New Kid on the block – Bone Broth Protein Powder

Over the years of working with clients, it’s pretty common to see many food deficiencies, even in those with a ‘healthy’ diet. Consuming sufficient protein is one of the areas I see lacking in many people.

So it’s only body builders who need to worry about protein though right? I find there is a real confusion around the importance of protein, especially the use of protein powder. Yes, protein helps build and repair tissue such as muscle, but it also has many other key roles, and the reason I harp on about it so much with my clients, is its very important role in helping to balance our blood sugars and balance our nervous system, both key factors in helping to manage stress.

What even is Protein?

Protein is made up of a multitude of building blocks called amino acids, for example collagen is an amino acid which plays a key role in helping to keep our joints, skin, hair and nails strong. Other commonly known amino acids include proline and glycine which are key in bone broth which help to heal and seal the gut wall, lysine which is often used in the treatment of cold sores and tryptophan which can be beneficial in promoting sleep.

Protein can be found most abundantly in foods sourced from animals such as meat, dairy and eggs and in lesser amounts in beans and grains. Depending on your activity levels 0.8-2.2g protein per kg of body weight is the recommended daily requirement for the body. I find splitting your protein intake up over the day helps you to meet your requirements, but protein is also very satisfying, helping to keep you fuller for longer.

Consuming enough protein and with each meal helps to keep us satisfied. This is balancing for our blood sugar levels and our nervous system, as when we go long periods without eating or not eating sustaining meals, our blood sugar levels tend to peak and drop which leaves us feeling tired, brain fogged and reaching for pick-me-up’s such as refined sugar and caffeine. This creates a stress response in the body and we don’t need anymore of that!

Protein Powder

Marketing has made us believe that protein powder is consumed only by body builders, but I recommend the use of a high quality protein powder to help individuals boost their protein intake, it can be easily added to yoghurt, put into baking and added to a smoothie to make it more of a complete meal.

Majority of protein powders on the market are made from Whey which comes from cow’s dairy, although this type of protein is a excellent source, many people have an issue with digesting dairy and can therefore lead to gut issues such as bloating and IBS symptoms. Plant based protein which are made from things like soy and golden pea’s are also very common now, however the digestability of these can be low. Legumes contain compounds called lectins which are poorly digested by the human body, making protein made from these not as digestable as the animal based versions.

Bone broth protein is a great alternative for those who cannot digest traditional whey based protein. It’s made from slow cooked bones from NZ grass fed beef, then natural flavour is added. It contains a great amino acid profile which is important for helping us to build and maintain lean muscle mass, ligaments and cartilage, essential for a functioning, mobile body.

My personal favourite way to consume protein powder is in yoghurt in the morning for my breakfast or added to egg and banana in making protein pancakes. See recipe over on the recipe page for my Raw Choc Brownie Protein Slice.

There are 3 flavours available, Chocolate, Salted Caramel and Vanilla, all available in-store for purchase