The Future of Food – 2 Alternative Protein Sources to Maximise Muscle Growth and Recovery

Time to broaden the protein sources in your nutrition. Think eating insects isn’t for you? Think again. Entomophagy (insect eating) is on the rise, and fitness enthusiasts, athletes, Michelin star chefs, farmers and sustainability experts are all getting in on the action.

Exo Protein bars combine minimally-processed cricket protein with ultra-premium ingredients. Cricket is highly nutritious and an excellent source of sustainable and concentrated protein. The bars also contain no gluten or dairy

Benefits of Cricket Protein for You

• High concentration of protein (cricket powder is 60% protein by weight, even without any isolation steps)
• Complete amino acid profile
• B12 (supports bone health and red blood cell formation)
• B2 – Riboflavin (increases energy, gut and skin health)
• Iron (combats fatigue and improves immune function)
• Calcium (stronger bones and teeth, improved heart, muscle and nerve functions)
• Omega 6 and 3 (assists memory and cognitive performance)
• Zinc augments a healthy immune system, growth and cognitive function
• Biotin helps create healthy nails, skin and hair

What Does Cricket Protein Taste Like? Honestly?

When it comes to alternative protein sources, we all know that taste is exceptionally important. EXO hired a 3* Michelin Chef to design a unique line-up of bars, ranging from Fruity to Chocolatey flavours. My personal favourite being Banana Bread. They are delicious. Seriously.

Try it for yourself

A New Protein Source for Muscle Growth and Recovery

Proteins are the building blocks of your body, and are essential for the repair of cells that have been damaged during intense training. This leads to an athlete having to recover a part of the ‘damaged’ cells, while also replacing some of the old cells with new ones, in the growth of which protein synthesis is vital.

Source: EXO Protein

Amino acids are the basic building blocks of proteins. The term “branched chain” refers to their molecular structure. 

Protein is comprised from 20 amino acids, from which there are 9 essential amino acids and 11 non-essential amino acids. They are formed from Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine. These amino acids are essential because they cannot be synthesised by the body, therefore they must come from dietary sources.

Of the three, Leucine has the greatest effect on protein synthesis and muscle growth. Cricket protein contains a complete amino acid profile, which is rare, alongside numerous micronutrients like iron, calcium, B12 and B2. This makes Exo Protein bars a perfect pre or post workout protein, energy and vitamin source. A fast-acting intake of protein when you need it most.

Try the different flavours for different purposes. For example, Banana Bread is designed for high energy whilst Fudge Brownie is packed with even more protein.

Source: EXO Protein

Whether you are out hiking or recovering post-workout, there is a flavour specifically for your needs. The bars offer a well-rounded nutritional snack, whenever you need it most.

¾ of the bars are Paleo as well, including a Paleo Variety Box as well!

Improve your recovery now

Any nutrition plan must include the correct amount of protein in order for the body to be assisted in its process of recovery from effort. Any protein deficiency will result in a decrease in athletic performance, and to a considerable decline in sleep patterns and overall health. 

Source: EXO Protein

Diversification is also an excellent way to keep your protein intake varied and healthy, and to ensure that you hit your daily macronutrient count and achieve your goals.

The Ethical Choice – A Sustainable Superfood

Insects are already eaten in over 80% of the world’s countries and are 20x more resource-efficient than cattle at producing protein for consumption.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvFuB7PoGUv/

Currently, over a third of the world’s land is used for agriculture, including rearing livestock. Space and resources required to raise livestock and grow the feed for the animals is rapidly increasing. Factory livestock is responsible for 50% of the world’s man-made greenhouse gases. This needs to change.

Crickets, on the other hand, require much less space, time and resources to farm, thus offering a more sustainable solution.

• 1 lb of Crickets requires under 2lb of feed
• 1 lb of beef requires 25lb of feed

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Were more people to switch to more sustainable protein sources, then this would create a solid and meaningful step towards a more ecological future.

Source: EXO Protein

Population Growth and the Future of Food

There are currently 7.7bn people on planet earth, and the rapid expansion of population growth shows no sign of slowing down. The median projection from the UN estimates that there will be 9.8bn people by 2050, and 11.2bn by 2100¹

“Until the time of Napoleon, there were less than 1 billion people on Earth at any one time. Since the Second World War, we have been adding a billion people to the global population every 12-15 years. Our population is more than double today what it was in 1970.”²

Source: United Nations

These projections clearly demonstrate the necessity for finding alternative food sources for the future.

Make the choice to be part of the solution, not the problem.

Other Alternative Protein Sources

If you care about your own health, fitness and the planet on which we all live, then now is the right time to start diversifying the protein sources in your diet.

Tibetan Kefir Mushrooms

Tibetan Kefir Mushrooms are used to create a fermented milk product (using cow, goat or sheep milk) that tastes like a drinkable yogurt. They resemble cauliflower. You keep them in a jar and fill it with milk. The following morning the mushrooms will have converted the milk into a healthy, natural probiotic yoghurt.  You simply empty the yoghurt and eat it, keep the mushrooms in the jar and fill it back up with milk. Repeat this process each day for a sustainable and healthy snack packed with protein.

Source: EXO Protein

The Nutritional Value of Tibetan Kefir

It contains high levels of vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, vitamin K2, biotin, folate, enzymes and probiotics.  

One cup of whole milk kefir has around:

• 160 calories
• 12 grams carbohydrates
• 10 grams protein
• 8 grams fat
• 300 milligrams calcium
• 100 IU vitamin D
• 500 IU vitamin A

This provides a healthy drink with 10 grams of protein every day. You can also use soya milk if you are vegan or choose not to drink any milk.

If you are serious about living a healthier, more sustainable life, then add these protein sources into your diet.

Cricket protein is on the rise, and will continue to grow because it offers great health benefits for athletes and solves, rather than accentuates, a current world problem. Make the smart choice and try something new today.

Upgrade your nutrition now

Source: EXO Protein

¹ Population.un.org

² Populationmatters.org