Dear Friends,
In the nutrition world there is also a macronutrient that is a bit confused. It is protein. I know you think I am out there and you may be right but lets talk sugar spikes. Spikes in sugar give you many forms of disease so our goal it to flatten those curves.

The three macronutrients carbs, proteins, and fat all work a bit different. Each has been maligned over time; some justifiable some unjustly.  All three are needed and when eaten in quality forms, they are all healthy.

Carbs are bad now- well not veggies and fruit. Whole grains (not processed) are great in moderation.  Refined carbs are the bad boys because they are the cause of much chronic illness when eaten to excess. 

Which is about 70% of us.

Fat took its beating in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. It is coming around and being recognized as the incredible nutrient it is as the builder of body structures, hormones etc. The bad fats are man made and when you put them in your body, it causes incredible damage. While they have been reduced in products, they are still very prevalent in almost all junk food but fat does not cause sugar spikes.

Protein.

Here is where it gets confusing. I see tons of patients that drink what they call “protein drinks” in the morning. Quick. Easy. Healthy. 

Wait a second, Meatloaf (God rest his soul) once sang “2 out of 3 ain’t bad.” Yes, the last one is not necessarily true as protein can go either way. It’s not healthy if it is pulled out of it natural state. Proteins natural state means it is paired with fat.

EGGS

DAIRY 

MEAT 

FISH

NUTS-all are natural ways of getting protein. 

When protein is paired with fat in its natural state, it will not spike your sugar. Taken alone as an isolated whey protein or in combination with carbohydrates, it will spike your blood sugar.

It undergoes a process called GLUCONEOGENESIS which means making new glucose.  So look at your label: if your protein and carbs are more than your fat calories, you are drinking a glorified milkshake.  Worse yet, you get a big spike which your body is most sensitive to in the morning when you are BREAKING your FAST.  

So attached are options from Standard Process. All of their shakes have very low, digestible sugar content. My favorites are whey complete and detox because of the fat and fiber content. I use less than what they say and find them very filling.

If you have a powder you like but you are realizing it is too low in fat, then you can fatten it up several ways.  With a true smoothie you can add coconut oil, avocado, nut butters, MCT oil, chia seeds or hemp hearts.

Easiest way to under stand this is eat food not food products. Eat protein as it comes in nature and you don’t have to think about it.

Protein powder pdf

God Bless,
Dr. Dan