Tag: nutrition

Why Cereal Should Be Poured Before Milk

By: Madison Grace Hansen

When pouring a bowl of cereal, most individuals instinctively pour the cereal first— which is correct. Pouring the cereal into the bowl first is most efficient because it provides better portion control, improved texture, and a more enjoyable eating experience. Although some people choose to pour the milk first, that will never be correct because it is neither a logical nor a traditional approach. 

To begin, putting the cereal in the bowl first allows for portion control. You can clearly see how much cereal you are spilling into the bowl which is beneficial in order to not overeat. Most individuals try to have a well balanced breakfast and as we know cereal is not the most healthy option therefore being aware of how much you are eating will allow you to not overserve yourself. Although a hearty breakfast usually consists of bacon, eggs, or sausage, if you have portion control, cereal will not be as bad for you as some may think. 

Also, the texture is another key factor to think about when pouring cereal before milk. Cereal is meant to have a light crunch, and pouring milk on top allows you to control how much of it gets soaked. If you pour the milk before the cereal, the cereal may absorb more of the liquid, therefore leaving it not crunchy but instead soggy. Nobody likes soggy cereal. That is why the cereal should be poured before the milk.

Finally, pouring the cereal before the milk allows for a better eating experience. It is better to have some pieces of cereal still crunchy while some have settled to the bottom. It is much more enjoyable to have a little crunch with also a little soggy. If I am being completely honest, the taste of the cereal is different when the milk is poured second. The taste is better and that is why cereal should be poured before the milk. 

Is BPC-157 the New Best Supplement for Athletes?

By: Ford Wilder

To begin, BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide, which is a sequence of amino acids that mimics a naturally occurring protein found in the human body. This supplement is relatively new and is still in the early stages of development and research. Since this supplement hit the market, it has become extremely popular and has found its way into many shops and online stores, accompanied by extensive advertising and surrounding the product. I decided to buy it and start taking it a few weeks ago. This is because there are numerous benefits associated with this supplement, not only for athletes but for everyone. I am here to tell you my experience with this supplement so far and some of the benefits it has.

Additionally, BPC-157 is believed to accelerate the healing of various tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. It’s particularly praised for its ability to support soft tissue repair, making it popular among athletes recovering from injuries or surgery.

After the first two weeks of taking BPC, I noticed the tendonitis in my elbow from throwing fully went away. It was an ongoing issue I tried to rehab over time, but it never fully healed. Once I started taking BPC, my tendonitis gradually got better and better. Also, the pain in the patella tendon of my left knee has gotten so much better. I have dealt with this pain from lots of jumping and sprinting across my three sports. By pairing this supplement with weight training and rehab, I have noticed great improvement in strength and stability.

Another great benefit of this supplement is its ability to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is a major factor in delayed recovery and prolonged pain after injury or heavy exercise. BPC-157 can help to alleviate pain and swelling, allowing individuals to return to their activities more quickly and comfortably. I have noticed since beginning this supplement that my body has been able to recover much quicker from long and strenuous practices and workouts. I can go pretty much one hundred percent day after day, which has been great for me. 

Ultimately, I believe that all athletes should begin to take this supplement. BPC-157 could be the missing piece that many injured and recovering athletes need. There are no side effects of this supplement, so even if it does not work for you, you are not losing anything by at least trying BPC-157 out. BPC-157 is only going to continue to gain traction and change many people’s health for the better.

MK-677 Review

By: Andrew Howle

Mk-677 is a growth hormone fitness supplement that has gained recent traction in the fitness world. It has become so famous due to the boost in body growth hormone without the need for an injection. It stimulates your body to naturally produce more GH (growth hormone) and IGF-1. The liquid version is typically taken orally or under the tongue, making it an accessible option for fitness influencers everywhere, ideal for promoting muscle growth. However, is this supplement as good as it is rumored to be?

Those who take Mk-677 claim to have incredible physical benefits. These benefits include lean muscle mass, faster recovery time, and better sleep quality overall. These elements are all crucial to effective training results. Mk-677 has been shown to improve bone density, joint repair, and skin health to the human body. The supplement increases an athlete’s appetite majorly, which can be very helpful in bulking. This shortens the amount of time to retain weight by a large margin. However, this is a double ended sword being harmful for cutting.

Although the MK-677 has many benefits, it is not without drawbacks. Many people have reported severe water retention, fat gain, and intense hunger at higher doses of the supplements. It can become very expensive through long-term use. It is not recommended to people struggling with diabetes. It is reported to mess highly with insulin sensitivity. It is not FDA-approved as well, which can carry some unknowns along with it. These unknowns could range from simple muscle twitches to heart palpitations.

Mk-677 surely does open up a compelling alternative from injectable growth hormones. However, this supplement is not without risks, to be completely honest. I would highly recommend researching this supplement if you have any thoughts of taking it. This goes to show I would not recommend this until more research is performed on it.

How to Bulk for Football Season

By: Andrew Howle

Bulking for football season is not all about eating everything in sight. There is a perfectly good strategy to bulk with purpose. The bulk is typically initiated to increase muscle, strength, and size for improved performance on the field. Whether you are a lineman looking to strictly improve power, or a skilled position player looking to maintain speed while increasing size. The bulk is an essential tool to this progression of performance within limits.

In order to gain weight, you must eat in a large calorie surplus. This surplus is dependent on what you’re looking to improve with the bulk. It could range from 500-2,000 extra calories on top of your usual intake per day. These calories must contain a large amount of protein and carbs. It is usually recommended to eat about one gram of protein per pound of your body weight. The amount of carbs immensely differs depending on your personal goal of the bulk. It is also important not to skip meals of the day. This specifically calls out breakfast, which many people skip.

These extra calories that are being taken into your body must go to something important like muscle building. It is very important to lift constantly throughout the bulk. This stimulates growth in your body and allows you to put on a bigger frame physically. The most efficient way to put on this size is to track your calories and workouts. This allows you to fill your body with the necessary nutrients to perform at its highest. These extra calories are very pivotal for rebuilding the muscle fibers and tissues of your body.

In conclusion, bulking is a very useful tool to improve performance in football if done right. However, a strict diet and consistent exercise is needed to see the results you are looking for on the field.

Caffeine In Today’s Society

By: Andrew Howle

To begin with, caffeine is a highly effective central nervous system stimulant to the body. It affects the methylxanthine class of the body and is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance globally. It is found in many widely consumed daily drinks, such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks. Even eating substances like chocolate contains amounts of caffeine. Caffeine has become such a staple in so many American lives today. It is almost impossible to fathom a world without caffeine. I love caffeine, but I try not to drink too much daily. It can be very harmful to someone in improper amounts.

Typically, most teenagers my age drink excessive amounts of caffeine a day. This caffeine is most commonly in energy drinks and soft drinks. There is an obsessive taste factor and stimulant feeling that makes these drinks so irresistible to the average teen. I am not a fan of energy drinks or soft drinks in general. They can cause teeth to decay as well as heart complications later in life. There have been way too many people hospitalized due to an overdose of caffeine, making potential heart complications appear. Some people are not as lucky and pass away from continuous overdoses of caffeine.

However, drinking adequate amounts of caffeine a day also has some positive benefits. These benefits can include awakeness and alertness. This can be traditionally helpful during early mornings. I love to drink coffee in the morning to caffeinate my body for the tasks ahead. It helps hugely when coming off a stormy night of rest. I probably drink coffee four days a week to get through tough mornings at school. However, too much coffee can cause a person to crash, resulting in extreme tiredness to the body. A person’s senses all diminish during this period of crashing.

To conclude, caffeine is a prominent staple in today’s society. It just needs to be used in the right amounts to prevent harm to others. I enforce the safety of the right amount of caffeine to drink. There should be no health complications from the use of this psychoactive stimulant.

Importance of Supplements

By: Andrew Howle

To begin with, athletes worldwide are empowered by the pursuit of a healthier, stronger version of themselves. This lifestyle may be a challenging goal, but conquering it will lead to great success in your sport. Generally, many athletes take FDA-approved supplements that are proven to increase muscle growth and feed the body with more necessary nutrients. These supplements are a leading factor in creating a gap between the athletes in their desired sports field.

Whey protein powder is the first supplement vital to an athlete’s performance in the off-season. It provides your body with the necessary carbohydrates and protein to build up that dense, torn muscle. It is a staple for any athlete looking to grow in size for a sport. There are many flavors to choose from, including vanilla, chocolate, banana foster, and strawberry. It can be bought at any local vitamin store.

Another huge supplement that has become popular is creatine. This supplement has grown in popularity recently, being the most researched supplement ever. Creatine helps stimulate a constant energy supply in your body during intense exercise. The supplement is also known for filling your body up, giving you a more full-looking physique. Although many people should be careful taking creatine, an immense amount of water is needed. It is a great way to unlock your full athletic ability.

The last important supplement all athletes should take while training is pre-workout. This supplement is filled with hundreds of milligrams of caffeine to stimulate the body during an intense workout. It can increase athletes’ performance massively by improving personal records such as one-rep maxes. It is also a method of losing weight faster. 

In conclusion, the world of supplements for athletes is a journey of achievement and continuous improvement. Supplements are a staple in enhancing an athlete’s career, serving as a testament to their dedication and hard work.

Why Protein is so Vital to Athletes

By: Ford Wilder

To start off, many athletes are great within the mental and physical aspects of their sport,but they lack what most might say matters most: nutrition. Nutrition is very important for not just athletes but everyone in general because it fuels your body day in and day out.The main sources of nutrients you need to consume everyday are carbs,fats,proteins,water,minerals, and vitamins. These are all essential nutrients but ,in my opinion, protein is most important to athletes.I believe this because protein is vital for numerous aspects which I will dive into.

The first of reasons is because protein is essential for muscle building and recovery.In long and strenuous weight training sessions,practices,and games.Without protein, your body is unable to give your muscles the amino acids it needs to repair and rebuild. If you do not intake the amount of protein you need then your body will become sore, you will lose muscle mass, and your metabolism will be slowed.

Next off, protein is vital because it balances your diet by ensuring you stay full and satiated throughout workouts and the day in general. By keeping your protein intake at a stable level; it will allow you to limit cravings and keep your diet in check. If your diet is unstable; it will cause you to feel lethargic,sore, and weak.

How one should get their protein intake is a question many ask. This can be answered in pretty simple means. A person should aim for at least one gram of protein per pound you weigh ,so if someone weighs 165 pounds; they should aim for at least 165 grams of protein per day. Athletes should consume their protein through sources of chicken, beef, fish, dairy, protein bars, protein shakes,etc. Also, athletes should aim to get 30 grams of protein within an hour after their workout to ensure muscle recovery.

In all, protein is very essential in the everyday life of athletes and should be a vocal point in their diets. Without the correct amount of protein taken in everyday, a number of consequences will be followed.