P90X isn’t just a great workout program, it’s an entire system of great nutritional supplements too! The P90X powder and supplements are designed to accompany folks as they work through the P90X and other home workout systems. They are made with top of the line ingredients in order to give you high quality results. But many people who do P90X are newbies when it comes to supplements. They aren’t sure where to start and don’t know for certain how to use these supplements to maximize their potential. That’s where we come in.
protein supplements
Is there a P90X Vegetarian Diet?
If you are starting P90X, you are no doubt concerned about the diet plan. Will it fit your lifestyle and will you be able to maintain it? Like any diet plan, these concerns can be especially pressing if you already have dietary restrictions. Fortunately, if you are a vegetarian, you already have experience in adjusting recipes, options, and restaurant menu items to fit your needs. The P90X vegetarian diet will only require you to build upon these already sound skills.
How to Customize Your P90X Vegetarian Diet
Whichever approach you take to the P90X vegetarian diet, you can make adjustments to fit your needs. There are many vegetarian meal options already within the pages of the P90X Nutrition Guide. But, even for those that include meat, a little creativity ensures you will be able to enjoy the tasty options without having to include animal proteins.
Substitutions!
The key to making any regular diet a vegetarian diet is in substitutions. Obviously you won’t be eating a chicken salad but a large salad of just veggies or veggies and beans is a great swap-out. There are several staples that you can keep on hand for substituting in the P90X vegetarian diet. Those include:
- Tofu
- Seitan
- Legumes (Garbanzos, Lentils, Red Kidney, Black, Pinto, etc.)
- Nuts (watch your fat intake here)
- Eggs
- Fish (if you partake)
Don’t Miss Out on the Protein
Perhaps the biggest concern with a P90X vegetarian diet is in getting enough protein. This fitness program requires you to get plenty of protein every single day. This is why adding legumes to your diet, if you don’t already eat them, is so important. Add them to salads or meat dishes. Make black bean burgers or burritos for dinner. But don’t miss out on your daily protein!
P90X Vegetarian Diet Supplements
When trying to up your protein intake as a vegetarian, it can get a little tricky. This is why the P90X protein bars and whey protein powders are such a great option. You can add protein easily to your breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack by having a quick shake or a bar when hunger strikes. Protein is essential in building muscle tissue, so don’t skimp.
P90X is designed to help you get amazing results. But, in order to achieve these, you have to eat right. Using common sense and the P90X Nutrition Guide, you can tailor a high quality P90X vegetarian diet quite easily.
For the “Skinny” Person: How to Bulk Up
People who have never dealt with being called skinny don’t know how it can grate on your nerves. We don’t hear much about the negative self-image that some people have when they are thinner than average. Instead all of the workout systems and supplements are designed to help people lose weight. But there is another fitness battle being waged out there and it’s the one between people who have problems gaining weight and their desire to learn how to bulk up.
Learning how to bulk up can be a long process. We are all built slightly differently and what works for one person may not work for the next. This is why many people who struggle with how to bulk up find that not every solution is the right solution for them. Just like the person who has 20 or 50 pounds to lose, the person who wants to put on a significant amount of weight will have to dedicate a significant amount of hard work in order to reach their goals.
The difference between someone who can’t seem to lose weight and one who can’t seem to gain it is: metabolism. Your metabolism is the rate at which your body processes energy. Someone who tends to hold onto excess fat is said to have a “slow” metabolism while someone who needs help learning how to bulk up is said to have a “fast” metabolism. In order to successfully put on weight, you simply have to work with your body’s natural metabolism.
There are two basic ways that you can put on weight: through eating more and through building muscle with strength training.
When we say you have to eat more, we aren’t talking about pizza and chicken wings—we are talking about high quality, nutritionally dense calories and plenty of protein. Similarly, working out when you are trying to put on mass requires some seriously hard work. You won’t be doing aerobics or running but instead will be challenging your muscles with plenty of strength training.
One program that has been shown to help people who want to learn how to bulk up is the P90X workout system. This program includes both a dietary component and the high quality workouts. You’ll learn how to eat right and you’ll be handed several great strength training workouts. The program is designed to help you get in shape and tone your physique. If you have a “high” metabolism, it can definitely help you put on some muscle mass, especially when used in conjunction with high quality supplements.
High Protein Snacks for Vegetarians
As a vegetarian, you have different dietary needs than the typical carnivore. You’re used to adjusting your menu, whether you are out for dinner or a guest in someone’s house. But sometimes eating a nutritionally balanced diet, even in your own home, can present challenges. If you are working on fitness goals, you may have heard that it’s good to boost your protein consumption. But as a vegetarian, there are only so many protein options you have. Finding high protein snacks for vegetarians might be a little more difficult than it is for others, but it’s not impossible.
High protein snacks for vegetarians are often the very same high protein snacks for meat eaters. Think about it—most meat eaters don’t eat meat at snack time, only during meals. So if you search for “protein snacks” in our blog, you’ll find several different entries with suggestions to fit any dietary need.
The reason getting more protein during a fitness training program is so important is because protein is crucial in the building and repairing of muscle tissue. As you workout, your muscles go through some trauma. To build the muscles and repair any trauma, the body utilizes protein. Increased dietary protein can help you further your fitness goals and can also take the place of other, not-so-healthy options.
Perhaps the easiest high protein snacks for vegetarians include protein bars and shakes. These are convenient methods of getting protein no matter what your diet restrictions are. The Peak Performance protein bars we offer come in several flavors and are packed with superior quality ingredients. There’s no meat in these but they do have plenty of protein to meet your nutritional needs.
Some of the below options are not appropriate for vegans but additional high protein snacks for vegetarians include:
- Eggs
- Yogurt
- Nuts
- Bean/Veggie Wrap
- Sprouts
- Peanut Butter w/ Apple Slices
- Peanut Butter w/Celery
- Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie (made with Peak Performance Whey Protein Powder)
- Bean Salad
Ensuring you get protein at every meal is another way to lessen the burden on high protein snacks for vegetarians. Including different beans and legumes in your diet is crucial as a vegetarian, whether you are working towards fitness goals or not. Simply being aware of your protein intake can lead you in the right direction and ensure you are getting everything you need to live a healthy lifestyle.
Exercises to Increase Muscle Mass
For many people it’s difficult to put on muscle. They may have been the “skinny guy” their whole life and putting on muscle is as difficult as weight loss for the rest of us. If you’ve gotten tired of being seen as a weakling or simply feeling like you don’t measure up, there are ways to put on mass, even when you have a high metabolism and have struggled in the past. There are exercises to increase muscle mass and foods that can help you too.
Exercises to increase muscle mass are those that don’t burn a ton of calories. If you want to gain weight, you obviously don’t want to be doing a lot of cardio. This doesn’t mean you can’t do cardio, after all, it’s great for your heart and lungs. But, cardio burns serious calories and when you are trying to gain muscle mass, you need all the calories you can get.
Instead, you need to focus on strength training. Most people in the fitness world know the best exercises to increase muscle mass are resistance training exercises. And because you want big results, you’re going to have to get in some big workouts. Power moves like weighted squats, pushups, step-ups, and upper body work are good for getting started. If you’re new to strength training, you may want to check out a program like P90X to help you get started.
While you need to be cautious about hurting yourself, you will want to push your body for the best results. Yes, you’ll wake up sore. But when it comes to putting on muscle mass, this is just par for the course. As you lift weights, your muscles undergo trauma. It’s the healing of this trauma that produces muscle growth. So look at your soreness as an indication that you’re doing something right!
Also important when looking at exercises to increase muscle mass is your nutrition. As someone with a high metabolism, you might be accustomed to eating whatever you want. But when you have a fitness goal you should always align your diet with that goal. Protein is especially important. Check out our Whey Protein Powders and Protein Bars. They are great for providing crucial protein and a great source of calories.
It may be difficult for you to gain muscle. But even people with abnormally high metabolisms can put on mass. By using exercises to increase muscle mass and proper nutrition (along with dedication to your goals), you’ll find your goals aren’t unrealistic at all.
High Protein Snacks That Won’t Undo Your Workout Progress
Not all snacks are created equal. Duh, right? Obviously a Twinkie doesn’t have the same nutritional perks as a handful of almonds or an apple. But even when it comes to something that we commonly think of as “nutritious” there can be major differences. A trail mix made with nuts and raisins is obviously a better choice than one made with nuts and candies, for example. With every food choice we make, there is one that’s potentially better. The key to getting in shape is always choosing the best meal, snack, or even beverage available.
High protein snacks are important when you are trying to lose fat and gain muscle. They provide direct fuel to your muscles and can help you recover after particularly difficult workouts. But things like bacon, peanut butter cups, and fried eggs are not the high protein snacks we have in mind.
You can’t just choose something high in protein and call it a healthy high protein snack. It must have other nutritional perks.
A healthy high protein snack is one that has limited fat and sugar. Sure, a little bit of fat is okay and so is a smidge of sugar. But too much and you might as well be eating a candy bar or an ice cream sundae. You also want to steer clear of high fructose corn syrup. When it comes to protein bars in particular, many sweeteners are used to make them taste good, be cautious of what’s on that ingredients list and be certain it’s something you want in your body!
Chicken breasts are a great source of protein. Keep some chicken breast strips already grilled and in the refrigerator for last minute high protein snacks. You can roll them in a tortilla and top with fresh salsa for a fast and healthy snack option. You can also throw them on a salad, eat them plain, or toss a few pieces into an egg white omelet.
There are numerous healthy high protein snacks out there. If you need some additional suggestions, search this blog. I’ve written several posts on the importance of protein and how you can get some into your daily diet. In the search box at the right simply type “protein” and you’ll find a number of worthwhile articles including snack lists and recipes to keep your diet interesting.
Making Protein Rich Snacks
If you’ve spent any amount of time working towards fitness goals or even reading about fitness nutrition, you know the value of a diet high in protein. Protein is essential for building muscles and keeping your body in shape. As you go through the workouts necessary to create the body of your dreams, you’ll find protein can give you an extra edge in muscle recovery and even in weight loss. But not all protein sources are created equally. Learning how to make protein rich snacks at home can ensure you have plenty of options when you find yourself hungry in between meals.
Of course you can buy protein rich snacks. We sell several. But sometimes it is rewarding to make your own, to get your snacks from something other than a cellophane wrapper or drink mix. This is when it pays to have a few tricks up your sleeve.
Homemade protein rich snacks don’t have to be difficult. We often overlook the simplest and best forms of protein when we try to get original. Here are just a few protein rich snacks that can be made in a matter of minutes:
- Trail mix with almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower kernels, and dried cranberries
- Celery sticks filled with low fat cream cheese
- Apple slices and peanut butter
- Tortilla filled with grilled chicken breast strips and salsa
- Boiled eggs
- Low fat cheese slices with sliced tomatoes
- Tuna and whole grain crackers
Of course this is only a starter list. Get creative with your protein rich snacks and you’ll find they are much easier to bear. Eating shouldn’t be a chore, but you may have to learn to enjoy new foods as you pursue your fitness goals.
If you prefer protein shakes, adding fruit and even peanut butter can keep them interesting and still convenient. Whey protein shakes make great protein rich snacks that can be taken on the go. They are an excellent snack but also make a good breakfast, completely portable and a cinch to take on your commute.
Looking For Some Good Protein Snacks?
You know protein is the cornerstone of most athletes’ diet. Protein supplements are the most popular supplements out there. And these athletes and fitness fanatics are on to something. Protein is crucial in any diet, but particularly in the diet of people who are trying to make progress towards fitness goals and achieving the body they’ve always wanted. However, not all protein snacks are good. Obviously you wouldn’t want to use hot dogs as a protein snack—foods high in protein don’t necessarily make healthy snacks. Knowing how to choose the “good” protein snacks over the “bad” will put you way out in front when it comes to getting the most out of your protein sources.
Most people who are interested in supplementing with protein snacks are trying to maintain muscle mass and likely trying to minimize their body fat. But let’s talk about why protein is used in the first place.
Protein is the building block of most tissue within the body, particularly muscle tissue. When you work out, your muscles experience tiny tears. Proteins come in and mend these tears, strengthening the muscle tissue and providing muscle growth. A diet rich in high quality proteins is more likely to help you maintain your muscle mass and recover after particularly strenuous workouts.
Good protein snacks are those that provide the benefits of protein without any additional negative components. This means they won’t cause you to retain fat and they won’t slow you down on your road to optimal health.
When you are considering protein snacks that can assist you in reaching your fitness goals, you need to be in search of those that are all natural or made specifically for fitness nutrition. Those made specifically for fitness nutrition are supplements like whey protein shakes and high quality protein bars. Naturally good protein snacks include things like:
- Nuts
- Lean meats
- Egg Whites
- Fish
- Legumes
When choosing good protein snacks to help further your fitness goals, remember if you choose a prepared protein supplement to read the label. Not all of these products are made by companies who truly have an interest in your health. Peak Performance Protein Bars are one example of a superior quality protein bar that makes a great snack and even a good meal replacement!



