Great examples of protein for protein synthesis are beef, chicken, fish, pork, eggs, egg whites, Greek yogurt, and whey protein (when sourced from cow's milk).
On today's podcast
- A look back on the week: Getting back on track: carnivore diet
- Product Review: Catalina Crunch Cereal
- Questions: Why do I recommend 30 grams or more protein per meal?
A look back on the week
My week has been great! I took the week to refocus on my diet and get myself back on track. Although I was eating the right kind of foods, I was eating a little too much and overdoing it a little. When I feel like I need to reset my diet, I like to follow a carnivore diet which basically means consuming only animals and animal products such as meat, cheese, fish, pork, eggs and cheese. I stayed away from vegetables and processed foods for the week too. I find that this type of eating keeps me satisfied and full. It also requires meal prepping and preparing which simplified my meals and helped get my diet back in line.
Product Review: Catalina Crunch Cereal
Many people think that cereal is completely off limits when following the Keto diet. However, Catalina Crunch Cereal is actually keto approved and low carb. This cereal is made from the protein that comes from peas, is high in fiber, and contains natural flavors that sweeten the cereal. It contains no flour or sugars! It comes in several flavors including Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon Toast and Maple Waffle. The nutrition is keto friendly with the net carbs at 5 grams per 1/2 cup serving, 4 grams fat and 8 grams of protein. The taste, texture and flavor is very good. It is a little expensive, but I think the price is well worth it.
In place of milk, I like to mix 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream with some water and it tastes just like milk. Unsweetened almond milk is another great milk alternative. Both contain zero carbohydrates and are great options.
Why I Recommend 30 Grams of Protein at Every Meal
I highly recommend and teach my patients to consume 30 grams of protein at each meal. The human body has 2 components; lean mass and fat mass. The lean mass is made up of proteins and wears down over time. This lean mass needs to be repaired through a process called protein synthesis, which is basically the removal of old proteins that are then replaced with new protein. In order for this to happen, it's important to consume the correct amount and type of protein. The amino acid, leucine is imperative to trigger protein synthesis and you can reliably get this amino acid through animal sources or even whey protein. Triggering protein synthesis in turn burns a large amount of calories and raises your metabolic rate by 30-40% for up to 4 hours. It's actually similar to getting on a treadmill for 30 minutes. Wow!
Great examples of protein for protein synthesis are beef, chicken, fish, pork, eggs, egg whites, Greek yogurt, and whey protein (when sourced from cow's milk).
When measuring a piece of protein, the amount that covers the palm of your hand is usually about 30 grams of protein. Pay attention to serving sizes on labels when measuring items such as Greek yogurt or egg whites for the correct amount of protein.
Remember, your body needs 2.5 grams of leucine for protein synthesis to happen.