When you set your sights on a fitness goal, you want to make sure that all of your lifestyle choices point in the same direction. Your workouts are a huge part of achieving the body you want. But, your workouts will only get you so far. Being able to make the right food choices is essential in making the most of those workouts. Not only will high protein snacks help keep your metabolism running high throughout the day, they also help to repair and build muscle tissue.

Eating small meals or several snacks throughout the day has been shown to keep the metabolism running at a steady rate. It’s when you starve yourself that the blood sugar sinks and spikes, leading to increased fat storage. A steady stream of fuel, through sources like high quality protein bars, can keep the metabolic fires burning consistently throughout the day.

Another benefit of high protein snacks, and why you see bodybuilders taking protein supplements, is their ability to repair and help build muscle tissue. When you workout, your muscles experience tiny tears or trauma. This explains the muscle soreness you feel after a good workout. The repair of these tissues is what leads to muscle growth. Protein is responsible for muscle repair and therefore muscle repair and strength gains.

The best high protein snacks are those that contain high quality ingredients at a reasonable price and with great flavor. Egg whites, chicken breasts, and yogurt are awesome choices but check out the P90X protein bars for superior quality protein that is perfect for on-the-go snacking.

Most people who are thinking about using protein supplements are already healthy. They are typically on a fitness program and seeking a way to get high quality protein in a convenient matter. Very seldom, though it does occur, are people under the misconception that supplements can somehow make them healthy.

For those people weighing the benefits of eating protein vs. drinking a protein shake, it often boils down to convenience.

Plain and simple: when undertaking a muscle building workout plan, protein consumption is often increased to assist the body’s natural muscle building abilities. Protein can help us build muscle by facilitating the repair of tissues broken down in a strenuous workout. In order to further encourage this, you will often see people cutting back on carbs and sugars in exchange for high quality protein.

Wanting to boost protein consumption is easy, stomaching it can be difficult. There aren’t many snack options today that combine concentrated protein levels with convenience. Carrying around a chicken breast isn’t really feasible; neither is making an egg white omelet at work. While real food is always a good choice, supplementing with protein shakes and good quality protein bars like the P90X protein bars is an easy move that allows you to boost your protein while moving throughout the day.

Are we suggesting you get all of your protein from protein supplements? Never. However, using them as a tool in your nutritional arsenal simply gives you a quick and easy way of boosting protein without growing tired of the old standbys. When considering eating protein vs. drinking a protein shake, go with the food when you can but don’t be afraid to use protein shakes as a good secondary option.

If you’re looking for the right kind of protein shakes to add to your plan, take a look at the Vanilla and Chocolate Whey Protein Powders we carry here. These shake mixes taste excellent and deliver 18 grams of protein per serving.

Vitamin B1: is essential in providing your body with the energy you need through the metabolism of carbohydrates and protein. It is also required for the processing of alcohol.

Energy is something that a lot of us today are lacking. Dragging ourselves out of bed, in to the shower and off to work. And most of us will run to the nearest Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks for our much needed energy boost that completely fizzles out by the early afternoon.

Instead of drinking your short lived energy with all the extra calories and sugar, why not take a more natural route. There are many healthy foods that contain Vitamin B1, giving you the energy you’ll need to get you through the day.

Check out our healthy food list below:
Raw sunflower seeds (1/4 cup, 205 calories)
54 percent daily value
Cooked yellowfin tuna (4 ounces, 157 calories)
38 percent daily value
Cooked black beans (1 cup, 227 calories)
28 percent daily value
Cooked corn (1 cup, 177 calories)
24 percent daily value
Sesame seeds (1/4 cup, 206 calories)
18 percent daily value
Oatmeal (1 cup, 145 calories)
17 percent daily value
Cooked asparagus (1 cup, 43 calories)
14 percent daily value
Brussels sprouts (1 cup, 60 calories)
11 percent daily value
Cooked spinach (1 cup, 41 calories)
11 percent daily value
Pineapple (1 cup, 76 calories)
9 percent daily value

Original Source: Men’s Health

Check out tomorrows Healthy Food List for Vitamin B6

To read part 1 of this series on Vitamin A click here.

It’s hard to eat healthy all the time. Busy schedules sometimes cause us to take shortcuts and choose less than ideal options. Being sure your home is filled with healthy choices and simple, quick meal solutions is a great way to minimize slip-ups on your diet plan.

High protein meal replacement shakes are a great, quick and healthy solution that provides plenty of protein to fuel your strenuous P90X workouts. Whether you choose the Meal Replacement Shakes or the Whey Protein Shakes, both are excellent choices for on the go nutrition.

Many people have a hard time with breakfast. This is the perfect opportunity for a high protein meal replacement shake. Think about adding some fruit to make your breakfast shake interesting. Berries and bananas are both popular choices for protein shake additions. It’s an excellent choice that allows you to even take your breakfast on the commute.

High protein meal replacement shakes also make a great post workout snack or midday pick-me-up. These meal replacement shakes are low enough in calories that they can be substituted for a snack somewhere in your day.

Finding creative ways to get all of your recommended protein doesn’t have to be difficult. High protein meal replacement shakes open up a whole new range of possibilities. Adding fruit to the shake, pairing it with some fresh veggies or simply using it because it’s a simple meal, meal replacement shakes like those offered here are an excellent option to keep in your kitchen.

If you are content with drinking your protein the same way every day, more power to you. Most of us, however, like a little variety in a vanilla whey protein shake recipe. Changing the additions to your shake can make a huge difference in taste and help ensure you do not get tired of this great tasting protein supplement.

Fruit always makes a great addition to a vanilla whey protein shake recipe. Try blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries for great flavor and good quality antioxidants. A banana with a splash of pineapple juice will give your protein a great tropical taste that is especially refreshing on a hot day. Get creative and try new fruits as well. Maybe peaches or fresh pineapple will hit the spot.

For those people trying to superload their vanilla whey protein shake recipe with nutrients, a great addition is ground flax seed. This nutty flavored seed is packed with fiber and Omega 3 fatty acids, making it an excellent addition to your diet.

Some people struggle to get all of the protein they need in a given day. Adding a little natural peanut butter can be a simple solution and add tons of flavor to your vanilla whey protein shake recipe.

Remember, being creative with your supplements doesn’t give you free reign to sabotage your eating. Make sure the things you are adding into your shake line up with the rest of your diet plan.

If you are doing the P90X nutrition plan, don’t forget to count all of your fruits and watch portion sizes. A little bit can add a lot of flavor so you don’t need to go overboard and ruin a good thing.

Whey protein shakes are made with protein from cow’s milk. Whey is a great source of amino acids which are essential in building muscle as well as keeping other tissues healthy. Also, whey protein, when pure, is low fat with little to no lactose or cholesterol, making it a great source of lean protein.

Studies have shown that whey protein contains the perfect balance of amino acids for muscle building. And we all know that more muscle means less fat as your metabolism rises. In order to provide fuel for your larger muscle mass, you begin to burn more calories, raising your metabolism. Whey protein shakes, when taken correctly can help you increase your fat burning potential.

Whey protein shakes and protein in general are necessary for the serious weight trainer or fitness buff. When tackling a program like P90X or ChaLEAN Extreme, your muscles will be going through some serious trauma. As a matter of fact, this is exactly what happens during strength training: your efforts produce tiny tears in the muscle (which leads to muscle soreness). Muscle growth occurs as these tears are mended and the muscles are fortified. Whey protein shakes can assist in the muscle-mending and speed recovery time.

Whey protein shakes make an excellent snack at any time of day and are particularly good immediately following a workout. Breakfast can be made simple by a whey protein shake with fruit blended in. With the P90X diet plan, your protein intake is quite heavy and the P90X whey protein shakes are a great way to supplement this.

Knowing you need protein is good but knowing why you need it and what kinds are best is even better. Get educated about you fitness program and stay informed about your body.

The first and possibly the most important P90X supplement is the P90X Recovery Formula. This drink mix is designed to replenish your body after a strenuous workout like P90X. After the P90X workouts, you are tired, your energy sources have been depleted and your muscles have been put through the wringer. What your body needs is an optimum formula of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and antioxidants to repair it and get you back in gear.

Another must-have in the list of P90X supplements is the P90X Peak Health Formula. This is a complete multi-vitamin designed to ensure your diet is filled with all of the necessary vitamins and minerals. We can’t eat perfectly and even on days when we feel like we do, we are likely missing key vitamins and minerals. These perfectly formulated vitamin packs give your body the daily nutrition it needs.

P90X Slimming Formula is the fat loss aid wonder in the group of P90X supplements. In the quest for fat loss, some of us need a jump start. This formula includes Pyruvate and Green Tea Extract to help kick your metabolism into gear and get you started burning fat.

P90X Protein Powders are another necessary P90X supplement. These make great meal replacements or snacks and help your muscles repair and build. Muscle growth improves metabolism and P90X definitely encourages muscle growth. You can speed that process with a high quality protein shake like the ones here made specifically for P90X.

In addition to all of these P90X supplements, we carry P90X Core-Omega 3, Protein Bars, Meal Replacement Shakes, and P90X Herbal Immune Boost. A line of high quality supplements designed to go with a strenuous program like P90X, these products are definitely top-of-the-line.

Supplements and p90x really do work well together. Give yourself the complete nutrition your body needs to replenish itself after a vigorous P90X workout.

No two protein bars are created equally. Depending on your fitness efforts you must be cautious when choosing which protein bars. When choosing a protein bar as a supplement, you need to evaluate the nutritional label. If you are trying to lose weight, a lower calorie and low sugar bar is in order. However, if you are working on gaining mass or bodybuilding, the calorie level will be less of a concern. High quality protein bars are dense with protein, the building block of life.

Protein is a necessity in the building and maintaining of muscles. Because of that, protein bars can make a great post workout snack. Using protein bars as a supplement after workouts will ensure that protein is being rushed to the muscles when they need it most. Protein works to repair and fortify traumatized muscles after a workout.

Protein bars make a quick meal substitute as well. If you are in a rush out the door in the morning, a protein bar makes a fast and convenient breakfast. If you get hungry throughout the day, avoid the temptation of the vending machine and munch on a protein bar instead. Using protein bars as a supplement throughout the day to satisfy hunger can help weight loss efforts when they are used in the place of higher calorie alternatives.

High quality protein bars should carry more than protein and sugar (as many of them do). Look for a bar that also has vitamins and minerals to boost the nutritional value. Some even have increased fiber which offers a whole slew of health benefits. If you are using protein bars as a supplement, make certain they are worth their weight and pack as much punch as possible.

If you are looking for nutrient dense, high quality protein bars, take a look at the P90X protein bars that come in Berry, Café Mocha, and Chocolate Peanut Butter flavors.

Protein is an important nutrient in the science of building and maintaining muscles. When you are sore after a heavy workout, proteins are going to work, repairing and fortifying the stressed muscles. This healing process promotes muscle growth and is one of the reasons high protein shakes are such a popular post-workout drink.

High protein shakes also help in regulating your diet. If you are trying to keep your metabolism on high by eating frequent small meals throughout the day, protein shakes are a great, convenient meal replacement. They allow you to get optimal nutrition from a quick, no hassle source.

Depending on your choice of protein shake, it could be a good tool in losing fat as well. While research on this topic varies, one thing is true: by substituting a lower calorie, nutrient dense, high protein shake for a higher calorie meal, you can cut your daily caloric intake thereby promoting weight loss.

Of course, not all high protein shakes are created equally and the one you choose should fit the needs you have. For instance, if you are interested in using a high protein shake to aid in weight loss, you will want to make sure the formula you choose is lower in fat and calories. However, if you are looking to build mass, you would want one that’s just the opposite.

Here at ExtremeBodyWorkout.com we sell a variety of nutritional shakes with your fitness needs in mind. If you are looking for a high protein shakes that is excellent for post workout, check out the Peak Recovery Formula. We also carry Meal Replacement Shakes and Whey Protein Powder, a great source of pure high quality protein.

There is no doubt that the best time to drink protein shakes is immediately following a workout.

During a workout, particularly a strenuous strength training workout, your muscle experience trauma. Many tiny tears occur in the muscle tissue while you are exercising. This is why you feel sore the day following a good workout. These tiny tears are huge opportunities for muscle growth. As a matter of fact, it is through these tears that are muscles are given the opportunity to re-fortify themselves. This is precisely why the best time to drink protein shakes is immediately following exercise.

Protein repairs muscle tissue. When you have tiny tears in your muscles, protein comes to the rescue, patching these tears. Through this patching and repairing, your muscles become stronger and larger than before. This is the science behind muscle gain and help explains why this is the best time to drink protein shakes. A good source of protein within one hour of the muscle trauma can drastically improve and speed the muscle repair and growth process.

Protein has been an important post-workout snack source for a long time in the world of body building. However, you don’t have to be Mr. Olympia to get the benefits of a great protein shake, protein bar, or recovery drink (with, of course, high protein). Protein shakes, in particular are digested quickly by the body and dispatched to those muscles that need it the most. Because your body doesn’t store protein like it does fats, you must replenish the protein in order to maximize the efforts you put into your workouts. This is why the best time to drink protein shakes is within one hour of your workout, so your freshly traumatized muscles can get the fastest relief.

If you are looking for a great protein shake to add to your day, check out our Whey Protein Powders and also the P90X Recovery Formula, a great balance of protein, carbs, vitamins, and antioxidants, excellent for encouraging muscle repair and growth.

So why should we choose whey protein powder over other forms of protein or supplements?

Whey protein is a natural source of protein that comes from cow’s milk. In its purest form, whey protein contains little to no fat, cholesterol, or lactose. In addition to the regular benefits of protein, whey protein and subsequently whey protein powder also have added benefits.

For instance, whey protein acts in the digestive system similarly to yogurt. Because of the bacteria in the protein it is seen as a natural remedy for many common digestive issues, including bowel problems and gas. Whey is also seen to be a natural immune boost, improving your body’s ability to fight infection and stay healthy.

Also, whey protein has the highest “biological value” (BV) of any known protein. This means that whey protein is one of the best sources of pure protein. Right up there with egg whites, whey protein is one of the best, natural ways of getting pure protein.

Whey protein can also aid in fat loss. When you consume a shake made with whey protein powder, for instance, you are typically using it as a substitution for a higher fat and higher calorie source of protein. Because of this, you are likely to decrease caloric intake and are more likely to lose weight. Also, diets high in protein are thought to decrease insulin sensitivity, reducing the body’s urge to store fat as well as reducing cravings.

When deciding to include a whey protein powder as part of your healthy diet, it is important to find one that has limited fat and calories. A good whey protein powder will contain pure protein with less additives and extra ingredients. If you’re in the market for a whey protein powder that fits these requirements and can give you the benefits of whey protein in a convenient shake, check out the whey protein powders we have, available in chocolate and vanilla.

Additional Lean Proteins:

• Beef
  Eye Round
  Top Round
  Bottom Round
  Top Sirloin
  Sirloin Tips
  Lean Ground Beef (95% or more) 
• Pork
  Tenderloin
  Boneless Top Loin Chops or Roast
  Center Loin Chops

These cuts all provide premium protein with limited fat and calories.

Some good rules of thumb to remember when shopping for lean cuts of pork or beef:

• Limit marbling. A quick glance at the meat will tell you if it is high in fat. A little fat around the edges can be trimmed, but marbling through the meat will be ingested.
• Stick to cuts with “loin” or “round” in the name when in doubt. These are sources that generally have the lowest fat content.
• When in doubt, substitute ground chicken breast or turkey breast for ground beef. Be certain that the ground meat is “all white” or “all breast” meat to ensure the leanest variety.

-For cooking tips and some good marinade recipes, check out this page from North Dakota State University.
-For preparation tips and cooking methods that further cut the fat, visit Penn State’s Solution Source.

Eggology created 100% organic egg whites in 1993 in an effort to simplify this protein source that the body building and protein conscious world were already crazy about. Since that initial launch, eggology has expanded to sell egg white scrambles for in the microwave, high protein ice cream, and other high quality treats made with 100% pure egg whites. Egg whites were already a fairly simple food, but eggology seems to have made it easier and less wasteful to harness the pure protein.
 
Check out eggology and the following protein shake recipes from our reader highproteingal:
 
Mass Building Shake
2 scoops chocolate protein powder
1/2 cup egg whites (here is where you would substitute eggology)
2 tablespoons Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup ice
1 oz pecan pieces (optional)
Add ingredients together and blend.

Breakfast Protein Shake
1-2 scoops vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup egg whites
1/2 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup blueberries (or strawberries, raspberries, peaches)
Add ingredients and blend.

Thanks highproteingal!