There are certain things that we all need to have in our diets and protein is one of them. Protein is one of three macronutrients that are necessary for our survival, and there isn’t a cell in our bodies that does not rely on protein. Most people who are following a healthy, well-balanced diet are probably already getting enough protein just from dietary sources, but there are many people who do not have a healthy diet and must rely on other sources of protein. And there are all kinds of people who have healthy diets, but still need a little extra protein, because they are still not getting enough.
Why Do You Need Protein?
There are a number of reasons it is important to have enough protein in our diet. Protein is a natural source of energy and it is a primary component of lean muscle mass. Our hair, skin, and nails are made from protein and it even plays a role in vision. But it is important to remember that you can also get too much protein, which can lead to a number of health conditions, such as kidney and gall stones.
How Much Protein Do You Need?
Depending on your age and other factors, the amount of protein needed by the body may vary. Generally, an average adult requires between 55 and 65 grams of protein in their diets each day, which can be found in many of the foods in their diets. Athletes and body builders require even more protein in their diets, for a couple of reasons. The energy it provides helps with workouts and because it helps to repair muscles, it is often used for muscle recovery. Others who may need additional protein are those who are on very restricted diets, including liquid diets. If you are someone who tends to eat a lot of junk food, you would benefit from having additional protein in your diet.
Some excellent dietary sources of protein include lean red meat, nuts and seeds, peanut butter, low or non-fat dairy products, fish, soy, brown rice and much more. Even with all of these delicious sources of protein available, it is still difficult for some people to get all of the nutrients they need from their diets. They may not have enough time to prepare and eat a meal, or they may have food allergies. In a lot of cases, people just don’t like a lot of the foods that they should be eating. Is there any other way to get protein? Yes. Many people use protein supplements, which come in a variety of forms.
Using Protein Supplements
Protein supplements are an excellent way to get the protein you are not getting from your diet, not to mention other vitamins and nutrients. There are different types of protein supplements, from pills to powders to snacks to liquid proteins to liquid protein shots. Which ones you use really depends on your taste. A lot of people prefer the liquid or powdered protein supplements, so that they can make their own healthy shakes and smoothies from fresh ingredients. It is important to remember that many of the liquid protein supplements are whey-based, which is a milk derivative, so if there are any milk or lactose allergies, it would be wise to use a different type of protein supplement.
About Protein Shakes
As noted above, there are many different kinds of protein shakes and often, the ones chosen are a matter of personal taste and sometimes on recommendation by a physician. Anyone who has any digestive troubles may want to stick with a protein shake made from rice protein, as it is hypo-allergenic and very easy to digest. Soy is an excellent choice for vegetarians, as it is the only plant-based protein that is a complete protein, meaning that it contains all of the essential and non-essential amino acids. You can buy protein shakes that are pre-made and ready to drink, or, you can make your own. Both have their advantages. The pre-made shakes are portable and great for those who are too busy to stop and eat, and the ones you make yourself are almost as convenient and extremely healthy, depending on the ingredients you use.
Which Protein Shakes Are the Best Protein Shakes for You?
Just as there are many different types of protein shakes, there are many different reasons people use them. In the case of athletes, they are usually used before workouts to provide energy and following workouts for muscle recovery. These protein shakes often are a bit higher in fat, so if you are looking to lose weight, you should opt for something different. There are many protein shakes created for low-calorie weight loss diets, and they have very little, if any, fat or sugar. Women need shakes with higher amounts of protein, as their bodies do not store protein as well as men’s bodies do. And, if you are trying to lose weight, the protein will help in the fat burning process. Those who are using protein supplements as meal replacements need to make sure that their supplements contain as many other vitamins and nutrients as possible, to make sure that they are getting everything they need.
One popular type of protein supplement is not a shake, but a liquid protein shot. These are excellent for anyone who is on a restricted diet. One that is particularly popular is Profect by Protica, which contains 25 grams of protein in each 2.9 ounce serving but only has 100 calories. Profect provides 100% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C, 50% of the B complex vitamins and contains no fat, carbohydrates or cholesterol. And it is great for anyone with a sweet tooth, as it comes in many delicious flavors, including Blue Raspberry Swirl and Grapefruit-Mango. For more information about Profect, or any of the other protein supplements from Protica, visit the website at www.protica.com.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein drinks for bariatric patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright