Why I've never recommended protein shakes to my clients

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Is one of your favorite go-to breakfasts protein shakes?

Members in my Facebook group Nutrition Superstars were commenting on how they enjoy protein shakes for breakfast or a quick meal (you’re welcome to join my group! It’s free! Just click here).

It inspired me to share why I’ve NEVER recommended a protein shake to any of my weight loss clients to this day. My response tends to surprise people but it’s very important.

Now remember, if you’re not a client of mine, I don’t know you or your unique health situation. So, this info may or may not pertain to you so please use discernment (or sign-up for a free consult if you’re interested in becoming a client).

Why I've never recommended protein shakes to my clients

1. For the clients I serve, a lack of protein was never their issue (so I didn’t focus on it).

My clients come to me because they have 50-75+ pounds to lose and may be struggling with a chronic disease or want to get off medication. A lack of protein was never any of my client’s issue so I didn’t focus on it.

Some clients worried about not getting enough protein but as long as you eat enough calories (which generally isn’t an issue in the United States) and are eating enough diverse foods, you’re going to get enough protein.

2. Know the answers to these questions before drinking protein shakes...

How much protein do you need? And, how much are you actually getting?

The Institute of Medicine states that we only need to consume 10% of calories from protein to ensure get a safe amount. According to the Center for Diseases Control, from 2013-2016 every sex and age group in America is getting at least 15% of calories from protein. Americans are already eating more than enough protein (2).

Americans are already eating more than enough protein.

3. The source of protein in your shake could be helpful, worthless or harmful.

If you use protein powders (I don’t) then it should come from whole plant foods. But be careful because a lot of those protein supplements are made for people who workout vigorously and aren’t concerned about weight loss. That’s not my clients! So, depending on the nutrient profile of even whole food plant-based protein powders, they may not help promote weight loss.

I would never recommend a client use animal-based protein drinks as animal protein is associated with many chronic diseases. And there can be an excessive amount of caffeine harmful chemicals supplements in them.

Not all protein supplements are created equally ;)

I have two recommended readings on this topic…

Recommended Readings

In my next video I’ll share why I don’t recommend smoothies as my NUMBER energy boost for breakfast. Now I’d love to hear from you… comment below with your answer today’s Take Control Now question…

Take Control Now

Why do you think you should have protein in your smoothies? Or, what new information did you learn from this video?

8 Ways to Persist and Get Healthier with Inner Peace When Life is Tough

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Sometimes the world throws us challenges… challenges upon challenges. It’s a tough time in the world right now. Plus, the intensity of personal struggles can make these time very hard. Soothing yourself in a healthy way to continue to grow and enjoy life is very important for your wellbeing right now.

Here’s what has helps me persist and pursue my dreams with inner peace amongst stress and hardships. My hope is these 8 tips can help you too.

8 Ways I Find Pursue My Goals & Inner Peace

When Life is Tough

  1. Eat optimally.

    Eating optimally is the number one way I keep my body feeling great, pain free, lean and strong. Having that, directly creates a stronger ability to handle tough times.

    Once you know how to properly fuel your body is a maintainable way, food becomes a foundation… deliciousness to depend on to support you through the hard times (not cause you to spiral or cause added turmoil in your life). Food is powerful medicine and eating is one of the the few things we have control over in life (although it may not feel that way for you now).

    As a Maintainable Weight Loss Coach, I help about 95% my clients lose 1-3 lbs a week with a sustainable lifestyle change that’s best for their whole health (in addition to weight loss). Watch video success stories of my clients here to learn the power of Optimal Eating.

    Or, read my book ‘The Optimal Eating Solution: Maintainable Weight Loss and Longevity Even If You Can’t Exercise.’ It details a step-by-step guide for how to slim down without eating less, calorie counting, supplements, shakes or portion control. It includes everything I teach my clients!

  2. Vigorous Exercice.

    I vigorously exercise (preferably in the morning) to get my blood pumping because NOTHING helps me conquer my day like intense exercise. Nothing else helps my mental health better than challenging exercise.

    You might not be at the place where you can vigorously exercise (nor is it the place to start if you’re struggling with 75+ extra pounds… eating optimally is where to start). Do the best you can whatever fitness ability you currently have and stay committed to learning how to eat optimally. Then, exercising becomes a lot easier and less painful.

    That’s the process I take my clients through — we put an optimal eating plan in place first, get them losing 1-3 pounds a week, lower their inflammation, increase their energy and then our personal fitness trainer puts an individualized exercise program in place for them and starts training them online.

  3. Sleep.

    I can better handle stress when I go to bed before 12 a.m. (this is not easy for me) and when I wake up earlier. Getting 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep (this means my cat Philly has to sleep elsewhere) is imperative for a healthier emotional and physical state of being. Tracking my sleep and setting a “get ready for bed” alarm on my phone are two ways I keep myself accountable to reaching this goal because everything is harder when you’re tired.

  4. Counseling.

    Last year I started great counseling for the first time in my life and still, weekly, I talk with a counselor. This has significantly helped heal and strengthen my emotional health (in ways I didn’t even know I needed). Remember, asking for and accepting help is a brave and courages act. Your emotional and mental health are just as important as your physical health.

  5. Gratitude and journaling.

    Almost every morning I start my day by writing down what I’m grateful for, how I feel and a few other Trishy things to reach my biz goals and stay on track. Gratitude and journaling help put my mind in a strong and love-filled space to feel peace, appreciation and strength going into my day.

  6. Meditation or yoga.

    My goal is to meditate for 10 minutes every morning to calm the mind, connect with my Self and get inspired with new creative ideas. My one year clients and I start some of our coaching calls with meditation too.

  7. Friends and community.

    We humans are social creatures. It’s essential to connect with people you love, who encourage you and whom you can have fun with.

  8. Play.

    I LOVE to dance (what’s your favorite way to play? Comment below. I’d love to hear). I’m a competitive pole dancer and it’s one of the funnest things I doing multiple times a week. I was a gymnast as a child, so pole dance is the perfect combination of flipping, climbing and dancing that brings me so much joy, fun and lol nice muscle too ;). During the COVID-19 shutdown, I’ve also been blasting music on my back porch and dancing by myself amongst the trees just for the fun of it.

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I don’t do all of eight of these everyday but a large combination of them is present in every one of my days, especially when times are tough. I never skip out on optimal eating though. That one is essential multiple times a day ;)

There’s NO expectation that you should be able to figure how to do all of these things on your own. Remember, there’s no shame in getting help. In fact, getting help will grow your self-esteem, help you feel stronger and more capable because you’re being brave and taking a step in the right direction for yourself.

If you need help with maintainable weight loss that’s great for your whole health despite injuries and additional diagnoses, I encourage you to schedule a free Zoom video consult with me here. We’ll see what’s possible for you and if you like, you can ask me if I think I could help you.

In your corner.

Love and Leafy Greens,

Trish

Reasons to sign-up for Trisha's "7 Day Healthy Eating Challenge--Plant-Based Style" from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

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The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics releases an evidence-based position paper about vegetarian diets every few years.  Today I share a few exciting statements from The Academy regarding plant-based eating from their 2009 position paper (1).  

Here's what you'll learn from watching today's video...

  • what chronic diseases vegetarian diets have shown to improve or reduce the risk of according to the evidence compared to meat-based diets.  
  • if you have to complement proteins if you're not eating meat.  
  • if vegan eaters do better or worse in certain health and nutrient outcomes compared to vegetarians and omnivores.

Watch the video to learn what the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics thinks about eating plant-based.  Once you've watched the video, be sure to answer today's Take Control Question below.  

Here's a few quotes from The Academy's position paper on vegetarian diets...

“It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the lifecycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes.”

The authors continue...

"Vegetarian diets are often associated with a number of health advantages, including lower blood cholesterol levels, lower risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure levels, and lower risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

Vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI) and lower overall cancer rates. Vegetarian diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, and have higher levels of dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium, vitamins C and E, folate, carotenoids, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals."

What does the Academy have to say about protein and plant-based, vegan diets?.....

"Protein Plant protein can meet protein requirements when a variety of plant foods is consumed and energy needs are met. Research indicates that an assortment of plant foods eaten over the course of a day can provide all essential amino acids... thus, complementary proteins do not need to be consumed at the same meal."

The paper also stated that "a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease" and that one study found that "the incidence of ischemic heart disease was estimated to be 24% lower in lifelong vegetarians and 57% lower in lifelong vegans compared to meat eaters."

If you think you'd like to try eating a healthy, plant-based, vegetarian or vegan diet but aren't sure how to get started or just need a restart to get back on track, considering joining my free "7 Day Healthy Eating Challenge -- Plant-Based Style."  Here's what you'll get for joining...

  • 35 free recipes,
  • a meal plan,
  • two free webinars where you can ask me, Nutritionist, Trisha Mandes, MPHN anything about eating a healthy, plant-based diet and
  • 7 days of tips and inspirational emails.  

Sign-up at www.THTchallenge.com and once you do, please ask 3 friends to do it with you.  Email them the sign-up link www.THTchallenge.com

Now I'd love to hear from you.  Answer today's Take Control Now Question and click 'comment' below to share your thoughts.

Take Control Now Question

What stereotypes or negative thoughts do you or did you have about eating vegetarian that may prevent you from trying to eat healthier?

Sources:

1. Craig, WJ. and Mangels, AR. 2009. Position of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets. J Am Diet Association, Jul:109(7):1266-82. 

 
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