|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Physically Tweaked by
Cat Smiley
Science is our saviour when it comes to the healthy-living menu. Diet
accounts for more than 50% of any plan for achieving and maintaining
your optimum physique. Yet, there is a dizzying array of ‘diet theories’
out there, just try searching the internet. Perh
aps health experts can determine whose voice is of nutritional reason
(no doubt contributing to the absurd insecurities that feed our multimillion
dollar health and fitness industry) but the average consumer is stumped!
Low carbohydrate, ‘zone’ dieting, soup diets, high protein ; it seems
every week a miracle diet pops up in the headlines, responsible for
sculpting the bodies of Hollywood.
If you eat the same amount on a high activity day as you do on a rest
day your body will store the excess energy as fat until you decide
to burn it off. The energy balance between what you eat and what you
expend determines whether you lose, gain or maintain weight. An extra
3500 calories will translate into one extra pound of body fat. As
simple as the equation looks, the human metabolism is more complex.
Not all calories are created equal - protein, fat and carbohydrates
all produce energy differently and at different rates of oxidation.
Just as paper burnt over a camp fire may give a quick flash of heat,
burning wood will provide lasting efficiency. In this picture, think
of rice as the wood and cookies as the paper ; the burning of calories
as energy is different for fats, carbohydrates and protein.
Simply speaking, calories obtained from protein are used for repair, growth and maintenance of new tissues and organs. Calories coming from carbohydrates provide energy. Calories from conventional fat sources tend to be stored as they contain the same general molecular structure as body fat. The thermogenic effect is a measure of the heat produced from a food source, thus corresponding to increased oxygen consumption and higher metabolism. The molecular structure of the food source in your diet (fat, protein or carbohydrate) will essentially determine your metabolic weight.
Everyone knows we should be including a certain amount of protein in our diets, yet sadly many reach for mince pies and processed, high-fat food sources. The problem is that protein-rich foods such as meats, poultry, eggs, and fish are often more expensive and take longer to prepare than average foods. This partly explains why people consume more carbohydrate-rich foods in their daily diets, in turn creating protein deficiencies. Meal replacement protein supplements were designed to eliminate the time-consuming and inconvenient endeavour of preparing a full-fledged meal - meal replacements must offer a proper balance of calories from protein, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, and all the essential vitamins and minerals your body requires (choose aspartame-free powders, low in saturated fats and sugars) containing no enzyme inhibitors that may inhibit digestion.
Hemp protein fills a need in the marketplace for a convenient and nutritionally superior substitute to meat, dairy, wheat, soy, or rice as a protein source. I have found this source of protein to be the perfect high performance vegetarian whole food (may be used in place of all protein sources and supplements). Hemp Protein is recognized as a complete/balanced vegetarian source of amino acids; essential fatty acids, natural anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibre and chlorophyll and is taking on North America by storm. Some protein products can be a cash-burner with negative results - beware of cheaper, low-quality powders and ask your local nutritional store for advice.
Each and every year astonishing nutritional breakthroughs promise to simplify the road to optimum health. Despite these wonder schemes for dietary shortcuts, protein balance should remain top priority in your diet, whether your goals are to increase muscle tone and strength, lose weight, lose fat or maintain your body ideal. Proteins (amino acids), minerals and vitamins are the building materials for healthy, strong bodies.
Studies found that protein requirements ranged from 1g per kilogram of bodyweight to 2.8 grams per kilogram, depending on the individuals activity levels. Preparing chicken breasts all day long is obviously not practical for today‘s fast paced society, therefore, achieving protein goals can be extremely difficult without supplementation, especially for vegetarians. Three consistent meals per day accompanied by protein bars or shakes, combined with regular exercise, is a small price to pay to rocket your health into overdrive.
Protein hype is modern day science!
 Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
