Read time: 3-4 Minutes
Everyone is obsessed with protein lately. It seems companies are putting protein in everything from standard shakes to chips and even spaghetti noodles. Fast-food companies are emphasizing high-protein or double-protein options, and even pizza chains are offering “protein crust.”
So, what gives? Is this just the latest diet fad, like vegan, paleo, or keto? What purpose does protein serve?
It’s not complicated. Let’s start with the basics:
Calories are made up of macronutrients. Protein is one of three macronutrients, along with carbohydrates and fats. Each plays a very important role in how our bodies and minds function. Here’s a quick breakdown of the three:
Carbs are a source of energy for us to use and burn through the day. They’re especially important for brain function, helping us stay focused on the task at hand. They’re also a great source of energy before activities, helping you push yourself further and keep going for longer.
Fats help both protein and carbs work even better for our bodies. They slow digestion, helping us stay full even longer and prevent energy crashes. They help with the absorption of vitamins and hormones (or micronutrients), helping to regulate the brain and keeping our bodies balanced and working smoothly.
Then for the current star: protein. Protein is what muscles are made of. It helps build and repair our muscles, whether that’s after an intense gym session or running and playing with the kids all day. It also helps us feel full faster and stay satisfied longer, which can reduce cravings and unintentional snacking.
That is exactly why protein is so popular right now. The longer you feel full, the less you’ll want to eat. That often leads to consuming a smaller amount of food and lower calories, like reaching for less candy and/or snacks. Eating fewer calories is ideal for weight loss or management, which, like it or not, is a popular goal among men and women alike.
When balanced with healthy fats and carbs, the energy you get from protein also lasts a lot longer, preventing infamous blood sugar crashes.
We’ll say that again: protein is at its best when it’s balanced with healthy fats and carbs.
Yes, protein might be trendy in diet culture right now, and yes, that means it’s showing up in everything from pasta to chips to even coffee. But not all protein is the same.
At Konala, we focus on whole foods and whole proteins. That means they’re easier to digest, help contribute to longer stretches of sustained and easy energy, and are overall better for your health.
There are also highly processed protein options – including whey protein and pea-protein. These proteins have to be processed during manufacturing and isolated, meaning they lose all the other important components like carbs, fats, necessary vitamins and minerals. They’re stripped down to nothing but the protein.
That might keep you full for a while, but it can be harder on your body to digest, absorb, and use effectively for muscle health and brain function.
Enter the gimmicky protein products flooding grocery store shelves.
Most of these products are using highly processed pea-protein – and don’t add anything else great back. They’re often paired with the unclear “natural flavors” and unhealthy, highly processed fats. You might be getting an extra 15 grams of protein, but you’re also making it a lot harder on your body to digest and use that protein effectively.
You’re seeing it everywhere, but not in its best form. High-protein might be trendy at the moment to others, but they’re taking shortcuts in its production and forgetting that good health is built on balance. Processing and isolating it, or forgetting to balance it with fats and carbs, greatly limits the benefits of protein itself.
At Konala, protein isn’t a trend. We make high-protein, well-balanced, nutrient-dense bowls that fit into your lifestyle. We’re transparent about every ingredient, and every macro – not just the protein. That translates to food you can trust to fuel both your body and your mind.
We build bowls to truly fuel you for life, not just for a trend.
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