Like most people, I try to eat well, but real life doesn’t always cooperate. That’s why I started looking for small ways to support my nutrition.
Even the healthiest diet needs help. Without trying to evaluate what the best diet may be, being intentional with what we eat is often considered the best approach. As much as I’d love to live on ripple chips and dip, I know better. We all do. And yet, ensuring that all my meals are balanced is a struggle.
If there’s a singular nutrition buzzword that seems immortal, it’s protein. Protein has reached peak everywhereism. Coffee chains are selling protein lattes. Most protein-void products now have a protein-enriched version (with a buck or three price hike over their regular version). It feels very faddy, like diet soda being touted as revolutionary in the ’70s and ’80s. However, unlike being the new ‘light’ cigarette, this essential macronutrient is one of the most important things to consider daily. So widespread is awareness of protein, it’s become a descriptor on restaurant menus. Which protein do you want to add? Many options are available.
Speaking personally as a vegetarian, I always have to consider my protein intake. While much of my protein comes from beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, nuts, and seeds, protein supplements are a vital part of my diet. To maintain my health and keep in the best health I can, I know nutrition is the most important aspect. Despite my best efforts, I have age creeping up on me when bone density and muscle mass battle against time. But all ages benefit from proper protein intake. Recommended daily allowances are 0.8g protein/ kg body weight OR 0.364g protein/ lbs. body weight. There are many calculators that can help determine a baseline for protein, based on age, activity level, weight and sex, so I won’t list recommended levels.
I generally limit the time of day I eat. I find that if I eat breakfast, lunch and a mid-afternoon snack, I am entirely satiated and I never experience any nighttime tummy gurgles. It’s what works best for me. I had to adapt what I eat based on when I eat. Breakfast is my most important meal because I absolutely LOAD it with nutrients. A few years ago, I landed on a pair of common breakfasts that I generally eat. One is homemade yogurt mixed with whey protein, a mixture of hemp, chia and flax seeds, walnuts and berries. The other is overnight oats, usually mixed with the same melange of seeds and protein. Either way I go, I know that I’m starting my day by almost hitting my daily protein goals. This gives me a bit of an allowance to have the odd, less balanced lunch.
I’ve been relying on protein supplements for the 11 or so years I’ve been a vegetarian. One thing I’ve learned over the years is the vast difference between what’s out there. Most concerning is the source. There have been many reports speaking to tests revealing concerning amounts of heavy metals found in nutritional supplements, especially protein powder. This revelation led me to find not just a good value product, but one that could show awareness around this issue. Where I landed was Naked Nutrition. Far before they approached me to test some of their products, I was already a fan. From their simple ingredients to full production information, I could tell Naked cared about the same things I did. I have been using their supplements, pea protein, protein shakes and of course, whey protein ever since. When they told me about a couple of new products, I was happy to test them out and honestly report on my personal findings.
The first product I tried is Naked’s Grass Fed Whey Isolate Protein Powder. I absolutely loved their whey protein, so why not try the top-of-the-line? The Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder is sourced from small non-GMO dairy farms where their cows are grass-fed, free-roaming, and raised without hormones like rBGH or rBST. Each serving includes 25 grams of protein and 5.9 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Naked Whey is completely free of additives and artificial sweeteners. I prefer flavourless as it allows me to add whatever I want. I have baked with protein powder, boosting my muffins and breads. The versatility is amazing. While I mix it into my yogurt for the most part, on days when I need to grab and go, I’ll whisk Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder into milk for my cereal. I can’t think of an easier way to get 30 grams of protein.
As deliciously creamy as Naked’s whey protein makes my smoothies, I was wondering what makes the grass-fed version different from their standard version. Their informative website told me that whey from grass-fed cows contains higher levels of the immune-boosting compounds beta-lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, and lysozyme. These compounds improve your body’s antioxidant response and help fight against harmful bacteria. Grass-fed whey also contains more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid that boosts immune function. As well, grass-fed whey contains more omega-3 fatty acids and CLA than regular whey. Both CLA and omega-3s can support better metabolism and improve cardiovascular health. Back to the topic about heavy metals being detected in basic protein powders found in grocery stores and supplement chain stores, what sets Naked Nutrition apart is the independent testing they put their products through. All of their products, including Naked Whey, undergo independent testing to ensure that they adhere to the safety standards set by the FDA. Naked Nutrition products are kept as pure as possible and are well under these limitations. I want to know what I consume, not just for my own health and knowledge, but for my family.
The other new item I asked to try goes back to my all-important breakfasts. Overnight oats are a staple in the morning to have a quick meal before heading out for the day. The one way I don’t always get it right is a bit too much of one thing or too little of another. When I saw Naked Nutrition’s Cinnamon Roll Protein Oats, I had to ask for a sample of those. I rarely buy pre-prepared foods, and when I do, it’s usually because I can count the number of ingredients on both hands. Naked’s Protein Oats contain gluten-free rolled oats, their whey protein, organic chia protein, natural flavours, cinnamon, sea salt and fermented cane sugar, known commonly as Reb M. I will admit, I am not a huge fan of zero-calorie sweeteners and always prefer honey, dates or maple syrup to get a sweetness hit. I have found that Reb M is the least offensive sweetener among all the ones I’ve tried. For people who need to manage their blood sugar levels, such as those with diabetes, I understand why it’s important. Something I learned was how this fermentation process has less of an environmental impact than average sugar production methods. I made a batch of Protein Oats the night before work and gave them a quick warm-up in the morning. As I’ve said, I tend to throw a bunch of things in my oats, but this first bowl I ate as-is for a clean review. I was a bit wary about a pre-flavoured product, so I chose one that I thought I would like best. Who doesn’t LOVE a cinnamon roll? The first thing that hit me was how GOOD this flavour tasted. It really tasted like a cinnamon baked good, but my favourite part was how it was lightly sweetened. It was the perfect amount of sweetness for my tastes. When I added berries and walnuts, it hit the next level for me, all while getting 20g of protein in my morning bowl. The cool thing is that Naked’s Protein Oats are ready to go in your blender for your morning smoothies. But instead of a scoop of powder getting you just your protein, you get the benefit of 6g of fibre too, coming in at just 240 calories, if you’re watching your intake. Many people seem to use the Protein Oats after a workout to get the carbs and protein they need to recover.
With these two new products I sampled, my love of Naked Nutrition’s products continues. Their commitment to all aspects of health is really impressive. From sourcing of ingredients to the ingredients themselves, Naked holds a higher standard than most companies. They also seem to innovate constantly. They come out with new products each time I take a look, and usually, I’m left wanting to try them. Oh look! Protein coffee, my two favourite things. Next time!
Aron Harris
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