Whey Protein Shakes: Are They Necessary?

Craving that thick, milky drink that goes through the straw in a very slow rate? That drink sounds like a milkshake, right? Yes, for the most part. But there is a different type of shake that most of us are not visualizing drinking. This is more on the healthy side---like a protein shake!

The majority of us can acquire the proteins that we need by just consuming foods. Approximately forty-five to fifty grams of proteins each day should be consumed by healthy adults.

For those exercise buffs, of course, you are likely to need more protein from any source than people that live a sedentary lifestyle.

Before we get into the whey protein shakes, what are protein shakes? Protein shakes are usually consumed by athletes that require nourishment after their workouts. They can range from one-hundred percent protein to mainly carbohydrates with additional protein and fat. In protein shakes, there are a variation of flavors that come in either a powder form or ready-to-drink packages, as in cans and/or foil packs.

There are many methods of choosing a protein shake; it really depends on your health goal(s). For example, if your goal is to lose weight or body fat, it is best to change to a protein shake that is mainly protein, lower carbohydrates and a small amount of fat. Here is the catch--the shake should be more than fifty percent protein. Protein shakes can contain different protein types, as in milk, whey, casein, egg, soy, and rice.

You should be getting protein in every aspect of your diet. However, you can supplement with a whey and casein combination; just make sure that you are not lactose intolerant, since these are milk sources.

Whey Protein Shakes

Speaking of whey protein shakes, adding it to your diet can actually aid in weight loss. According to the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, the 2008 edition, people that took a whey protein supplement actually lost more weight and kept their lean muscle mass more than the people on the same diet minus the whey protein shakes.

The recommendation for women is to eat between 1,800 and 2,400 calories a day to maintain weight and for men to eat between 2,400 and 3,000 calories, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Supplementing a Meal

As for replacing your meal with a whey protein shake, substituting one meal a day with this shake can assist in weight loss. The catch: avoid a meal that is calorie-rich and high in carbohydrates; replace them with a low-calorie meal. However, you have to continue to eat wholesome foods to make sure that an efficient intake of vitamins, minerals, and fiber are fulfilled. In fact, whole food sources should be your first option before selecting a whey protein shake diet.

Consult your physician prior to consuming the whey protein shake diet.