Snack smartly to keep your progress on track
In our fast-paced on-the-go lifestyles, it’s not always easy to find a nutritious snack on the run, especially as sugar-laden and highly processed convenience foods dominate store shelves.
When hunger strikes, a lack of preparation or suitable snack options can catch us off guard and lead to poor food choices that can derail progress towards our ultimate goal, whether that’s optimal health, weight loss, or super-charged recovery to support our training.
However, today’s discerning health-conscious and physique-oriented individuals are no longer willing to sacrifice quality for convenience’s sake.
The protein infusion solution
Thankfully, you can simplify your health and fitness-focused lifestyle with a growing range of functional protein-fortified snacks.
To cater to this growing demand for better-for-you functional convenience foods, Primal Sports Nutrition has created a range of protein-enriched products. While protein-fortified foods are not a new concept, the need for greater convenience in our fast-paced modern lives has driven the boom in functional food innovation.
These portable snack options tick the macronutrient and calorie boxes and, unlike sugary snacks that leave you wanting more, functional protein-enriched snacks keep you feeling fuller for longer because protein takes longer to digest, regulating hunger hormones and preventing those afternoon slumps.
The acetic acid factor
The main reason offered for this effect is that acetic acid suppresses disaccharidase activity and raises glucose-6-phosphate concentrations in skeletal muscle.
This was confirmed in a study ⁴ performed at Tokyo University in Japan, which determined that the acetic acid found in vinegar inhibits the activity of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, including sucrase, maltase, lactase and amylase.
This inhibition allows select sugars and starches to bypass the digestion process, which means they have less impact on blood sugar levels.
On-demand convenience
Primal Protein Shake Ready To Drink (RTD) is a high-protein, low-fat drink rich in calcium, with no added sugar – all the attributes you want in a snack option.
RTDs are the epitome of convenience – ready-made with no mixing or prep required. Simply shake, twist off the lip, sip and enjoy! What could be easier?
Every 350ml bottle packs 25g of protein, with just 170 calories and 14g of carbohydrates per serving, making it an ideal on-the-go snack or convenient post-workout drink.
The high protein content in an RTD also means it’s satiating, similar to a dense, nutrient-packed smoothie but without the prep time and need to clean up afterwards.
The texture and taste of these shakes also offer a more indulgent experience compared to mix-at-home powder options, which consumers often find appealing.
Tick the taste and texture boxes
If you’re looking for something with more crunch to fill a school lunchbox or for a satisfying nibble between meals, Primal Protein Chips are a delicious way to help you stick to your diet and ensure you meet your macros.
Combine the satisfaction of eating traditional crispy chips with the benefit of added protein. Made with whey protein, in sweet and savoury flavours, there is something to tempt every palate. Available flavours include Cinnamon and Sugar, Salted Caramel, Salt and Vinegar and Sour Cream.
Raise a bar
A Primal Energy Bar is another snack option that meets the requirements of portable convenience and a balanced nutritional profile. Every 45g bar offers a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, with 642 kJ of energy and is enriched with vitamins and minerals.
Including these smart snacks in your shopping list will ensure you have something on hand to quash that craving without derailing your healthy eating plan and keep you fuelled until your next nutrient-packed meal.
Mind over matter
Another helpful and healthful habit to cultivate a diet-friendly approach to snacking is mindful eating. This practice is about being present during the eating experience and noting your body’s hunger and satiety cues to determine when to stop eating.
Focusing on what you’re eating and the process itself by eliminating distractions, slowing down when eating and paying attention to how the food tastes and feels also creates a more pleasurable and rewarding experience.
More importantly, getting in touch with your hunger cues will help limit the mindless snacking that can happen when we’re bored or in a poor frame of mind.
Mindfulness helps us better understand whether a hunger pang stems from a physiological need for food for energy or recovery, or if it is caused by an emotional trigger or boredom, in which case we should rather focus on the root cause than the act of eating itself to avoid mindless overeating.