Wednesday, April 28, 2010

How protein fits into your plans to build muscle


When it comes to building lean muscle mass, clients will often ask questions, such as "I want to gain muscle mass, so should I start using a protein supplement?" or "I'm trying to gain some muscle weight, so I've been eating more protein. I'm not seeing any changes, so what should I do?" If you're just as confused about the role of protein in building muscle, then you've come to the right place as I prepare to set the record straight on this hot topic.

First things first: any plan to build muscle mass must involve progressive strength or resistance training. Without this foundation, you will not gain muscle mass no matter how much protein you consume. Also, keep in mind that if you're interested in increasing muscle size, it takes up to 8-12 weeks of practicing a progressive strength training routine before you'll see these muscle gains. To optimize your workouts, I would suggest investing in a certified personal trainer or exercise physiologist who can create an individualized plan to help you accomplish your muscle-gaining goals.

So how much protein do you need? Because you do need protein, and more specifically essential amino acids, to achieve muscle growth, you'll need up to two times more protein than the average Joe or Jane Schmoe, which is between 1.6-1.7 grams per kilogram of body weight. Keep in mind that someone who's just getting started on his muscle-building regimen (first 3-6 months) actually needs more protein per kilogram of body weight than someone who's been training for a while since the trained individual's body actually becomes more efficient at utilizing protein.

Do you need a protein supplement? Don't reach for that supplement just yet! Most healthy individuals have no problem consuming this amount of protein through food intake alone, so supplements aren't really necessary and could just put a dent in your wallet. Research suggests that consuming high quality sources of protein from food is just as effective, if not more effective, at helping people achieve their muscle-building needs. In fact, an individual who consumes too much protein could run into a few problems. One is that the breakdown of protein that's not used to replenish and build new tissue produces metabolic waste products (nitrogen) that must be excreted from the body. Without adequate fluid consumption, taking in excessive amounts of protein could elevate the risk of dehydration. Even mild dehydration can hinder one's athletic performance leading to a less effective workout. The second major problem is that an overabundance of protein could lead to excess calorie consumption, which could result in more than just muscle gain. If the protein is not used for muscle building or other functions in the body, then an individual could find himself packing on a few more pounds than intended.

What are good sources of protein for muscle building? Lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, soybeans, and low-fat milk, cheese, or yogurt are high quality sources of protein that will support muscle building. Keep in mind that whole grains, legumes, nuts, and vegetables are also quality sources of protein. Eating protein from a variety of food sources is key because this will maintain a more balanced and adequate intake of a many nutrients, including vitamins and minerals.

Time it just right. Did you know that timing may actually be more important than amount when it comes to protein intake for muscle building? Consuming a little high-quality protein (~10 grams) before strength training provides a good dose of essential amino acids to the muscles and helps decrease the breakdown of protein. Consuming a little high-quality protein after the training session is also helpful since the muscles are primed and protein synthesis is enhanced at that time. To give you an idea of what this looks like in terms of food, you can find about 10 grams of protein in: 1 1/2 oz of meat, fish, or poultry, 2 small eggs or egg whites, 1 1/2 oz cheese, 1 oz nuts like cashews, 2 1/2 T peanut butter, 8 oz yogurt or 1 1/4 c low-fat milk.


Don't forget the two C's: carbohydrate and calories! Quality sources of carbohydrates, such as whole grains, legumes, or milk, provide an important foundation for your muscle-building plan. Why? Carbohydrates fuel the muscles during physical activity and getting enough will help maximize your workout. Consumption of both carbohydrate and protein also generate an insulin response, and insulin is an anabolic hormone, which enhances muscle protein synthesis and decreases protein breakdown. If we don't consume enough carbohydrate and calories, our body relies more heavily on protein for energy. When protein is used for energy, less of it is available for muscle building and repair, which is not optimal for someone trying to gain lean muscle tissue.

If you're interested in receiving professional guidance in this area, then I'd highly recommend that you invest in the services of an experienced Registered Dietitian (RD) or a RD who is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD).

For more on this topic, you may consider the following resources:

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Building Easy, Nutritious, and Tasty Snacks that Kids Will Eat


When I meet with parents or talk to family members and friends with children, I am often presented with this question: What kinds of snacks should I feed my child? First of all, I want to commend parents on caring enough to ask! As I mentioned in my last post, planned snacks play a valuable role in children's diets by supporting their energy and nutrient needs, enhancing their confidence in eating, and nurturing lifelong, positive eating behaviors. So, now that we know why snacking is important, let's dive into the how. Here are my three of my trustiest tips for building healthy, nutritious, and tasty snacks for children.
  • Remember Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility in Feeding: 1) Parents are responsible for what, when, and where children eat and 2) Children are responsible for whether and how much. Essentially, parents are in charge of purchasing, preparing, and serving a variety of healthful foods to the child at regular meals and snacks and to trust her to eat the right amount that she needs.  Regarding when, it's best to keep snacks 2-3 hours before a main meal, like dinner, so that your little one will have a better appetite.
  • Mix and match food groups to provide a quality source of carbohydrate, protein, and/or fat. Thinking of snacks more like mini-meals may be helpful. Including foods from more than one food group helps provide a balance and variety of essential nutrients.  Want some examples? Combine whole grains with fruit; vegetables with milk; whole grains with milk; fruit with milk; whole grains, fruit and meat/beans; or vegetables, fruit, and meat/beans.  See 10 of my faves below.
  • Make it fun! If you haven't noticed, most children's toys incorporate vibrant colors, a variety of textures, and an assortment of shapes.  They learn and explore the world around them through their senses, so run with that.  They also have vivid imaginations that we can tap into to bring the fun factor up a few notches.  Instead of broccoli, how about "dinosaur trees"? Instead of peanut butter and raisins on celery sticks, how about "ants on a log"? Instead of peas, how about "power peas"?  In fact, Brian Wansink and colleagues at Cornell University found that when vegetables were given fun names, children ate 50% more vegetables! I personally like "ninja sticks" or "magic spears" for asparagus.
10 Easy, Nutritious, and Tasty Snacks for Kids
  1. Fruit and yogurt parfaits:  Layer low-fat vanilla yogurt with fresh fruit, such as berries and banana, and sprinkle with crunchy granola.
  2. Mini-pizzas: Top a toasted whole wheat English muffin with marinara sauce or fresh tomato slices and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and veggie toppings.
  3. Pita Triangles with Hummus Dip: Cut whole wheat pita bread into triangles and serve with hummus for dipping.
  4. Ants on a Log: Spread peanut butter, other nut butters, or low-fat cream cheese on celery sticks. Top with raisins or dried cranberries.
  5. Trail Mix: Mix dried fruit, nuts, and whole grain cereal together in a snack-sized baggie. 
  6. Fruit and Dip: Dip fresh fruit, like apple slices or strawberries,in low-fat yogurt or nut butter.
  7. Veggies and Dip: Dip raw veggies, like "X-ray vision baby carrots", cherry tomatoes, snap peas, cucumber, or "dinosaur broccoli trees", in plain low-fat yogurt, hummus, guacamole, or bean dip.
  8. Crunchy Apples: Spread natural peanut butter (or other nut butter) over apple slices and dip in granola.
  9. Fruit and PB Wrap: Spread natural peanut butter (or other nut butter) over a whole wheat tortilla. Top with banana slices and raisins or chopped dates. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Roll up and cut into kid-friendly portions. 
  10. Smoothies: Blend fresh or frozen fruit with low-fat milk or yogurt and a splash of 100% fruit juice. Or try a green smoothie with some Super Spinach!
Pick one, try them all, or try a spin-off of your own. Whatever you do, have FUN!

What are your favorite nutritious snacks for kids?

      Monday, April 12, 2010

      Featured in People Magazine

       
      Read my feature in the latest update on my People Weight Loss Challenge Bride, Patty!  Go Patty!
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