Nutritional Buying Guide

Whether you are a coach, parent, or player these are my favorite nutritional finds for athletes that I would buy again and again after 11 years of coaching full time.

Choosing the right supplements is hard.

Helpful links and buying guides for coaches, parents, and players looking for a little help. 

If you are going to spend your money, do it right the first time. 

Let’s make sure you have all the facts and pick the right equipment before making such important investments.

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Having a background in fitness since childhood I have tried ALL the trendy products and brands seen on Instagram claiming to produce results fast. I used to only look at the nutritional label, only caring what macros it had and how much protein a product contained. It wasn’t until I finally figured out that the products that were claiming to make me fit and healthy were actually the ones that were making me sick. I started to actually read and research ingredient labels, and was blown away by the amount of crap and inflammatory ingredients in our so called ‘healthy’ foods.

Now, I am a firm believer in making sure that we understand the ingredients in our food and keeping it as simple as we can, especially for our young athletes. Food is fuel, and by fueling our bodies as efficiently as possible will only help our performance in the short term and in long run. By sticking to foods that are minimally processed, we keep both our bodies, our guts, and our muscles happy. 

Nontoxic, organic products are inherently more expensive because they use quality ingredients, but healthy doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. These are my favorite products that are accessible and affordable to anyone trying to improve their health and performance on the field. 

For now, these are my favorite on the go ‘softball player’ favorites that are a staple of mine when I play and coach. I’ll keep adding more items if there’s an interest!

GoMacro MacroBar Organic Vegan Protein Bars

Meet my favorite protein bar. I love these because they have a good texture (some all natural bars are just yuck), they have minimal ingredients, gut friendly, and are the perfect mid day or between game snack. These come in a ton of different flavors but my favorite is the peanut butter chocolate chip and and the coconut chocolate chip bars. But, TBH, they are all good. DISCLAIMER: I am not vegan, but the majority of the ingredients in most whey protein bars does more damage to our guts and overall health than they're sometimes worth.

ALOHA Organic Plant Based Protein Bars

Another great option if you can't find the GoMacro bars. I like these because these are easier to find in stores than the GoMacro bars. I have found these in gas stations and even in drug stores. These readily available bars are great because they are organic, don't include any fillers, and have a great texture. My favorite flavor is the chocolate chip cookie dough. Perfect for a nice pick me up before or after your games and practices.

I am not vegan, but the majority of the artificial and highly processed ingredients in MOST whey protein powders does more damage to our guts and overall health than they’re sometimes worth. Whether you are plant based or lactose intolerant, here are two fantastic vegan options for athletes looking to get their protein fixes!

Truvani - Plant Based Protein Powder

Depending on the flavor you choose, this protein powder only has 5-7 ingredients. Only REAL FOOD. No fillers. No preservatives. No artificial colors. No artificial sweeteners. Provides your muscles with a complete amino acid profile allowing you to build and maintain healthy lean muscles. Coming in at 20g of protein, this powder is also certified USDA organic, NON-GMO, vegan-friendly, and stevia free. I linked the Vanilla but there are 4 flavors. I have personally tried all of the favors including vanilla, chocolate, banana cinnamon, and chocolate peanut butter and they are all super good!

Ora Organic - Vegan Protein Powder

Organic, plant based protein powder that is non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Dairy-Free, and also free from fillers and artificial ingredients.. Includes 22 grams of protein and 20+ superfoods for added micronutrients and all essential amino acids to ensure you get the most out of your post-workout routine. Clean, whole-food ingredients sourced from USDA organic certified farms. Heavy metal tested. Safe for kids and breastfeeding or pregnant mamas. Comes in chocolate, vanilla, and vanilla chai flavor.

A quick blurb about Whey Protein Powders and the differences between Whey Protein and Whey Protein Isolate or Concentrate! 

At first glance it may seem like the two protein powders listed below are so similar that the differences may not matter… but keep reading below to learn how whey protein powder and isolate each provide unique benefits! 

The main difference is that each has different amounts of lactose (a sugar found in milk) and fat, depending on its intended use. 

Whey protein is a byproduct derived when milk is processed to make cheese or yogurt. Due to the high content of fast-digesting proteins, whey protein is a popular option for supplemental protein intake. This nutritionally complete protein is packed with all the amino acids you need to build muscle, lose weight, or accelerate recovery after a hard workout. A good, high quality, whey protein should have around a 80% protein content with higher amounts of fat, carbohydrates, and lactose.

When separated from milk, whey can be processed into whey concentrate and whey isolate. Both whey concentrate and whey isolate are often touted as the undisputed kings of the protein powder world due to their high-quality proteins. Whey Isolate is processed to reduce its fat, calories, and lactose content, leaving around 90% protein. Whey protein isolate may be better for people who have trouble digesting lactose (lactose intolerance), or if you are trying to increase your protein intake without the extra calories or fat, this form of protein would be for you. Whey Isolate and Concentrate are typically higher in price than normal whey protein powder in its simplest form.

If you’re comparing whey protein vs isolates on Amazon or other websites please be careful. There are so many options that it can be overwhelming – but the overall takeaway from this page should be to keep it as simple as possible. ALWAYS CHECK THE INGREDIENTS! IF there are ingredients on the label that you can’t pronounce or aren’t sure what they are DON’T buy them! Artificial flavors, fillers and gums are also a HUGE red flag for ANY product you are putting in your body!

Promix - Whey Protein Powder
5lb Bulk (61 Servings)

This 4 ingredient, grass-fed and 100% all natural post workout powder can be used in shakes, smoothies, baking, and cooking recipes! I love this brand because Promix stands by their 'No Artificial Anything Promise.' All Promix products are free of casein, gluten, soy, GMOs, hormones, antibiotics, refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, stevia, gums, fillers, and bleach. Coming in at 25g and 5.9g of branched-chain amino acids per serving this protein is a perfect starter option for athletes on the run who want a complete nutritional profile from their protein powder. This protein powder comes in 4 flavors including chocolate, vanilla, chocolate peanut butter, & peanut butter!

Promix - Whey Protein Isolate Powder
5lb Bulk (55 Servings)

Also made from only 4 whole food Ingredients, this protein powder is another winner from Promix. Made of grass-fed whey (rich in naturally occurring antioxidants and healthy fats), sunflower lecithin (naturally high in phosphatidylcholine), raw cacao & cocoa (high in antioxidants), and coconut sugar (lower glycemic index, minimally processed natural sweetener). That’s it. The Isolate is also free of gluten, soy GMOs, hormones, antibiotics, refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, stevia, gums, fillers, and bleach. It's packed with 31g of protein, 6.8g of branched-chain amino acids, and 14.2g of essential amino acids per serving. Micro-filtered to less than 1g of lactose for fast and easy digestion. This protein powder is a slight step up from the Promix whey protein powder listed above with a slightly higher protein content. The Isolate comes in chocolate or unflavored options.

REDMOND Re-Lyte Electrolyte Drink Mix

I can't get over how many girls pump their bodies with nothing but Gatorades, BodyArmors, or even Powerades at games and practices and believe it's healthy (heck I did it too). Even drinks that claim that they have 'zero sugar' have just as harmful (if not more) fake sugars in their ingredients. Re-lyte uses real salt to create an ideal micronutrient balance with a 2:1 sodium:potassium ratio along with other crucial electrolytes for cell performance and recovery. It has a subtle sweet & salty flavor that's jam packed with electrolytes, trace minerals, coconut water powder and natural flavors. When I have a long day of lessons, a tough workout, or just want to hydrate a little extra that day, I add this to my water to give it a little pick me up. I have shown many family and friends to this brand and they love it just as much as I do! This comes in many flavors (all of them are good BTW) in either scoop or stick form!

REDMOND Re-Lyte Immunity & Multivitamin Supplement Mix

From the same brand as above, this drink mix has all the essentials in it to supercharge your body’s natural immune response— without any unhealthy additives getting in the way. This mix has the essential nutrients to boost immunity and increase energy, including Vitamins C, D, B12, Zinc, Ginger, Turmeric and Elderberry. This is basically a sugar and additive free version of Emergen-C without all of the junk included. It also tastes WAY better than those, and not even a close comparison IMO. When I have a long week of clinics or am traveling I always try to give my body the extra vitamins it needs in case I am feeling run down. This drink mix comes in Elderberry And Orange Pineapple flavor. I have both and I like both equally.

At the diamond and off, it’s important to fuel your body as effectively as possible. Sometimes the best answer is the simple one. The above products are great for players on the go – but always remember that a simple banana, orange, or a handful of almonds can also be great options for in between innings and games. 

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