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Is Collagen a Good Source of Protein?
With the popularity of collagen and gelatin protein, often I get asked “Is Collagen a Good Source of Protein?” While I am a big fan of both, I think it’s important to note that it may not be the best option for a source of protein.
With the popularity of collagen in recent years, so too have I seen an increase of the use of collagen as a meal-replacing protein. While I am a big fan of collagen and personally aim to consume a high-quality grass-fed collagen protein in some form, nearly daily, myself, and I definitely recommend collagen to many of my nutrition clients for a variety of therapeutic and supplemental reasons – I wanted to take a moment to share why I don’t recommend that collagen be counted as part of your daily sources of protein or to used as a post-workout, rebuilding and recovering protein.
Why is a Complete Protein Important?
The human body is primarily made up of water, protein and fat. Second only to water, proteins comprise most of our tissues in the form of amino acids. And in all those amino acids, about half is collagen.
There are 22 standard amino acids. Of those 22, 9 are “essential,” meaning they are not made by the body and must be obtained through our diet. Another 6 are “conditionally essential,” meaning our bodies can make sufficient amounts without getting them directly from diet, but only when circumstances are optimal.
Our bodies NEED protein to sustain life. Protein is responsible for building every single cell in our body. The full panel of essential amino acids are necessary to help us build and repair every structure in our body. We build them up, break then down, over and over and over again. A great amount of dietary protein every day is necessary for this to be done efficiently and effectively.
Lean muscle is made entirely of complete protein as well, and is key for optimal well being. Lean muscle improves metabolism, helps burn body fat, regulates body temperature, as well as keeps you strong, healthy, and supported.
Muscle needs protein and getting adequate, quality protein (ideally from high-quality, properly raised, animal sources) supports strength, injury prevention and longevity. Protein also helps with a higher metabolic rate, greater insulin sensitivity, and building that lean, sculpted, sexy physique, you babe, you. Protein is also responsible for satiety and reducing cravings and hunger.
A complete protein is comprised of, at the very least, the 9 essential amino acids. These are referred to as ‘essential’ because you MUST obtain them from your diet; the body cannot synthesize them on its own. Complete proteins can be found in a wide variety of animal foods and a few plant foods.
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Pumpkin Pie Power Smoothie & Vega One French Vanilla Nutritional Shake Giveaway
********* The giveaway is now closed! Thank you so much to everyone that entered and congrats to, Chef Amber Shea, our randomly selected winner! *********
(winner was randomly selected using Random.org)I will be emailing you to let you know you have won and to get your mailing address.
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A while back Vega One contacted me and asked if I would like to try their new French Vanilla Vega One Nutritional Shake, I of course obliged, I mean who doesn’t love sampling new (and hopefully yummy) food products? I received two packets and with the first I made it straight-up, as is with just some almond milk and ice in the blender. It was quite good, super thick and creamy and it had a really nice flavor. It definitely had just a little of the chalkiness that we’ve all come to know with these types of products, but it was still very appetizing and satisfying and had a really good flavor.
After making the first one straight-forward, I decided to have fun with the second shake and I made a pumpkin pie smoothie. I enjoyed this even more than the first one I made, that is besides the fact that I spilled a good 3/4 of it when the wind blew over my photo back drop (thankfully that was the only tragedy we experienced in over here Western New York due to Sandy). Check out my Photo Fun Day Friday post where I show a little behind the scenes blooper shot of this smoothie’s ultimate demise.The smoothie was even creamier and it had a fun color to it, the spices and the pumpkin were nicely complimented by creaminess and the smooth french vanilla taste, it kept me full longer than most smoothies I make.
[print_this]Pumpkin Pie Power Smoothie
serves 1 or makes 2 smaller servings
1/2 cup organic coconut milk, the canned kind (full fat or lite)
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup organic pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1 level scoop (or one snack pack) of Vega One French Vanilla Nutritional Shake
sweetener of your choice, if needed – I add a couple of drops of vanilla liquid stevia
small handful of iceAdd all of the ingredients to the blender and process until smooth and creamy.
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Besides being quite tasty, Vega One‘s Nutritional Shakes pack a serious nutritional punch! Here is some more info:
Vega One- All-In-One Nutrition Shake – Use on a daily basis to cover your key nutritional requirements for optimum health.
“Cover your bases”
· Great tasting foundational nutrition to build your day on. All the essentials. All-in-one.
· Contains 10 different supplements including: Protein, Multi-vitamin, Multi-mineral, Essential fatty acids, Digestive enzyme, Probiotics, Antioxidant, Chlorella/greens, Maca.
· 50% of RDI for vitamins/minerals-replaces your multivitamin!
· 15 g protein, 6 g fiber, 1.5 g omega 3
· Dairy, gluten and soy free
· Low Glycemic (19.2)
· No added sugar-sweetened with steviaGood for your body and the planet, Vega One Nutritional Shake is the clean, plant-based choice to fuel your healthy, active lifestyle—without compromise. Made from natural, whole food ingredients, Vega One is a convenient, all-in-one supplement.
Vega One is free from dairy, gluten and soy, and contains no added sugar, artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.
Some bonus info, I read that Vega One can also be used in recipes to replace a portion of flour for a gluten-free and protein-rich addition to brownies, pancakes and more.
Since, I enjoyed the French Vanilla Vega One Nutritional Shake so much, we are giving away a large 30 oz tub of it to one special winner, so you can enjoy it, too.
The giveaway is just open to US and Canada residents only.
Enter the contest
Please leave a *separate comment* below for each entry!
You can enter up to 4 times1) In order to be entered into the giveaway, please comment below and share your favorite smoothie or shake that you would love to recreate using Vega One French Vanilla Nutritional Shake?
Additional entries will be accepted for the following:
2) Like both the Tasty Yummies and VegaOne pages on Facebook.
Share the post I put up on the Tasty Yummies page to be included in the giveaway then come back and comment here telling me you liked both pages, that you’ve shared my post.3) Tweet about the contest and while you are there follow me on Twitter @herobeth and follow @VegaTeam
You could say something like: “Enter to win a large tub of French Vanilla #VegaOne from @VegaTeam & @herobeth on Tasty Yummies http://wp.me/p23r4t-Jq #plantstrong #vegan”
Make sure you comment here to let me know that you posted about the giveaway.4) Subscribe to the Tasty Yummies RSS feed in your RSS reader or by email
or follow me on Pinterest. Again, make sure to comment here to let me know that you subscribed or follow me.Please note – this giveaway is only open to the US and Canada.
Again, please make sure you leave a *separate comment* below for each entry,
if you don’t comment you will not be entered!The giveaway will be open until the end of the day Monday, November 12.
Winner will be selected at random and announced on Tuesday, November 13. 1 winner will be selected and notified through email and this post.