Realist

VS.

The Industry

As Realists, we want to empower consumers to rise above an industry that has a culture of creating marketing fluff to convince customers to buy their products.

Do any of the ingredients below look familiar?

Chances are that you can find at least one of these ingredients in a product you have consumed lately which may have been masquerading as "healthy" or a "healthy alternative."

Sucralose

Why does the industry use this ingredient?

A zero-calorie artificial sweetener that allows the ability to sweeten products without increasing the calories or sugar listed on the nutrition label.

Reported potential side effects include:

  • Migraines
  • Headaches
  • Intestinal cramping
  • Bloating
  • Acne

Stevia
(White)

Why does the industry use this ingredient?

This sweetener is derived from the stevia plant and is claimed to be “healthy” and “natural.” A zero-calorie sweetener that allows the ability to sweeten products without increasing the calories or sugar listed on the nutrition label.

Reported potential side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Bloating

Most extractions of this sweetener include the use of chemicals.

Erythritol

Why does the industry use this ingredient?

Erythritol (sugar alcohol) is a sweetener that is normally derived from corn or wheat starch. This nearly zero-calorie "healthy" sweetener allows the ability to sweeten products without noticeably increasing the calories or sugar listed on the nutrition label.

Reported potential side effects include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Upset Stomach

Xanthan Gum

Why does the industry use this ingredient?

This additive works as a thickening agent and stabilizer to prevent the separation of ingredients.

Reported potential side effects include:

  • Gas
  • Bloating

Soy Lecithin

Why does the industry use this ingredient?

Soy Lecithin is an additive used to prevent clumping and improve mixability of ingredients.

Recognized as an allergen.

Remember to proceed with caution and look beyond the "healthy" facade of these ingredients the next time you encounter them.

Different Types of Whey Protein

The good news is that you've decided that consuming whey protein would be beneficial to your health. The bad news is you have discovered there are multiple types of whey protein. What is the difference between them? Here is a quick breakdown between the 2 main types of whey protein:

Studies have also shown that protein consumption benefits include:

Isolate

Concentrate
  • Higher protein per gram content than concentrate
  • Minimal amount of fat, carbs, and lactose
  • Higher cost than whey concentrate
  • Lowest protein per gram content of all whey
  • Higher fat, carbs, and lactose than other whey
  • Lowest cost whey