Need some advice or want to know more about how supplements can help you meet your nutrition and fitness goals? We totally got you! Enter Naked Nutrition, who can do just that with their wholesome range of supplements. The best part…Naked Nutrition is transparent about what they sell. That way you know exactly what’s going into your body, and what’s more important than that? From Grass-Fed Whey Protein to Pea Protein Powder to Organic Brown Rice Protein Powder, Naked Nutrition provides the purest supplements. Their proteins are loaded with essential amino acids and no artificial sweeteners or colors and are they are commitment to offering the best protein powders and supplements which extends to all products including Powdered Peanut Butter, Casein Protein, Creatine Monohydrate and more. No additives means your body gets more of what it needs and not what big agribusinesses use to pad their bottom line. Take your nutrition to the next level with Naked Nutrition. Today we chat to Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist Grace Goodwin Dwyer, all about how supplements can work for us in general and break down Naked Nutrition’s three most popular supplements, advice on incorporating healthier habits that are sustainable, way to get more fruit and vege into your day the convenient way and her favourite “on-the-go” Naked Nutrition snacks. Plus, if you are a fan of smoothies like us, 3 amazing recipes to try right now!
Welcome Grace, thank you for chatting to us today all about the Naked Nutrition range and your valuable advice on creating healthy habits plus some nutrition recommendations and recipes! First up, overall how can supplements work for us with our health and fitness routines and improve our lifestyle in general?
Supplements are a helpful tool for filling in nutritional gaps that result from our diets, lifestyles, or certain medical conditions. For instance, if you avoid dairy for medical or environmental reasons, supplements can help ensure you’re getting the protein and minerals you’re missing out on. Or, if you’re recovering from surgery or an injury, supplemental protein from shakes or smoothies can help supply the nutritional materials you need to heal. Thanks to supplements, we have a convenient way to ensure we’re getting everything we need to best support our health – which helps take some pressure off our diets.
Supplements are not one-size-fits-all; which ones you need depend on your diet, your exercise routine, your health history, and your lifestyle. For example, if you eat a plant-based diet, supplements offering nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and protein are helpful, whereas someone on a more carnivorous diet is likely getting plenty of those.
Let’s dive more into supplements! Can you talk us through the benefits and how to best use a pre-workout, protein powder, and collagen?
All three of these powders – pre-workout, protein, and collagen – each offer different benefits. Let’s discuss these one-by-one:
Pre-workout is designed to boost your energy for better fitness performance. Like its name suggests, take this supplement about 20-30 minutes before hitting the gym. Pre-workout can be mixed with water, sports drink, or any other liquid that you find easy to digest before working out.
Protein powders deliver high doses of the macronutrient that serves as the building block for our muscles, bones, skin, hormones, and many other cells. For athletes and fitness fans, protein can help support performance by building and maintaining lean muscle mass. Protein also helps us feel full after eating. A wide range of protein powders exists, ranging from animal-based (like whey, casein, egg) to plant-based (pea, rice, and peanut). Protein powders can be blended into smoothies, baked into snacks, or shaken up with water.
Collagen powder delivers a specific type of protein that’s found predominantly in our skin, bones, and connective tissues. Research shows that collagen supplements may help play a role in joint health and wound healing. While humans naturally synthesize collagen on our own from the amino acids we eat, taking supplemental collagen can help ensure these “ingredients” are available. Collagen is highly soluble and basically tasteless, which means it can be dissolved into coffee, smoothies, or just about any other liquid.
What are your faves on the go Naked Nutrition snacks?
I’m a huge fan of energy balls because they are quick to make and full of nutrients. This particular recipe is packed with protein, fiber, and plant-based fats, all of which should help you feel satisfied after eating. Energy balls are easy to transport in your gym bag or backpack if you’re on the go.
Protein cookies are another delicious snack if you’re craving something sweeter, but still want the benefit of a protein boost. This recipe can easily be made gluten-, dairy-, and egg-free, so it’s an ideal fit if you’re conscious of those allergens.
As a nutritionist, what is the first piece of advice you have for anyone wanting to start incorporating healthier habits and a sustainable exercise routine into their lifestyle?
One of the biggest mistakes I see as a nutritionist is the “all-or-nothing” mentality. When it comes to building healthier habits, people think they must make drastic changes in order for it to matter (like super-strict diets or elaborate meal-prepping regimens). In reality, making gradual shifts are more likely to stick and actually become a lifestyle change, rather than a short-term strategy. Focusing on one strategy at a time – for example, eating a protein-rich breakfast every day – is where I recommend you start.
When it comes to exercise, I can’t stress enough how important it is to try to find an activity you actually like! So many different options exist, especially now that many fitness classes are available online. For example, if you’ve tried running and it wasn’t your cup of tea, you can try cycling, hiking, high-intensity interval training, rowing, power-yoga, dance, or so many other activities instead. What gets you excited about moving may be different than your friends and family – and that’s OK.
What are your favourite motivation tips and tricks?
Tracking can help you stay motivated with a new healthy behavior. Whether it’s documenting in a journal, on a paper calendar, or in a habit-tracking app, writing down or “checking off” that you’re sticking to your plan can help you stay accountable and assess your progress.
If you’re trying to change your lifestyle but struggling to stay motivated, try tapping into your deeper values. When it comes to eating healthier, many of us tend to focus on surface level goals, like losing 10 pounds. Instead, consider eating healthier to align your actions with your long-term values. This might be things like being a better model for your family by taking care of yourself, or eating more sustainably to help protect the environment.
Can you let us in on your best nutrition hack to get more fruit and veggies into our everyday?
Here are two quick tips for getting more fruits and vegetables (which, of course, are a vital part of getting our daily dose of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins to optimize health):
First, set yourself up for success by making these foods effortless to grab. Take ten minutes after you grocery-shop to ensure that the fruits and veg you purchased are washed, sliced, and easily visible in your fridge to use as snacks and sides throughout the week.
A second tip is to incorporate produce into more cooked dishes. Any kind of soup, stew, sauce, a casserole, or baked good is an easy place to slip in fruits or vegetables. Check out a few examples: mix pureed butternut squash to mac and cheese; add grated zucchini to baked goods; or soften baby spinach into any soup in the final moments of cooking. This tip is particularly helpful if you don’t like these foods raw, since their taste is more subtle.
We LOVE smoothies here at TDP, particularly in the summer months! We would love you to share your 3 favourite smoothie recipes!
I’m glad you mentioned smoothies since these are yet another great place to add both fruits and vegetables! Smoothies and shakes are also an ideal spot for your supplements, including protein and collagen powder. Here are a few tasty smoothie recipes with different flavor profiles:
- Blueberry Banana Smoothie – this is a classic fruity flavor combo that’s rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals
- Secret Greens Shake – this vegan choice pairs fruit with greens and pea protein for a tangy, revitalizing combo
- Chocolate Collagen Shake – this low-carb option is so chocolatey that it feels like a treat
Where can we find Naked Nutrition and shop the range?
Naked Nutrition has a supplement lineup centered on premium ingredients, without additives to support your health and fitness goals. You can find their products here.
Grace Goodwin Dwyer, MS, MA, RDN, LDN, is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist who works in private practice Nashville, Tennessee. She enjoys helping her clients separate fact from fiction to feel less stress around food.
Team TDP x
