The importance of eating quality foods to lose weight has been around for a very long time, however not many people seem to understand the concept of healthy ingredients. This is because most people associate “healthy” with “fat.” It’s true that fatty foods have more calories, but they also contain necessary nutrients to help you stay healthy, such as protein and fiber, which can’t be found in fatty foods.
For example, one of the biggest misconceptions about healthy ingredients is that they are high in fat and cholesterol. Fat is not only bad for you, it’s also a poor quality ingredient, as it clogs up the arteries. On the other hand, there are some great quality ingredients that are healthy, fat-free and cholesterol-free, which can include fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, and fruits and vegetables. Many of the most popular low-carb, high-protein, low-calorie diets incorporate a variety of whole foods in their menus.1
The truth is that the importance of eating quality foods goes beyond the idea of losing weight. You have to think about your long term health too, in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy ingredients helps you prevent heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other life threatening diseases. If you’re not getting enough nutrients, then you will not live a long, healthy life. So start changing your lifestyle today by eating healthier and focusing on the importance of choosing healthy ingredients over unhealthy ones. You’ll thank yourself for it.
What is Maca? A Superfood With Nutritional Value For Both Body and Mind
Maca is a plant that grows wild across many areas of Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. The maca plant is a relative of grasses such as wheat, rye, barley, triticale, and oats, and has similar structural and chemical properties to these plants.2
Maca is derived from what is known as the Andes Mountains. Maca comes from several species of grasses that grow abundantly in the Andes Mountains, including Panicum vulgaris, and are very high in nutrients and protein content. These plants are cultivated throughout the Andes mountains and can be used for their energy levels in foods such as smoothies, millet, maca, and a number of other unique recipes. Maca is not only a high-protein and high-oil product; it is also a great source of fiber. As such, if used properly, it can help to regulate one’s energy levels and allow one to live a healthier lifestyle.3
The nutritional and structural benefits of maca root make it a wonderful addition to a well balanced diet, especially when incorporating it into an everyday eating program. It is recommended that the nutritional value of what is Maca? Maca should be used with caution in cases of food allergies, hypoglycemia, and kidney or liver problems, as it can elevate blood sugar and insulin levels. To ensure an overall well being and to optimize its effects on energy levels and your health in general, make sure you buy organic products that have maca.4
What Are the Health Benefits of Maca?
Maca is a plant that is a derivative of the root of a large tubersome plant, used primarily in South America, but also cultivated elsewhere. This superfood was first grown and used in some remote regions of the globe for hundreds of years and is gradually gaining popularity even in developed nations.5
One of the key benefits of maca is that its rich carbohydrates provide a steady supply of energy to the muscles, which in turn helps you to feel less drowsy after eating. Because of this, a glass of maca mixed with a handful of ice-cubes makes a great boost of energy, especially useful if you’re trying to fight the fatigue that comes from traveling. Add it to a warm, smoothie for a low-carb boost that’s also healthy; a chocolate smoothie works too, as long as it’s loaded up on nutrients. For health benefits that go beyond energy, look for maca in shampoos and lotions. For both beauty and health benefits, maca powder mixes make an excellent facial mask; simply mix water with maca powder, add a few drops of rosewater or lemon juice, and you’ve got yourself a healthy, attractive mask!6
Maca benefits also extend to sexual health. Research has shown that maca root may help to increase sperm count and motility. As for sexual health, maca benefits men’s performance in bed, but only if the plant is used in its raw form. For improved performance and libido, use a quality supplement loaded with maca extracts.
That depends, again, on whether it’s been ground up or steamed. In either form, the nutrients remain active, which means that you get the most benefits when you make an effort to use the plant in its whole form. Ground up root is more likely to provide the same health benefits, but it’s likely to take a much longer period of time to get those benefits.7
The roots of this superfood are readily available and can be picked, dried, or brewed into tea. Steamed, or raw, maca makes a wonderful part of a healthful diet, but it can also be used as a great addition to any supplement regimen. In fact, the benefits of maca go far beyond just adding extra energy to your meals.
Can Maca Be Added To Protein Bars?
Can Maca be added to protein bars? Yes, because this herb has a lot of great nutrients for our bodies. For example, it contains calcium and magnesium. It also has high levels of potassium and manganese. Many protein supplements that are out there don’t have these because they don’t contain all of the nutrients that our bodies need. If you are looking for a great protein supplement that will help build muscle, help to reduce stress, and provide your body with many vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, look for a protein bar with maca. You can find these protein bars at health stores, drugstores, and even online.
What Are the Benefits of Maca in Protein Bars?
Firstly, the benefits of protein and maca are rooted in ancient times when it was used as a staple food for the Incan. They used it to build muscle, burn fat, heal wounds, boost energy, and produce essential amino acids which are needed to assimilate protein and minerals. What are the benefits of protein and maca from an Incan standpoint? The Incan people were known for their energy, their strength, and their well being. In fact, they were said to live longer than the average person!
From an athletic standpoint, maca is highly beneficial for any athlete. Athletes use it to increase their strength, to speed up recovery, and to amplify their physical endurance. As far as recovery, maca allows you to repair easy muscle tissue that is torn down during intense workouts.
If you’re someone who wants to lose weight, you can benefit greatly from consuming a diet high in maca and protein. It will help to regulate your appetite and suppress your cravings. It will also help to control your cholesterol levels. And it will even help to keep your skin looking younger.
When people think about spiritual growth, they often envision people who practice meditation and take time to reflect. People who eat a balanced diet full of natural food such as maca and protein may also find themselves becoming more spiritually aware. They may be more open to new things, and be less closed-minded.8
There are many benefits of maca and protein from both a physical and spiritual perspective. If you’re interested in taking a supplement, check with your health care professional first. They will be able to tell you whether or not you should include a natural product like maca in your diet. If you’re interested, it’s important to get educated and start using the protein and maca to gain all of these benefits. They seem pretty clear. It is an amazing plant that has a lot to offer those who are interested in the nutritional aspects of food. And, of course, the rest of us! The benefits are many, and we can’t afford to miss out.
Image Credits
Gym Beam / Google Stock Images
Food Revolution Network / Google Stock Images
NineLife / 2021
My Whole Food Life / 2021
1 “5 functional ingredients that bring a wealth of health benefits.” 18 Sep. 2017, https://www.fooddive.com/news/5-functional-ingredients-that-bring-a-wealth-of-health-benefits/504794/ Accessed 9 Nov.
2 “9 Benefits of Maca Root (and Potential Side Effects) – Healthline.” 28 Jul. 2021, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-maca-root Accessed 9 Nov. 2021.
3 “MACA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions … – WebMD.” https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-555/maca Accessed 9 Nov. 2021.
4 “Maca Root: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions.” https://www.verywellhealth.com/ways-maca-may-benefit-your-health-89573 Accessed 9 Nov. 2021.
5 “9 Benefits of Maca Root (and Potential Side Effects) – Healthline.” 28 Jul. 2021, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-maca-root Accessed 9 Nov. 2021.
6 “What Maca Root Can Do For Your Health Explained – WebMD.” https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-diet-maca-root Accessed 9 Nov. 2021.
7 “Maca Root: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions.” https://www.verywellhealth.com/ways-maca-may-benefit-your-health-89573 Accessed 9 Nov. 2021.
8 “Maca Powder: Benefits, Nutrition And Uses | HuffPost null.” 22 Nov. 2017, https://www.huffpost.com/archive/au/entry/maca-powder-benefits-nutrition-and-uses_a_23284913 Accessed 9 Nov. 2021.