Why Protein Pancake?

07 May 2010 2 Comments

by Protein Pancake Princess in Not edible Tags: Ava Cowan, competition diet, figure competition, protein pancake, sugar free syrup

As I began this journey, I operated strictly by the book, or more specifically, by the internet. I began by choosing a physique I aspired to attain. (Ava Cowan is my muse, for those who are interested.) I read about her diet, her workout, and even watched a video series she had created. Ava’s diet during contest season is very clean, and as I had decided to do a contest, I decided I should do the same.

I began by purchasing an inexpensive food scale. I weighed all of my food, only eating approved complex carbohydrates, proteins and fats; paying strict attention to details such as the combination of carbs/ proteins/ fats, meal spacing & frequency, limited late day carbohydrate consumption, and increased pre and post- workout carbohydrates. I spent hours each day poring over the internet for information about acceptable food and options.

As oatmeal is a staple in a bodybuilding diet, many bodybuilders bore of the monotony of daily oatmeal consumption and will experiment with creative combinations such as the protein pancake. Having never encountered such a beast in my current previous dietary intake patterns (I take issue with the word diet- but that’s a discussion for another day), I once again turned to the internet for assistance.

Ava Cowan made a very simple protein pancake that consisted of:
1/2 c. uncooked oatmeal

6 egg whites

1/2 t. cinnamon

1 packet Splenda

Looks pretty easy, right?

You will NOT want to write this down.

Bryan & I cooked up the oatmeal/ egg white monstrosity into an unpalatable, rubbery consistency that more closely resembled a bike tire than any food substance I’ve ever come across (except for the first time I ate tofu- more about that later). As I had already recorded the protein pancake into my food journal, it seemed there was no turning back now. I reminded myself that FOOD WAS FUEL and I needed the combination of complex carbohydrates and protein this meal provided. (I use that word lightly here).

This was also my first experience with sugar free syrup. Those who know me will attest that I abhor anything fake- in the way of diamonds and food, that is. I’ve never consumed anything DIET in my life. Good old-fashioned butter rich maple syrup had been a staple in my diet prior to this experience. As a matter of fact, I had only ventured down the health food aisle one time prior to this, because I thought I saw something shiny. I was wrong.

So, SF syrup: I began the protein pancake ingestion cautiously at first. I decided first to be as hard core as Ava Cowan,  so my first bite was completely unadorned- no spray not butter, SF syrup or cinnamon on top. As the garbage food went down my gullet, I suppressed a wave of nausea & reminded myself: FOOD IS FUEL.

Bite #2: I measured out & heated up the syrup as instructed by Ava. (In my normal life, I am not always so quick to do exactly as I’m told- Sorry, Mom.) I dipped a more generous bite into the syrup (hoping to get the pancake finished quicker.) The taste of SF syrup, well… it’s certainly not Mrs. Butterworth’s. Acquired would be the best way to describe it, or rather, tolerated is how I would describe it on the day in question. The sugar alcohol gave me a slight headache initially and the aftertaste of SF syrup was very off-putting. But I continued… Bite #3.

I won’t continue this play-by-play, but the experience was enough to motivate me to scribble “YucK!” in the margins of my food journal. That was it for me & protein pancakes! It was strictly oatmeal & egg whites leading up to the day of the contest.

My first contest was unbelievable! Finally- I had found my people! A whole community of chiseled female physiques munching on rice cakes & swapping recipe ideas for turkey, tuna and protein pancakes! Did my ears deceive me? Other people had eaten protein pancakes and actually LIKED them? The search was on! Back to the internet!!!

I have found hundreds of recipes! I’ve pledged to try a new recipe each day, complete with  nutritional information. Please don’t suffer through a plain oatmeal/ egg white catastrophe like I did! Try my recipes, share some of your own, and in the meantime, remember: FOOD IS FUEL! It just doesn’t have to taste like it!

Advertisement