Most people know that the three primary macronutrients are carbohydrates, fat, and protein. When asked which of the three is most commonly consumed grossly over the recommended amount in the typical American diet, the vast majority of people will answer either carbs or fat. I am not surprised by this, as Americans have been bombarded with marketing demonizing both carbs and fat for several decades. In reality, the most commonly over consumed macronutrient in America is protein. Americans are protein obsessed. Given that our protein consumption is so high, it is helpful to know how our bodies process protein, what happens to the excess protein we eat, and the resulting consequences.
How to Interpret Food Marketing Jargon
It’s easy to be misled by food marketing terms, with their vague definitions and easily misinterpreted wording. It can be difficult for shoppers to know when the claims made by food labels actually mean what they appear to, or when they are purposefully misleading to draw in health conscious consumers. Listed below are just a few of the most common food marketing terms defined and debunked.
Should I Drink Sports Drinks When Exercising?
Despite declining sales in sugary beverages such as soda and juice over the last decade, the US sports drink market is safe and here to stay. The sports drink market of $852.0 million in 2017 is projected to grow to $1,135.2 million by the end of 2023 at a CAGR of 4.3%. The market is overwhelmingly dominated by Gatorade, having 77% market share, with PowerAde in second with only 20% share. The millennial generation seems to drive the sports drink market exponentially with their interest in fitness and willingness to pay for health products. On the surface, sports drinks seem to provide the optimal method of quenching thirst with their convenient capacity to both re-hydrate and replenish electrolytes lost through sweat during a tough workout, however, a question lies in whether Gatorade’s clever marketing schemes demonizing thirst provide an accurate picture of when sports drinks are helpful in optimizing health and performance, and when they are just a waste of money.
What Should I Eat After I Workout?
After a tough workout, you’ll most likely have blown through your stored muscle glycogen and torn up your muscles. Therefore, the goal of post workout meals are recovery. The American College of Sports Medicine and the International Society for Sports Medicine recommend your post workout fuel consist of three main components: