When we hear the term protein, we instantly correlate it with muscle growth and athletic performance. But, the truth is, the nutrient plays a considerable role in our overall health, and its effects span far beyond the well-known fitness benefits.

Today, we’ll go over what you need to know about this valuable nutrient.

What is Protein?

Protein is an organic molecule that consists of amino acids, which scientists refer to as ‘the building blocks of life.’ Amino acids come in three categories, based on the order of importance:

• Essential
• Conditionally-essential
• Nonessential

Of all amino acids, we have nine that the body cannot produce, so we need to get them through foods. These are the essential ones.

Then, we have the conditionally-essential amino acids, which the body can typically produce, but may not be able to do under some circumstances.

And finally, we have the non-essential amino acids. These are the remaining ones that the body is fully capable of producing on its own, and we don’t necessarily need to get them through food.

The Vital Importance of Protein for our Fitness and Health

Getting enough protein is incredibly beneficial for our health and fitness. For one, protein is vital for muscle recovery and growth. Once we finish a workout, a flood of amino acids enters our muscles and begins the process of repair. And, thanks to the disruption of our workouts, the body sends in more amino acids and other nutrients that allow our muscles to grow larger and stronger.

Protein is also essential for numerous health processes. For one, amino acids play a role in the creation of:

• Hormones
• Enzymes
• Antibodies
• Neurotransmitters

Protein is also vital for bone health, development, and overall health. You see, amino acids play an essential role in the creation of new cells that replace the old and dead ones.

What’s more, specific proteins carry substances throughout the body. For example, hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen to our organs and tissues.

So, without an adequate intake of protein, the body can’t function as it should, and that hinders both our fitness and health. In other words, following a high-protein diet is of utmost importance for our health, and it ensures that we make the best possible fitness progress.

If you’ve been training hard but can’t seem to amount to much, it’s a good idea to review your daily protein intake and try to bump it to at least the bare minimum. And speaking of:

How Much Protein You Should Consume

According to some research, we should get at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilo of body weight. But that amount only helps prevent protein deficiency.

To get an adequate amount of protein for good health and optimal fitness results, we should get somewhere between 1.6 and 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. So, if you weigh 70 kilos, you should aim to consume 112 to 154 grams of protein per day.

The only issue is, following a high-protein diet can be a bit tedious, inconvenient, and expensive. Plus, there aren’t many high-protein snacks to take with you on the go, which makes it even more challenging to get enough protein.

Because of that, we’ve created our Schmeks Beef Jerky to be delicious, as well as nutritious. Available in Original and Chilli flavors, every packet provides you with 12 grams of high-quality protein, making it an excellent snack for people who track their macros and calories. What’s more, our beef jerky also offers an unbeatable taste with a premium texture that is loved by our customers Australia wide; it’s low in fat, sodium, and has no added sugar.

So, if you’re looking for a truly great quality high-protein snack to take with you to work, throw in your gym bag, on your next road trip, or in the kid’s lunchboxes, be sure to stock the pantry with Australia’s No.1 Beef Jerky, Schmeks!

The post The Vital Importance for Protein for Fitness & Health appeared first on The Snack Schack.

The first time we heard that pork crackle is a favoured keto snack, I thought: “Wait, isn’t pork crackle unhealthy? Isn’t Keto a healthy weight-loss diet?”

To answer those questions, we had to understand a little bit more about Keto first.

What is the Keto diet?

“Keto” is short for ketogenic. It’s a diet with low carbs, a moderate amount of protein, and higher fat content. With a reduced amount of carbohydrates to burn for energy, your body enters a state called ketosis. Basically, it’s a metabolic state where your body burns fat for energy.

When you stop eating carbs, your body needs an alternative source of fuel to make energy. When this happens, your liver will break fats down into ketones, turning it into an energy supply that your brain, muscles, and other tissues can use. Because it’s a way of making your body eat through your fat to provide energy, the Keto diet has become popular for weight loss.

Keto diet foods

So what kinds of food can you eat on a Keto diet?

High fat, moderate protein, and very little carbohydrates (and the limited carbohydrates is probably the hardest part) the Keto diet is pretty strict. It rules out sugar and most processed foods.

Keto diet foods include:

• Fish (especially salmon, as it’s a fatty fish)
• Unprocessed meats
• Eggs
• Avocado
• Leafy greens
• Low-carb vegetables (stay away from potatoes and other root vegetables)
• High-fat dairy (one of the few places processed food are allowed, butter, heavy cream, and cheese are fine, but leave milk behind)

It’s a strict diet and requires counting calories, carb, protein, and fat intake. Meal planning is a necessity, and finding suitable snacks can be hard! But if you have a goal, stick with it, there are still plenty of tasty foods that you can eat… including pork crackle.

Keto snacks

No sugary snacks, no grains or processed foods, most fruits are out as well: finding suitable snack foods on a keto diet can be tricky. If you’re at home with access to your fridge or pantry, you could whip up a low-carb milkshake, berries with whipped cream, celery with salsa and guacamole, or pull out some leftovers. But what about packing something in your bag for on-the-go? Aside from a handful of nuts or seeds, most keto snacks still require some degree of preparation. What if you just really want to be able to open a bag of chips to munch?

That’s where our Hot Roast Pork Crackle comes to the rescue! High in fat and protein, but without any carbs, pork crackle makes the perfect snack for a Keto diet.

Why Pork Crackle is a perfect Keto Snack

Pork crackle is high in fat, contains a surprising amount of protein, and has no carbs! It’s a summary of the Keto diet in one mouth-watering snack. It’s great for on-the-go, eating while watching your streaming service, or to take to parties!

It doesn’t count as processed food?

Not at all! Crackle is a pork rind, cooked a specific way to make it both crunch and melt in your mouth at the same time. The rind is simmered in boiling water, then cut, dried, and roasted until the little bubbles form and it looks golden and crispy. If you’re making it at home, you can stop there. But the packets will often take it one step further and place the crackle bits into a fryer and then season them.

Poppa Porkys Hot Roast Pork Crackle is absolutely delicious, and even a little nutritious! Fun fact: aside from being the perfect Keto snack, pork crackle also contains vitamin B!

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