Whole Foods and Protein Supplements

Whole Foods and Protein Supplements

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October 3, 2012

Proteins are very important as they help in the building of muscles and repair of tissues among other functions in the body. For some people, the amount of protein that is contained in whole foods is not enough to cater for their bodily protein demands. Consequently, they turn to protein supplements. As Brown University (n.d.) explains, supplements are a "group of nutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fats and oils) that are meant to supplement, but not substitute for a healthy diet that you can eat on a regular basis". The major users of protein supplements are athletes who use protein supplements to increase endurance and build muscles. This paper will compare and contrast whole foods and protein supplements.

One difference between the two is the types of nutrients in each. In protein supplements, only one type of nutrient is available: protein. In contrast, whole foods contain a wide array of nutrients including calories, vitamins, and minerals. This makes it hard to choose what will be absorbed into the body and what will not be absorbed. Moreover, protein supplements are manufactured such that that one can choose the specific amino acids that one wants to take which is impossible in whole foods (Fink, Mikesky & Burgoon, 2012).

Another difference between the two pertains to the cost. As Fink, Mikesky and Burgoon (2012) point out, whole foods are cheaper than protein supplements. However, as Bampa, Pasquale and Cornacchia (2003) point out that there are times when whole foods cost more than whole foods.

The other difference pertains to the shelf life of the two. Protein supplements are made up of preservatives and these ensure that the supplements last for long. On the other hand whole foods do not contain any preservatives and so do not last for long like the protein supplements.

The intake of the two also forms a significant difference between whole foods and...