Protein powder has many benefits
Protein powder is the one nutritional supplement that everyone can benefit from. It is an essential macronutrient that helps to make-up the organs, tissues, bones, skin and hair of the body. Protein also helps to build muscle, repair cells, fuel your body with energy, carry oxygen throughout your blood, make antibodies to fight off infections and illnesses and make enzymes and hormones. It is also known that having a sufficient supply of protein in your diet helps with weight management, body composition, recovery after a workout, muscle growth and better nutrition.
The challenge is how do you source enough protein in your diet especially if you are vegan or vegetarian?
Protein powder is a great option because it comes in both dairy and plant-based form. One serving of powder can give you up to 40+ grams of protein, which equates to about one-third of the daily goal for most people. Your daily recommended intake of protein should range from .7 to 1 gram per pound of your body weight. Protein powder can easily be mixed into a shake making it easy to consume without feeling stuffed after. You can also add any other ingredients to your shake such as fruit or yogurt to give it the flavor you like.
Choosing the right powder for you
Protein powder is not a new phenomenon, but it has gained in popularity in recent years as more and more companies compete to bring you more options to choose from. Every brand is striving to bring you the best tasting powder that appeals to your dietary preferences. This very saturated market has left a lot of consumers confused as to how to choose the best one. You first need to decide the following:
- Do you prefer an animal or plant based powder?
- What flavor do you like?
- Which powder has the fewest artificial sweeteners and chemical additives?
When it comes to deciding on the best animal protein powder our co-founder Kern Alexander recommends Now Sports Whey Protein Isolate, which is unsweetened. When interviewed by NY Magazine, he said “ it contains whey isolate and isn’t loaded with artificial sweeteners.” Whey isolate is viewed as better than whey concentrate because it contains less fat and carbs so it’s less caloric. If you are lactose intolerant it’s also the better choice for you.
Now Sports also makes a pea protein powder if you prefer plant based. Pea protein is often see as the best alternative to whey. The only ingredient here is pea protein isolate, which also gives you the most protein per serving.
Best time to consume protein powder
Foods you can add protein to
If you’re not a fan of protein shakes, don’t worry there are many other ways you can consume your powder.
Here are 10 foods you can add protein powder to that you may not have thought of:
- oatmeal
- pancakes
- cookies
- waffles
- coffee (add vanilla flavored protein powder)
- mashed potato (flavorless protein powder)
- yogurt
- pasta sauce
- eggs
- brownies
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