During your pregnancy, you need plenty of protein to provide for the needs of your own cells, plus those of your developing baby. You have many options for getting protein, of which protein powder is one. Depending on your particular nutritional needs and dietary goals, protein powder may be appropriate during pregnancy.
Protein
Protein is one of the three macronutrients -- the other two are carbohydrates and fats -- that you need in large quantities each day. Macronutrients provide you with energy, but they also digest down into small molecules that you use as building blocks for other things. Proteins digest into amino acids, which you use to make cellular proteins and small molecules like neurotransmitters, explains Dr. Lauralee Sherwood in her book "Human Physiology."
Pregnancy Protein Needs
According to the American Pregnancy Association, you likely need 75 to 100 g of protein each day during pregnancy. Typically, your nutritional needs are greater during pregnancy both in terms of number of calories -- most women need about 300 extra calories each day -- and in terms of nutrient building blocks. The association suggests that plant-based proteins and lean meats are the healthiest way to meet your protein needs.
Protein Powder
Many different kinds of protein powders are available, many of which are vegetable in origin. For instance, soy powder and rice protein powder are both common. You can also find milk protein powder, which generally consists of whey, one of the proteins in milk. Most protein powders dissolve or suspend easily in fluid, making them convenient ways to add nutrients and calories to juices, shakes or soups. They're also generally very low in fat and carbohydrates.
Use While Pregnant
There's no reason you shouldn't use protein powder while you're pregnant, provided you don't have a sensitivity or allergy to the source of the protein. Because protein powders add calories to food, however, you may need to avoid them in favor of less calorically dense foods if you're gaining more weight during your pregnancy than your doctor recommends. Contact your obstetrician if you have any concerns about using protein powder during your pregnancy.
References
- "Human Physiology"; Lauralee Sherwood, Ph.D.; 2004
- American Pregnancy Association: Protein
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