Protein shakes became popular with weight loss programs that emphasize building lean body mass to help lose fat even after an exercise. Proteins help the muscle recover right after an exercise and also build new muscle tissues. The leaner your muscles are, the better you can burn calories. Adding a protein shake into your diet may help you lose weight, but you should check the ingredients first if you have food allergies.
Protein Shake for Weight Loss
Using protein shake as meal replacement may help you lose calories, however this does not provide the nutritional benefits that healthy foods give, notes Mayo Clinic. For it to be an effective tool for weight loss, drinking protein shakes must be part of a holistic weight loss program, which includes performing regular exercises, eating healthy foods and burning more calories than consumed, including the calories from protein shakes.
Types of Protein
The ingredients in most protein shakes contain whey or casein protein, milk or water, and fruits, vegetables or other food for extra nutrition. Whey is the fast-absorbing protein and is best consumed after a workout, while casein is the slow-digesting protein best consumed at night. Hydrolyzed whey protein is pre-digested and more easily absorbed than regular whey powder, while whey isolate has been stripped of carbohydrates and fat. Whey and casein -- the two components of milk -- are the most popular choices for protein, but you may also choose from soy, egg or plant-based protein sources.
Food Allergies
If you are allergic to milk, egg or soy, you will experience an allergic reaction if you consume protein shakes containing even small amounts of these substances. An allergic reaction can occur within minutes to a few hours after consuming these foods, and symptoms vary from mild to life-threatening. Symptoms include hives, itchiness around the mouth and/or throat, wheezing, abdominal cramps, vomiting, watery eyes and runny nose. Call 911 immediately if you experience several of these symptoms, or if you have difficulty breathing or shock after drinking protein shake made from milk, egg or soy.
Alternative Protein Sources
You may still enjoy protein shakes even if you have certain food allergies, as long as you do not consume the specific food you are allergic to. Some people who are allergic to milk also react to soy, and egg allergies are common among those with a family history of allergy or eczema. If you have multiple food allergies, you may try plant-based protein sources that contain pea, hemp or brown rice. Check with your doctor if you suspect you have allergic reactions to any of the varieties of protein shakes so you can lose weight safely.
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