Don't run on empty when it comes to this health essential
By Vanessa Gailey
Cut out high-fat meats. Increase your daily intake of plantbased foods. Exercise more. Eat less. All of these sound like good advice on the road to endurance success, but without careful attention and monitoring, its also the same road that leads many to a protein deficiency. Training sessions result in fatigued muscles in need of repair, and protein is a necessity for this reparation process, thus increasing the need for protein supplementation to reach full recovery and maintain overall health.
Fortunately, Hammer Nutrition's Whey, Vegan, and Soy protein powders make this easy and convenient. The first step is to determine your daily protein intake requirements and recognize any possible signs of protein deficiency. The second step is to select the protein that best meets your needs and dietary preferences.
Daily protein requirements for athletes
Follow this simple equation or see the chart below to determine if you are consuming enough protein daily (total from all sources). Create a daily protein intake journal and monitor your eating habits over the course of a normal training week. If you aren't getting enough protein, the time to start is now!
Body weight in kilograms X 1.4 to 1.7 (depending on your exercise intensity) = amount of protein in grams that you should consume on a daily basis. To convert from pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.2.
Warning signs of protein deficiency
It is highly recommended that you speak with a physician in diagnosing a protein deficiency, but the following list will provide some indicators to watch for.
Long-term weight loss. This is not a subtle change from day to day, but a recognizable decrease in body weight long-term not associated with changes in diet or workout volume.
Hair loss and brittle or ridged nails. If you notice hair loss or brittle nails, this is a potential indicator. Ridges running from the top to the bottom of the nails can be a signal that the body is suffering an ongoing protein deficiency.
Extreme fatigue and sleepiness. If you're tired when you shouldn't be, inadequate protein intake could be to blame.
Decrease in muscle mass not due to decrease in workouts. Despite regular workouts, if your muscles decrease in size, your body is most likely cannibalizing itself for necessary protein.
Overall weakness during workouts. Without enough protein for repair, your muscles may not have fully recovered from the previous day's workout.
Choosing the protein supplement that is right for you
Like so many alleged sports nutrition products that are garbage-filled and lack actual performance benefits to the consumer, there are a plethora of protein powders on the market that have plenty of unnecessary fillers and a fairly low percentage of actual protein. Before you can select the right protein, learn to recognize ingredients to avoid:
Casein - Based solely on its bioavailability rating, casein is a poor protein source for recovery. In addition, casein can be responsible for allergy onset and increased cholesterol. Casein also contains gluten and may exacerbate the symptoms of autism.
Acesulfame K, sucralose, and other artificial sweeteners - These ingredients offer no health benefits and may even impact long-term health negatively. The debate still rages on as to whether or not Acesulfame K is safe to consume, and sucralose is a synthetic disaccharide that is so chemically processed, the end result is a molecule that does not occur in nature.
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) - With numerous studies conducted over the past few decades indicating that consumption of HFCS is connected with a wide range of health concerns - hypertension, elevated triglyceride levels, and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, to name just a few - this is possibly the worst substance that you can put in your body. Avoid it at all costs!
Which protein is right for me?
We recommend a combination of healthy protein powders, used at separate times, to provide the most comprehensive support for an endurance athlete's diet. Just as you wouldn't consume only one kind of vegetable to meet your daily requirements, protein needs are best met by consuming a balance of healthy sources also.
However, to meet specific dietary needs or restrictions, each of the Hammer Nutrition protein powders provides specific benefits:
Hammer Vegan Protein - Hammer Nutrition's newest addition to the protein line is a unique dairy-free, soyfree blend of 100% plant-based proteins.
- Packed with 20 grams of protein per scoop
- Virtually carbohydrate-free with no added simple sugars or artificial sweeteners
- Nearly fat-free (a mere one gram per scoop)
- Completely devoid of saturated fats and cholesterol
USES: As part of a pre-race meal, mixed with HEED to create long-distance soy-free fuel, as an additive to a protein smoothie, or as a vegan, soy-free recovery drink.
Hammer Whey Protein - Whey protein is the ideal way to enhance the recovery process and is recommended as essential during heavy training and race season.
- 18 grams of 100% micro-filtered whey protein isolate per scoop
- No added fillers, sugar, or artificial sweeteners or flavoring
- Virtually lactose- and fat-free
- Contains 6 grams of the amino acid glutamine for muscle recovery and immune system support
USES: Perfect for protein smoothies, recovery drinks, and boosting protein anytime, with the exception of prior to exercise. Hammer Whey Protein should not be consumed prior to exercise due to the added glutamine, which creates excess ammonia and can result in premature muscle fatigue.
Hammer Soy Protein - It's hard to beat soy for general health benefits. Soy protein contains multitudes of health-enhancing phytochemicals, which are believed to be beneficial for helping to support cardiovascular health, optimal cholesterol levels, osteoporosis prevention, and possibly even cancer prevention.
- 23 grams of the highest quality, 100% GMO-free soy protein isolate per scoop
- No added fillers, no refined sugar, and no artificial sweeteners or preservatives
- Sweetened only with natural vanilla flavor and stevia
USES: Mix in water for a lightly flavored protein booster, add to fruit smoothies for meal replacement, stir into batter when making pancakes or waffles, or include as part of a pre-race meal. HN
