When it comes to building muscle and losing fat, protein is key as it supplies you with just the right nutrients to promote both. One quick and easy way to get the protein you need is to drink protein shakes. But what exactly is in these fitness boosting beverages that can benefit you?
Of course, the most obvious answer is protein. The less obvious answer is what kind. The types of protein in shakes varies from soy to whey to milk protein. There are also protein shakes made of casein, egg, and rice. Each type can be beneficial, so you may want to try different ones to see which one works best for your body.
The amount of protein contained in each one is just as variant. While some protein shakes have only have 5 to 6 grams of protein, others offer more than 20. The question then becomes how much protein you need. Depending on the intake via the rest of your diet, you may need just a little or a lot, so choosing the right shake is important to making sure you get enough protein without taking in too much.
Protein shakes also typically contain carbohydrates. Therefore, you’ll want to keep this in mind, especially if you’re counting these macronutrients in your diet or watching your blood sugar. Watch for the sugars specifically as some brands contain more than what you want to help you reach your fitness goals. Vitamins and minerals are also found in protein shakes, giving your body a little extra boost to help you through your workouts and to assist with recovery.
Be sure to read the labels on the protein shakes that you choose to use so you know exactly what you are consuming by drinking them. Some are better than others, and you won’t know which is which without doing some checking of your own.
What protein shake is your favorite? Why?
