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Best Weight Loss Programs Reviewed (2023)

Weight loss programs are often put in the same category as supplements. For those highly motivated to lose weight, both types of products seem like an easy way to make quick progress toward their goals. But like supplements, the effectiveness of a weight-loss guide relies almost entirely on the person’s dedication. Taking supplements will frequently do very little to help you achieve your goals unless you combine supplementation with some diet and exercise regimen. The same can be said for almost every weight loss guide. Weight loss guides, however, provide one unique benefit. While supplement users might be ignorant of the workouts and diets necessary to capitalize on the benefits of their favorite pills, users of weight loss guides are generally given a straightforward method of shedding fat and building muscle. In other words, a good weight loss guide will provide you with everything you need to lose weight and achieve your fitness goals. If followed correctly, the programs in this list will give you the tools necessary to burn fat, reveal muscle, and change your life. We’re a big fan of some weight loss guides. Other guides don’t quite meet our standard for effectiveness and scientific support. Like supplements, some programs rely on antiquated science or promote pseudoscientific solutions that make losing weight seem easier than it is. The simple reality of weight loss is that it requires effort and dedication. Without putting sufficient effort into a weight loss guide, you’re unlikely to see any substantive progress. But even maximal effort can leave you falling short of your goals if your program is based on faulty fad science and improper dieting advice. How can you separate the excellent weight loss guides from the unhelpful? What criteria should we use to judge different weight loss programs? This is a big question – but it’s one we will answer throughout this extensive guide to the best weight loss programs in 2022. As we move through the year and into the summer, millions of Americans turn to weight loss guides to stimulate their efforts to shape their ideal summer body. To achieve the beach bod of your dreams, you might need the help of one (or several) of the guides in today’s weight loss program rankings. To compile this ranked list, we’ve worked hard to find some of the world’s best weight loss programs. This isn’t easy work; thousands of weight loss guides claim to provide consumers with easy ways to destroy stubborn fat and cultivate coveted abdominal muscles. We cut through the hype and conducted our research to give our readers an in-depth look into how these programs help you lose weight. Look at twelve of the best weight loss systems available to consumers in 2022. Take our reviews with the smallest grain of salt; your research is always more valuable to your situation.

Best Pregnancy Blogs

Best Pregnancy Blogs 2023

Today, I want to share with you my top 12 best pregnancy blogs for 2023. When you're pregnant you just want to soak up as much qualified, informative advice you can get. I enjoyed reading pregnancy blogs, but often found myself searching through all the articles wondering which ones I could trust. I know first-hand that pregnancy and parenting can be daunting, to say the least. What I also found overwhelming was trying to navigate the wealth of information online. What to trust? Who to trust? What to avoid?
Why do I consider these blogs to be the best?
Well I have listed them based on my personal opinion but this list is also based on everything from popularity, how long the blogs have been around and the following criteria below. Oh, and I do constantly review the blogs to make sure they are maintaining their standards and meeting our expectations to remain on this list. Things do change!

My Favorite Pregnancy Blogs

  1. Consist of fact-based advice from expert writers.
  2. Provided insight as well as humor.
  3. Encouraged me to want to learn more.
  4. Weren't bombarding me with endless advertisements.
  5. Real stories without the clickbait headlines.
  6. Referenced medical journals.
  7. Had informative videos and quality content.
  8. Were regularly updated.
What About Medical Organisations?
I often reference the most trusted medical organisations and governing bodies when it comes to the more medical related questions I want answers to. These sites are not blogs, and they do not read as easily as blogs because they are written in more scientific style. As always, your best source for trusted information will be your personal doctor or health care professional. Here are three I recommend: 1. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 3. WEBMED

So How Do You Choose the Best Pregnancy Blog for You?

I think this will come down to what you want. Each blog has its strengths and weaknesses. Some dedicate more time to parenting tips while others provide you with answers to your most important questions when pregnant. My PregActive blog purely focuses on prenatal fitness and health because that is our specific area of expertise. Myself and my team do not try to go outside the scope of our skills and knowledge. We are are known for being the 'go-to' source for everything health and fitness when pregnant and that's the way we want it to be. So where do you go when you want more? Below are some blogs that are popular among pregnant mamas. Some are are written for the audience in their country of origin so if you wish to find a blog that is local to you then you will need to do some more research on Google.

PLANT VS. WHEY PROTEIN: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR ME?

You try to hit your daily protein goal, but it can be confusing to choose between countless options and sources to find the right ones for you. We’re here to help demystify plant-based proteins and whey protein, making it easier to find what works best in your diet.

WHICH IS THE BEST | PLANT OR WHEY

There is a general belief that animal-based proteins are superior to plant-based proteins; in reality, neither is better than the other – the best choice is the one that works with your dietary goals and needs. Both animal and plant-based proteins can be great options for all athletes of every demographic and sport.

PLANT PROTEIN | Plant proteins are ideal for vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians. It was once believed that plant-based proteins could not help to support muscle. Now, we know that you can get all the essential amino acids from a plant-based diet as long you have a sufficient, balanced, and varied diet.  Plant protein can help support anyone who wants to live a healthy, active lifestyle.

WHEY PROTEIN | Whey protein fits into many dietary approaches, including lacto-vegetarians and flexitarians. Whey protein is an excellent, high-quality option to add more protein throughout your day - it’s also a reliable protein to consume before activity as it is classified as quick digesting (compared to casein) and absorbing, meaning the amino acids generally peak in the bloodstream about one hour after consumption. Furthermore, whey is naturally high in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), especially leucine – making it a great protein choice to help support muscle recovery.

DIETARY SOURCES | FOOD FIRST

PLANT PROTEIN | There are several incredible options to choose from to add more plant to your diet. Consider plant proteins such as black beans, chickpeas, soybeans, lentils, pinto beans, brown rice, quinoa, oats, almonds, pistachios, sunflower seeds, tofu, and tempeh.

WHEY PROTEIN | Whey is naturally found within dairy foods as it is derived from cow’s milk. Whey protein can be found in milk, yogurt, kefir, and soft cheeses, such as ricotta and cottage cheese.

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS | FROM FOOD

PLANT PROTEIN | Plant proteins are found in legumes (pulses), whole grains, nuts, and seeds. They can enhance your diet by enhancing select nutrients including potassium, dietary fiber, folate, and protein. Legumes also can help increase iron and zinc, and grains can add several B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and selenium.

WHEY PROTEIN | Whey protein may be found in dairy foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, and desserts (like ice cream!). Depending on the source, adding dairy to your diet can potentially increase your intake of nutrients including calcium, phosphorous, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin B2, potassium, zinc, choline, magnesium, selenium, and protein.

LEVEL OF PROTEIN | FROM FOOD

PLANT PROTEIN | Plant proteins contain varying amounts of protein depending on the source. Consume a variety of plant-based foods from beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, and soy to reap all the benefits.  A cup of soy milk contains about 8 grams of protein, one ounce of almonds contains about 6 grams of protein, and half a cup of cooked quinoa contains about 5 grams of protein.

WHEY PROTEIN | Whey is a milk protein. A glass of fluid milk is made up of about 5% carbohydrate, 4% fat, and 3% protein. Of that protein, about 20% is whey protein. Whey can be found in different amounts among dairy foods; for example, a cup of cow’s milk contains about 8 grams of protein, a cup of Greek yogurt contains about 17 grams of protein, and one cup of cottage cheese contains about 25 grams of protein.

QUALITY | PLANT VS WHEY

PLANT PROTEIN | Plant is classified as an incomplete protein, meaning that it is low or lacking in one or more of the essential amino acids. Most single-source plant proteins such as peas and rice are considered incomplete. Fortunately, you can combine incomplete proteins to create a complete protein, known as complementary proteins or protein pairing. It’s encouraged to consume a variety of dietary sources throughout the day to fully meet protein needs. One exception are soy proteins, which are considered complete.

WHEY PROTEIN | Whey is classified as a complete protein, meaning that it contains all nine of the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities. Essential amino acids cannot be made by the body, therefore must be obtained from dietary sources. In addition to whey’s amino acid profile, it’s also more readily digested when compared to plant-based protein sources. This generally holds true for animal-based sources of protein when compared to plant-based dietary sources.

SUPPLEMENTS | PLANT VS WHEY

PLANT PROTEIN | Plant protein supplements are generally offered as single-source proteins, which can leave them as incomplete proteins. Aside from soy protein supplements, other single source protein products (pea, chia, hemp, rice) alone do not help to support muscle recovery. Supplements with a variety of plant-based proteins can be formulated to contain a complete amino acids profile. Check the label to understand if a plant protein supplement is a complete protein.

WHEY PROTEIN | Whey protein supplements are complete proteins, which contain all the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities. Whey protein is a high-quality protein that can help build and maintain muscle. Whey also has naturally occurring BCAAs to help support endurance and muscle recovery.

OPTIMUM NUTRITION | PLANT AND WHEY

PLANT PROTEIN | Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Plant is a great way to add more plant-based proteins into your diet without having to sacrifice taste. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Plant contains 24 grams of protein from three powerful sources (pea, rice, and fava bean). This multisource of plant-based proteins was combined to create a complete amino acids profile of all the essential amino acids. Moreover, this vegan product is enriched with nutrients of concern for vegetarians including iron and vitamin B12.

WHEY PROTEIN | Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein is the world’s #1 selling whey protein powder in the world, having fueled over 2 billion workout recoveries worldwide, and is the most awarded* and most reviewed whey protein powder on the world**.

PLANT AND WHEY PROTEIN |

Selecting proteins doesn’t necessarily have to be an either/or mentality. The more variety the better to help diversify your nutritional intake. Find ways to incorporate different sources, including those from both plant and animal-based proteins. Both plant protein and whey protein can add dietary balance. You can secure all the essential amino acids from a plant-based dietary approach if you have a sufficient, balanced, and varied diet. The best option is whichever works best for your dietary specifications and goals.

Sources:

*Based on Bodybuilding.com “Protein of the Year” awards 2005-2018.

**Based on consumer reviews from Amazon, GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Bodybuilding.com, Flipkart, AminoZ, Tmall – April 2023.