CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — The plant-based diet is increasingly in the news, plugged by social media influencers, and may even be followed by a vocal family member.

So, is a plant-based diet a virtuous, healthy way of living, or is it just hype? Joel Bikman, the co-founder of an innovative new health and weight loss company, sheds some light on the plant-based diet and the big issues to watch for.

“For those with allergies, religious reasons or dietary preferences, plant-based isn’t an option but a necessity,” Bikman said. “Yet, there is a great deal of confusion and misinformation when it comes to a plant-based diet and related products.”

Danger No. 1: Poor-quality protein

Protein enjoys a prominent position when it comes to human nutrition. And rightly so, Bikman said. 

“We need protein – essential amino acids are a vital part of human nutrition,” he explained. “Dietary protein promotes optimal health in countless ways: promoting satiety, helping weight loss, increasing metabolic rate and used as building blocks for dozens of hormones.”

With all this focus on protein, it’s little surprise that there are a lot of opinions on where we get our protein. 

“Animal-based protein is generally superior to plant-based protein,” Bikman said. “Whether it’s meat, dairy or eggs, the protein will typically be both more complete and better absorbed and used by the body than plant-based proteins.”

Bikman added that rice, pea and other popular plant-based proteins do not provide a complete amino acid profile. Soy provides a more complete amino acid profile, yet is problematic due to the high amounts of estrogen. 

“Soy sauce, miso or tempeh have traditionally been used as a condiment and aren’t consumed in high quantities,” he continued. “That’s very different than the manufactured, highly refined soy protein made from genetically modified sources that some people consume as a significant portion of their plant-based diet.”

Bikman said that until recently, there have been limited and usually poor options when it comes to plant-based protein. However, he said, there is some real encouragement with technological advancements in certain plant-based proteins.

Danger No. 2: Plant proteins have anti-nutrients

This may sound like a myth, but it’s real – plants naturally have molecules in them that may partially block the digestion and use of nutrients. Molecules like trypsin inhibitors and tannins can block up to 50% of the digestion of proteins and other nutrients from sources like soy, wheat, pea and more.

“The human body requires the necessary amino acids and essential fatty acids in appropriate quantities to survive, let alone thrive,” Bikman said. “People who consume a strictly plant-based diet can actually become malnourished if they’re not diligent in their supplementation because of these anti-nutrients found in plant proteins and foods.”

Danger No. 3: Consuming protein without dietary fat

One of the primary reasons people focus on protein in their diet is to help maintain or develop muscle mass. And for good reason, Bikman said. He emphasized that having adequate muscle is one of the best deterrents to fighting off aging and even death. 

“After we exercise, our muscles grow very slightly,” he said. “By consuming dietary protein, you can increase this muscle protein growth following exercise. However, by giving people protein and fat, in a balance of 1:1, you can actually make the muscle protein growth go beyond the protein alone.”

Further, Bikman shared that there’s overwhelming evidence of the benefits of a high-fat diet for overall health.

“Fats not only help you feel full, they help with brain health, gut health and metabolic health,” he said. “This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy carbs, but you need to realize that there are no essential carbs; just essential amino acids from protein and essential fatty acids.”

Fermentation: An ancient practice leads to a modern breakthrough

Typically used for preservation, fermentation has also long been known to unlock the nutritional and dietary benefits of foods. Recent efforts using a proprietary mushroom mycelial fermentation of a rice and pea protein blend have shown incredible results. 

“This patented fermentation process removes the plant anti-nutrients and enables 99.9% of the protein to be easily digested,” Bikman said. “Furthermore, this blend provides a complete essential amino acid profile, which makes this fermented plant protein easily the best plant-based option currently available.”

Bringing solutions from the lab to the real world

Even with all of the information that Bikman and others share, people around the world constantly ask what they should do for their health.

“Ideally, we all would have the knowledge, time, discipline and budget to plan, purchase and prepare perfect meals,” Bikman said. “But it simply doesn’t happen; people get busy, they get stressed and they make unhealthy choices that derail their health goals.”

It became apparent to Bikman that he needed to be part of the solution to help people achieve their best health more quickly, and especially to assist those who don’t always have the time, knowledge or discipline to eat healthy. In response, Bikman and his co-founding team of metabolic and industry experts created HLTH Code Complete Meal and recently launched their brand-new plant-based version utilizing a patented, specially fermented plant protein.

Bikman said these carefully formulated meal shakes are designed to promote healthy weight management, gut health and brain health. HLTH Code Complete Meal features an optimized, science-backed blend of fermented protein, healthy fats, apple cider vinegar, probiotics, prebiotic fiber, vitamins and minerals – with no added sugar or any artificial ingredients.

“The biggest request we’ve had since our launch was for a dairy-free, plant-based option,” Bikman said. “After two years of work, we now offer what is simply the most nutritionally complete plant-based meal shake ever developed.

“Plus, the patented fermentation process makes it taste better, smoother and gentler on the stomach than any other plant-based shake available in the market.” 

Solving hunger pangs the right way

When it comes to eating, Bikman said it’s easy to consume plenty of calories and still feel hungry. This is because the calories consumed are not the right types of calories to provide essential nutrition. He referred to this as “mis-nourishment,” and he said it’s ruining many people’s health.

“Each HLTH Code Complete Meal shake is packed with optimized amounts of these ingredients to leave you feeling full and energized for hours,” he added. “Yet, it’s more convenient and affordable than virtually any meal you could make or buy.”

Bikman said the shakes are quick and easy to make: Just add two scoops of vanilla or chocolate Complete Meal Powder to 12 ounces of ice and water, and blend. For general wellness, he recommends replacing one meal daily. To reset your health or for weight loss, replace up to two meals per day.

“This plant-based version has been great for me, especially since finding a dairy-free protein powder that doesn’t spike blood sugar has been hard. HLTH Code has great taste and texture, and it keeps me full for 3-4 hours. I’d highly recommend giving it a try!” said one reviewer.

Another reviewer shared, “I was expecting the plant-based to taste gritty or have a weird aftertaste, but it was great! I am very surprised and pleased. Dairy gives me unpleasant side effects, so this is a welcome protein blend!”

Yet another reviewer said, “As far as meal replacements for a low-carb diet go, this has been the best in terms of taste, ease of digestion and net carb count. I tried others and they just weren’t nearly as good or filling.”

Does HLTH Code make achieving your health goals easier?

Bikman said the best health starts with the right blend of nutrition. Increased energy, feeling more vibrant, a stronger immune system, a clearer mind, improved gut health and an improved appearance are some of the benefits of improving one’s nutrition.

“The comprehensive benefits of HLTH Code Complete Meal are especially helpful if you’re trying to lose weight,” he explained. “Weight loss is rarely easy. There has to be the right changes in both hormones and caloric balance to signal to the body that it’s time to start burning, not storing, body fat.”

Bikman added that based on the best available studies on human metabolism, along with exercise, HLTH Code Complete Meal helps people lose weight without the need to count every calorie.

Your satisfaction is guaranteed

If you’re nervous about trying something new and making changes to your nutrition plan, don’t be. Bikman stands by his HLTH Code Meal Replacement products and is willing to guarantee your satisfaction.

“You have nothing to lose – except those extra pounds – and everything to gain in terms of wellness and confidence,” he said.

Indeed, if you’ve been looking for improved wellness and healthy weight management, then HLTH Code Meal Replacement could well be your answer. For exclusive savings on your first order, visit getHLTH.com and enter the discount code SGN at checkout.

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