Why do we add Marshmallows to our protein??
Marshmallows in protein? But why? This is a question we get asked time and time again. Before we get to the answer let us ask you this. Why do you add dressing on your salad? Why do you use condiments on your burger or chicken or even your diet food? The answer is very simple. It makes it taste better! This is the reason we add marshmallows to some of our proteins. It makes it taste better.
Surely this must be an insult to the protein gods you say. Sugar is the devil in disguise! Why ruin a perfectly good protein by adding sugar in the form of marshmallows? Sugar causes obesity, disease, etc. Let’s set the record straight once and for all, A LITTLE SUGAR WILL NOT KILL YOU…. especially the minuscule 1.5 to 2 grams per serving found in some of our proteins. For comparison let’s take a brief look at the sugar content in some condiments and drinks you may consume daily:
- Barbecue sauce = 16 grams of sugar per 2 tablespoons serving
- Ketchup = 12 grams of sugar per 2 tablespoons serving
- Coffee Creamer = 6 grams of sugar per 1 tablespoon serving
- Salad Dressing = 8 grams of sugar per 2 tablespoon serving
- Starbucks Carmel Macchiato = 33 GRAMS OF SUGAR PER 16 OUNCE SERVING!!!!!!
Also, take into consideration most people go above and beyond the recommended serving size of the items listed above which equates to additional sugar consumption. Comparing these things with the amount of sugar from marshmallows found in our Lean Whey, for example, should help quell any fears. Again, sugar in moderation IS NOT a bad thing, and the condiments/drinks may help sticking to a diet plan more manageable because it makes our food taste better. Will excessive sugar consumption have any negative consequences? Yes, but the same case can be made regarding too much fat, too much caffeine, or quite frankly too much of any anything.
Let’s look at this another way. The 1.5 – 2 grams of marshmallows found in some of our proteins equates to roughly 6 – 8 calories from sugar. This amount will take me approximately 10 minutes to burn off doing nothing (even less time if I am consuming the protein immediately post exercise) as my body converts it to glucose for energy or will be stored as muscle glycogen, which happens to be the primary fuel source for anaerobic activities such as weightlifting. Sugar (aka carbs) can also have a protein sparing effect. When enough carbs are not consumed daily, proteins can act as a backup energy source. This is no Bueno. When enough protein is not available muscle protein synthesis is minimized, muscle growth may be affected, and recovery may take longer. Although minimal, the 2 grams of marshmallows found in some of our proteins may help you replenish some of that muscle glycogen you burned off earlier at the gym.
Back to the whole point of this article. We add marshmallows because it makes our protein taste better. Have you ever had a hard time meeting your daily protein requirements through a regular diet and turned to supplemental proteins powders? If you have you more than likely, at one point or another, have forced yourself to choke down 25 grams of pure, chalky nastiness. Doesn’t sound too appealing, does it? So the question is would you rather enjoy taking your protein even though it has a minimal amount of sugar that will do absolutely no harm or gag on something that tastes like an old gym sock? To reiterate, if you need a supplemental protein powder to help you meet your daily protein requirements, it is much easier to consume something that tastes good. If everytime you pick up your shaker cup and fear drinking what’s inside, you may fall off the protein boat and have to kiss some gains goodbye.
Not to sound like a broken record but we add marshmallows to some of our proteins because it makes them taste better. Adequate protein consumption during periods of dieting is essential for maintaining lean mass while dropping some unnecessary pounds or body fat. But dieting is hard. Want to know the reasons why most diet plans fail in a month or less? It’s because they are too strict, aren’t satiating enough (don’t make you feel full), and don’t curb cravings. These problems can be combated in several different ways, but for the purpose of this article the marshmallows found in some of our proteins can help satisfy your sweet tooth, help you feel like you are indulging in a decadent dessert, and help get your mind off some of the foods that are a big no-no according to your specific diet plan. What’s more, protein as a whole is very satiating which is important when hours may go by before having another meal or snack. When it comes to adhering to a diet, protein + marshmallows is a winning combination.
To wrap this article up, I want to drive home a few key points:
- Sugar in moderation is not bad.
- The amount of marshmallows/sugar found in some of our proteins is not bad and can be beneficial.
- The foods/condiments/drinks you consume on a daily basis more than likely have more sugar than what is found in some of our proteins.
- Sugar/carbs can help replace muscle glycogen and can be used as a rapid fuel source.
- Sugar/carbs can have a protein sparing effect.
- It is much easier to take a supplemental protein powder that tastes good.
- A high quality, delicious tasting protein may help you stick to your diet plan.