Walk into any health guru's house, and you're bound to find protein powder in their pantry. Protein powder has become a hit in health and workout culture, and rightfully so. It's an excellent way to receive a boost of protein and nutrients when you need it most. However, with the rise in popularity, several new varieties of protein powder have emerged, and knowing which is best for you can be a bit confusing. Though many changes have been made to the protein industry over the years, one thing has remained the samewhey protein tops the list of best protein powders to use. And while you may have gulped down a few shakes made with it before, do you really know what about whey protein powder makes it so great for you? Luckily, we've called in the Bob's Red Mill food experts to answer all of your questions regarding whey protein powder. So continue scrolling as we help you decide if whey protein powder is the right supplement for you.
Why Use Protein Powder?
While protein powder is quite popular amongst gym-goers, you may find yourself asking is whey protein good for you?. Though whey protein does have many benefits, its not a supplement that everyone needs. Before you decide to begin using protein powder, you'll first want to consider why or if you need it at all. If you're not hitting your protein goal each day, protein powder will surely help. A busy schedule, lack of whole foods, or an active lifestyle may all contribute to you needing a bit of a protein boost. While quality whole foods will always be the best way to consume protein, supplements like whey protein powder are highly beneficialespecially when you're short on time.
If you're on the hunt for a quality protein powder, it's essential to know what to look for. When scanning the supplement aisle, we recommend searching for protein powders that use natural ingredients and refrain from adding synthetic sugars. Purchasing protein powder from a reputable company is also crucial, as it reassures you that the ingredients you're consuming are of quality. In general, a short ingredient list and low-carb amount are two critical indicators of a good protein powder.
The Benefits of Whey Protein
One of the most popular types of protein, whey protein, is loaded with nutritional benefits. From providing you with a good source of protein to promoting lean muscle build, let's dive into the many ways that this protein supplement can help you achieve your health and fitness goals.
Whey Protein Is Natural
Despite its convenient packaging, most
whey protein powder is entirely natural. While the quality of your protein powder will largely depend on the company you're purchasing from, most whey protein powders are created in a farm-to-table manner.
At Bob's Red Mill, we pride ourselves on the high-quality whey protein that we offer. A complete protein containing all of the essential amino acids required by the body, it's an excellent way to boost your protein intake without significantly increasing your carbohydrate and fat intake.
Unsweetened and sraightforward, our
whey protein powder stands out from the others on shelves. Its easy-to-dissolve nature makes it ideal for protein shakes and smoothies. However, those aren't the only recipes it can be used for. Add this whey protein powder to yogurt, oatmeal, granola, muffins, cakes and other baked goods for a genuinely nutritious treat.
Whey Protein Can Help Preserve Lean Muscle
For avid gym-goers, muscle mass is a common health goal. However, while many people exercise to build muscle, the truth is that we are breaking down some of that muscle when we partake in vigorous activity. This is because during the exercise session, the protein in your muscle is catabolized, and if you're not consuming enough protein, your body may not have enough of it to replenish its supplies.
While most people receive enough protein from the foods they eat, if your diet lacks rich, healthy and wholesome foods, chances are it's lacking protein. Additionally, those with an active lifestyle may require more protein than they consume. If you're surpassing all of your gym goals this year, then a regular day's worth of protein may not be enough, and a protein powder is necessary. Enjoying a protein shake on a high-activity day is an excellent way to help your body rebuild lean muscle and preserve all that you've worked for.
Whey Protein Is a Complete Protein
Whey protein is a complete protein meaning that it has all nine of the essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are those which you can only get from your diet. Your body's cells rely on these acids and use them as the building blocks of protein to repair and rebuild muscle. While several plant-based foods and protein powders contain significant amounts of amino acids, very few have them all. Histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine are all found in whey protein powder, meaning that you won't have to worry about not meeting your amino acid requirements.
Whey Protein Is a Great Way to Curb Hunger Cravings
Our schedule tends to fill up rather quickly, no matter what time of year it is. So, if you live an on-the-go lifestyle and find it hard to make healthy, filling meals each morning, you're not alone. Many of us have a long to-do list of things to accomplish before even stepping out the door. Now, just because you may not have the time to make a healthy meal doesn't mean that your health goals should go out the door with you. Protein shakes are the ideal breakfast substitute and mid-day snack. They are a nutritious way to reduce hunger and keep you focused. Plus, protein shakes can help keep you from reaching for unhealthy snacks when cravings strike. And, because they're so versatile, they're easy to customize to everyone's taste preferences.
When to Use Whey Protein Powder
Now that you've decided you'd like to add
whey protein powder into your weekly routine, it's time to figure out when to use it. If you're new to protein powder, figuring out when to use it can be tricky. Here are the two most common instances when people reach for protein powder over wholefood protein.
Post-Workout
Enjoying a whey protein shake as a meal replacement is excellent when you're in a time crunch. However, another use of protein shakes is just as common. Many avid gym-goers swear by enjoying a protein shake post-workout. During the post-workout window, there's a small amount of time in which you can consume nutrients for the most significant benefit. Protein shakes make it easy to quickly receive this significant boost of benefits, which is why they've become so popular in the health and fitness industry.
Consuming a
post-workout protein shake is not only an excellent way to rehydrate and replenish lost nutrients, but it can also help you recover from strenuous workouts while increasing muscle gain and strength. Though there is a post-exercising window in which consuming shakes is the most effective, it's not as important as previously thought. So if you forgot to prep a shake before heading to the gym, don't begin to stress thinking that your workout was wasted. Instead, enjoy the shake when you can and soak up all the nutritional benefits.
As a Meal Replacement
As mentioned earlier, consuming whole foods and naturally protein-rich ingredients is the best way to meet your daily protein requirements. However, there are times when eating a nutritious home-cooked meal is not always an option. If you're battling a busy schedule and struggling to get your nutrients in,
whey protein shakes can be used as a meal supplement. While we don't recommend enjoying them for every meal, they're an excellent quick breakfast and the perfect way to jumpstart your day. When making a protein shake with whey protein, you must combine it with nutrient-rich ingredients. Combining a few scoops of protein powder with vegetables, fruits and a few healthy fats is an excellent way to create a shake that's worthy of a meal replacement. Loaded with nutrition and calories, protein shakes can be used in place of a meal or in addition to a regular meal when aiming for weight gain.
Keto-friendly and kosher, we're confident that protein shakes will quickly become a household favorite after trying whey protein. Whether you choose to enjoy protein shakes as a meal replacement or post-workout treat is entirely up to you and your individual health needs. Visit Bobsredmill.com to search for a whey protein recipe and begin using this superfood today. We can't wait to see what you come up with!
Do you use whey protein regularly? Wed love to hear about the many ways you work this supplement into your diet. Let us know more in the comments below!
