Whey protein for endurance athletes
Whey protein for endurance athletes - why whey is the worst choice when it comes to protein
When it comes to recovery and rebuilding after heavy sessions and races, whey protein is often about the last thing you want to put into your body short of deep fried Mars bars. While this contradicts what the mainstream protein industry will tell you on the subject of whey protein for endurance athletes, there are good reasons behind this seemingly contrarian view:
1 Whey protein is a by-product of cheese production
Which means it's come from industrial dairy farming, which in turn means it's likely to have come from unwell, stressed animals with artificially low lifespans kept in low grade conditions and fed multiple meds. Hardly the font of great nutrition.
2 Whey protein is ultraprocessed
As if the starter product weren't low grade enough, the multiple stages of processing required to turn it into protein powder often render it ultraprocessed food from the get go.
3 Whey protein is loaded with sweeteners, flavourings and more
Having been deconstructed, whey powder is now revitalized with the addition sweeteners, thickeners, binders, fillers, flavourings and colourings.
So remove the cover model on the packet and the slick marketing suggesting it's perfect for 'lean definition', 'muscle recovery' or other such guff and what you're left with is usually about as clear a definition of ultraprocessed food as you'll find. Oh, and you'll be paying a fortune for the privilege.
This ultraprocessed nature combined with its dairy source is a triple whammy meaning it actively increases acidity and inflammation in the body, at the precise time (after heavy training) you're wanting and needing to do the opposite.
Which isn't to say protein doesn't help recovery. It does.
You just don't need a bucket of powdered candy to get it as great protein's widely available in great food: nuts, legumes, chia seeds, flax seeds, spirulina, porridge oats and more are all stacked with awesome protein your body will love for recovery.
And if you want to go beyond this, why not check out the increasing number of plant protein powders out there like our own Premium Protein.
Next time you're looking for protein, do your body a favour and go natural and prepare to be amazed at the improvement.
Nuts: pure, natural protein power. Because nature rocks
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Whey v Plant Protein - which is best?
Muscle mass reduction with age - true or false? We say false, here's whyThe best diet for endurance training
