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Words in blue will be defined in Today’s Dictionary below!
David’s product availability on their website as of 7/31/25
🐟 Fishing for an Efficient Protein Source
David Protein dives into frozen cod to push protein-per-calorie even further.
Same mission, new waters: Now they’re making a splash in the frozen fish aisle, launching wild-caught cod filets. Each 6-ounce filet boasts 23g of protein at just 100 calories. When boiled, 92% of calories come directly from protein, blowing the competition out of the water.
Why cod: Cod is one of the leanest fish: ultra-high protein, minimal calories, and nearly zero fat, making it a dream food for anyone serious about lean muscle or cutting.
High protein, higher price: At $55 per box (four filets), David’s cod runs about $2.29 per oz. This is nearly 3x higher than grocery store cod ($0.84 per oz at Wegmans NYC). Their bet is on loyal customers who will pay more for convenience and the David brand.
Why you should care: David’s pivot into seafood could signal a broader trend toward protein companies expanding into new categories beyond traditional powders, shakes, and bars. We expect to see new channels unlock for high protein foods that you typically only find in a grocery store.
Stacked Bar Showdown
Whey (left), Casein (right). One isn’t better than the other. Just different.
⏱️ Fast to Slow Proteins
When and how you get your protein matters more than you think. Protein timing can boost muscle growth, accelerate recovery, curb hunger, and even enhance skin and joint health.
Fast Proteins: Whey protein is ideal for quickly activating muscle repair, as it rapidly elevates leucine, the key trigger for muscle growth, within about 90 minutes. Other quick-digesting options: egg whites, fish proteins, hydrolyzed blends.
Medium Proteins: Chicken breast, eggs, pea, soy, and brown rice proteins digest in roughly 3 hours. These work well between meals to keep your amino acids balanced and hunger controlled.
Slow Proteins: Casein forms a gel in your stomach, steadily dripping amino acids into your bloodstream over 4-5 hours. Classic examples include cottage cheese or Greek yogurt before bed to feed muscles overnight. Hemp protein also digests slowly, useful during longer fasting periods or delayed meals.
Why you should care: Timing your protein maximizes muscle growth and recovery. An ideal protein consumption schedule for maximum growth would incorporate whey after your workout, medium proteins for your main meals, and slow proteins before you go to sleep. This is not the only way to consume protein, and building habits you can stick to is most important.
WHOOP squares up with the FDA
🥊 Gloves Off: WHOOP vs. FDA
Imagine a boxing ring lit by fluorescent hospital lights. In one corner: WHOOP, the Bostonian wearable fitness tracker. In the other: the FDA, the heavyweight champion of U.S. health regulation. The prize? Who gets to decide how (and whether) you see your blood pressure (BP) every morning.
Round 1: The Innovation Jab
WHOOP’s new Blood‑Pressure Insights feature estimates your systolic and diastolic numbers using overnight heart‑rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and optical blood‑flow signals after a single calibration with a Velcro cuff. After that, no more inflatable sleeve or 30‑second squeezes. Just an algorithm crunching data while you dream of smashing PRs.
WHOOP aims to turn an invisible cardiovascular stat into a daily readiness score you can act on. If your estimates start trending upward, your body may be hinting at vascular strain, which could be improved by leaning into Zone 2 cardio (long, easy sessions that retrain your arteries to relax) and nitrate-rich foods like beets or arugula, which naturally boost nitric oxide and help vessels widen. Flexible arteries mean better nutrient and oxygen delivery, resulting in higher performance.
Round 2: The Regulatory Counterpunch
The FDA quickly stepped into the ring, asserting that if WHOOP provides numbers traditionally used in medical settings, it must follow strict medical-device protocols. Securing FDA clearance can take months, even years, and involves substantial investment.
WHOOP maintains its stance, emphasizing that providing health and wellness trends shouldn't automatically classify it as a medical diagnostic tool, like how a scale doesn't clinically diagnose obesity.
Round 3: The Decision
Whether WHOOP earns an FDA handshake or spends a year in regulatory timeout, Stacked cautiously supports WHOOP because accessible feedback about your cardiovascular health enhances muscle performance and longevity.
Why you should care: Blood pressure influences muscle health. Chronically high BP stiffens arteries, choking off the delivery of amino acids and oxygen your muscles need to grow, recover, and perform. As you age, unmanaged high BP can double the rate of muscle loss after 50. Tools like WHOOP’s Blood-Pressure Insights might not be FDA-cleared yet, but they offer the regular person a new window into optimizing blood flow, training smarter, and preserving muscle for the long term.
📚 Today’s Dictionary (Blue Words)
Protein‑per‑calorie: How “lean” a food is (more protein for fewer calories).
Wild‑caught: Fish sourced from natural waters (vs. farmed).
Fast proteins: Rapid digesters for recovery; roughly ~90 mins.
Medium proteins: Normal digesters; roughly ~3hr digestion.
Slow proteins: Slow digesters; drip amino acids over hours.
Hydrolyzed blends: Pre‑digested proteins designed to absorb faster.
Systolic/Diastolic: Systolic is the top number in a blood pressure reading and reflects the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. Diastolic is the bottom number, showing the pressure between beats.
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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We aim to provide useful, evidence-informed insights. Your health is personal, and decisions should be made based on what works best for you.