Dietary Supplements vs Food: What's the Difference?

Supplements seem to be the new thing nowadays.  You see advertisements of them everywhere, whether it is on TV, the flyer for your local CVS, or in your Food Network magazine.  The supplements advertise containing a whole bunch of vitamins and minerals, and are convenient because you can just pop one in your mouth and you are on your way.

The question you may be thinking is: are supplements really as good as their nutritional food counterparts?

The answer is: Yes, and No.  Supplements are good for you if you are having trouble getting a particular nutrient into your diet.  (Example: Calcium).  But, supplements should not be used as an excuse to eat whatever you want.  Some people have the thinking of "I take supplements to get my vitamins, so I can eat whatever I want for the rest of the day."  

That is a BAD way of thinking.

Supplements do contain Vitamins and Minerals, but not calories which fruits and vegetables have.  Calories are essential because our body burns them for energy.  Fruits and vegetables also contain things like antioxidants and phytochemicals, which help your body defend itself against disease.

Bottom line: Use supplements as a means of helping you get the vitamins and minerals you need, not as a substitute for healthy eating.

Source: http://www.dineoncampus.com/stjohns/show.cfm?cmd=newsletter 

Protein Ice Cream: The Newest Supplement

Earlier today, I was reading a magazine and stumbled upon this very interesting article.  The article talked about this new protein ice cream that had come out.  For each 2 scoop serving, the ice cream had 217 calories, 14g of fat, and 21g of protein.

This low-sugar, whey-infused ice cream was created by Jacob Kennedy, a "gym-going chef" who was fed up with the lack of good tasting post-workout options.  According to taste testers, this ice cream tastes better than the normal ice cream, because it is churned slowly. 

For all the ice cream lovers out there, this must feel like a dream come true.  Ice cream that contains 40% of my daily value of protein per serving?  Plus, it's low fat and low sugar, and tastes great!  That means I can eat ice cream all day and still be healthy, right?

Not so fast.  Even though this ice cream is healthy for you, it is still meant to be a post workout supplement.  This means you eat it AFTER working out. 

Unfortunately, this ice cream can only be found in London.  So all we can do is look at the pictures on their website, and drool, hoping that one day, we will get the chance to try this palatable treat.


Source: Men's Health Magazine UK