Powerful Protein!

Oxygen Personal Fitness has launched our new personalised brand of Whey Protein powder. We have it on sale for $88 for a 2kg bag in 4 delicious flavours; Cool Vanilla, Iced Coffee, Chocolate Royale and Banana Smoothie. Each 2kg bag contains 44 serves, but the girls only need a half serving making this product even more of a bargain! It mixes well in skim milk or water, and blends beautifully with your favourite fruits or a dollop of low-fat yoghurt.

What is Protein?

Protein is essential for all life and makes up about 15% of a human’s bodyweight –most of this being muscle. It is made up of amino acids and is a vital part of organisms that participate in every process within cells. Protein has a wide range of functions, anything from initiating chemical reactions that are necessary for metabolism, to forming the scaffold that gives cells shape.

Why do we need Protein?

Our body’s tissues are in a constant state of turnover, breaking down and reforming. When we exercise – whether it be taking the dog for a walk, going for a hard run or doing weights – we break down even more muscle tissue. The protein we eat is broken down through digestion in amino acids which become the building blocks to repair and rebuild our muscles and other various tissues.
Our body needs 20 different amino acids. Of these 20, 11 are made by the body. These are called nonessential amino acids. The other 9 – essential amino acids – are supplied by the proteins we consume as food.

Is all Protein the same, and where do we get it from?

There are 2 different categories of protein – complete and incomplete. Complete protein has all the amino acids we need to consume, and is mainly found in meat, fish, dairy, eggs and soy products such as tofu or soy milk. Incomplete protein lacks one or more amino acids we need, and is found in certain vegetables, especially legumes, some wheat products and nuts and seeds. It is important to have a large mixture of incomplete protein sources, especially if following a vegetarian diet. Certain aminos that are missing in some vegetables and grains will be present in others and vice versa.

Is Protein Powder just for bodybuilders? 

Many people believe that protein supplements are just for getting big – or ‘packing on mass’! This is not true. As explained above, we all need to eat protein on a daily basis. It’s true that people trying to put on weight need to eat more calories than they burn, and extra protein shakes can definitely help add the calories. But people trying to lose weight can use protein shakes as well – as a meal replacement. We all know that when trying to lose weight we should eat small meals regularly throughout the day. And each meal should be a balance of carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals and protein. Protein shakes are an easy, fast and cost efficient way to have a small meal with all the amino acids we need to consume and a measured amount of carbohydrate and fat. They are great as a substitute for a poor, or worse, no breakfast, and they’re great for when we train at lunch time and are rushing back to the office. Powders can be used to add protein to cereals without extra carbs or fat. Protein shakes are fantastic for our afternoon snack instead of those high calorie treats we normally reach for around 3:30pm! They are easily digested, so do not leave us feeling sluggish and bloated.

There are now protein powders on the market especially designed for females. They are essentially the same product as the ‘men’ powders, just less protein and calories per serve, but for the same price. Makes more sense to buy the normal powders and half the serving, therefore halving the serving price!

Protein shakes are basically just food. If you want to get bigger, you drink them on top of your normal diet, and if you want to lose or maintain weight, you drink them instead of a meal. They are supplements however, and should not replace all real food meals. Nothing beats real food as a majority of your daily diet plan, with a little helping hand from Oxygen Personal Fitness Protein Powder!