Protein Drink Information

Protein forms the building blocks of the body, from the hair to the bones and muscles. Protein drinks are a common way to ensure that enough protein is being consumed on a daily basis. Those involved with fitness and exercise can benefit greatly from protein drinks. They help to replenish energy and the protein helps with muscle recovery and development. Those who are dieting may also benefit when the protein drink is used as a meal substitute.

Protein drink varieties

• Protein drinks are taken for many purposes but weight loss is a common motivation. Protein takes longer to digest than other food and keeps you full for longer. This also means your blood sugar levels are balanced as energy is released into the body at a slower rate. The protein drinks are often filled with whey protein isolate, which is a high quality protein that is easy to digest, gluten free and suitable for those who are lactose intolerant and vegetarians. Protein also helps with muscle recovery and repair after exercise. This means that workouts can be done more frequently and more intensely, leading to more weight loss.

  Many varieties of protein shakes are available in health food stores and supermarkets. Keep in mind that the daily recommendation is to consume approximately 50 grams of protein or you can consume 1 gram of protein for every pound of body weight if you are trying to increase muscle. Most protein drinks contain a balanced amount of protein and carbohydrates, so a drink may be taken to replace a meal. When buying a protein drink or powder to create your own shake, check that whey protein isolate is used. It is a high-quality protein and easy to digest.

How to incorporate protein drinks in the diet

• Start the day with a protein shake and some fruit. This should give you a reasonable amount of energy to last you until lunchtime. Eat a healthy lunch. This may consist of vegetables, brown bread or rice along with some form of protein such as any type of meat or tofu, beans or eggs. Eat a fruit and a small amount of nuts through the day as snacks along with a dinner that consists of brown bread, rice or pasta, vegetables and your choice in protein. Drink one more protein shake through the day within half an hour after exercise. This will assist with the muscle repair and development as well as replenish your energy levels.

  Protein blends can include adding vanilla flavored protein powder to 1 banana, 1tsp. of cinnamon and 1 tbsp .of honey. Another idea may be to add real strawberries to a strawberry-flavored protein powder along with an assortment of other berries. Crushed nuts can be added to chocolate protein powder to enhance the flavor.