PB POWER
Bulk Up your Peanut Butter
Those of you who follow me and have read my previous article “Coffee Power” you know how I love to add health benefits to products or food that you eat everyday. Well, this article is no different. We take a product like PB Fit which already has 13 grams of protein to start and we add a few things to make it even better. Peanut Butter is a staple in the weight lifting community adding it to smoothies and protein shakes for taste and power. Why not mix in some ingredients that you would normally add into coffee or shakes directly into peanut butter? This way you are spreading it on other foods that require this deliciousness. In my world that would be anything and everything. I love peanut butter!
POUND FOR POUND
Working out and building muscle requires supplementation. I will leave the workout regiment details to those who have mastered it. This is a suggestion to aide in fulfilling your requirements of 1g of protein per each pound of body weight which can be challenging for everyday folks like us. Fitting in 150 grams of protein if you want to be at a weight of 150 pounds can be overwhelming. Start introducing extra protein slowly and over time give your body a chance to hold it, distribute to the muscles and digest it. Stuffing a whole pig or roast on day one can wreak havoc on your digestive system. Remember the Protein Creamer in your coffee from my last article is a great way to begin the day! That is an additional 10 grams of protein that you would not normally get from your morning Joe.
COLLAGEN DEGREE
This is another great discovery of mine when I was looking for a protein creamer for my coffee that had added benefits such a collagen. See the benefits of collagen below:
- Hydrates the skin and improves skin elasticity
- Supports strong and pain-free joints and helps with osteoarthritis
- Builds strong bones and muscles and improves muscle recovery post-workout
- Helps control your appetite
- May help with leaky gut
- 9 grams of protein
CINNAMON WITH CEYLON
Organic cinnamon has so many health benefits and should be a staple in your diet whether you are trying to build muscle or not.
Ceylon cinnamon is a type of cinnamon that has various health benefits, such as12:
- Anti-inflammatory properties that can help with digestion
- Blood sugar regulation, blood pressure, and brain health
- Antioxidant properties that can protect against oxidative damage, cancer, and DNA damage
- Preservative properties that can prevent food spoilage
- Antiallergic properties that can reduce allergic reactions
- Antibacterial properties that can fight infections
- Neuroprotective properties that can prevent cognitive decline
- Tastes great in coffee and tea.
ORGANIC CACAO POWDER
Organic cacao and not necessarily cocoa powder which is often confused. Cacao has more health benefits than your standard cocoa bean.
Cacao is the name of the small tree native to the Amazon basin that grows cacao, or cocoa, beans. Its scientific name, Theobroma cacao, translates to “food of the Gods.” The ancient Mayans and Aztecs used cacao as medicine for centuries. Today the cacao tree grows in tropical regions all over the world.
Cacao beans develop flavor and texture through fermentation before they’re processed into either cacao or cocoa powder. Fermenting and roasting cacao is also the first step in making chocolate.
Raw cacao tastes bitter, but it’s very high in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, so it is often made into a powder that can be added to other foods.
Cacao vs. Cocoa
Cacao is the fruit in its raw form before it’s ever processed. Cocoa is usually a powder made from cacao that you bake with. It’s flavor isn’t as bitter as raw cacao, but it has more sugar.
ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS
EAA as this white powder is know as is utilized by weight lifters for good reason. They also provide interesting benefits for general good health.
Essential Amino Acids (EAA’s)
- Muscle energy use: During a workout, the body uses up any free amino acids, which can impair muscle growth. …
- Essential amino acids promote faster recovery times after exercise. …
- EAA’s increase muscle hypertrophy. …
- EAA’s help regulate blood sugar during and after a workout. …
- EAA’s help promote muscle protein synthesis during calorie restriction. …
- EAA’s may also promote immunity, gut health, and even mood. ..
MAGNESIUM BISGLYCINATE
Magnesium is a mineral that’s involved in over 300 reactions in the body. It’s important for muscle contraction, heart rhythm, and energy production.1
Magnesium bisglycinate is a dietary supplement of magnesium chelated (bound) to glycine (an amino acid). It’s more readily absorbed in the intestines than other forms of magnesium.2 It’s been studied for the following:
- Treating pregnancy-induced leg cramps3
- Aiding in muscle recovery4
- In general, magnesium supplements have shown benefits for conditions such as:
- Asthma
- Migraine
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Irregular heart rate (arrhythmia)
- Skin conditions
CREATINE MONOHYDRATE
Creatine monohydrate is a supplement that increases your muscles’ phosphocreatine stores, which helps with energy production, muscle growth, and exercise performance123.Some of the benefits of creatine monohydrate are1243:
- Increased muscle strength and endurance in resistance training
- Increased work capacity and improved training
- Greater increases in lean body mass
- Extra power for cyclists, sprinters, and swimmers
- May help with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological diseases
- May lower blood sugar levels and fight diabetes
- Can improve brain function
HOW IS PEANUT BUTTER RELATED TO THESE SUPPLEMENTS?
There is no relationship other than it is a great way to have these mixed in your peanut butter so that you are sure not to miss them especially if you are muscle training in all aspects. Of course consult your physician before adding these supplements to your diet to make sure there is no adverse effects on any current health issues you may be prescribed medication.
MIX WELL AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS
These are just a few examples of supplements that you might want to mix in your peanut butter and be sure to use organic when possible. I try to stay away from spices like turmeric or beet root or even bee pollen which will change the color of the peanut butter and freaks me out a little. However, if you do not mind the color change then go ahead and add those too.
