Over at sherdog.com Cameron Conaway has written another good article on the topic of the mixed martial arts diet and more specifically when it comes to protein. 
Anyone who has spent any time looking into eating right and getting the right foods for you physical training for your body to rejuvenate knows that protein builds muscles. Protein is made up of various amino acids which helps in building and replenishing the tore down muscles after a hard workout.
The most effective and functional lean kind of protein comes from meat like; chicken, turkey, and buffalo. But, for every action there is also a reaction which is the more protein we consume to more acidic our body becomes. Calcium is a mineral that fights acidity, so the body, in its attempt to balance acidity levels, will pull calcium from the bones if it is lacking which is obviously what we don’t want. You can find an assortment of foods that will give you a lot of protein and also supply you with many other healthy compounds. One such example are beans which are high in protein while also high in fiber and cancer-fighting antioxidant compounds. One such example of this healthy cancer fighting antioxidant compound is Anthocyanins.
Here are the 5 tips that Conaway Points out in the article:
(1) Get some with every meal. Regardless of whether it is from cottage cheese, whole wheat pasta, nuts or buffalo meat, protein will help the fighter recover, will keep the fighter feeling full longer and some research suggests that testosterone levels rise post-protein consumption – this is great for recovery.
(2) Know the types. Some proteins like whey are quicker absorbing and are better to have immediately after a workout. On the other hand, casein protein is slowly absorbed and serves as a perfect pre-bed recovery shake because it can release a steady stream of amino acids through the body during those crucial recovery hours of sleep.
(3) Keep some with you. Keep a bag of trail mix or piece of turkey jerky in your bookbag or car. This will make it easier to fit in a small snack throughout the day and will help curb the desire to stop at a fast food restaurant on the way home from the gym.
(4) According to the Harvard School of Public Health: “Limit red meat—and avoid processed meat. Research suggests that people who eat more than 18 ounces a week of red meat have a higher risk of colon cancer. So make red meat—beef, pork, lamb—only an occasional part of your diet, if you eat it at all. And skip the processed stuff—bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats—since that’s also been linked to higher cancer risk.” *
(5) Use protein shakes as supplements only. If you find yourself reaching for more than one per day, try to re-evaluate your schedule and see if you can limit your protein shake intake by pre-prepping a meal or even by preparing your own shake with your own natural ingredients.
To read the full article please click here.
MMA Book Reviews
February 10th, 2012 at 9:52 am
The best protein sources nearly always come from meat. As a vegetarian I have been aware of this and have found some excellent vegetarian protein foods that will without difficulty help you consume all the ammo acids. One brilliant ingredient to look for is hemp seed protein. Hemp seed is an wholesome nutritional source of easily digestible gluten-free protein. All beans, lentils, and peas are as well a excellent vegetarian plus vegan source of protein as well. Of course you have all those meat substitutes also, these are not to everyone’s taste though.