Let's face it, eating healthy is hard work and healthy snacks are essential to stay fueled and recovered from daily physical activities. We need a product that will provide sustained energy and recovery in every bite; the perfect balance of macro-nutrients (Protein, Carbohydrates, Fat) in healthy organic ingredients. Busy Moms, Dads, kids, and even elite athletes often ignore the importance of correctly balanced macros. It's a game changer when your food works for you, not against you. Through experience I've found success in a 50.25.25 built meal plan. That is 50% carbohydrates, 25% protein, and 25% healthy fats to keep you healthy and strong. Bring on YonBons...
YonBons are designed at 50% carbs, 25% protein, and 25% healthy fats, built specifically to keep you in the correct zone as a snack between meals or as a meal replacement. My philosophy starts with protein, the nutrient that will help you improve endurance, gain lean muscle, and shed excess body fat. The amount of recommended daily protein remains a debate, but you will cover your needs by eating approximately 1 gram of protein per pound of your ideal body weight. For example, a healthy active man who weighs 150 pounds needs 150 grams a day. This equates to 600 calories of protein (1 gram of protein = 4 calories of protein). Better safe than sorry on protein in my opinion. Once you're close to 25%, you will likely feel stronger, leaner, and more energetic.
Next up are carbohydrates, your optimal fuel source for physical and mental energy. Carb intake can be too high or too low. You will "crash" if too high and "bonk" if too low; 50% is the perfect amount to fuel your activities and help teach your body to tap into stored body fat for additional energy. Remember, carbohydrates are also vitamin packed, especially fruits and veggies, so don't dip too far below 50%. Simply double your protein number to figure out the amount of carbohydrates you need daily. In our 150 pound male example, this would be 300 grams of carbohydrates per day. Use the same coefficient of 4 to convert grams into calories for carbohydrates, 1200 calories needed from carbohydrates.
Lastly, we have healthy fats. Think of healthy fats as your heart healthy, free radical fighting, sustained energy nutrient. Healthy fats, in the amount 25% daily, will help you stay healthy and allow all other nutrients to work to their potential. Since fat carries more calories per gram, you'll need to calculate a little differently. Fat carries 9 calories per gram instead of 4 calories per gram. A simple but approximate way to calculate would be to cut your goal protein number in half (75 grams in our 150 pound example). This would be close but a little high at 675 fat calories (28%)(75 grams x 9 calories = 675 calories). The exact (complicated) way to figure out exactly would be to divide your 600 calorie protein number by 9 and get 67 grams for 25% exactly. A lot of information to take in, but just getting within 2-3% of these numbers at the end of the day would be a WIN!
At the end of the day, getting healthy and staying healthy takes consistency. If you're proud of what you did yesterday, everyday, you'll stay in the healthy zone!
