Today we return to Verywell Health who seems obsessed with trends from the human cesspool known as TikTok and “fitness influencers.” Let’s see what they found “interesting” this time and how they likely f**ked it up.
“Some fitness influencers are swapping out protein bars for chunks of parmesan cheese. The claim is that parmesan is a “healthier” choice because it’s high in protein but without the added, processed ingredients in protein bars.”
This might be one of the first trends on this retarded social media platform that is not entirely stupid. And there’s no need to put “healthier” in quotation marks. Parmesan is animal-based, and while it is dairy, it is still better and healthier than anything plant-based or processed you could ever find or imagine.
“While parmesan is a whole food, the high fat and sodium content doesn’t necessarily make it healthier. Choosing between parmesan and protein bars might depend on your preference for taste and convenience.”
This comment shows your complete lack of knowledge and understanding. The fat in parmesan is animal-based, as in saturated fat, which is the major fat that humans actually need as it is our preferred fuel and also what our cells are made of (together with cholesterol and animal-derived omega-3.)
When it comes to sodium and actually getting some real information, it gets very muddled, even within the field of biochemistry as a lot of it has been hijacked as of lately by dumbed-down people and shills. First of all, and to start thinking in the right direction, you need to separate between “sodium” as found in nature, which is more correctly referred to as simply “salt” or “elemental salt,” and that of organic bioactive sodium that are used and stored in our cells.
Elemental salt as found in nature, and used in table salt, such as sodium chloride (NaCl,) is a compound composed of sodium and chloride ions. In contrast, the organic bioactive sodium used in cells is the sodium ion (Na⁺) itself, which is a single element and plays a crucial role in various physiological processes.
Elemental sodium (Na) is highly reactive and can cause explosions, while elemental chlorine (Cl₂) is a toxic gas that can cause severe respiratory issues. However, when these elements form the ionic compound NaCl, they become stable and somewhat safe for consumption in appropriate amounts.
When you consume salt, as in sodium chloride (NaCl,) it dissociates and breaks down into sodium ions and chloride ions within your body. Sodium ions are crucial for maintaining fluid balance, nerve signaling, and muscle function. Chloride ions help maintain the proper balance of fluids and are important for the function of the digestive system. Chloride ions are a major component of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid, HCl.)
It is believed that this process of dissociation of NaCl within the body is controlled and safe and does not result in the formation of elemental sodium or chlorine gas, which would damage our cells. However, we know that only a slight increase of sodium chloride in your diet can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, calcium losses, kidney damage, and so on. So, the question is, what happens if not all of the NaCl is dissociated into sodium ions and chloride ions? What if your body is under a toxic load and you are nutrient deficient, like about 95% of the population?
We already know that any elemental mineral needs to be converted in the body, resulting in toxic residues. What if your body can’t process and convert everything as efficiently as possible? What if some of the elemental sodium and chloride remains in the body after consuming NaCl and has to be neutralized just as any toxin or leftover after the bioconversion mechanism? And what kind of damage will they cause before they can be neutralized, especially in an unhealthy body that can barely detox and this process can take a very long time?
And would that scenario explain why people consuming a lot of sodium through dairy and animal foods never have a problem, and actually have excellent cardiovascular markers, while those using a lot of table salt or consuming a lot of salty processed foods have severe sodium-related problems?
Again, there are no definite answers as the science is very muddled and many researchers and scientists simply say “sodium” instead of “salt” or “sodium chloride,” not distinguishing between the elemental form and the organic bioactive form.
So, with that being said, I personally prefer to get fully bioavailable and bioactive sodium from animal sources, as that is sodium that has already been dissociated by the animal, chemically processed and stored by the body in the right chemical form identical to how we humans use and store sodium. If you eat most of your meat raw, there is no need for any kind of salt, as in adding an extra source of sodium. However, if you cook your meat, some minerals, including sodium will get lost, and you might need to add some salt to your diet, preferably Redmond or a high quality sea salt as these also contain other minerals and trace minerals. Personally, I would add some blood instead, as in beef blood, if concerned with not getting enough sodium (as it contains all electrolytes in perfect ratios.)
Still, minimally cooked meat is much more nutritious, more easily digested and simply more in tune with our physiology and our species-appropriate diet, so it makes no sense to heavily cook or salt your food.
Parmesan vs. Protein Bars
“TikTok content creators may promote parmesan cheese as “pure protein,” but it contains fat and carbs as well, said Stephani Johnson, DCN RDN.”
Uh, yeah. It contains fat, as in saturated fat, which is our natural energy source. And as for carbohydrates, that is a tricky bastard. As you likely know, parmesan is an aged and fermented cheese, which means that the bacteria consumes the sugars, as in lactose, over time, converting it into lactic acid. This process not only lowers the pH of the cheese but also reduces the carbohydrate/sugar and lactose content. As the cheese ages, the bacteria continue to consume any remaining sugars, leading to a further reduction in carbohydrate content. This process not only reduces the lactose content but also contributes to the cheese’s extended shelf life and its tangy flavor. By the time a parmesan cheese is fully aged and ready for consumption, the lactose content is almost zero and there’s only about 3 grams of carbs per 100 grams. And if you wait longer, it will decrease further.
So, no, correctly aged parmesan that is ready for consumption does not really contain any carbs, at least not anywhere comparable to a sugary and toxic protein bar (which usually contain 25 to 40 grams of carbs per 100 grams.)
“One ounce of parmesan cheese offers the following nutrients:
122 calories
11 grams of protein
8 grams of fat
5 grams of saturated fat
1 gram of carbohydrates”
One ounce is about 28 grams, as in about a typical “slice” of cheese. And those are some really good macros.
“Parmesan is also high in sodium, at 450 milligrams per ounce. The recommended daily sodium intake is less than 2,300 mg, with even lower limits advised for people with cardiovascular concerns, Johnson said.”
Actually, the recommended daily intake for physically active people, as this was about parmesan as a “workout snack,” is about 3 to 5 grams of sodium a day, which is quite a lot considering that regular salt only contains 40% sodium. So, 3 grams of sodium equals 7,5 grams of salt. The 2,300 mg recommendation would require 5.75 grams of salt.
And again, pure bioavailable sodium from an animal source is likely a lot better tolerated and handled by the body than unnatural sodium chloride from salt sources, so even if you overshoot your 3 grams of sodium or so, if it is natural sources, you will be just fine.
“On the other hand, protein bars typically contain anywhere from 5 to 30 grams of protein per serving, though most fall within the 10-20 g range, Johnson said. Their calorie, fat, carbohydrate, and sugar content also varies significantly depending on the bar’s size and ingredients.”
Oh, my. Not a word about all the chemicals, such as artificial sweeteners, coloring agents, artificial dyes, preservatives, and artificial toxic vitamins and minerals. Also, the fats are usually plant-based, as in seed oils, which will be rancid/oxidized and extremely toxic even before the protein bar leaves the factory. As for protein, it’s usually the cheapest milk protein or whey protein, or even worse, a plant-based crap-protein, all while parmesan is mostly highly bioavailable and natural casein and whey (as it is made from milk.)
And of course, most protein bars contain a lot of carbohydrates in various forms, or even sugar alcohols if they are labeled as “low carb.”
In short, a “protein bar “ is simply a candy bar with added protein and sometimes added artificial vitamins, which is really toxic.
“For example, a chocolate chip Clif Bar contains:
250 calories
10 grams of protein
6 grams of fat
43 grams of total carbohydrates
17 grams of sugar”
Yeah, that is extremely bad and proves my point. Atrocious.
Should You Choose Parmesan Over Protein Bars?
“Parmesan cheese is a naturally processed dairy product with a relatively simple ingredient list.”
Yes indeed, like milk and then some rennet, which comes from the stomach lining and is 100% natural. Sometimes a little bit of salt is added, but that is broken down in the process and only contributes a bit to the sodium content.
A protein bar usually has 20+ ingredients, of which perhaps one or two are somewhat “natural,” as in milk proteins (still highly processed though.)
“In contrast, the term ‘protein bar’ is much broader and encompasses a wide range of products, John said. Some protein bars have minimal ingredients, while others contain extensive ingredient lists, including natural and artificial sugars and various additives.”
Well, there are a few, like the Rise protein bar that has less than five ingredients, but they suck donkey balls — as they consist of toxic nut butter, toxic sweeteners, and a low quality protein powder, so it does not matter. Still, most protein bars that are available to most people will have 10 to 20 ingredients or more.
“Protein bars and parmesan have pros and cons, and there’s not necessarily a clear winner. Each serves different dietary purposes, and neither is inherently ‘healthier’ without considering an individual’s specific nutritional needs, she added.”
Is this lass, this Stephani Johnson, retarded? Protein bars have no “pros” and they cannot be healthy as they contain toxic and inappropriate ingredients/compounds for human physiology.
As for parmesan, it’s not an ideal snack, but it’s not bad either. I would prefer a raw steak or a few raw eggs, which would be the best food you could possibly have either hours before a workout or within the hours after a workout. If I had to choose a snack, it would be some dried meat such as beef jerky, biltong, pastirma or Carne Seca.
“If you’re worried about processed ingredients, you’re better off choosing parmesan cheese, said Julia Zumpano, RD, a dietitian at Cleveland Clinic. However, Zumpano recommends limiting the amount to one ounce for a snack.”
Everyone with a brain should be worried about plant-based processed crap, as it is species-inappropriate and highly toxic. And parmesan should be used as an occasional snack or as side-dish for extra flavoring when you consume your meat. It’s not meant to be a “food staple.”
Prioritize a Variety of Protein Sources
“It’s good to rotate your snack foods every now and then to make sure you’re getting a diverse number of foods in your diet, Zumpano said. Limit your protein bar intake to days when you don’t have time to eat anything else.”
This stupid and silly recommendation of “a diverse number of foods” stems from the fact that they know that all plant-based and processed foods are severely lacking in nutrients, but they are not allowed to say it outright, so they try to protect themselves by saying that you should eat a “varied diet.”
Well, if you consume real natural human food that is nutritionally complete, as in animal-based foods, this is not a concern. You will get all the nutrients you need from meat, and if you really want to make sure you are fully nourished, you can throw in the occasional organ meats and eggs here and there.
And if you do not have time to eat, you might want to reevaluate your lifestyle. However, on our natural species-appropriate human diet, you only need to eat two or three meals a day, and you’ll never be hungry or “run out of energy.” No need for snacks or more meals unless you desperately want to gain weight.
“Protein bars are phenomenally convenient and can provide a lot of benefits, Zumpano said, but they are ultimately convenience food.”
Convenient, yes. Benefits, no! Verywell Health really managed to gather a complete bunch of morons as their so-called “experts.” Comical.
“Don’t eat a protein bar if you’re sitting in your kitchen and have a refrigerator full of food, she said. Pick whole-ingredient foods and leave processed foods for days when you’re too busy for anything else.”
No, do not waste money and your health on them at all, as with anything plant-based and/or processed. Humans are obligate hyper carnivores, and the only way to be fully healthy and thrive is to eat according to our species, just as any other animal. It’s simple, it’s logical.
And if you like aged cheeses such as parmesan, they’re fine once in a while. I do have some aged cheese with my raw meat or raw liver about once a week or so on average.
Also, parmesan cheese is rich in several micronutrients, including calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin B12, zinc, vitamin A and riboflavin (vitamin B2.)
If you need help with any kind of health problems or transitioning from your current way of eating to our natural species-appropriate, species-specific way of eating, I’m available for both coaching and consultation.
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