Move over gluten free...

Have you noticed the word "PROTEIN" plastered all over the front label of food products lately?

But then you flip the package over and the nutrition label reports:

Protein: 5 grams per serving

Hopefully, y'all have been following us online for enough years and/or have taken our Awaken Your Nutrition program to understand that 5 grams of protein at one meal or snack is incredibly low, even for kids who need less protein than adults.

What's even more shocking is that many of these 'newly formulated' foods with supposed higher protein are more expensive.

And oftentimes, there really isn't much of a re-formulation but rather a new marketing campaign to jump on.

In fact, this protein word on the front label doesn’t mean much.

Let's review this popular kids' "protein bar" as a case in point:

I saw these on Instacart the other day in my never ending quest to find a decent protein bar (keep reading to find out what I do now!) and literally gasped out loud when I saw the actual nutrition label on the back.

There are only 5 grams of protein in one bar along with 23 grams of carbs and minimal fat and fiber. This doesn't make it a great choice for balanced blood sugar for kids or adults.

This can lead to a rapid glucose spike and drop if consumed on its own.

Looking at the ingredient list is also concerning.

The first food ingredient after added synthetic vitamins and minerals is organic tapioca syrup, which is  just another word for sugar.

Our members know that all ingredients on a food label must be listed in descending order by weight. That means the first ingredient listed is present in the largest amount by weight.

In this protein bar, the first ingredient is sugar. How can this be called a protein bar?! In reality, it should be called a sugar bar.

This is one of the many super powers you will come to know when you understand nutrition science, the foundational education that we teach in our 12-week Awaken Your Nutrition program.

This isn't shared to fear monger or scare anyone... it's meant to shed light on the constant marketing we are bombarded with day in and day out. 

It's to empower you with the knowledge of where and when consume something like this (hint: before a demanding physical activity or after a fully balanced high protein meal, like having it as dessert!).

Here's what I do for protein bars these days for myself and my kids...

My current favorite version of a protein bar: Chomp Sticks. At 10 grams of bioavailable complete protein per stick with minimal carbs and zero sugar, these are hard to beat for portable, shelf stable, on-the-go protein.

I like to combine two turkey Chomp Sticks with a piece of low sugar fruit, string cheese, some nuts and chopped veggies like carrots and cucumbers for a well-rounded meal that will leave you fuller much longer than a highly processed protein bar full of sugar.

All the fake sugars, real sugars, and processed seed oils in most "protein bars" make them more like candy than anything. 

In many cases, you're better off stopping by Starbucks for a turkey bacon sandwich if you need something quick and easy!

Do I still eat typical protein bars some days when I'm truly in a bind? You bet. 

It's all about empowering yourself with the full knowledge so you can make the best choices possible whatever situation you find yourself in.

When you join Awaken Your Nutrition, you’ll learn in 12 weeks how to read nutrition labels like a pro and serve blood sugar balanced meals for yourself and loved ones.

Click reply to this email, and we’ll send you a link to book a free application call ☎️ 

p.s. we are excited to invite you to a new, FREE workshop! Click here to RSVP for a Gray Area Drinking workshop on May 15th by our in-house alcohol-free life coach, Devon Donkin. You'll learn will what gray area drinking is, how to identify if you fall in this category (hint: most people who drink alcohol do!) and what you can do about it.

Upcoming Events:

Stay In The Loop 

Follow us on social media for live Q&A sessions, recipes, workouts, health tips, and other free educational content. 

P.S. Looking for more nutrition, health, and training support? Here are 2 ways we can help you:  

(1) WATCH OUR FREE MASTERCLASS → Learn exactly what's holding you back in terms of nutrition and exercise. Click here to register and view immediately.

(2) BOOK A FREE CALL → Talk to a team member about which program is the best fit for you based on your goals, lifestyle, budget and more. Click here to reserve your spot (first come, first serve).