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How to choose a good Greek yoghurt
Most people agree Greek yoghurt is a healthy food. With so many options available in supermarkets, it is useful to know how to choose a good Greek yoghurt. What is Greek yoghurt Greek yoghurt has become synonymous with either: According to Dairy Australia, Greek yoghurt is “a denser type of yoghurt that is made by straining whey from the yoghurt curd to give it a thicker and creamier consistency and a distinctive tangy taste” (1). The word “style” in Greek-style yoghurt serves the same function as it does in other food products. It indicates a product that resembles the “real thing” but does not quite meet the same requirements. In…
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Protein density
If you are looking to increase your protein intake without eating too many calories, you should look at the protein density of the foods you are consuming. What is protein density? According to Merriam-Webster, density is “the quantity per unit of volume, unit of area, or unit of length” (1). While not proper, protein density refers to the amount of protein for a specific measure of volume or weight or a particular food. Therefore, protein-dense foods are those that contain more protein per kilocalorie, for example. Why protein? Even though protein has become a “health halo” word used in packaging to attract sales, it is not really a fad. Protein…
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5 foods that are not really that high in protein
Protein is finally getting the attention it deserves, however many people are not choosing the right sources and/or the right amounts. How much protein do we really need? Humans are resilient. No matter how much we push it, people will be able to survive on minimal amounts of nutrients, including protein. However, if you want to optimise health, you should try to get 1.2-1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of ideal body weight per day. In addition, it is recommended to distribute your protein doses throughout the day to make sure you are able to digest and utilise every single bit. There is evidence that most people should be consuming…
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Protein yoghurts
Protein yoghurts are the food industry’s response to the demand on higher protein in an already protein-containing food. What is yoghurt At its simplest, yoghurt is a fermented dairy product made by adding specific bacterial cultures to milk. While there are non-dairy yoghurt alternatives, we will be talking about dairy yoghurt in this article. Why yoghurt? I recommend regular yoghurt consumption to most of my clients. This is because yoghurt is a source of protein, calcium and probiotics. Adequate protein intake is fundamental for every aspect of life. Moreover, individuals who are highly active, who are looking to improve body composition or who need to mitigate muscle and/or bone mass…
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Recipe: Tahini pomegranate protein shake
This tahini pomegranate protein shake is a great post-workout drink, breakfast or snack for those keen on trying new flavour combinations. As written, this recipe is not super sweet. If you have a sweet tooth, feel free to use sweetened protein powder (e.g. vanilla) or add your preferred sweetener to taste. This recipe is gluten-free and can be made dairy-free depending on the protein powder you use. The nutritional information is based on True Protein whey protein isolate.
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Recipe: Coffee tahini protein smoothie
Coffee protein smoothies are my favourite quick meal after morning workouts. While shaking protein powder into coffee is the quickest version, this coffee tahini protein smoothie is probably the tastiest. This recipe is gluten-free and can be made dairy-free based on the protein powder. I use True Protein WPI French Vanilla. I love how it tastes when mixed with coffee but you could use other flavours in this shake, for example: chocolate, salted caramel or natural. You can also mix 1/2 scoop of natural with 1/2 scoop of flavoured for a less sweet shake. Besides being a great post-workout shake, you can enjoy this drink as breakfast if smoothies are…
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Is protein distribution dead?
Best practices in sports nutrition point athletes to eat protein in moderate doses throughout the day to maximise muscle growth. A recent study explored what happens when a large dose of protein is ingested after resistance training, raising the question: Is protein distribution dead? Current recommendations Current sports nutrition recommendations are to consume around 25-30g of protein per meal in order to maximise muscle growth. Many people consume more than that at lunch and/or dinner; for example, 1 medium Scotch fillet steak has around 50 grams of protein and 1 medium chicken breast around 55. The general consensus has been that the extra protein is not required to stimulate muscle…
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Recipe: Protein iced coffee
This protein iced coffee makes a great pre- or post-exercise drink with all the benefits of coffee and protein in one tasty beverage. As seen in the article Coffee and health, coffee may improve many aspects of health. When it comes to exercise, these potential benefits including metabolic, bone and neurological health. While a cup of coffee usually doesn’t contain enough caffeine to enhance athletic performance, it can certainly increase your alertness before a workout. It also has the potential to help with post-exercise muscle glycogen recovery. This recipe uses both milk and protein powder to achieve a great combination of protein content and taste. The protein will help counteract…
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5 ways to eat more protein
Many people struggle to eat enough protein, for example athletes and older adults. Below are 5 ways to eat more protein without necessarily adding volume or energy to your meals. 1. Choose higher protein versions of the same food These days you can find high protein yoghurt, milk, cereal, bread, wraps, pasta, etc. Hence, the easiest way of increasing your protein intake is to choose a higher protein version of the same foods you are already eating. On this topic, many people choose plant-based dairy food substitutes (e.g. milk, yoghurt) without realising that most contain less protein than the dairy-based option. 2. Increase the protein portion size This is the…
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Nutrient timing
Nutrient timing guidelines are based on the observation that certain nutrients taken at particular times surrounding exercise can improve athletic performance and training adaptations. Nutrient intake is not only necessary for use as fuel during exercise but also necessary for recovery, tissue repair, muscle growth, bone remodelling, immune function, good mood, etc. Generally speaking, you can divide 3 stages: pre, during and post. However, for many athletes there is a blurring of stages as the post-exercise period from one session becomes the pre-exercise period of the next session. Nutrient intake is essential in the pre and post stages, and in some cases during sessions. But it’s not enough with eating…
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