Category Archives: Protein

Which Protein Powder to Choose?

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Which Protein Powder to Choose?

Protein in milk is 80% casein and 20% whey.

Whey is a complete protein meaning that it contains all 9 essential amino acids and digested faster than whey. It is the gold standard of protein supplements.

Whey protein comes in several forms. Concentrates, Isolates and Hydrolosates.

Whey concentrates: water is removed. It contains lactose, fat and cholesterol.

Whey isolates: a little more protein than concentrates but less lactose, fat and cholesterol than whey powder.

Whey hydrolosates: the protein is predigested, they assimilate into the body faster than isolates and hydrolosates and are more costly.  Hydrolosates can have a bitter taste. Concentrates and isolates are already fast-digesting, so a hydrolysate, which digests minimally faster, may not be worth the taste tradeoff and extra cost for the small benefit.

Casein is also a complete protein and has a lower biological value than whey. (BV is a measure of the percentage of protein absorbed and used from the total protein consumed). Since casein is absorbed more slowly than whey and the amino acids released over time, casein at bedtime is beneficial as it supplies protein throughout the nights as the body goes through a catabolic state and uses protein tissue for energy. A combo of casein and whey works well.

Egg protein powder: is complete, high quality protein and is popular with those who can’t have dairy

Soy protein powder: is complete, high quality protein

Rice Protein powder: is hypoallergenic and well absorbed plant protein although not complete protein. So this needs to be combined with other plant protein sources. Mix other protein sources for a better amino acid profile such as nuts or rice.

Pea Protein Powder: easily digested and not commonly allergenic. It is not a complete protein. So this needs to be combined with other plant protein sources. Mix other protein sources for a better amino acid profile such as nuts or rice.

Make sure that the protein item is listed first in the ingredient list. Typically the fewer ingredients the better; avoid powders with sugars, sweeteners, vitamins, minerals, herbs or guarana.

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How to Get Enough Protein if You Are a Vegetarian

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Protein is considered a macronutrient, meaning if you don’t large amounts of it, your health and body composition will suffer.

The body uses protein to repair and build tissues including muscles. Every cell in the body contains protein. Protein is also essential to make hormones, enzymes and other important bodily chemicals.

Adequate protein is very important when it comes to losing weight. People who want to hold on to muscle they’ve already built may need to increase their protein intake when losing body fat, as a high protein intake can help prevent muscle loss that usually occurs when reducing calories to lose weight. (Source, Source).

How much protein an individual needs is based on several factors like muscle mass, activity level, health, physique goals and is best determined by a registered dietitian.

If someone is a vegetarian or vegan, it can be a challenge to eat enough protein.

Keep in mind that plant sources of protein are incomplete (they do not have all the essential amino acids), with the exception of soybeans and quinoa. If a vegetarian or vegan has a limited diet, they can potentially not be getting their daily protein needs met. They must be careful to eat a wide a variety of protein rich plant foods.

See here for more information on getting adequate protein.

For those eating meat, 1 ounce of protein provides about 7 grams of protein. But for the vegetarian, these options offer a meatless alternative for 1 ounce of protein or 7 grams of protein.

½ cup cooked chickpeas, black beans, edamame or lentils

1/2 cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds

¼ cup tofu

2 tablespoons hummus

1 cup cooked bulgur or quinoa

12 raw almonds

1 tablespoon peanut butter

2 slices of bread

1 to 1.5 cups cereal

3 ½ cups vegetables

One large egg

One cup milk

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Oven Baked Salmon

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20160328_161901Serves 2.

12 ounce salmon fillet, cut into 2 pieces

Lemon, optional

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Cut lemon into slices. Set aside.

Season salmon with salt and pepper. Place salmon, skin side down, on a non-stick baking sheet or in a pyrex glass baking dish.  Bake until salmon is cooked through to 125 degrees about 12 to 15 minutes.

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