Traditionally added to milk or water for a tasty and nutritious drink, powdered protein can be used with oatmeal as well. Keep in mind that too much protein can be harmful; the American Council on Exercise acknowledges that excess protein intake can cause dehydration and an increased loss of calcium from the body. Check with your health care provider before supplementing with protein powder.
Keeps You Full
Once protein is consumed, the body tends to digest it slowly. Since the protein sits in the stomach for a longer period of time, it causes the body to feel full longer. Although oatmeal also provides belly-filling fiber, adding protein to the dish results in a filling breakfast or snack.
Weight Loss Benefits
The body's slow digestion of protein not only keeps the body full, but also helps with weight loss. As explained by the Whey Protein King website, the body "will burn more calories after taking a protein-based meal." To achieve one pound of weight loss, the body must burn at least 3,500 calories more than you consume. Since adding protein to the diet increases the body's calorie-burning abilities, it increases your chances of losing weight. Whey protein powder also triggers the release of appetite-suppressing hormones which can reduce your urge to snack between meals.
Helps Meet Protein Requirements
Since protein is an essential nutrient for the body, meeting your daily protein requirement is important to ensure proper health and functioning of the body. As a general rule, healthy adults should consume 0.8 to 1 g of protein per pound of body weight. The protein you consume should equal approximately 10 to 35 percent of the calories you consume every day. Protein can be found in a variety of foods, including meats, cottage cheese, yogurt, tofu, soybeans and nuts. If you are unable to meet your daily protein requirements through food, adding protein powder to your oatmeal is a convenient and effective way to increase your protein intake.
Member Comments