Are You Getting Enough Protein?
I’m often surprised when I talk with my clients about nutrition, and many of them are not getting enough protein into their diets. They do a great job working out, but don’t understand the importance of “feeding their muscles” afterwards.
In general, a healthy, balanced diet will provide adequate macronutrients (i.e., protein, carbohydrates, & fat) and real, organic food is always better for our bodies than supplements.
The guidelines to prevent protein deficiency are:
sedentary adults need 0.36 grams of protein per pound of their bodyweight (e.g., if you weigh 150 pounds, you need 54 grams of protein per day, 150 x .36 = 54)
active adults and athletes need 0.5 - 0.8 grams of protein per pound of their bodyweight (e.g. 150 pound athletic adults needs 75 - 120 grams of protein per day depending upon the activity level, 150 x .5 = 75, 150 x .8 = 120)
Sometimes, we don’t have the time or energy to make a healthy breakfast, we’re working through lunch, or we’re on the road during dinner.
Whatever your reason, using a meal replacement protein shake is a great way to make sure that you still get some nutrients in rather than skipping the meal completely and then overeating or making unhealthy food choices (e.g. fast food) because you’re so hungry.
If your body tolerates dairy, this protein shake is an excellent meal replacement for those days you’re rushing, or just don’t feel like cooking. Add a piece of fruit or some vegetables and you have a complete “meal”. (If you don’t tolerate dairy, I recommend Orgain plant-based protein powder.)
I don’t love the amount of plastic used in these shakes but the flavor is much better than the average protein shake and the nutritional is great.
As with all supplements, you’re getting a processed “food”, but most of what you’re drinking in these shakes is aseptically pasteurized milk, which means the milk is pasteurized using ultra-high temperatures to kill any harmful bacteria and then bottled immediately to prevent air from reaching it.
Again, if you can get your protein without supplements, that’s always best. If you do need a little bit of help meeting your minimum requirements however, these shakes are a healthier option than many of the others that are on the market.
