For some people, the mere idea of implementing protein powder into their everyday diet can be a little confronting – there are so many kinds of protein powders, so many flavours, so many factors to consider. There are protein powders for weight loss. There are protein powders concocted to help consumers increase muscle mass. Some individuals take protein powder as a meal supplement. Some people take it as a pre-workout (or post workout, for the matter). It is a common misconception that all protein powders taste awful. The original flavours can sometimes taste a little chalky, but most brands now carry enough flavours that there is generally one to suit every person’s palette. The easiest, most convenient way to ingest protein powder is by mixing it with either water or milk of some kind in a shaker. While a basic method of us, this is perhaps the most common way to take protein powder, as it requires next to no effort and has no added ingredients that bump up the calorie or macro intake. But for those that do not like the taste or texture of shakes, the chosen protein powder does not have to be taken in shake form. In fact, individuals can add protein powder to a variety of solids and liquids to implement the added energy and protein into their diet.
Breakfast is renowned for being the most important meal of the day. Despite this widely-known fact, unfortunately breakfast also happens to be the most common meal that individuals skip out on in their day. This can be for any number of reasons. Some people just simply do not like breakfast. Some individuals are not morning people and prefer to sleep in an extra ten minutes rather than get up early and prepare breakfast. And sometimes making the effort to cook a big breakfast first thing in the morning just does not feel worth it. For the individuals that value a sleep in over cooking in the mornings, having their protein shake for breakfast or prepping some greens or fruits the night before to add into the NutriBullet to make a smoothie that morning save not only time, but that agitated feeling that begins to creep up on the person around mid-morning when they have not yet eaten that day. For the more organised individual, protein powder can be added to oats, pancake batter, or breakfast muffins to provide that extra energy and protein intake for the coming day that might otherwise be missed out on.
Those that generally struggle to consume their recommended daily intake of protein benefit greatly from investing and ingesting protein powder in all forms. Regardless of which kind of protein powder one decides is best for their personal goals and use, there are various ways in which it can be ingested. For lunches, protein powder can be a key ingredient in smoothies to add the protein in without having the somewhat chalky texture. Pizza crusts, cake base recipes, and protein slices and cakes are all delicious recipes that can easily substitute other ingredients with protein powder. For those that frequent the gym or even individuals that do not like to spend money throughout the day on snacks that are more than likely to be unhealthy, protein balls are an excellent recipe to incorporate protein powder into the diet, while also keeping snacking throughout the day light and delicious.
While it is true that, for certain individuals, there are both pros and cons to digesting protein powder, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. As well as being convenient, protein is quite fulfilling as a base nutrient source (something that can assist in avoiding overeating). Protein powder helps to preserve the muscles, and can speed up and maintain the body’s metabolism to peak condition. For every individual, there is a personal goal in mind when considering protein powder – some use it for weight loss, some use it for muscle gain, others use it for a meal supplement. While whey-based protein powders tend to taste heavy or chalky, those that have tried and tested both the traditional whey-based protein powders and the plant-based protein powders (like hemp protein powder) consistently talk about the difference in how they feel – specifically, that plant-based protein powders genuinely make the consumer feel better.
It is no secret that there are an overwhelming number of protein powder brands, bases, and flavours on the market, and choosing the right protein powder for oneself can be a surprisingly difficult to begin with. Once the available options are fleshed out, however, one can confidently decide on their preferred protein powder, and begin to work towards whichever goal led them to the purchase in the first place – whether that be weight loss, muscle gain, or the simple desire for a lifestyle change. With all the possible recipes to implement protein powder into an individual’s diet and lifestyle, there is no shortage of exciting, delicious options available.