Showing posts with label protein powder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label protein powder. Show all posts

Alert: Protein drinks What YOU Need To Know

Some protein drinks can even pose health risks, including exposure to potentially harmful heavy metals, if consumed frequently.

Consumer Reports Investigation including tests at an outside laboratory of 15 protein drinks, a review of government documents, and interviews with health and fitness experts and consumers, found most people already get enough protein, and there are far better and cheaper ways to add more if it's needed.



All drinks in our tests had at least one sample containing one or more of the following contaminants: arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Those metals can have toxic effects on several organs in the body.

READ the full article Consumer Reports Investigation scroll down to article on protein powder.

Don't Skip Breakfast- get better results! Are you getting enough Protein in your diet?



One of the most important things you can do to fuel your body is
"Eat a full breakfast".
Wake up early enough to eat a full breakfast.


When you eat and what you eat can affect your performance and the way you feel while you're exercising.

Don't workout hungry. If you start exercising in an energy deficit, your body is likely to preserve fat and perform poorly.

If you are going to have a tough workout, drink juice, fruit, whole grain bread or pasta to take in some calories.

To help your muscles recover and to replace their glycogen stores, eat a meal that contains both protein and carbohydrates within two hours of your exercise session if possible.

Avoid going for long periods of time without eating.
 
Here is a list of foods that are high in protein-
▪ Skinless Turkey Breast – 94% protein
▪ Shrimp – 90% protein
▪ Red snapper – 87% protein
▪ Crab – 86% protein
▪ Halibut – 80% protein
▪ Beef sweetbreads – 77% protein
▪ Steamed clams – 73% protein
▪ Lean pork tenderloin – 72% protein
▪ Beef heart – 69% protein
▪ Broiled tuna – 68% protein
▪ Veal steak – 68% protein
▪ Sirloin beef steak – 65% protein
▪ Chicken livers – 65% protein
▪ Skinless chicken breasts – 63% protein
▪ Beef liver – 63% protein
▪ Lean beef flank steak – 62% protein
▪ Lean pork chops – 62% protein
▪ Mussels – 58% protein

Healthy snack ideas.


Berries, especially blueberries, made the list of more experts than any other food. Berries are loaded with phytonutrients, antioxidants and fiber, and are low in sugar. Mix a bowl of berries with a piece of string cheese for the perfect pre-workout snack. The string cheese has 8 grams of protein, some fat to keep hunger at bay and only about 80 calories. And it's an excellent source of calcium.



Turkey and grapes. It's a perfect match of protein, carbs and low calories to take the edge off your hunger and prime your exercise pump. Four small slices of deli-packaged turkey contain only 87 calories but give you more than 14 grams of protein, plus some of the cancer-fighting mineral selenium to boot. A cup of grapes adds some carbs to the mix together with all the health-giving phytochemicals grapes are known for. Go for fresh turkey whenever possible as the packaged kind is high in sodium and go for red or purple grapes as they have more antioxidants.

This is one of my favorite snacks, period.  I take some hearts of celery and fill in the groove with some organic almond butter or peanut butter. This snack really travels well in Tupperware and makes a terrific pre-workout snack. Why? The celery has fiber and nutrients (including calcium and vitamin A) 6 calories per medium stalk. The nut butter has protein and fat. The overall calories are low, and this really fills you up without slowing you down, providing great "slow-release" energy for a terrific workout.

Put apple with almonds. The apple is the perfect food for a pre-exercise snack. The sugar load is moderate, it contains valuable pectin fiber which slows the entrance of that sugar into the bloodstream, and it's a nutritional powerhouse containing vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Combine it with about a dozen almonds, which add some fat and protein, to further slow the entrance of the sugar into the bloodstream for sustained energy, and keep hunger away.

Whey protein is my favorite kind of protein powder.  Not only is it extremely high-quality, bioavailable protein; it supports the immune system by providing the building blocks for glutathione, arguably the body's most important antioxidant. And studies indicate that whey protein may boost weight loss efforts. According to one French study, eating whey before exercise supports fat burning and may help with gaining or maintaining lean body mass. I suggest a whey protein shake made with either water alone or with frozen berries. The berries add fiber, nutrients and some extra carbohydrates, and make for a more delicious drink.

Try this awesome healthy snack, replace icecream with these healthier choices:
Freeze your grapes, blueberries, rasberries, sliced mango's they make a great healthy snack.

When is the best time to eat after your fitness workout?

For the first thirty minutes after a workout your body is
still ready to exercise; your muscles have been innervated,
they are ready to fire (workout) when you say so, and are
not ready to begin repairing yet. After thirty minutes,
your muscles relax and begin to repair themselves. This is
when one would want to consume protein, because protein aids
in the muscle rebuilding process. So, if you consume your
post-workout protein beverage 30 min to 1 hour after your
workout, you will be helping your muscles rebuild during
their primetime rebuilding process and maximizing the
benefits of the protein you're taking.

After 2-3 hours, you should consume a regular meal (with
protein in it) to continue aiding in the muscle rebuilding
process. Do not 'treat' yourself to sweets or alcohol or
whatever, for your muscles will still be crying out for
protein and you will be feeding them sugar or alcohol or
heavy carbohydrates...they want protein. Remember 'You Are
What You Eat'?
That is especially true on the days you
exercise. If you can eat properly after a workout and stay
away from 'treats', your results will come faster than you
expect.