proteins

Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Pros and Cons of Egg Protein Powder

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Egg protein powder has been a favored food supplement among health enthusiasts even before whey or casein protein powder became more popular back in the 90s. Though similar products have since become available, egg protein powder remains to be an excellent source of protein as well as other crucial nutrients.

But just with any type of food, egg protein powder offers both benefits as well as risks. This is why it is prudent to educate yourself to ensure that you truly get to maximize its healthful goodness.

Read on and learn more about the pros and cons of egg protein powder and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends only moderate consumption of this protein source. Continue reading →

Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Pros and Cons of Raw Nut Butter

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Peanut butter is thought of as a relatively recent “invention”. But nuts have long been a part of the human diet. Ancient cultures that extensively consumed various types of nuts, quite conceivably already had different methods of preparation for them. Grinding the nuts into a paste is likely one of them.

Raw nut butters are nutritionally similar to the nuts from which they’re made. What simply happens is that a solid and crunchy food is thoroughly ground into something soft and spreadable. You still get the same amount of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that were present in the raw nuts. The fact that they’re uncooked however can pose some health risks that need to be considered.

Read on and discover more about the pros and cons of raw nut butter and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends only moderate consumption of these sources of protein. Continue reading →

Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Pros and Cons of Miso, Tempeh, Tamari or Natto

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Every region’s traditional cuisine has its own set of fermented food. Miso, tempeh, tamari and natto are examples of the various ways Asians have learned to ferment soy beans. They are quite diverse in flavor, form, texture and culinary properties. This is due to the particular methods or stages of fermentation each of these products undergo.

Miso and tamari are used as sauce or as flavoring in the preparation of other dishes. The latter is actually a byproduct in the manufacture of the former. Tamari is the liquid that accumulates as the miso continues to mature. There are various types of miso. It depends on which grains, other than soy beans, are used. Tamari is derived from miso made almost exclusively from soy.

Meanwhile tempeh and natto are viands by themselves. With tempeh, the soy beans are ground and formed into large patties. But in natto, the individual beans are still distinguishable though quite soggy and sticky. It also has a very pungent odor that makes this dish an acquired taste. Tempeh is actually of Indonesian origin, while natto as well as miso and tamari are part of Japanese cuisine.

These four types of traditional Asian food have a lot of proteins and other nutrients to offer. But the way soy beans are cultivated nowadays, plus some of the ingredients used in the fermentation, introduces some health risks that need to be considered.

Continue reading and learn more about the pros and cons of miso, tempeh, tamari or natto and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends only moderate consumption of these sources of protein. Continue reading →

Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Pros and Cons of Yogurt Cheese

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Yogurt cheese is just as its name says – a type of cheese made from yogurt that has been strained using a muslin or cheesecloth, a filter or colander, or a paper bag. This straining process is done so as to take out the whey, or the residual liquid found in curd. Yogurt cheese usually doesn’t go through any further processes and is served as is after straining which is why it has a thick texture and a characteristic sour taste.

A traditional food in Eastern Mediterranean and Western and Southern Asian regions, yogurt cheese eventually found its way to Northern America. Though a popular replacement for typical dairy spreads, yogurt cheese should be eaten in moderation.

Read on and learn more about the pros and cons of yogurt cheese and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends only moderate consumption of this protein source. Continue reading →

Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Pros and Cons of Naturally Preserved or Dried Meats

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Naturally preserved or dried meats are meat products that have been prepared for extended storage without the use of chemical preservatives. Undoubtedly a better alternative to commercially processed cured meats that abound in the market,  naturally preserved or dried meats should still be eaten in moderation though.

Read on and learn more about the pros and cons of naturally preserved or dried meats and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends only moderate consumption of this protein source. Continue reading →

Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Pros and Cons of Organic Cottage Cheese

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Organic cottage cheese is a type of unripened cheese made from grass-fed milk. Organic cottage cheese is made by curdling milk with either an acidic agent like lemon juice or vinegar, or with a complex of enzymes known as rennet. The milk protein that coagulates, called curd, is separated from the residual liquid and further drained utilizing cheesecloth so as to yield the final product. Organic cottage cheese is not pressed and so the solidified curds stay loose.

Organic cottage cheese comes in two varieties namely the large-curd or chunk style and the small-curd cottage cheese. Large-curd cottage cheese is made using the coagulating agent rennet and this keeps the curds from disintegrating into pieces, hence the name of this type of cottage cheese. Small-curd cottage cheese, meanwhile, is made utilizing lemon juice or vinegar as a coagulating agent, resulting in acidic-tasting cheese.

Organic cottage cheese is favored by food enthusiasts for its distinct flavor. It’s quite popular because it’s easy to make at home as well. Although this may be the case, this unripened cheese should still be eaten only in small or medium servings.

Read on and learn more about the pros and cons of organic cottage cheese and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends moderate consumption of this protein source. Continue reading →

Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Pros and Cons of Raw Cheese from Grass Fed Cows

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Cheese has long been a part of the human diet, even before Luis Pasteur invented the process of sterilizing milk in the 19th century. Of course since then, cheese has been regularly made from pasteurized milk. Some cheese makers still adhere to the traditional method though. Their products are referred to as raw cheese.

Those who argue for the benefits of raw cheese say that while harmful microorganisms are removed when you pasteurize milk, beneficial ones are lost too. These friendly or useful bacteria are considered probiotic and can aid digestion. They also add a range of flavors and texture to the cheese. As for safety, they say that the cheese making process itself, as long as it is done under sanitary conditions, can reduce the risk of microbial contamination.

Read on and learn more about the pros and cons of raw cheese from grass fed cows and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends only moderate consumption of this protein source. Continue reading →

Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Organic Hemp Protein Powder

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Hemp is what they call the varieties of Cannabis that have barely or no measurable levels of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). There are few plants such as hemp that have so many practical uses. Its bark fibers can be processed for paper and textile. Some manufacturers in the automobile and construction industries have been using this fiber in composite materials. The whole plant can also be fermented and turned into a kind of biofuel informally known as “hempoline”.

Hempseeds are the real highlight as it can be used to make several health food products. The seeds can be cooked and eaten whole. It can also be processed into milk much like soy milk. Edible oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids is derived from these seeds through cold-press techniques. The press cake that results from this process is then milled and ground into protein powder.

Read on and learn more about the health benefits of organic hemp protein powder and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid strongly recommends you add this source of protein in your diet. Continue reading →

Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Organic Rice or Pea Protein Powder

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Protein powders have long been available to the general public and have especially been well-liked by serious and recreational athletes for some time now. Among the most popular protein powders are the ones made exclusively from organic brown rice or peas, or a combination of these two.

Organic rice or pea protein powder is not only touted for its high protein content. A whole host of other healthful benefits can be had from taking this very convenient food supplement as well.

Continue reading and find out more about the health benefits of organic rice or pea protein powder and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid strongly recommends you add this source of protein in your diet. Continue reading →

Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Organic Whey or Casein Protein Powder

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Whey is produced after an edible acidic substance such as lemon juice or complex enzymes called rennet is added to milk for purposes of making cheese. During this process, the proteins in the milk, called casein, coagulate, resulting in a product better known as curd, which can be served as is or further processed to make certain types of cheeses. Whey is the liquid substance that separates from the coagulated milk proteins. This liquid whey goes through the process of spray drying to turn it into powder form.

Long touted for their high protein content, whey as well as casein powder, especially the organic variety, offer a whole host of other advantages health-wise as well.

Continue reading and find out more about the health benefits of organic whey or casein protein powder and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid strongly recommends you add this source of protein in your diet. Continue reading →