why do I NEED to eat meats?

[Stewart14]

I've just gotten so sick of all meats lately, I just don't want it anymore. Well, I just don't want HEALTHY meats anymore, grilled chicken this, lean beef that, lean pork this, it's just so boring and annoying.

Why can't I just eat a bowl of brown rice, a side of broccoli and 2 scoops of whey protein for dinner? Wouldn't that favorably compare to a beef dish as far as fats and cholesterol goes? throw in some fruits for a snack, some healthy fats like peanut butter, or some EVOO over some whole wheat pasta, and viola, my transformation to a vegitarian is complete! I kid, I kid, I could never....

But my point is this, seriously, what is the difference between a piece of grilled chicken and 2 scoops of whey protein? I know that whey is supposed to be supplemental protein, but what if it were your majority source of protein and you supplemented with other sources from beans, meats, or breads?

 

[Yanick]

Okay well there are two things about animal proteins. The first is that they are so called complete proteins. Meaning they always contain all 10 essential amino acids. Whey is a complete protein as well, however as far as I know vegetable proteins tend to be incomplete and should be paired up with other vegetable or animal proteins to get the complete amino acid profile. Now there's lots of arguments over whether or not this even makes a difference. Lyle McDonald goes over some of the research and such behind this concept Here. The gist of it, and this is/was my personal belief, is that it really only makes a huge difference for people who barely get any protein in their diets to begin with. Like 3rd world country type of situations. For athletes who eat large amounts of protein daily anyway, 100+g/d atleast, this becomes pretty much a non issue as the amino acid pool is always being topped off with more and more peptides and aminos from the constant ingestion of protein rich foods.

The other thing that must be covered is the fact that with all the research that has been done on food and nutrition, we are still not aware of all the compounds which really make up the food we eat. Think about the news every so often about new antioxidants found in this vegetable (lycopene in tomatoes comes to mind) or that fruit or whatever. Aside from the unknown constituents of natural animal/plant based proteins there are tons of micronutrients which we do know of that those sources provide which may be lacking in whey, iron, b-vitamins, creatine etc.

Other than that, meat is the shiznit...its the beez-neez, the bom-diggaty. I'd shoot myself if I didn't get to eat my steak and eggs in the morning. Maybe you just need some different ideas on preparing the food? A different shape, or texture or spice can really make it seem like a whole new dish.

 

[tucker01]

I think you need to find a new way to prepare your foods

A nice sirloin with some Gorgonzola cheese on top.

Any food shouldn't just be plain, find ways to dress it up, marinate it, season it. A rub, a sauce. Herbs. Skies the limit.

 

[Unreal]

I eat grilled chicken 10+ times a week and never find it boring. Slice and mix with some franks redhot sauce. Marninate it in something tasty. Add some spices.

 

[Marat]

Slice and mix with some franks redhot sauce.

I live off of Frank's.

 

[bigbrownbear]

The other thing that must be covered is the fact that with all the research that has been done on food and nutrition, we are still not aware of all the compounds which really make up the food we eat. Think about the news every so often about new antioxidants found in this vegetable (lycopene in tomatoes comes to mind) or that fruit or whatever. Aside from the unknown constituents of natural animal/plant based proteins there are tons of micronutrients which we do know of that those sources provide which may be lacking in whey, iron, b-vitamins, creatine etc..

This is the main issue, unfortunately any powder has been heavily processed and therefore is not that good for you. Its good for protein but thats it. The powder will steal from other sources of nutrition and possibly tissue and skeletal mass to make up for what has been lost in processing.

You really need to learn how to do some good prep work in the kitchen in order to cook some good old tasty meat dishes.

Lastly on meat, the more grass fed meat the better...the more organic the better...the more fat the better...and the more saturated the better which in turn will carry more omega 3's...which is one of the rare times when these are actually healthy for you.

 

[Marat]

This is the main issue, unfortunately any powder has been heavily processed and therefore is not that good for you. Its good for protein but thats it. The powder will steal from other sources of nutrition and possibly tissue and skeletal mass to make up for what has been lost in processing.

 

[Stewart14]

I eat grilled chicken 10+ times a week and never find it boring. Slice and mix with some franks redhot sauce. Marninate it in something tasty. Add some spices.

I agree that part of my recent "issue" has to do with preparation, but living with 2 small kids at home, prep time takes a hit in regards to just getting something whipped up. Another thing that I have read however, is that chicken most notably doesn't offer a lot of the same "extras" as some other forms of protein like beef, eggs, or pork even, so basically, eating a chicken breast should be pretty much identical to drinking whey protein. Of course, you can't beat the taste of a good chicken dish, which would be the only advantage I can think of to chicken over whey.

 

[suprfast]

I just made this last night. Artichoke and mushroom chicken with a light cream sauce, wild rice, and vegetables.

I was very strict about what went into the concoction and it stood at about 600 calories, 40 carbs, 50 protein, and 25g fat. all are +/- a few grams.

get creative. Watch food network, buy a cook book.

 

[Malcom]

because its tasty lol

 

[Merkaba]

I just made this last night. Artichoke and mushroom chicken with a light cream sauce, wild rice, and vegetables.

I was very strict about what went into the concoction and it stood at about 600 calories, 40 carbs, 50 protein, and 25g fat. all are +/- a few grams.

get creative. Watch food network, buy a cook book.

I try to stay away from foods that have, and taste like they have, the word choke in their name.

 

[DIVINITUS]

Lastly on meat, the more grass fed meat the better...the more organic the better...the more fat the better...and the more saturated the better which in turn will carry more omega 3's...which is one of the rare times when these are actually healthy for you.

Really? Maybe for taste, but I find it incredibly difficult to eat fatty red meats and stick to a certain calorie intake...no matter what they're fed.

 

[Skib]

I don't see how a variety of meats and spices are more boring than protein powder at every meal?

 

[bigbrownbear]

Really? Maybe for taste, but I find it incredibly difficult to eat fatty red meats and stick to a certain calorie intake...no matter what they're fed.

I think calorie intake is important but it is only one part of the nutrition piece....over emphasising it can make nutrition one dimenional and very reductionist in principle. i.e we focus on calories in versus calories out and macro nutrient breakdowns.

Surely you focus on other pieces of nutriton to bring it to life?

 

[DocHoliday]

Solid protein is more thermogenic than liquid protein. Either is fine, but solid is slightly better.