Are Protein Shakes Really Worth Using?
Protein shakes are all the rage right now.
You can’t make it two feet into the gym before you hear that undeniable sound of someone shaking their protein powder blender like a polaroid picture.
The “ting, ting, ting” of that wire whisk ball becomes the melodic tune to their workout pump and everyone around them.
As melodic as it might be, we’re here to figure out if protein shakes are really worth using.
We can definitely see the popularity of protein shakes among body builders and frequent gym-goers, but what about everyone else?
Protein shakes aren’t just for the die-hard musclemen.
In fact, they may help you reach a number of your weight-loss and fitness goals.
Protein shakes may also be a convenient, practical tool during your endeavors.
So to shake, or not to shake, that is the question….
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you may want to join in on the symphony of protein shaker “tings”.
1. Convenience
I don’t know about you but 9 times out of 10 the majority of my daily decisions are based on one thing… convenience.
We don’t seem to have the luxury of time anymore.
Busy lives are all encompassing and leave little room for extracurricular things like, you know, cooking, cleaning, and bathing.
In a perfect world, we’d have long, luxurious trips down every aisle of the local health food store.
Each item on our shopping list would be checked off and placed into our shopping cart full of health and happiness.
We’d go home and wash, prepare, cook and portion out all of our meals for the entire next week.
And all of this would be completed by Sunday morning; just before the football game starts.
Snap back to reality…
The same load of laundry has been in the washer for 2 days and the phone keeps ringing off the hook.
The fridge is looking as empty as the closet and the only tackling that’s going to be happening is when you try to pin the dog down for a much-needed bath.
When it comes down to it, we don’t always have time for a well-planned out meal that provides us with all the vital protein we need for our daily functioning, weight-loss, and fitness goals.
This is when protein shakes really make their mark.
It takes a matter of minutes, even just seconds, to whip up a protein shake.
It also doesn’t require a laundry list of ingredients or special trips to the store.
Protein shakes are super quick and convenient, especially right after working out when energy levels are low and you need the protein to start working its magic.
Shakes can also be used as meal replacements on occasion and is a great option for those who usually skip breakfast (which we know is a definite no-no!)
Protein powder also has a long shelf life and can be very cost effective when compared to some high-protein meat.
They also don’t need to be refrigerated, so they can be taken on road while traveling.
You can also get creative and add protein powder to yogurt, pudding, cereals, and baked goods, to get an extra boost of protein in your daily diet.
Shakes are also a great way to help easily meet your daily-recommended amount of protein.
One single scoop of protein powder can get you to nearly half (or even more) of your daily intake requirements.
All in all, protein shakes are the epitome of convenience and gel well with our hectic lifestyles.
2. Aid in weight loss
Protein shakes can be a great tool when weight-loss is your goal.
As mentioned earlier, protein shakes can be used as a meal replacement.
Studies have shown that individuals who used a protein shake as a meal replacement 1 – 2 times daily saw a significant reduction in fat compared to subjects following a low calorie diet.
The subjects using the shakes as a meal replacement also lost less lean muscle mass compared to the other group.
Many protein shakes are also lower in calories than high-protein foods, making them another great supplement for weight-loss.
Protein shakes have also been shown to reduce hunger and increase satiety by making the individual feel fuller for longer.
Shakes that utilize whey as the protein source have also been shown to be thermogenic, which results in burning calories.
3. Help tone and bulk
Shakes are also very beneficial for toning and bulking up.
Protein contains amino acids, which are the building blocks of cells, in particular muscle protein.
A certain protein source called whey has been shown to increase muscle strength and also gain fat-free mass.
Whey contains leucine, which takes part in stimulating protein synthesis in the body.
This stimulation makes whey a great tool for maximizing muscle growth.
Protein shakes help aid in the repair and recovery of muscle tissue, which then lead to hypertrophy or growth of the muscle.
In conclusion…
You may have been on the fence about whether protein shakes are really worth it or not.
We can see that there are a myriad of reasons why protein shakes really are worth it.
Protein shakes provide convenience factors that almost no other food or supplement can tout.
Protein powder doesn’t need to be refrigerated, has a long shelf life, and it can be whipped (or shaken to be exact) up in a matter of seconds or minutes.
Consuming protein powder makes it much easier to hit your daily-recommended amount of protein.
This is vital for proper bodily function, weight-loss, and fitness goals.
Protein shakes also aid in weight-loss.
They are great meal replacement options and also help keep you feeling full for longer.
Protein shakes also help burn calories, which can lead to weight loss.
Lastly, protein shakes are your best friend when it comes to toning or bulking up.
They are powerful little nutrients that help repair, restore, and increase the size and strength of muscle mass.
If you’re ready to join the symphony of shakes and start enjoying some of the benefits from protein shakes, check out our 10 best protein powders and find the perfect one for you!
