Posts Tagged ‘protein’

7 Things To Consider When Making a Meal Replacement Shake

Monday, October 15th, 2018

Protein Shake WomanPeople drink meal replacement shakes for a multitude of reasons. Some of the more popular reasons are weight loss, an inability to consume solid food or simply not having enough time to prepare a full meal.

No matter what your reason for using a meal replacement shake, there are certain rules of thumb that you should remember and apply so that your shake not only keeps you full but also provides you with other nutrients to keep your body functioning optimally.

Most commercially prepared meal replacement shakes (the best ones, at least) already have these considerations in place but if you are making your own, here are some ways to get the most out of it:

Don’t skimp on protein

Protein will keep you feeling fuller for longer by increasing the production of satiety hormones (such as GLP-1, peptide YY, and cholecystokinin) while also reducing the levels of ghrelin(a hunger hormone) in the body. This leads you to crave less so you can stick to your weight loss plan much easier.

To boost the protein levels in your homemade shake, you can use a protein powder or add a tablespoon or two of peanut butter to the mix. You can also use milk instead of water – milk has about 8 grams of protein per cup.

Nonfat Greek yogurt is another protein-rich food that you can add to your shake. (more…)

Share the Swole!

Best Tasting Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Loss Reviews

Monday, July 23rd, 2018

protein shakeLooking for the best-tasting meal replacement shakes for weight loss reviews? Here we go.

There are many protein-rich drinks available on the market, but let’s find the best-tasting meal replacement shakes for weight loss. The problem is that many weight loss shake, in particular, whey protein powders, throughout time, have been known to taste like a tin can and have the consistency of a bowl of grit.  We have gone ahead and reviewed 5 popular shakes used for both fat loss and lean muscle gain. Here is out list of the best-tasting meal replacement shakes to help kick start your latest fitness goals (more…)

Share the Swole!

Diet Choices for Women to Make Muscle Building Easier!

Tuesday, June 26th, 2018

Women looking to build muscle are already at a disadvantage compared with men because they have naturally lower testosterone and growth hormone levels. Due to this, women must be much more careful about their diet and training routine to build muscle.

Especially considering their diet, women must be completely focused on choosing the correct foods and drinks to build muscle.

Keep reading below to find out the best diet choices for women to make building muscle easier!

(more…)

Share the Swole!

Protein Guide On Low Carb Diet – How Much Protein Is Required And Where To Get It

Friday, May 11th, 2018

low carb foods

For gaining the most out of keto diet, it is imperative to cut down on the carb consumption while maintaining the protein supply in your body at the same time. But people often make the mistake of consuming excess protein while on a low carb diet which brings them face to face with the question about the optimum amount of protein which is required by their body while it undergoes the process of ketosis. (more…)

Share the Swole!

Why You Should Invest In Finding the Perfect Blender for Protein Shakes and Smoothies

Monday, January 15th, 2018

Protein ShakeProtein is an important component of our daily nutritional requirements, and it is also important to have the right equipment for preparing daily ratios of proteins. Proteins are one of the essentials of our human body in many different ways and some of notable benefits includes helping in wound recovery, building of muscle mass, promotion of muscle recovery, increasing muscle endurance, trimming of unnecessary fats, and general improvement of the immune system.

In most cases, proteins are normally taken in form of protein shakes and smoothies and that is why, it is important to select the best blender for protein shakes and smoothies. The only way to come up with tasty smoothies and shakes is by buying the right blender.

There are many types of blenders available in the market, but getting the right one is always a challenge for most people. (more…)

Share the Swole!

Impact of Hemp Protein on Weight Gaining Efforts

Friday, December 1st, 2017

Hemp protein is made from hemp seeds and it is considered to be a high-fiber supplement. Many people use it to enhance how much protein they get in their diet with other foods. Because it has higher than average digestibility, it is considered a good form of protein for athletes who are trying to bulk up and gain weight.

hemp protein muscle

What is Hemp?

Hemp is a type of crop that is very diverse and can be grown for medicinal purpose. The hemp protein made from its seeds is mostly made up of 45% hemp oil, 35% hemp protein, and 10% carbohydrates. Because of these amounts, hemp is a good source of nutrition and it can have a lot of benefit to your health. (more…)

Share the Swole!

5 Protein Bars you can Munch on a Ketogenic Diet

Sunday, October 15th, 2017

So, what is a ketogenic diet anyway?

Lean man and womanA ketogenic diet refers to a low-carbohydrate diet, specifically where daily net carbs total 50g or less. At these levels, the body process stored fat and dietary protein for energy, causing a state of ‘ketosis’. Usually when total calories are low enough on a ketogenic diet, after 3-4 days when ketosis kicks in, rapid weight loss begins. A Keto diet can also be useful for managing certain illness and conditions such as epilepsy, heart & brain disease, diabetes, and even acne.

The biggest drawback to the ketogenic diet is the food choices. If you’re on a Keto diet, you know how hard it is to find a high-fat, low carb and low-glycemic meals that rarely leaves you feeling hungry. With plenty of products to choose from, it can be a bit cumbersome to weed all through the products, and find the right one. (more…)

Share the Swole!

How You Can Benefit From Protein

Thursday, June 29th, 2017

Your diet affects your health. When you eat properly, it benefits your everyday health. It also reduces your risk of serious health conditions. Whether you are planning a meal or thinking about a snack, you will benefit in many ways from choosing protein.

Protein And Weight Control  

Whether you are overweight and want to shed some pounds, or want to maintain your current weight, protein can help you achieve your goal. First, protein is a natural appetite suppressant. When you consume protein, you will feel full and satisfied. This can eliminate overeating and between-meal cravings.

Protein Shake Woman

Second, protein boosts your metabolism. Whey protein, especially, will help your body burn fat and calories. Your body will burn more calories when it digests food.  

Another way protein helps with weight control is the amount of food you eat. When you choose a protein-rich product, you will generally eat less than when you eat fats or carbohydrates. You will consume fewer calories, instead of overeating high-calorie products. (more…)

Share the Swole!

What Are the Side Effects of Protein Powder?

Monday, December 5th, 2016
Your Questions

I get plenty of questions in various comments throughout the website, but I also get comments and questions via the contact form.

Generally, I address those questions through e-mail, but often I do not have the time to reply to each and every question personally.

From now on I want to take a more proactive approach to answer your questions by posting them separately in the blog. This way we can be sure that everyone benefits from the Q & A.

Russel wrote:

“I’m 19 and am just starting to try to build some muscle. I was wondering what happens when you consume too much protein and your liver or kidneys can’t handle it, what are the side effects?”

Response:

First of all, there really are no side effects to using protein powder, as long as you use it intelligently. There’s no reason to eat more than 40 grams of protein in a meal. There’s also no reason to live on protein supplements.

side effects of protein powder

Real food will help keep you healthy.

Protein powder is just a ‘supplement’ to your normal whole food diet. Muscle Milk is definitely the best product to choose to ‘supplement’ your diet with extra protein, but you don’t want to base your entire nutrition plan around it.

That said, I want to examine this question from the following three angles:

  • regarding the digestion of lactose
  • regarding the digestion of excess protein and developing kidney stones
  • regarding your body being in a state of ketosis
(more…)

Share the Swole!

8 Signs Your Body Needs More Protein

Thursday, September 15th, 2016

Why is protein so important?

Protein is an essential building block to the body, as it helps create strong muscles, bones and even blood. Athletes and those who exercise hard are among those who are at high-risk to be protein deficient. 

Dietary protein

Your body may be sending you signals that you aren’t getting enough protein, but you may be interpreting these signals as something else. Take a look at the following examples of symptoms that can be misinterpreted as another issue in the body.

Are Your Muscles a Pain?

Many people believe in the old adage, “no pain no gain.” However, sore muscles may

be a sign that you are protein deficient. Because muscles use Amino Acids as their building structure and Amino Acids come from protein, if you aren’t getting enough your muscles may feel sore and weak. Lack of protein can also cause flab to appear where you once had muscles, because your body may be using those muscle as protein for the body. If you are feeling sore muscles or even joints, take an inventory of your protein intake. Adding a bit of protein with a nutritional supplement like Advocare may help those sore muscles disappear.

(more…)

Share the Swole!






The 4 Best Types of Whey Protein

Friday, July 22nd, 2016

The 4 Best Types of Whey Protein & Alternatives to Whey

Follow the wheyIt is pretty much widely accepted that to truly build a solid and lean physique, one must make sure they are receiving an adequate amount of protein in their diet. While a solid diet with meals rich in protein, fats, carbs and fiber is important many athletes and lifters choose to add a protein supplement following a workout, like one of these top 5 protein supplements here. For decades now, whey protein has been a mainstay choice of fitness professionals.

Whey is a by-product of cheese making, which is then dried and made into a powdered form. Typically being from cow’s milk, it contains 20% protein. By comparison human milk contains 40% protein. Whey is a huge source of branched chain amino acids, or BCAA’s, which stimulate protein synthesis in the body. It is for this reason that whey protein is so successful at building lean muscle mass.  

After intense training and our bodies have burned up all our fuel is when our muscles need protein the most. By supplementing with a liquid protein source, like whey protein, you are ensuring that you will feed those broken down muscles, rather than them start to feed on themselves. Being in liquid form allows for greater absorption. And whey protein specifically is synthesized over a longer period of time, allowing your muscles to be fed for hours. Whey protein can be taken in four different forms: concentrate, isolate, hydrolysate, & casein. While each has its own benefits, they are all none-the-less extremely beneficial to building the physique you desire.

(more…)

Share the Swole!






Debunking the Common (Yet Utterly Ridiculous) Myths Women Have about Eating More Protein

Monday, July 18th, 2016

By: Sara Jane Adkins
women need protein
Admit it.

You felt the same way I did at some point in your life.

As a woman who is extremely active (I do crossfit four times a week), I rebelled for the longest time against adding more protein to my diet.

The majority of the advertisements that I saw for protein powder featured guys that looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his heyday.

And while I would not mind my husband sporting those round shoulders, there was no way I wanted my physique to resemble anything remotely close to that.

My misconception of the effect that protein has on the body is very common among many women.

Protein is a crucial nutrient for the body. In fact, it accounts for 20 percent of our body weight, and helps in the synthesis of hormones, enzymes and vital cellular structures.

Protein also assists with fluid balance and the building of antibodies that protect against infection and other harmful viruses. In short, if we do not supply our bodies with the proper amount of protein, we cannot survive.

That is why it is so important to understand the crucial role that protein plays in maintaining overall health, especially since many women limit their protein consumption because of the myths associated with it.

Some women fear that high-protein diets may cause them to look too “bulky,” can compromise bone health or may be taxing on the kidneys. However, these assumptions are nothing more than myths that should be set straight for a variety of reasons.

(more…)

Share the Swole!






Halloween Recipes: Caviar Crescent Moons

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

A high protein gourmet Halloween recipe.

Crescent Moon Recipe

If you’re hosting a Halloween party this year, chances are, you’re serving your guests a few Halloween inspired treats. Typically, the quality of the appetizers gets sacrificed in the name of this fun filled holiday. Why not try something different this year, and opt for a healthier, more refined gourmet foods hors d’oeuvres table.

With domestic prices on gourmet goods at an all time low, you can achieve this without breaking the bank and with these tips, you won’t have to worry about having to skip on any the fun ghoul and goblin spooky flair. Instead of the endless amount of sugar cookies caked with sugar and frosting, why not invite your guests to partake in delicious puff pastries or blinis topped with crème fraîche and orange Salmon roe and black caviar to look like pumpkins. This way, your guests will feel guilt free because they are eating a high protein snack, rather than a fatty cookie.

Keeping with your Halloween gourmet theme, substitute your bagged chips for tasty Crescent Moon inspired toast topped with sour cream or a low fat aioli spread and then topped with black caviar. The caviar will give your moons just the right amount of that Halloween feel.

(more…)

Share the Swole!






Xtend Amino Acid Supplement Helps You Build Muscle and Lose Fat

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

History of amino acid supplements

Woman Should Squat Too

The evolution of amino acid supplements have generally been well pronounced since the ancient times. From as early as 1960’s, ancient body builders are known to eat a diet rich in essential amino acids. Wine and meat were the most essential foods used for natural nutrients such as proteins and vitamins.

Nowadays, amino acid supplements are generally used by bodybuilders and other athletes for building muscle, losing fat, and enhancing performance. There are a lot of amino acid supplements that one can choose from, if you are interested in building your muscles, but it’s always advisable to go for the best. In my opinion, based on 17 years of weight training and supplement use, XTEND is the most effective, best tasting, and least expensive amino acid supplement on the market.
(more…)

Share the Swole!






You Can’t Digest More Than 30 Grams of Protein in a Single Meal

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Can Bodybuilders Digest More Than 30 Grams of Protein in One Meal?

High Protein Food

This myth has been around since the late 1970’s, and I really can’t figure out why or where it originated. There are about a million theories about how much protein, fat, and carbs should be eaten each day, each meal, even each hour. Most bodybuilders are concerned about eating exactly the right amount of protein, because they want to maximize muscle gain but they also want to avoid any excess calories, even from protein, getting stored as body fat.

So, how much protein should we eat in a single meal? How much can our bodies process at once? Some nutritionists say only 20 grams, while many professional bodybuilders consume as much as 100 grams in a single meal! What’s the truth?!
(more…)

Share the Swole!






30 Chocolate Shakeology Protein Shake Recipes

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

Chocolate Shakeology Recipes

Shakeology

Need high quality protein powder?

Need meal replacement shakes?

Check out Chocolate flavored Shakeology – it is more than just an average protein shake!

  • Made primarily from whole-food ingredients, Chocolate Shakeology is designed to optimize your intake of vital daily nutrients, which helps your body to more efficiently burn stored fat, and decreases your appetite.
  • More than 20 different antioxidants and phytonutrients help to reduce the damage cause by free radicals. Damage that can lead to heart attacks, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
  • Probiotics, prebiotics, and fiber contribute valuable digestive enzymes that help your body to efficiently eliminate toxins and improve the absorption of important nutrients.
  • Based on my own experience, you can mix Chocolate Shakeology with cold water for an awesome chocolate protein shake. It’s WAY better than chocolate whey protein mixed with water, which is nearly unbearable.

Click here to order or learn more about Chocolate Shakeology or switch to Greenberry Shakeology recipes.

If you are looking for a pure whey protein powder, check out Optimum Nutrition. Optimum Nutrition protein powder comes in about 20 different flavors, and is available in 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb, and 10 lb containers.

Click here to order or learn more about Optimum Nutrition.

If you decide to go with Optimum Nutrition protein powder and need some alternative recipes, read about the other 107 protein shake recipes. But for now, let’s take a look at some Chocolate Shakeology recipes.

(more…)

Share the Swole!






30 Greenberry Shakeology Protein Shake Recipes

Sunday, February 27th, 2011

Greenberry Shakeology Recipes

Need protein powder?

Shakeology

Check out Greenberry Shakeology – it’s not just your average protein shake!

  • Whole-food ingredients maximize your intake of daily minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients you need to curb cravings, which allows you to burn stored fat more efficiently.
  • Over 20 different phytonutrients and antioxidants help reduce free radical damage that can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke.
  • Digestive enzymes, prebiotics, and fiber help your body eliminate toxins more efficiently and promote better absorption of nutrients.

Click here to order or learn more about Greenberry Shakeology.

If you are looking for a pure protein powder, check out Optimum Nutrition. Optimum Nutrition protein powder comes in about 20 different flavors, and is available in 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb, and 10 lb containers.

Click here to order or learn more about Optimum Nutrition whey protein.

If you decide to go with Optimum Nutrition protein powder or if you decide to try Shakeology you might want some additional recipes. In that case, check out the other 107 protein shake recipes. But for now, let’s take a look at some Greenberry recipes.

(more…)

Share the Swole!






10 Foods and Supplements for a 7 Day Detox

Friday, November 26th, 2010

DETOX YOUR BODY IN 7 DAYS!

Justin Woltering
Justin Woltering

Justin Woltering of JustinWoltering.com writes today’s guest post. Justin has years of experience perfecting his exercise and nutrition program. He has spent countless hours mastering training flexibility, core strength, power and speed, cardiovascular fitness, and meditation. Having trained, and trained with, powerlifters, martial artists, bodybuilders, and various athletes, Justin knows what it takes to gain muscle, lose fat, or get into peak physical condition.

I just finished a cleansing program, and I am feeling better then ever!

The meals were delicious, and these supplements allowed me to do this as naturally and efficiently as possible. This seven-day plan will cleanse your body so that you can more easily shred unwanted body fat and increase lean muscle mass.

If you are feeling lethargic, slow, bloated, or ill; or if you are experiencing problems with your digestive system, then a 7-day detox might be just what you need.

(more…)

Share the Swole!






The Arnold Schwarzenegger Protein Shake

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Arnold Schwarzenegger was a tank. He instinctively knew how to eat and how to train. His philosophy on whole food meals and snacks are accepted today as the best way to construct a weight gain diet, a fat loss diet, or even a regular healthy diet for a non-athlete. The famous Arnold Schwarzenegger protein shake will be sure to put muscle on anyone’s back.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

From the earliest reports on his nutritional theories, Arnold believed that the average person needs a half of a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day, and that a bodybuilder needs at least one gram of protein per pound of bodyweight each day. However, he did not recommend drinking 4 glasses of protein powder mixed with water to get all of that protein, and neither do I.

(more…)

Share the Swole!






How Much Protein Should I Eat in One Meal?

Thursday, June 10th, 2010
Your Questions
Your Questions

I get plenty of questions in various comments throughout the website, but I also get comments and questions via the Project Swole Contact Form.

Generally I address those questions through e-mail, but often I do not have the time to reply to each and every question personally.

From now on I want to take a more proactive approach to answering Your Health Questions by posting them separately in the blog. This way we can be sure that everyone benefits from the Q & A.

Tim wrote:

“How many grams of protein should i take at one time, and how much time should i leave in between drinking my protein shakes in order to get the maximum benefit from it?”

Response:

On average, your digestive system can handle about 30 grams of protein at once.

(more…)

Share the Swole!