Experts Warn: Go Easy on the Protein Shakes

While trying to find a story for our What's Trending feature this morning, I stumbled upon this article about a study published in Nature Metabolism. These smart researchers are warning us to go easy on protein shakes.

They claim that high-protein diets lead to the buildup of fats in artery walls. They found that loading up on too much of one particular amino acid, called leucine, could up our risk of cardiovascular disease. Well, that's a wake-up call!  I don't know about you, but  I chug down protein shakes left and right. I  thought I was doing my body a favor by helping to build muscle.  Now workout fanatics find there is a potential downside.

I have a gym in my basement and usually hit the gym pretty hard after I take care of my chickens, ducks, and pigeons.  These chores are pretty tiresome and time-consuming.  By the time I get home from doing the morning show and then start doing my chores, I usually cannot seem to finish my chores before 4 o'clock.  By then, I am pretty wiped out. Getting up at the crack of dawn for work means I often feel drained by the time I'm done with my home chores and it's workout time.  In order to get the energy to power through those workout sessions, I rely on protein shakes. I have a small one before hitting the basement gym.  Trust me I need it to give me that extra boost of energy.  I usually have another one afterward to help my muscles recover, and while it may just be in my head, I feel stronger afterward.  All the marketing has told us that protein is essential for building muscle and staying fit.

I was not surprised to read about the potential downsides of going overboard with consuming protein.  According to Newsweek, excessive protein intake raises the risk of cardiovascular disease. Clogging our arteries with protein is certainly not healthy. Experts say we only need 15% of protein as our intake of daily calories.  Maybe we all need to stop drinking protein shakes like they're going out of style. It looks like we need to find a balance,  that sweet spot between giving our bodies what they need, and not overloading it with too much of what we think is a good thing.

Step into any gym, and you'll encounter a fascinating mix of people. From dedicated fitness enthusiasts who make it their second home to the occasional gym-goers looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the gym is a melting pot for different types of people. Whether you encounter the chiseled bodybuilders grunting their way through their workouts and pushing their limits, the energetic cardio enthusiasts dripping with sweat, or the tranquil yogis seeking balance and inner peace.

You'll find a little bit of everything at the gym, each person with their unique goals and motivations, all hustling to become the best version of themselves. While the gym's environment is diverse, you can always count on seeing these 12 types of people.

You can't miss them! They're the ones who unleash a symphony of intense sounds with every rep and lift. Picture this: as they push their limits, they let out a mix of grunts, groans, and maybe even a few primal screams. It's like they're summoning their inner beast to move those weights. Some people find it amusing, while others are in awe of their raw determination. Love it or find it a bit over the top, there's no denying that the grunter is fully committed to giving it their all.

The selfie-obsessed person at the gym, always ready to strike a pose. You'll often find them strategically positioning themselves in front of the mirrors, smartphone in hand, capturing every angle of their workout. They spend more time adjusting filters and finding the perfect lighting than breaking a sweat. It's as if their main goal is to document their gym experience rather than truly engage in it. While some might roll their eyes at their self-indulgence, you can't deny their commitment to curating the perfect fitness-focused social media feed.

Beware of the equipment hoarder at the gym! They are the ones who seem to lay claim to every piece of equipment in sight. You'll notice them piling up dumbbells, barbells, and resistance bands around their workout station as if creating their own personal fitness fortress. They may jump from one machine to another without giving others a chance, leaving a trail of sweat and equipment in their wake. It's as if they believe possession is nine-tenths of the workout. While their determination to get the most out of their gym session is admirable, it's important to remind them that sharing is caring.

Bodybuilders are all about building and sculpting those muscles. You'll often find them spending a ton of time at the gym, lifting weights like there's no tomorrow. They focus on specific muscle groups, hitting them from all angles to promote muscle growth and definition.

At the gym, you might come across couples working out together. They are often seen supporting and motivating each other during their fitness journey. They may engage in activities such as partner workouts, spot each other during weightlifting, or participate in group fitness classes together.

Some gym-goers treat the gym like their own personal social club. It's not just about sweating it out for them. It's about having a good chat and making connections while they're at it. They love striking up conversations, whether it's with the regulars they see every day or with someone they've never met before. They’ll be mid-workout, and you'll see them cracking jokes, sharing fitness tips, and maybe even gossiping.

There are some elderly people out who are all about staying fit and healthy. They understand the importance of maintaining their mobility, strength, and overall well-being. You'll often find them at the gym, doing low-impact exercises or joining specialized classes tailored just for seniors.

In every gym, you'll likely come across a slow-paced gym goer. These individuals prefer a more relaxed and leisurely approach to their workouts. They take their time, focusing on proper form and technique rather than rushing through exercises. You might see them moving at a slower pace on the cardio machines or using lighter weights during strength training. They prioritize listening to their bodies and avoiding pushing themselves too hard.

They're all about getting their heart rate up and keeping those lungs pumping. You'll spot them on the treadmills, bikes, or elliptical machines, going the distance to improve their endurance and keep their cardiovascular health in check.

The "wannabe trainer" is usually a gym-goer who seems to think they're the next fitness guru. You'll spot them giving unsolicited advice, offering tips, and demonstrating exercises to anyone within earshot. They may not be certified personal trainers, but that doesn't stop them from giving out their "expertise." Sometimes they mean well, wanting to help others, but other times, they just love the sound of their own voice. They might correct your form, suggest different exercises, or even try to design a whole workout plan for you.

They put significant effort into their workout attire and always look stylish at the gym. They may wear the latest fitness fashion trends and accessories. You'll often spot them rocking the latest fitness fashion trends, from sleek and colorful activewear to high-performance sneakers. Some do say, "when you look good, you feel good."

You'll find them at the gym bright and early, even before the sun has fully risen. While the rest of the world is still cozy in their beds, these dedicated people are already breaking a sweat. Whether hitting the weights, jumping on the treadmill, or joining an early morning class, they're committed to squeezing in their workout before the rest of the world wakes up.

Apparently, fitness doesn't rest, even when the sun goes down. Night owl gym goers prefer to hit the gym when most people are calling it a day. While everyone else is getting ready for bed, they're lacing up their sneakers and heading out for a late-night workout. You'll find them in the gym, pushing their limits and getting their adrenaline pumping when the rest of the world is in dreamland.

I love leftovers, but sometimes it's hard to eat them all. You run out of time before you can finish all of it. As a matter of fact, according to a new study, the food I eat the most is the food that is hardest to use up.

That's according to a study that was commissioned by Hello Fresh. The survey shows that about one-third of us don't eat leftovers mainly because we forget about them. The uneaten foods find their way to some out-of-view location in the refrigerator in some unmarked and unidentified container only to be discovered long after it's too late.

The waste isn't limited to leftovers. Condiments don't last forever, but they do last a long time. However, there are certain condiments and ingredients that we use so infrequently that there's no way we could ever use them up before we deem them unacceptable for human consumption.

The study found that "23% of people who go grocery shopping wind up purchasing at least five food items a week that they wish they could get in smaller quantities, like bunches of grapes or strands of herbs."  Sadly, "a fifth of respondents shared that they often overestimate how much food they’ll use when grocery shopping."

Then there are the perishable foods that we could finish, but we almost never do. The survey found that these are the top six foods that are the "hardest ingredients/foods to use up."

This seems totally accurate, as I mentioned, the number one item is the one food that I eat the most, but still seem to waste a lot of it.

My daughter loves avocado on toast, so I usually buy these in a six-pack. We usually wasted one of two every week, but it's better than not having enough. That fits right in with the fact that 17% of all avocados are wasted.

Sometimes it's hard to finish all the bread before it gets moldy. It depends on how many sandwiches the make a week. If the kids have a few days off of school it throws off the whole bread slice weekly estimate.

These are really hard to predict each week. Fortunately, apples can be used in several different ways. In a salad, by itself, in a pie, and even in cereal.

OMG, milk! It's the worst when you drink mild by accident that's gone bad. If you don't check the date or give it a smell it can ruin a bowl of cereal or a cup of coffee. There's also the mistake of buying milk when you already have lots of it. Then you're looking for ways to drink it up before it gets sour.

Our family eats a lot of bananas, but we always seem to throw a few out every week. It's almost the perfect snack! It's cheap, prewrapped, and lets you know in an obvious way that it's gone bad.

I eat a lot of salad, and I love the salad kits or premade bags of salad. One of the things I appreciate is that the expiration date on those bags is usually spot on. Leftover lettuce from a sliced up head of lettuce is the food that gets wasted the most.