Whey Protein versus Wild-Caught Salmon

I've caught myself using this comparison of whey protein versus wild-caught salmon in a few emails to the members here at Weight Lifting Complete so I wanted to share this with all of you.

Many people ask me questions about many different diet supplements but one of the biggest topics in these questions is whey protein.

I've used so much whey protein over the years that I probably know just about every brand and company out there. It was fun trying new protein powders just because none of them really tasted that great so I was always trying to find a better one.

Optimum Nutrition was always my favorite because of the taste, but I never really understood that foods like wild-caught salmon were far more powerful.

One day it finally hit me, and I haven't been using much whey protein powder since that day. And guess what? I feel even better and look even better since I got rid of the huge amount of whey protein I was consuming.

If I don't need it so much, you don't either.

What did I replace it with?

I replaced whey protein with protein from whole food sources like wild-caught salmon. You might be thinking… WHAT??? You can't do that!!! Everyone says that whey protein will build muscle. I was brainwashed in the past too. All of those fitness models and bodybuilders told me I needed lots of whey protein. I listened.

I was wrong. Been there and done that way too many times in my quest to build muscle and burn fat.

I'm sure you've been there too. It's almost impossible to not make any mistakes with all the information out there today. I've learned over the years, and I always want to share what I've learned with all of you.

I want to take a close look at whey protein and compare it to wild-caught salmon. Let's see which one is truly better!

A Comparison of Ingredients: Whey Protein Versus Wild-Caught Salmon

Whey Protein Ingredients List:

Notice the huge difference in the number of ingredients between the whey protein and the wild-caught salmon.

• Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolates, Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Peptides)
• Cocoa (Processed with Alkali)
• Lecithin
• Natural and Artificial Flavors
• Acesulfame Potassium
• Aminogen
• Lactase
• Allergen Information: Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients

Wild-Caught Salmon Ingredients List:

• Wild-Caught Salmon

If you've been reading the diet and nutrition section of the WLC System, you'll know that I recommend foods with only 1 single ingredient. This usually means the food is in it's natural state and there aren't any dangerous substances like preservatives added to the food.

You don't want to add ANY dangerous substances to your body.

A Comparison of Nutrition Facts: Whey Protein versus Wild-Caught Salmon

I want to compare 200 calories of whey protein with 200 calories of wild-caught salmon.

Whey Protein

• Calories = 200
• Protein = 40 grams
• Carbohydrates = 3 grams
• Sugars = 3 grams
• Fat = 3 grams
• Saturated Fat = 3 grams
• Cholesterol = 50 mg
• Sodium = 80 mg

Wild-Caught Salmon

• Calories = 200
• Protein = 21 grams
• Carbohydrates = 0 grams
• Sugars = 0 grams
• Fat = 13 grams
• Saturated Fat = 2 grams
• Cholesterol = 65 mg
• Sodium = 50 mg

You will see from the nutrition facts that the whey protein is looking pretty good, right? You get more protein but you don't get the healthy fats from the salmon. Whey protein on its own can raise your insulin levels while wild-caught salmon will not.

This is why I still recommend whey protein as a “supplement” but I will NEVER recommend it over a whole food source like wild-caught salmon.

What About Other Vitamins and Minerals?

When you look a little closer, though, than just the top-level nutrition facts you will find a MUCH different story.

Whey protein has a little bit of calcium in it and that's about it. All you're really getting from whey protein is protein!!!

What do you get from wild-caught salmon?

You get a huge amount of vitamin B12, a good amount of vitamin D, good amount of selenium, vitamin B3, an awesome dose of Omega 3 fatty acids, phosphorus, vitamin B6, iodine, choline, pantothenic acid, biotin, and potassium.

There's no comparison at all.

When you use the WLC System, your goal is to flood your body with nutrients. You want foods with a high density of nutrients. Just think if you spend most of your daily calories eating foods like whey protein instead of wild-caught salmon. You won't flood your body with nutrients.

Eat foods like salmon and you FLOOD your body with nutrients at every meal. This leads to lean muscle and fat loss. Works every time!

Health Benefits Comparison: Whey Protein versus Wild-Caught Salmon

Please keep in mind that whey protein is a processed food. Wild-caught salmon is not a processed food. You do have to be careful that you're not getting genetically modified wild caught salmon OR farm-raised salmon. You want to make sure it's wild-caught. You can find wild-caught salmon here if you're not sure: Wild-Caught Salmon. Or even try here: Ebay Wild Caught Salmon.

Health Benefits of Whey Protein

• Excellent source of protein
• Includes all essential amino acids
• Promotes faster recovery from workouts

Health Benefits of Wild-Caught Salmon

• Huge amount of Omega 3 fatty acids (especially ALA rather than EPA or DHA)
• Decreases inflammation
• Better overall transfer of information between body cells
• Better brain function
• Better overall cell function
• Cardiovascular benefits including decreases risk of heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure
• Improves your mood and brain function
• Protects your joints
• Decreased risk of eye issues
• May provide special support for joint cartilage
• May help insulin effectiveness
• May control inflammation in your digestive tract
• Decreased risk of cancers like prostate and breast cancer
• Selenium content offers decreased risk of inflammation in your joints

The health benefits of salmon compared to whey protein is actually ridiculous. Wild-caught salmon is amazing compared to whey protein. I hope you see that there is no comparison between the whole food and the supplement.

When someone tells you to have whey protein, let them know that you'll choose wild-caught salmon any day.

Other Thoughts on Whey Protein versus Wild-Caught Salmon

Whey protein also is risky because you never know where you're getting the powder and what's actually in the powder.

Some protein powder is loaded with dangerous sweeteners and other substances to give the protein a better flavor. You have to be careful with this as you should only get plain whey protein with no extra flavor added. You can always just add it to smoothies and let the natural flavor of the fruit take over.

You also have to be careful with wild-caught salmon and make sure you have a trustworthy source for the wild caught salmon. Don't pay ridiculous prices for the wild-caught salmon either. It's good, but it's NOT THAT good!

You don't want to get genetically modified salmon or farm-raised salmon as these 2 sources of salmon are not even close to wild-caught salmon. Be careful when buying and make sure you trust the source of ALL FOOD that you are eating.

If you live by the ocean, you might be able to find a local fisherman who will offer you some wild-caught fish.

I hope this article comparing whey protein to wild-caught salmon has really opened your eyes. Whey protein is a processed food while wild-caught salmon is a natural source of food given to us by God. That's why salmon would take the whey protein in a battle and rip it to pieces! Choose whole foods from natural sources over ANY processed food!