Since you’re here and you’re reading this, I’m going to assume that you have already accepted the fact that if you’re going to have any chance of reaching your goals, you need the right nutritional strategy and you need to enact it with consistency and discipline over time. You’ve gotten so far as to realize that adequate protein intake for muscle gain is easily the most important part of that equation.
So, how do you get more protein day in and day out, regardless of what life throws at you? Read on and I’ll tell you.
Have you ever watched a professional at work? When you observe someone who is a master of their craft, you come to realize that there are several factors that separate them from the hobbyist. Whether we’re talking about an auto mechanic, a carpenter, a doctor or a professional bodybuilder, one of the things responsible for the glaring difference between the layman and the pro is his use of tools.
Not only is the professional aware of the tools available to him, but he also acquires those tools and uses them with skill and consistency! In the physical realm, insofar as nutrition is concerned, the same concept holds true. We have tools at our disposal and if we are going to be successful, we need to be aware of those tools, we need to acquire tools that are of high quality, and we need to use them properly over time.
First and foremost, the most valuable tool we have when it comes to a nutritional strategy is preparation.
Whole food MUST be the foundation of our diet and for that to be the case, we must do our absolute best to have the food we need, when we need it. Understand what your body needs in terms of food intake and put together a prep system that makes it easy and efficient. We have countless videos on the subject on the ANIMAL YouTube channel and I would strongly encourage you to check them out. Food prep CAN be a daunting task, but it can also be streamlined and made easy, efficient and fast. Prep what you need and have it available to you when you need it.
You have to be realistic enough to know what is doable for you and what is not.
You may have come to the conclusion that eating 6 whole food meals per day is most ideal for you but seeing as your work only allows for 1 break to eat during the day, you’re going to end up with a bunch of wasted food and a diet that doesn’t give your body the nutrition it needs at times it is needed. What is best on paper and what is most realistic can often be two different things.
You need nutrition that travels well and is fast and easy to consume.
Lucky for all of us, we’re living in a time where there are more options than ever. This brings me to the ace in our tool chest: supplements. Protein powders and meal replacement powders have evolved so much over the years, where the foul tasting, low quality, and poorly digested ingredients are a thing of the past.
The modern versions have little in common with their predecessors. Chalky milk protein concentrates have been replaced with bioavailable whey protein isolates; and ANIMAL Isolate Loaded Whey is the premier option.
Similarly, while the early meal replacement powders consisted of cheap, gut-wrenching proteins and cheap maltodextrin, ANIMAL Meal boasts a balanced blend of all 3 macros in an easily digested formula that is 100% natural and whole food based. Simply put, high quality protein supplements like these serve as the perfect tools for rounding out a whole food-based diet.
How to apply these products?
For an individual who knows that they need to consume a significant dose of protein 5x per day, I’m going to be so bold as to say that they could very easily get away with only prepping 1 whole food meal to bring with them each day.
How is this possible? Make your first meal of the day fresh. I don’t want to hear that you’re busy or don’t have time. I’m beyond my competitive days, but I wake up early and have my first meal between 4:30 and 5:00 am. No excuses.
Your second meal of the day is a meal replacement where you consume 2 scoops of ANIMAL Meal or you use ANIMAL Whey protein powder and add carbs and or fats to it - so easy. Back before ANIMAL Meal was created, I used to use 2 scoops of ANIMAL Whey, ½-1 cup of oats and 1 tbsp of olive oil and this served as a meal replacement in my regimen for years.
Meal #3 is the meal you prepped in advance and brought from home.
Meal #4 is another shake and Meal #5 is prepared at home.
You can’t possibly ask for anything easier than that!
Between a very spartan food prep regimen and the right protein supplements, hitting your daily protein requirement has never been easier, more delicious, or more cost effective. The only thing standing in between you and the attainment of your goals is the proper and consistent implementation of the right tools!
Lucky for you, between the educational resources compiled on our YouTube channel and the top-quality products we produce right here in the USA, ANIMAL has got your covered.
About The Author
Evan Centopani has been part of the ANIMAL team since 2006. Earning his IFBB professional status in 2007 at 25 years old, Evan is a 3x IFBB champion who has competed several times in the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia, generously sharing his extensive knowledge of fitness and nutrition with the Animal community.
