Loading...
The Healf Source
What's Inside A Biohackers Shopping Basket?
Written by: Eleanor Hoath
Written on: March 18, 2025
In the world of biohacking, every choice is intentional, from the supplements taken to the precise timing of meals. To gain insight into this meticulous approach to health, we spoke to Don, Healf's data scientist and dedicated biohacker, about his daily routine, must-have products, and the philosophy driving his pursuit of peak performance and longevity.
A day in the life of a biohacker
For Don, consistency is key. His days follow a strict regimen, only varying slightly between fasting and non-fasting days.
Morning Routine: His day begins at 6:15 am with stretching and movement exercises, followed by light work by an open window. An hour later, he heads to the gym, tailoring his workout depending on whether he is fasting or not. Regardless of the training, he always finishes with a 20-minute sauna session. On fasting days, he also includes an ice bath, strategically timing it away from weight training to avoid any negative impact on muscle adaptation.
Midday and Afternoon: On fasting days, Don works and studies straight through until 8:30 pm, breaking up long sitting periods with “exercise snacks,” such as stair climbing every few hours. On eating days, his routine is more structured: he starts with amino acids post-gym, followed by his first meal 30 minutes later. A 25-minute nap follows, and he concludes his four-hour eating window with a second meal, incorporating additional five-minute exercise snacks before and after meals.
Evening Wind-Down: By 9:30 pm, all screens are off. He winds down with red light therapy and reading before lights out at 10:45 pm.
His main takeaway? “My days aren’t perfect, but they suit my goals and align with the science. Consistency in eating, sleeping, and movement is what makes everything easier to maintain.”
Biohacker’s shopping basket: the essentials
The cost of biohacking: is optimised health a luxury?
Don estimates that he spends around £300 per week on his strict 3x4-hour eating window. He acknowledges that this might be beyond the reach of many but believes that high-quality nutrition enables the body and mind to function optimally.
“Ideally, health shouldn’t come at a premium, but as biohacking becomes more mainstream, I expect costs to decrease. For now, I prioritise quality over quantity.”
Biohackers are known for their experimental approach, and Don is no exception. His most unconventional investments include:
TDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) and biofeedback machines to enhance cognitive function.
Subcutaneous NAD injections and serine proteases, which play a role in inflammation, tissue repair, and cellular senescence.
Peptide research, which he believes represents the next frontier in optimising health.
While some of these interventions lack conclusive research, Don finds the mechanisms promising enough to experiment with them personally.
How to decide which 'biohacks' are worth investing in?
For Don, the decision to integrate a new product or practice involves a mix of research, personal experimentation, and tracking measurable outcomes.
“I stay up to date with the latest longevity research and base my decisions on whether something aligns with core health principles. If it improves my gym performance, sleep, focus, or mental state, I continue with it. If uncertain, I track heart rate, blood pressure, and even get blood tests when necessary.”
The driving philosophy: longevity first
Don’s primary goal is longevity, though he admits he hasn’t yet settled on a philosophical reason why. “The longer I live, the more time I have to figure out my purpose, meet new people, and share knowledge.”
He emphasises that longevity, when approached correctly, naturally results in peak performance and mental clarity. “I’m simply curious about what my body and mind are capable of.”
Looking back, Don doesn’t have many regrets, but he recalls an early mistake: diving into the keto diet without adequate research. “It was unpleasant, but I learnt a lot, and it shaped my approach to longevity today.”
Some might call Don’s lifestyle obsessive, but he sees it as consistency. “I set my goals, and I act accordingly. Everyone’s goals differ, but all actions should align with them. Is that obsession? Perhaps. But my choices are backed by science as far as my knowledge allows.”
Biohacking on a budget: three cost-effective strategies
For those looking to optimise their health without breaking the bank, Don suggests:
Time-Restricted Eating: Limiting the eating window to 6-8 hours (or even One Meal a Day) reduces food intake, allowing more budget for higher-quality meals.
Prioritising Real Food or Supplements Based on Cost: If whole foods are cheaper, skip the supplements. If supplements provide better value, choose them strategically.
Walking Instead of Public Transport: Opting for active transport saves money and promotes cardiovascular health.
Don is optimistic - “with growing awareness, more people are realising how much control they have over their health. Eventually, healthier choices will become the norm. The key is to continue learning, sharing knowledge, and spreading awareness. The future of health optimisation is closer than we think.”
As biohacking continues to evolve, figures like Don push the boundaries of what’s possible in optimising human performance and longevity. Whether or not his lifestyle appeals to the average person, there’s no denying that the biohacking movement is reshaping our approach to health — one meticulously curated shopping basket at a time.
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Healf
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Healf
Eleanor Hoath is a Registered Nutritional Therapist (DipNT, mANP, mBANT) specialising in gut, skin and women’s health. She is the Editor of The Healf Source and founder of Well Nourished Nutrition Ltd.
Passionate about holistic wellbeing and balanced living, Eleanor combines evidence-based nutrition with a practical, approachable style to help people feel their best through content.
Based in London, she is dedicated to empowering individuals to nurture their health and understand the root cause of their symptoms from the inside out.
