Archives | Subscribe | Advertise | Contact

Advice

Lean Nutrition

July 29-August 4, 2010

Protein Powders and Eating Out

This week, we are going to talk about protein powders and my favorite restaurants to eat at when I’m on a low carb diet.

Q: Coach, what is the best type of protein powder to buy and where should I get it?

A: Whey Protein Isolate. You want to get the most unprocessed whey protein you can buy. I walk into stores all the time and see protein powders that are ultra filtered and claims that they mix clear into water. Like anything else, you do not want your protein powder to be too processed, when this happens you get nutrient depleted protein product.

My favorites to use are: Grow by Biotest; Whey protein by Champion Nutrition; Whey Isolate by Proteinfactory. com; and Plasma Protein ( if you have the cash) from Proteinfactory.com.

Another thing about choosing a protein powder is that you should not stay on the same type for more then six weeks, you will develop a food sensitivity to it and it will cause inflammation (i.e. muscle breakdown). So rotate your protein selections – rice, eggs, goat – just break up the cycle every six weeks. When a new client comes to me and they are familiar with post workout nutrition and meat and vegetables diets the only thing I change is their type of protein consumption. Most of them test off the charts with Whey Eggs and Chicken when they take a food sensitivity test. The reason for this is because we tend to eat the same thing every day out of habit. If you know you have been eating the same protein every day, lay off the offending protein for about four weeks, then reintroduce it into your diet.

Q: Coach, what are your favorite restaurants to eat at when on a low carb diet?

A: I love Chicago restaurants. Here are my top restaurants to eat at when on a low-carb diet and serious fat loss workout routine.

All-you-can-eat Red King crab night (Tuesday) at Glenn’s Diner on Montrose; Fogo De Chao or Texas de Brazil; prime rib at J Alexander’s on Clybourn; sashimi at Sushi Para 2 on Clark; steak burrito (no tortilla) at La pasadita on Ashland; mussels at Kuma’s Corner on Belmont; black mussels at La Gondola on Ashland; omelets at Horizon Café on Broadway; and Nomi’s all-you-can-eat brunch with Sushi bar at the Park Hyatt.

As any Chicagoan, I have my favorite spots but to get the most protein for you buck these places are my favorites. When I’m trying to lean-out for a vacation trip I’ll cook steaks or chicken thighs at the house during the week and go out to restaurants for when I’m socializing with friends. The great thing I found about eating a paleo-type of diet is that if you’re drinking alcohol on the weekends your body fat is not affected. If I told you could drink on the weekends and be ripped, would you change your eating?

For more information, visit www.choiceeating.com or send e-mail to choiceeatingchicago@gmail.com.