How To Diet Using Protein Powder

Protein powders are a very popular supplement of choice for many bodybuilders, weekend warriors and just regular people walking the streets. They come in various flavors and they can be easily engineered into a diet plan. Although they are generally regarded as a weight loss supplement, there's more to them than that.

Step 1

Get a shaker cup. Shakers cups are used to mix shakes in when you are on the road, at the office or at the gym. They are usually 32 ounces, and have a lid that snaps or screws down on the top. They have a screen inside them that helps do the mixing.

Step 2

Use protein powder in a calorie-restricted diet. When you are trying to lose weight, have a protein shake mixed with water in the middle of the afternoon in place of a candy bar or a junk food snack. This can hold you over with quality nutrients. Also, protein has a high thermic effect on the body, meaning it takes more calories to break it down than it takes to break down fat and carbohydrates.

Step 3

Eat multiple meals a day and alternate whole food meals with protein shakes. This will keep your metabolism revving, give you sustained energy levels and also keep your muscles from wasting away by giving them a constant supply of nutrients. To make it a balanced meal, have a piece of fruit with your shake.

Step 4

Use protein powder in a post-workout shake. When you are done working out, your muscles are depleted of glycogen and they are damaged from lifting heavy weights. It is at this time that a fast absorbing shake can help replenish your glycogen and start the rebuilding process. Use whey protein powder as it gets digested easily in the system and use a fast absorbing carbohydrate like grape juice. You can also just add some honey to your shake or eat some raisins with it.

Step 5

Make high-calorie smoothies to bulk up. If you are following a high-calorie diet and are trying to pack on some extra weight, you can make high-protein smoothies by adding in berries, bananas, nut butters, mango, pineapples and chocolate milk. You would need to make these in a blender.