If you've been near a sports goods store, you can't help but notice the enormous, hip-looking containers of casein and whey protein powder. Additionally, drinking protein shakes sounds and appears cool. However, if you're not a professional, are they really necessary?
Fitness instructors typically urge people who exercise to consume it, especially vegetarians. While some believe that protein should be consumed by eating rather than drinking, consuming protein in its natural form is preferable to consuming it as a powder created artificially. There are some significant differences between the various protein sources.
For active individuals, aiming for about 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily is a suitable rule of thumb. However, excess protein intake can be stored as fat, potentially causing unwanted weight gain. Unprocessed proteins, such as meat and eggs, are less prone to overconsumption compared to processed carbohydrates and fats.
Protein From Whole Foods:
Eating naturally produced proteins, whether they come from plants or animals, is preferable to eating artificially produced or lab-created proteins. Eating off a plate is far healthier than taking pills. When eating protein as opposed to drinking it, it is much harder to overdo it.
After 20 minutes of chewing, the brain finally recognises that you are full and that you feel satisfied. You won't feel full after drinking a protein shake because no one drinks one in 20 minutes. Remember that substituting protein shakes for meals is a shortcut, and shortcuts rarely work in the long run. Unless you plan to only consume protein shakes for the rest of your life, whatever results you achieve will disappear once you start eating regular food again.
Consuming whole-protein foods offers several advantages over protein powders. Whole foods provide protein in its natural form, whether from plant or animal sources, promoting overall health. Eating whole foods makes it challenging to overconsume protein, as it takes time for the brain to register fullness, promoting a sense of satisfaction.
Unlike protein shakes, whole foods offer this benefit, making it easier to control portion sizes. Whole-protein foods offer a balanced and sustainable approach to meeting one's protein needs while promoting overall well-being.
Protein From Shakes:
All protein supplements come from artificial sources and include the necessary amounts of each important amino acid. In liquid form, such as protein drinks, protein is simple to absorb and digest. Additionally, these protein supplements are easier and faster to absorb, acting as a standby meal.
However, the majority of protein supplements include harmful artificial colouring and preservatives. Long-term usage of protein supplements may potentially cause digestive problems, nausea, bloating, and other health problems. Therefore, it's crucial to select protein supplements from a reputable and certified brand.
In spite of this, protein powders still have their uses. The fact that protein powders are actually supplements should be recognised first. They are therefore not intended to be a substitute for regular meals. The intake of protein per kg of body weight can increase to 1.6–2.2 grams per day for people who engage in intense exercise or who are professional bodybuilders or athletes.
These protein supplements can be pretty helpful since those who need to ingest significantly more protein than the average person find it difficult to do so. But take note that protein powders should only be consumed after visiting a specialist, especially if you have kidney or liver issues, high uric acid, or certain heart disorders.