Sports nutrition continues to gain momentum in both sports and mainstream markets these days. Luckily for sports and nutrition enthusiasts, the increased consumer demand for healthy, well-rounded sports nutrition products has led to an overall shift towards wholesome, cleaner, and sugar-free alternatives to traditional supplements. Still, the sheer volume of products on the market can make it difficult to pick the perfect product for them. In this article, we’ll break it down and show you what you should look for in terms of the right sports nutrition for your healthy diet.
Read and Recognize the Labels
The call for cleaner sports nutrition drives many consumers to seek clean-label products. What does that mean for you? Simply put, seek out the labels that boldly proclaim they’re “free of” or “free from” additives like artificial flavors, sweeteners, and colors. Be aware, however, that the many consumers still prefer the sweet taste of nutritional supplements, and manufacturers continue to seek out cleaner, sugar-free alternatives that meet consumer wants.
Because sugar is an absolute no-no in sports nutrition, product purity has brought plant-based sweeteners like monk fruit and stevia to light. Stevia, which has led the clean sweetener market for some time now, offers sweetness without the guilt. Monk fruit, while still relatively new, is gaining in popularity due to its no-calorie, naturally-sweet composition with a glycemic index of 01.
Finding the Perfect Composition
John Peters, President of Beneo2, a company providing functional food ingredients for healthier nutrition says, “Alternative sweeteners are redefining the common approach of the sports nutrition industry. They shift focus from carbohydrate and protein utilization toward improved blood sugar management and fat burning.”
Monk fruit has many other benefits to its name, as well. It contains essential antioxidants, has zero calories, and is safe to be consumed by diabetics. By combining monk fruit and erythritol together, manufacturers can more delicately balance taste, enhance and boost natural flavor, and reduce the need for traditional sugar. Best of all, since most sports nutrition is inherently bitter, the use of these two sweeteners together allows them to reduce the bitterness and offer consumers a taste profile they’ll enjoy.
Your Key Takeaway
Sports nutrition encompasses more than just shakes and smoothies. It includes baked goods, snackables, and products that consumers can take on-the-go. Remember that, when searching for your supplements, reading the labels is essential. Check for artificial ingredients, avoid those that are sugar-laden, and opt for cleaner, sugar-free options that won’t take away from your goals.
NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER
The content on this website should not be taken as medical advice and you should ALWAYS consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. We provide nutritional data for our recipes as a courtesy to our readers. We use Total Keto Diet app software to calculate the nutrition and we remove fiber and sugar alcohols, like erythritol, from the total carbohydrate count to get to the net carb count, as they do not affect your blood glucose levels. You should independently calculate nutritional information on your own and not rely on our data. The website or content herein is not intended to cure, prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. This website shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on the Website or actions you take as a result. Any action you take is strictly at your own risk.
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD is an aesthetic medicine specialist whose work focuses on patients who are treated for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other weight-related issues through nutritional analysis, keto diet programs, and supporting medications.
- The Hidden Dangers of the HCG Diet - January 30, 2019
- Avoiding Constipation on the Keto Diet - January 28, 2019
- Upping Fat or Cutting Carbs for Ketosis? - January 23, 2019
