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Homemade Protein Drinks

Protein shakes are a popular nutritional drink usually taken by athletes after a hard workout. They can help restore energy, and are quick alternatives to eating a full meal for athletes who are constantly on the go. Protein shakes are very simple to make and contain only a handful of ingredients that are blended together.

  1. Benefits of Protein Shakes

    • Protein shakes are generally most effective for highly active people. They can be a quick alternative for athletes who have participated in a hard workout but don't necessarily have the time to eat a full meal afterward. Protein shakes are a good nourishing supplement that restores protein in your system to ensure a healthy lifestyle.

      Protein shakes can also help certain athletes in more specific ways. For example, protein shakes have the ability to restore glycogen in the body for endurance athletes who participate in bike or running marathons. Glycogen is the carbohydrate responsible for storing energy, or glucose, in muscles' cells. After an intense workout, glycogen can get used up, and providing protein in the system is one way to restore energy to the muscle cells.

      Athletes who specialize in bodybuilding can also benefit from drinking protein shakes after a hard workout. In this case, protein shakes have the ability to help repair any muscle damage that may have occurred during training.

    Ingredients

    • The most important ingredient in any protein shake is the protein itself. The amount of protein you should take depends on your activity level. For example, a person who exercises regularly would be in need of a higher amount of protein than a person who is less active. In general, nutritionists recommend taking between 1.4 to 2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight.

      Protein comes in a wide range of forms. Some of the more popular types of protein include whey, soy, milk and casein protein. Each type has its own benefits and should be chosen based on your personal preference and exercise routine.

      Other ingredients that are typically included in a protein shake can vary. Typically, a protein shake will be made up of ice, fruit, honey, flaxseed oil, nuts, raw eggs and a base, in which water, juice, or milk may be used. These ingredients can all be used together, or you can choose from some of them, depending on your taste preference and the flavor you want to create.

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