Protein is important. Whether you are doing a nutrition plan like P90x that has you eating A TON of protein for the first 30 days, or if you are just a regular Joe...we need protein. Primarily it is for building and repairing body tissues (like muscle) and structures. Sometimes, protein is not easy to get in healthy forms. For instance, there is a good amount of protein in a hamburger...but it is a hamburger. Even lean ground turkey meat from the supermarket is not only expensive, but it is generally riddled with antibiotics. Free range turkey is much better but it is expensive, and shoot, I am poor. And what about the vegetarians it is hard for them to get complete proteins! it is recommended we eat as many grams of protein as our weight (180 lbs person should eat 180 grams of protein) Jeeze! How do we get enough protein in our bodies?! Answer: Whey protein powder.
A lot of people (girls especially, no offense ladies) equate buying a tub of some kind of powder from GNC with a massive body builder juiced up on steroids. WRONG. Buying a package of whey protein and drinking it with some water, milk, or in a smoothie, is not going to make you huge. It is just a simple way to get easy to digest, low to non fat protein in your system. Plus there are tons of fun flavors. Don't get me wrong, some brands are awful, some are excellent (I'll reveal what to look for below, and what tastes best), but whey protein powder is a goldmine for getting in shape.
Here are just a few benefits of whey protein:
* Naturally complete protein, i.e. is has all the amino acids for a daily diet
* Easy to digest, fast protein to speed muscle building and recovery
* More energy is needed to burn/digest protein --> more weight loss
* Slows glucose absorption in the bloodstream, reduces hunger cravings via lower insulin levels and increases fat burning
* High amounts of leucine, a key amino acid for promoting lean muscle tissue growth
Ok, so here are the best whey proteins on the market in my opinion.
1. Team Beachbody Whey (was there any doubt, I mean come on, I am a beachbody coach)...very fine and delicious, not too chalky at all. Chocolate and vanilla, they keep it simple. Buy it here
2. AMP Whey by GNC. Almost like sugar cause its so fine and not chalky (though not much sugar in it). Very very fine crystalized look, dissolves amazingly well, tastes fantastic.
3. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard (Pictured above) or Muscle Milk. This is my go to generally, so good, lots of great flavors and it is not too expensive. It looks chalky, but it mixes really well.
Stick to the basic flavors, chocolate, vanilla, cookies and cream. The fancy flavors like banana, or mocha are risky but some people like 'em.
You should generally look for around 18 - 25g of Protein per scoop, no more than 140 calories per scoop, low sugar, low fat, and it should have all 23 essential amino acids in it, most do. Also, with regards to protein bars, the best tasting are the Pure Protein brand (Wal mart has them), but the P90x ones are good too, a little more chalky and power-bar tasting i.e. mealy.
Protein Powder can be mixed with oatmeal/cereal, I use it in my Shakeology smoothies with milk and some frozen fruit for breakfast. It is good to have some protein after a workout to help muscle repair and growth. I mix it with my P90x Results and Recovery Formula (which is essentially pure sugar! MMMmmmMMMmmm) So, add some Whey protein to your diet, whoever you are, it is a great whey to get protein (hahahahahaha). Make sure you spread it out through the day through all your 5 meals. All 5 meals should have a balance of complex carbs, protein, and fiber. Please don't think that drinking whey protein is going to get you in shape. You have to work out to do that :)
Get at me on twitter (@CoachZoso), check out my Facebook fan page and friend me :), email me with questions. I love to help out and coach! I am studying to be a counselor, so its in my nature.
Namaste.
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