chain is the most important way," McDougall states. "The lower on the food chain you eat the more likely you are to get chemical and pesticide-free food. Plants, unless they are high fat like avocados, do not accumulate the pesticides which are fat-soluble chemicals."

This concept is called bio-magnification and illustrates that as you move up the food chain more pollutants and chemicals are accumulated. Eating low on the food chain means consuming fruits, grains and vegetables as opposed to meats, poultry, fish and dairy items.

McDougall says the last consumer in the food chain is the infant who is breastfed. Several studies have shown that potentially hazardous amounts of pesticides are detectable in breast milk. Even so, McDougall stresses that breast feeding is still far better for mother and infant than formula.

"Where you pick your foods on the food chain is how you get the majority of your pesticides," McDougall notes. "About 90% of the environmental chemicals that get into to peoples bodies are from meat, poultry, eggs, dairy and fish. These are the major sources of these chemicals."

McDougall also recommends that people peel and wash their fruits and vegetables because this is where the chemical residues will accumulate. "Peeling and washing your food and eating low on the food chain will reduce your pesticide exposure dramatically," McDougall says.

But even Burnquist recognizes that not everyone should be vegetarian and not everyone can afford to eat organic food.

"Everyone is individual and some people want to eat meat," Burnquist says. "My choice is to not eat meat. I just think people should know what is in their food. Meat isnt grown the way it used to be - free range - most cows live in long metal sheds."

Getting some big air is what Burnquist lives for and this weekend is no exception. But despite his love of skateboarding, being a dad is his favorite job.

"Being a dad is the best thing so I want my daughter to believe in what I say," Burnquist says. "You have to walk the walk with kids especially."

And Burnquist walks a lot - mostly around his farm.

"Lotus and I cruise around the garden and eat everything were growing," he says. "When you touch the soil, it touches your soul. Food doesnt come from a can it comes from the earth. You have to be vigilant about staying healthy. Think about what youre eating. If you eat well, youll feel better."