​Diet Perspective: Eggs or Protein Powder?

Are you on an all or nothing diet AGAIN? Although I think it’s AWESOME that you are focused on your health — I am not pumped up about your all or nothing approach. What if I told you that foods on your weight loss journey can look like this and prepared in under eight minutes?

AND – for no more than 250 calories - based on my serving of about two eggs, a little ham, a little kale, spinach, scallion,  and a piece of whole wheat toast with little butter. Most importantly, with this small effort, I nourished my mind, body and spirit with about:
 
20 g protein (body)
12 g carbs (body and mind)
Vit. K out the whazoo! (body and mind)
Vit. C, A, Choline, B Vitamins, Omega 3, and on and on with all this wholesome whole food goodness (body and mind)
Feeling of amazingness just from taking care of myself! (spirit and mind)
Knowing this breakfast will sustain me for hours (body, mind, spirit)
 
With meal replacements as a weight loss strategy for many these days, I could have prepared a protein shake with one-half a banana and a handful of greens, for nearly the same number of calories. I would also be hungry within 2 hours of drinking it. What you may not have considered before, is that protein powder is PROCESSED.
 
Regardless of the health claims a “food” label tells you, processed foods are not whole foods such as eggs, ham, kale, spinach and scallions, providing macronutrients, and fiber, vitamins and phytochemicals due to its natural source. If it’s processed, it doesn’t have the power of a real food.
 
For the record—sometimes I want a protein shake. And I have it when I want it. But it’s not because of an all or nothing approach unsustainable diet. It’s because I want a protein shake instead of real food. And only sometimes.

©Kathryn Scoblick
www.healthinspires.com

Kathryn Scoblick is a certified health and wellness coach with Health Inspires (www.healthinspires.com) and the author of Health Inspires™: Your Way to Sustainable Weight Loss. She uses a holistic approach to inspire each person to reach their full potential and master their wellbeing. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Austin Mayor’s Health and Fitness Council, working on community and organizational health and wellness initiatives, from obesity prevention to mindfulness and stress reduction techniques. Kathryn is also Director of Employer Health and Wellness for a large healthcare conglomerate based in Austin, Texas, working with employers on wellness strategies and employee engagement.