Protein is considered the most important macro-nutrient in your diet. Protein is the building block of muscles and tissues. In other words in order to use energy, repair tissues, and remove waste from your body you need protein. We are always told the benefits of eating good quality whole foods but also that supplements play a key role. Both protein supplements and whole foods can meet your daily requirement for protein to supply the amino acids that your body cannot manufacture. Your body uses amino acids to synthesize new proteins that support immune function, muscle building, tissue repair and hormone production. Which is better for you – protein from a food source, or from protein powder??
Protein Food
Food proteins supply amino acids. The easiest protein food to point out is meat. Meats are, on average 20% protein by weight, and have almost zero carbohydrates. Meat as a complete protein has all the amino acids your body cannot make. Vegetable sources, which are incomplete, lack one more or more amino acid but can be combined to provide all the amino acids. In addition offer vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and heart-healthy fats unavailable in protein supplements. There are other food sources of protein like nuts, seeds, legumes, and some veggies. Any smart diet will include necessary vitamins and minerals, not to mention carbs and some healthy fat. Most protein powders have a few of these necessary components. When looking for a quality protein food the things you should be concerned with are: Is it a complete protein??Is it a highly bio-available protein??
Complete proteins are those that contain all the amino acids our body use.
Protein bio-availability basically means how well the proteins in the food are digested and utilized by our body.
Protein powders come in all forms these days. Supplements contain complete proteins with all the essential amino acids you need for good health. The two biggest difference between protein powders and protein foods is digestion, and fat content. . They are easy to prepare as smoothies and shakes. Having a shake ready to go is obviously more convenient than cooking a meal. Whey also has the highest bio-availability of any protein — even eggs! Supplements are an easy way to track your daily protein intake without calculating the protein content of various foods. Also, it makes for a good pre-workout shake as your heading to the gym. Supplements also provide best solution for fitness goals: muscle gain, fat loss and so much more.
It depends upon on your diet, fitness goals, and health conditions; you should maintain a healthy balance of both. Enjoy a pre- and post-workout shake! For everything else, there’s fish, chicken, eggs, beans, legumes, and even some vegetables!
