When one thinks about eating healthy they usually think about broccoli and what an ordeal it would turn out to be. There are only negative and uncomfortable connotations attached to healthy eating, as if it has to be a bad and torturous affair.
Quite to the contrary, eating healthy is about eating smartly and really enjoying the natural essence of it rather than the prepackaged carbs and unhealthy oils.
A healthy diet is generally rich in fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and low fat dairy. This kind of diet helps reduces cholesterol and blood pressure and increases the longevity of muscles and other organs of the body.
If you are looking for the correct and most helpful way of living, then below is a step by step dissection of the two, and a list of pros and cons of both natural proteins and supplements.
Natural Proteins:
The biggest pros for a high protein natural diet is that it subjugates one’s hunger, therefore results in weight loss. Though living a healthy diet oriented life style does not mean absence of calories. Remember, calories are still a big part of one’s life and a necessary requirement. The trick is to just cherry pick and be smart about one’s decision to eat.
Which natural produce are the best source of protein?
- Beans
- Eggs
- Lean meat
- Sea food
- Low fat dairy
- Soy
- Nuts and seeds
The above mentioned produce can be used to maintain a perfectly balanced diet. However, the trick is to keep switching it up. As a human body is extremely adaptable, therefore, it is necessary for the trainee to keep flexing things up. So the body does not get used to it and stop reacting.
Supplements:
If you are an avid gym goer or if you hang around the similar crowd, you must have heard the phrase Protein shakes. Gym goers drink such supplements on a daily basis to help provide their bodies extra support and strength.
Have you ever wondered about, that what exactly is a protein shake? Well, wonder no further, here is your answer: a supplement is basically any addition to an athlete’s or trainee’s regular diet to achieve a particular nutritional goal. The kicker here is that a supplement can be all natural or a synthetic product.
Protein powders are most common among the generation today. It is usually mixed with milk or just plain water to provide the extra boost.
The three best and most commonly used protein powders [supplements] are:
- Whey: most commonly used, as it is a water soluble mix protein
- Soy: mostly preferred by vegan. Though it, at times, tastes unpleasant and does not mix well with water.
- Casein: found in milk, but is difficult to digest
Unlike the Natural proteins, Supplements are surrounded by cons on top of pros. Therefore, let’s discuss the pros of supplements which will be followed by cons.
Pros of Supplements:
- Muscle growth and Recovery after exercise: supplements work very well for muscle growth and helps maintaining the energy level of the body after a serious work out
- Weight management: it has been reported that after people take supplements they feel sort of bloat-ish and full for a longer amount of time, which results in smaller portions of later on food. This particular trick comes in handy as small portions of food result is weight loss
- Added nutrient: there is a specific amount of protein intake which is a necessity for people who are 19 and above. However, mostly, people are incapable of maintaining that intake, therefore, the only way that remains is artificial supplements.
Cons of Supplements:
- Acne
- Use of toxic substances
- Unbalanced nutrient composition
- Destabilize gut microbiota
- Increase of insulin levels
What to do?
Supplements [Protein shakes] vary in price range and affordability. There are good and bad sides to everything and everyone. Sometimes it is a necessity to take a short cut or if it becomes a necessity for you to increase the intake of a particular protein within a short amount of time, then protein shakes / supplements are your best bet. However, according to the new research done, it has come to light that supplements are using a lot of harmful substances such as cadmium, lead, and arsenic, etc. therefore, people should proceed with caution.
Like everything else, at the end of the day, do you. Choose the path which suits your personality and life style best. Just to be on the safe side, always consult a doctor and your trainer first though.
