Dirty Thirty #20: Protein Bars, Drinks and Supplements

No time for breakfast? No problem; just grab a protein bar as you head out the door. Workout at the gym? Be sure to drink that whey protein shake after to help your body recover. Kids not eating what you put in front of them? Okay, just give them that protein drink specialized for them.

Or NOT!


Look at the nutrition facts on that protein bar you ate this morning: How much sugar does it have? What are the protein sources? Soy? (Click here to see what I have to say about that.) Or perhaps it's other proteins extracted from their sources, like whey. Again, this goes back to eating whole foods that your body can actually process and benefit from. As an alternative, keep some raw, unpasteurized almonds in your freezer and grab a handful on your way out the door for those mornings when you just can't seem to get it together to make breakfast. You can even boil some eggs, peel them and keep them in the fridge for such emergencies. Grab and go!

Yes, protein does help your body recover after a workout at the gym, but we Americans already get a lot of protein in our diets. We don't need to add processed supplements. Even these guys in the picture don't need as much protein as they think they do. I keep raw nuts handy for my post-workout snack. It's the perfect balance of nutrients. If you exercise in the morning, just be sure to have a protein-based breakfast, like an egg. (Click here for more information on eggs and my breakfast recipe.)

Kids not eating a balanced diet? Of course not if you're giving them sugary protein shakes. Work as a family to develop a healthy lifestyle together. Involve your kids in the cooking and selection process. Should we buy chicken or salmon for dinner tonight? Kale or chard? Limit their choices so that they feel like they have a say, but you are still in charge of what goes into their bodies. (As an aside, while I am for healthy desserts, I am not for them supplementing your child actually eating healthy. It's fine to add puréed spinach to chocolate cupcakes, but don't give them to your kids telling them that they are healthy. This will just teach them that cupcakes are healthy, and they won't develop truly healthy lifestyle habits.)

So, there you have it. Get your protein from whole sources and avoid those sugary (or, worse, artificially-sweetened), processed supplements. This will go a long way in living a healthy lifestyle!

Check back later for another Dirty Thirty! (We will get caught up by the end of the weekend; I promise.)