If you eat enough whole food protein, you don’t really need supplements.
But the right ones make getting lean significantly easier.
Here’s why.
I keep my calories low during the day so I can have a big dinner. Protein supplements let me hit my protein numbers without blowing through calories early.
It’s harder to keep calories down with whole foods.
To get shredded, you have to nail that deficit.
But it’s CRITICAL you get enough protein building blocks to retain muscle.
The more muscle you retain, the more fat you lose while you’re on a cut.
I have two supplements I take every day that make this process so much easier.
1) Kino Collagen (Chocolate) + Greek Yogurt
This is how I break my fast.
I make a big bowl of 2% Greek yogurt (Fage is my go-to), mix in 1-1.5 scoops of chocolate Kino Collagen, and eat it with a cookie.
That’s my first meal.
Low calorie. Extremely filling. Completely satisfying.
Most people sleep on collagen for fat loss.
Here’s why it works so well:
- Very satiating
- Expands in the stomach
- Easy to digest
- Excellent for skin, hair, joints, and nails
When you combine Kino Collagen with Greek yogurt, you get a much more complete amino acid profile than collagen alone.
This makes it ideal for cutting.
This one meal keeps me satisfied for hours and makes it easy to stay disciplined until dinner.
I call this the Kino Shred Bowl.
It’s what most of our high-end coaching clients eat for their first meal, too.
2) Kino Essential Amino Acids (EAAs)
This one I don’t talk about as much.
But I use it every day when I’m pushing to get really lean.
I take 2 scoops of Kino Aminos daily, usually 3-4 hours into my fast.
Why?
- It blunts hunger.
- It supports muscle protein synthesis.
- And it helps me hold more muscle as I get leaner.
These EAAs contain a high dose of leucine plus HMB, which makes a noticeable difference when calories are low.
I’ve gotten lean with Aminos and without them.
And I consistently notice I look fuller and denser when I use them.
Hunger is lower. Compliance is easier. Muscle retention is better.
The biggest risk when getting to a low body fat is losing muscle.
Many guys lose 2 pounds of muscle for every 4 pounds of fat.
Think of EAAs as insurance when you’re pushing below 10% body fat.
The Takeaway
Most guys don’t get enough collagen.
And most guys underestimate how powerful targeted amino acids can be during a cut.
- If you’re just getting lean, Kino Collagen + Greek yogurt alone is often enough.
- If you’re trying to get really lean, Kino Aminos make the process noticeably smoother.
I use both every day when I’m getting ripped.
If you’re cutting without these, you’re making it harder than it needs to be.
Talk Soon,
Greg O’Gallagher