Comments on: On The Road – Day 4

By: Jeffrey343

Jeffrey343 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:30:04 +0000

I’m enjoying these stories too. Those places like TJ Cinnamons & Cinnabons are very seductive. All the pretzel places like Auntie Anne’s & Wetzel’s are too. Good call on getting milk – in addition to getting some protein, it just tastes “right” with that kind of food.

And filet mignon chili is pretty dang awesome stuff.

By: Darrin

Darrin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:59:25 +0000

@Gene – excellent and correct point! Protein powder (even mixed with milk) is not as good as chicken breast, egg whites, etc. You do lose the thermic effect (where your body burns more calories just to digest the food – some foods take more energy to digest, thus leading to the concept of “negative calorie” foods like celery that require more energy to digest than are actually contained in the food itself).

That said, and hopefully I’ve said this elsewhere, that protein powder has two amazing (and powerful) advantages:
a) portability (as in my current case where I’m using more of it than usual due to travel)
and
b) in the magic window around your workouts, whey protein in liquid (especially if the liquid also has some sugar added) delivers protein to your muscles faster than regular food and so improves muscle recovery slightly better than regular food

Note that in (b) I say “slightly”. When you are already doing 90% of the right things with your diet and workouts, then small things like that matter. For most people who aren’t yet at the 90% or more level, it’s not important enough of a distinction. (If you are still eating potato chips every day, then THAT’S the thing to worry about, not which source of protein is best.)

So excellent observation and I love the chance to get deeper in explanation. Does this help? Does anyone else have questions on that front?

By: gene

gene — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:34:58 +0000

I notice you use a lot of protein powder. I have done so in the past, but it’s pretty expensive. Any suggestions for people on a more limited budget?

Also, don’t you lose the “thermic effect” of the protein this way? I’m sure it is a good way to get complete, lean protein into your system quickly, but it seems to bypass the benefits of increasing your metabolism. . .