St. Patty’s Day and visions of those luscious green gardens are hitting many of us right now and rightfully so as we grow weary of anymore of the cold. Don’t wait for St. Pat’s Day though to interject some of those vitally important nutrient packed foods / recipes. Let’s talk plant protein this week.

First let’s list the selections of plant proteins available to us. The newer power partner is Pea Protein. Aside from athletes jumping on this bandwagon for the amino levels, anyone low on iron can greatly benefit from this source as well. It may provide as much as 30% of a day’s iron requirements.

Remember the rice cereals from when we were children. The benefits of rice have not gone away either. The new aspect of rice protein has come to surface in the form of ‘sprouted’ rice protein. As with the other ‘sprouted’ grains we have discussed in previous article, sprouted rice protein brings a higher ability to produce lean muscle and added strength.

Have you heard of hemp? The demand for hemp has been so high it is now readily available in not only seeds, but also oil, butter, and powder. Hemp is also gaining recognition because it is high in Omega-3’s, fiber, and vitamins. It is also popular as a food addition to salads, dressings, etc. because it is very tasty in its natural form.

Soy protein is considered by many as a very heart healthy protein and is very popular with the vegan community. A word of caution regarding soy protein; make sure your selection is NON – GMO and organic as it is commonly processed with a variety of chemicals, say ‘yuck’ now.

You may also want to bring your palette some variety by including other ‘sprouted’ seeds and grains, cranberries, and spirulina. We have written about the superfood ‘spirulina’ before, but just as a reminder, it is a sea product loaded with many valuable nutrients. The health benefits of spirulina which has as much as a 70% protein content also include lower blood pressure, fight cancer, detoxifying the body, and lower appetite.

When shopping for a meal replacement protein you should select only those with 15-20 grams per serving, NON-GMO, organic, and if you have any food sensitivities choose soy-free products. Selections below 15 grams may be considered as an addition to a full meal plan. There are also selections that include a higher vitamin, mineral, enzyme and probiotic content.

Please visit our website “NEW” www.cdrnaturals.com for more information on this and other great health topics.

Let us know if you are interested in a Protein Powder Samples Day. This article if for information only. Do not make any changes in your diet or lifestyle without consulting with your preventive healthcare provider. We are praying for your health and prosperity, 3 John 2, blessings, Donna