Protein Powders, Shakes, & Bars – Oh my!!

The word protein is derived from the Greek word proteios/or protos. Meaning of first quality, or of fist importance. Protein is made up of amino acids, which are crucial to constructing, maintaining a healthy structure of one’s body and many other functions. Foods that contain protein have varying amounts of different amino acids. The human body requires 20 different amino acids. Nine of these amino acids are essential, which the body can not manufacture. These essential amino acids must be derived from one’s diet. Only animal sources are complete proteins that contain all nine essential amino acids.

Since we cant always have optimal sources of protein at our disposal due to busy, on the go schedules, out of convenience we grab the latest protein powder, ready made shakes, and pre-packaged bars. There is nothing wrong with this, just be careful which brands you’re consuming.

Obviously, the better option would be preemptive preparation of a high-quality (animal) protein source, e.g., hard boiled eggs, already prepared protein with veggies from the night before. In any case, when you’re on the go or strapped for time, please take a second to check the ingredient list to avoid non-beneficial protein sources. Let’s breakdown the array of options for protein and what to look out for.

Protein Powders:

Strive for high quality organic sources such as whey and/or egg whites. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan look for hemp, rice, or pea powders. Do yourself a favor and read the ingredients list. If you see high fructose corn syrup or any other corn-based ingredient put it back. Processed corn products have no nutritional value, let alone any significant protein to repair/rebuild your body. If you see any name with soy in it, ditch it immediately. If you didn’t read my last blog about soy, I will give you a short synopsis. Soy has many anti-nutrient properties which include phytates, phytoestrogens, and trypsin inhibitors. They’re all bad, but lets focus on the tryspin inhibitor. Trypsin is an enzyme which helps breakdown protein into amino acids so the body can absorb and assimilate them. It seems a bit counter-intuitive to me to consume a protein powder that doesn’t allow for the protein absorption. Read more here:

Protein Shakes:

These are great to have, already mixed and bottled. Only shaking is required. The issue is they can be loaded with different artificial sweeteners, particularly sucralose. This is a known nuerotoxin which causes brain tissue toxicity and malfunction. Sucralose is a chlorocarbon, commonly found in disinfectants, bleach, and insecticide. That sounds scrumptious!! Processed corn appears again in these shakes with jazzed up names as Maltodextrin, Ascorbic acid, Potassium citrate, and many more. They sound so technical and healthy, but in the end it is still corn. Yes soy is an common stock amongst the designer protein shakes. Texturized vegetable proteins (TVP), hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) are synonymous with soy. Look for the organic options flavored with cocoa that include whey, rice, and hemp. Look to limit the amount of artificial sweeteners and additives. If you can’t pronounce the name then you should probably put it back.

Protein Bars:

It’s all about convenience with the bars as well as adding to mindless eating. Everyone devours protein bars due to their small nature and don’t even think twice about what just happened. Your body knows what is going on, if it only could talk it would say every expletive known to man. Instead your body gives off a negative reaction to the bar that was consumed. Clever marketing and labeling makes you only see a whopping 25g of protein and 0g of fat. The devil is always in the details. Look beyond the “all natural”, “low glycemic”, “builds a lean body”, “provides sustained energy.” I think you get the point. These bad boys are loaded with soy, its more of a estrogen bar coated with chocolate. Look for yourself, soy protein isolate and soy lecithin pretty much always accompany one another. It’s slim to none for this group. The small group of bars that are available, consist of more nuts and fruit. They lack the heavy protein punch. All in all a much better option health wise. Again stick to names you know and keep it natural.

Companies always find ways to disguise the actual source which people are scrolling to find as they search the ingredient list. I hope to give you a more refined eye when scouring for additives. Be your own nutrition detective. Remember protein breaks down into amino acids which are the bricks that build muscle tissue. Pay the extra money and get high quality sources for your body. Would you put in cheap gas in your Bentley, Ferrari, or Lamborghini. I think not. Treat your body with the same respect.