5 Things You Need to Know About Protein Drinks

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1. Keeping your Body Fit

For a balanced diet, the body needs protein, carbohydrates and fats. The types of each of these that we consume will determine, in addition to other factors, how healthy our bodies remain. Many people don't get enough of all of these classes of foods and their bodies suffer from it. Protein drinks can fill the gap in some of these cases. The leading protein drinks on the market not only have relatively large amounts of protein but also contain simple and complex carbohydrates. When you don't have time to get a good meal, think about supplementing with a protein drink.

2. Drink Your Pounds Away

Most diets for weight loss require that the number of calories that you consume decrease. For some people, decreasing the number of calories also decreases the amount of protein, carbohydrates and fats. The body needs all of these types of foods to remain healthy and to keep our immune systems strong. One strategy to help in this goal is to supplement the foods that we do eat with a protein shake. Most of these shakes are low calorie but with high amounts of protein and carbohydrates that will promote lean muscle as opposed to gaining fat. Trade one meal a day for a protein shake and you can drop both the calories consumed and pounds that you don't want.

3. Put on Those Muscles

Body builders are concerned about exactly what they eat. They need to consume about 1 to 1 1/2 grams of protein per pound of body weight to put on those extra muscles. Making sure they consume that many grams of protein can often be a difficult situation. One solution is to consume some of that protein in the form of a protein shake. They can maximize the protein with very little effect on the number of calories that they consume.

4. Am I Getting Everything I Need?

The mainstream protein manufacturers supplement the protein powders with vitamins, minerals and amino acids to make up for those lost by not consuming a normal meal. Protein shakes often serve as meal replacements for dieters or those that have a hectic schedule. Not all proteins have these added nutrients. To be safe, check out the one that you are taking. It is important that your nutritional needs don't suffer from a diet or your schedule.

5. Put a Little Meat on Those Bones

Some people have a metabolism that makes it difficult to gain weight. Most people wish they had that problem but for those that live with it, they must to find ways to supplement both calories and protein for the body to add weight. There are types of protein powders that add a large number of calories with the protein. These types of proteins are weight or mass gainers. With a normal amount of exercise, the weight put on by these "hard gainers" will be as muscle and a small amount of body fat.

About this Author

Sean Penda is a certified personal trainer, certified sports nutritionalist and advisor for holistic, naturopathic and herbal treatments. He is a freelance writer specializing in nutrition and fitness articles for newsletters and websites.

Last updated on: 11/18/09

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