Product review: Premier Protein
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A month or so ago my Step-daughter came home with a jug of protein {pictured}. She had decided to go vegetarian and her BM was feeding her these shakes to up her protein.
*Insert panic attack and shock here*
There are several reasons why these things are NOT good for you and especially why they are not good for children.
As her BM has convinced her that not eating meat puts you in a “bad mood” {more like the least she is like me or her father the better her BM’s mood} at the very least I am thankful that she is {most likely} not poisoning her with these things anymore.
Here’s what you need to know about these “cheat” foods and why it is imperative that we all hit the kitchen with gusto and consume whole foods with a TONNE of protein – after all, protein-rich foods are everywhere. Meat is NOT your only option!!
My Biggest issue:
This is a COSTCO product. Why don’t we like that fact? Well, like all Mega chains they have wishy-washy ethics to increase buying power. This means a lot of crushing the little guy and a lot of caselot buying from businesses that are downright dirty – GlaxosmithKline, Johnson, Unilever etc…
Do you own research however, Costco is on total boycott in our world.
Ingredients (Chocolate Shake Tetrapak):
: These “nutrition supplements” are filled with highly processed animal proteins, chemicals, preservatives and additives. Not all processed foods are detrimental to our health BUT understanding what is in this shake is critical in determining whether or not to use it, replace it, or ditch the entire idea all together.
Something you might find in a pre-mixed shake or powder is(Muscle Milk being the guiltiest offender of all) heavy metal…not the good kind….things like Cadmium:
Cadmium raises special concern because it accumulates in and can damage the kidneys, the same organs that can be damaged by excessive protein consumption. And it can take 20 years for the body to eliminate even half the cadmium absorbed today.” This is a highly toxic metal, and while there are some cases where decisions have to be weighed against relative risks, accepting that you have to be exposed to any cadmium at all in your protein drink after your workout is definitely not one of them,” says Michael Harbut, M.D., director of the Environmental Cancer Initiative at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Royal Oak, Mich.
“When these toxic heavy metals are combined in a product that is marketed for daily use, that raises serious public health concerns, especially for pregnant women, children, and young adults,” says Burns, who has been a toxicology consultant to state and federal government agencies.
Acesulfame Potassium or Acesulfame K
The artificial sweetener you find in this particular drink. Two rat studies suggest that the additive might cause cancer. In addition it is mentioned that large doses of acetoacetamide (a breakdown product of this sugar) have been shown to affect the thyroid in rats, rabbits, and dogs.
Wheyeeet a minute!
Most whey protein is ultra-pasteurized from conventional milk full of growth hormones and antibiotics. The whey is acid processed and stripped of all of it’s alkalizing minerals (which include vitamins and minerals that we are all in need of). If you don’t balance the acidic state caused in your body by de-alkalized foods you will increase vulnerability to degenerative disease.
Eating a variety of food provides more than enough protein for the average person – leave the protein supplements to the very malnourished and the bodybuilding set.
If you’re part of the bodybuilding set (as I am) there are a tonne of healthy choices for you that don’t include all of the crappy ingredients found in these US made, Costco sold packs of shame.
My choice: Iron Vegan
Jeff’s choice: Beyond Yourself
If you’re thinking that you could be low on protein, try making a minimal ingredient nut butter smoothie or choose some real food sources of protein:
Meat – beef, pork, poultry, eggs, yogurt, cheese, fish. Choose ethical, choose organic, choose hormone free. Be wary of mollusks and shellfish. Read meat can be left out entirely for heart health.
Vegetarian sources of protein – legumes (dry beans, lentils, and peas), nuts and seeds (almond butter, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds), whole grains (oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, pasta), dark leafy vegetables, avocado.
