|
How important is supplementation to your
success in either gaining weight or losing weight? This question
has been around for a very long time. The most common reason
for using supplements is not being able to get either the
macronutrients and/or micronutrients from everyday food. How
often have you heard that it is near to impossible to get
the needed amount of protein from regular food? Well, I suppose
if you are consuming 300 plus grams of protein a day; that
would be a lot of chicken breast and tuna.
The fundamental and simple question is whether you need all
those supplements to build muscle or lose fat. If you believe
yes, then the answer is simple. And again, if you believe
no, then the answer is also simple. But as in all things,
it is never quite that simple.
Protein is an interesting subject. Do you need a gram per
pound of body weight? If a gram is good, why not consume two
grams per pound of body weight? What scientific, peer-reviewed
study determined that one gram of protein per pound of body
weight is the best ratio for building muscle? Not to impugn
some of the great bodybuilders but some of them are associated
with magazines and companies that promote and sell protein
powders. Does that make their support of protein supplements
suspect; no, not necessarily.
But it should make you wonder why on the one hand you have
those that claim you need lots of protein and organizations
like the Mayo Clinic that put the number around 70 grams per
day. Where did they get that number?
Do we need 1000mg of Vitamin C a day? Do we need a horse
pill size dose of all the alphabet soup vitamins every day?
First and foremost, I have no answers other than what I read
and from my very, very limited experience. I am no guru and
certainly am not studied in these areas. I do know this -
eating a well balance diet consisting of a rainbow of fruits
and veggies coupled with whole grains and meats is good for
you. Complex carbohydrates like pasta, rice, and potatoes
should form the backbone of your caloric intake.
If you feel you must increase your protein levels, then drink
more milk. You can eat a handful of nuts throughout the day,
or mix granola with yogurt, or drink a couple more glasses
of milk a day. Eggs, chicken, tuna, and pork all represent
inexpensive sources of great protein.
|
