What about Protein Smoothies?

Macro Calculation for 1 medium apple and 1 medium banana. Total Net Carbs = 48 net carbs

I had a great question about drinking protein smoothies for those who do intense exercise. I would like to share this conversation with you:

Question: I make a smoothie with Protein+ Powder and I add an apple and a banana. Will this work for the goals of 3 Pillars?

Answer: Let’s break this down into a couple of parts.

Let’s look at Protein+ first: My concerns are with the inflammatory nature of the additives and the preservatives. The pea power in itself is quite inflammatory with sunflower and flax, Mungeam proteins. The monk fruit extract will cause insulin pre-secretion. The alkalized Cacao must be in for flavor because it has not phytonutrients from the alkali zing process.

Now let’s look at what happens when we add an apple and a banana. So, I just calculated your macros, not including your protein powder. You have 48 grams of Net Carbohydrates. Cell energetics dictate that the maximum consumption of Net Carbohydrate a human can consume in a 24 hour period and be fat adapted is <24g. This doubles it and drives lots of insulin secretion. Given the large bolus of glucose (sugar equivalent is 12 teaspoons approximately, the same amount of glucose and fructose found in a 12 oz. coke.) you will drive a large amount of the protein you consume to be converted into glucose through the process of Gluconeogenesis.

Anyway, this is not within the scope of the sugar detox because of it being an extreme glucose and fructose surge. There are significantly better ways to gain exercise nutrition and bio-available vitamins and minerals than this but you have to become fat adapted to reach those. This drink significantly retards your body’s ability to become fat adapted.

I don’t like being the food nazi. If you want to use your protein, for now, but replace the banana with some veggies or an avocado (maintaining the apple for now) this might be a path toward weaning off of glucose…it will not get you there but it can be on the path.