Night Time Protein

[The Iron Lord]

My girl has just recently gotten serious about her training and diet. Basically, her goals are to lose some weight and tone up. As far as diet goes, she is loosely following the body for life program. 5-6 small meals daily, consisting of a lean protein, complex carb, and a veggie. She is quite finicky about what she eats, and doesn't have much tolerance for what may taste less than delicious (I'm working on making her realize that food is a tool for the bodies we want, and isn't always about taste). Anyway, I'm looking for a pre-bed "meal" for her. She hates, and won't even consider eating cottage cheese. We're limiting her carbs before bed, so does anyone have a good protein / healthy fat combo that might work?

[Nicole]

If she likes shakes, she can try a whey/caseinate combo. The Casein is slower digesting.

Cottage cheese was another suggestion but I guess that won't work! Most people I know do cottage cheese. Has she tried putting spices on it? Lawreys Season salt is great on cottage cheese. Another thing I do is mix half cottage cheese, half tuna and pour hot sauce on it. Even my husband will eat that and he is a very picky eater. He hates protein!

Sorry I can't offer more. Maybe someone else can?

[The Iron Lord]

I should have mentioned that another dilema we face is that she doesn't like the taste of "engineered" protein. Therefore, shakes are pretty much out. I remember the days of slamming down can after can of cheap tuna. I think shakes are the greatest things ever!!!

[Nicole]

I guess if her main goal is to lose, weight she should have her last meal no later than 6 or 7 pm. After that I would just drink tea, water, or another diet drink. Maybe even some veggies if she is starving. It just really depends on goals and how hard-core she is into bodybuilding.

I agree that food won't always taste good and is used more for function at times. That is just something we deal with as bodybuilders. It is not for everyone.

If she want to do this bad enough, she will find a way to eat the less-than delicious foods.

[The Iron Lord]

She isn't "starving" when we go to bed, but we do cardio on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. By then, she IS starving. Thanks for your help.

[Nicole]

That is just something to get used to! After a while, you start to like that feeling. It just feels like you are tapping into those fat stores and getting rid of that unwanted fat!

If she wants to gain lean mass, I would suggest adding 5 g glutamine before cardio. I mix mine with Crystal Light. She should also drink water before, during, and after cardio to stay hydrated. This will also help with hunger.