As I mentioned in my post Post Workout Life Saver: The Incredible, Edible F-ing Egg, after my workouts I'm like a ravenous, insatiable honey badger who eats everything in sight. Turns out post workout binge eating is actually a very common problem and protein is apparently the best way to solve it.
I found a great article Post-Exercise Eating: Don't Undo Your Workout on Quality Health. This has a list 8 things you can do to help curb your appetite so you don't completely undo your time in the gym and #7 on the list is "Power up on protein."
"If you don't eat enough protein, you might overeat because
you've burned up all your pre-workout calories. Carbohydrates like fruits,
breads, and cereals are easily metabolized to provide quick-calories. Protein
takes more time and effort to digest, and provides calories for the long haul.
Add a couple eggs to your pre-workout breakfast or have a cup of yogurt
right before you run. Then, munch on a high-protein snack after your
workout."
I've been doing research on protein and found there are two types you want to go for: casein and whey. Both are complete proteins but casein is slow-digesting and whey is fast-digesting. After working out your glycogen stores in your body are depleted so you have to replace them. Your muscles also go into an anabolic state to repair the muscle tissue you just tore down in your workout. While eggs are a great recovery food, they just aren't giving me the kick I need to maximize this anabolic state. Apparently these protein supplements can help build the lean muscle I want and also fix my honey badger problem.
Livestrong.com has some great articles on Casein Protein and Whey Protein that are pretty helpful. Here are some snippets from those 2 articles:
"Casein is the chief protein found in milk and
cheese. Of the true proteins found in milk, about 82 percent is casein. The
other major protein in milk is whey. Some in the physical fitness world,
particularly bodybuilding, like casein because it digests slowly.
It's therefore available for longer periods of time to feed your muscles, as it
congeals in your stomach and takes between five and seven hours before it's
fully digested."
"Whey, or whey protein, is often a staple of a
bodybuilder or athlete's diet, but consuming this protein can have health benefits for
many individuals, even if they are not competitive athletes. Whey is made from
cow's milk and is also a product of the cheese-making process. According to the
Whey Protein Institute, this kind of protein is considered the "gold
standard" of proteins because of its high quality. Whey protein is a complete protein, which means it contains every
amino acid the body needs, says the Whey Protein Institute. Leucine is one of
these amino acids, and whey protein isolate contains 50 percent more leucine
than soy protein isolate, according to the Whey Protein Institute. Individuals
who consume more leucine in their diet have been found to have more lean muscle
and less body fat than those individuals who consume less leucine. Whey is an
easily digestible protein and provides muscles with nourishment quickly."
So I went to Walmart and decided I would get a small assortment of protein products to try out so I could A) figure out if these products actually help solve the honey badger problem and B) decide which I liked best as far as taste before buying in bulk. The first batch of products are the Pure Protein Frosty Chocolate 23 Grams of Protein Shake (355 mL), Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter High Protein Bar (50 g), Pure Protein Chocolate Deluxe High Protein Bar (50 g), and the Power Crunch Original Wafer Cookie in French Vanilla Creme.
So how are they?
Description from website: Pure Protein® Chocolate Peanut Butter high protein bars are loaded with 20 grams of high quality protein. A pure paradise for peanut butter lovers and anyone who wants to eat good on the go. Keep one close at hand because you never know where temptation is lurking. Pure Protein Bars… High Protein never tasted so heavenly.
My Review: Heavenly my ass! It was absolutely disgusting and super chalky. You bite into it and it tastes good. Then you start chewing it and you're like, "NO! This is so not good!" It takes forever to get it chewed up enough to swallow and then you're stuck with an awful after-taste in your mouth. EPIC FAIL!
Next...
Description from website: For many of us, chocolate is heaven. With the Pure
Protein Chocolate Deluxe high protein bars, you get all the flavor of chocolate
without all of the sugar. It’s loaded with 20 grams of high quality protein and
packed with vitamins and minerals. With Pure Protein Bars… heaven isn’t too far
away.
My Review: Well you probably won't find heaven in a package containing this protein bar either. After trying the Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor I'm nervous to even try this one because it probably tastes just as disgusting so I'm going to say also EPIC FAIL!
Next...
Description from website: Pure Protein® Shakes were developed as a great-tasting
way to supplement your protein needs and provide a healthy option for pre/post
workouts. You know that protein is essential for optimal body function,
strength, muscle tone and lean body mass. Well, with our shakes, protein never
tasted so good! And, the shakes help satisfy your appetite as a snack while
providing an excellent source of calcium to help build strong bones and a good
source of fiber to support digestive health. With 23 grams of protein, 2% DV of
carbs for low carb lifestyles, NO added sugar** and NO aspartame.....it is time
for you to EAT GOOD and LOOK GREAT!
My Review: It's actually not that bad. It's got kind of weird taste to it, BUT it's tolerable. I've been drinking these before and after my workouts and they actually seem to be helping with both my appetite issue and also I'm starting to notice it's helping my digestive system. This is a WIN! I would recommend trying it for sure.
Next...
Description from website: It's not your grandma's wafer cookie, it just tastes like
it! Power Crunch is the only protein bar with the decadent taste and
unforgettable crunch of authentic créme-filled wafer cookies, powered by the
the advanced science of Proto Whey protein. Perfect for kids' lunches,
coffee breaks, afternoon snacks, or dessert, Power Crunch Original protein
energy bars are the perfect complement to your active life.
My Review: If you put this in your kid's lunch then your kid is not only going to hate you forever but you will be guilty of child abuse and CPS should immediately be called on you. It was similar to the Pure Protein bars.. You bite into it and it tastes good. Then you start chewing and it's terrible and you're stuck with a nasty, chalky, disgusting after taste. EPIC FAIL!
I was disappointed in my first batch of protein bars so in another trip to Walmart I got these to try: Life Choice Double Chocolate Protein Nutrition Bar and Nature Valley Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Protein Bar. These were so much better.
First...
Description from website: Double the chocolate, double the flavor. After pushing your
body, you deserve a snack that tastes great, but also has the protein and
nutrients to rebuild muscle. With 21 grams of protein, our double chocolate
protein bar really delivers.
My Review: Life Choice boasts this product as the BEST protein bars and I have to agree with that. No nasty chalky taste and they pack a lot of great stuff into these things. I felt very satisfied and didn't go honey badger on my fridge. I would say this is a TOTAL EPIC WIN! Highly recommend you pick some up from the cereal aisle of your local Walmart because apparently that is the only place you can buy them.
Next...
Description from website: Now the delicious taste of nature comes with 10 grams of protein. This Nature Valley Protein Bar is a tempting combination of roasted peanuts and luscious peanut butter all flavored with rich dark chocolate.
My Review: These are freaking scrumptious! I wouldn't recommend them for a post workout snack because they don't have the stuff you need for recovery. BUT I would definitely suggest them as a great snack during the day or as a dessert at night. This is actually what I got them for and they are EPIC WIN!
I'll continue to update you on new products I try and let you know what sucks and what's good. But hopefully this helps you better navigate the world of protein supplement products. If you find any good ones you recommend then please let me know in the Comments section.
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