The Best Vs Worst Types Of Protein

If you’re like most people in Calgary, Canada, you want to get the maximum nutrition for your money. Shopping for the best protein source and avoiding the worst not only helps your budget, it boosts your health. Most bad protein sources aren’t whole foods, but foods created by advertisers to bilk you out of your money. They’re normally labeled high protein and can include protein bars, cereal and in some cases, foods that are good sources of protein, but have been adulterated with high sugar and chemicals.

Why is protein important to your diet?

There are three macronutrients, carbohydrates, fats and protein. You need each category daily to be your healthiest. Protein affects every cell of the body and is important in repairing tissue. It’s used to create enzymes, like those used in digestion, your bones, hair fingernails and muscles. You need a lot of protein to replace the protein used daily by your body, since you can’t store protein as you do fat. You must get your protein from the food you eat, so quality matters. It should be pure and not loaded with sugar and other additives.

Watch out for these protein sources.

Yogurt is an excellent, inexpensive source of protein, but not all yogurt is the same. Some are loaded with sugar and preservatives, especially the fat free type. When the fat is removed, so is the flavor, so it’s replaced with sugar and additives to make it creamier and more flavorful. Highly processed meats, like luncheon meat and hot dogs also make the worst sources of protein. Another poor choice is fried protein sources. While the original source, like shrimp, may be excellent, adding the breading and frying it reduces its health benefits dramatically.

Choose good protein sources from both plant and animal sources.

Many plant sources are incomplete proteins, meaning they don’t contain enough of all the essential amino acids that the body can’t make. They must be combined with other sources of protein that complement them. While you have to choose vegetarian sources more carefully, to ensure you get a complete protein, both vegetarian and animal based sources are good options. For plant sources, consider nuts and nut butter, combinations like beans and rice. Tempeh and other soy products are also excellent. Lentils, buckwheat and quinoa are also good plant sources. Inexpensive animal based protein sources include chicken breasts, eggs and milk products, like yogurt and cottage cheese. More expensive animal sources include wild salmon and fatty fish, shrimp and other shellfish.

• An inexpensive source of protein that’s easy to find is tuna. You can boost the protein and cut costs by adding eggs and making tuna patties or including it in a casserole.
• Organ meats are normally less expensive than steak or other red meats, but highly nutritious and packed with quality protein. Organ meats include liver, heart, gizzards and even brains.
• While some bread sources say they’re high in protein, not all are healthy. Ezekiel bread is one good source. It’s made from sprouted grain, so it’s less inflammatory and easier to digest.
• While broccoli is a good source of protein per calorie, you’d have to eat a lot to fill your protein needs. It is a good way to supplement your protein intake and get other nutrients.

For more information, contact us today at Get RIPPED! by Jari Love