Custom protein powder is most often thought about in association with athletes and super active people. The reality is that everyone needs protein and probably more protein than they are taken in on a daily basis. There are many questions associated with protein, such as do I really need protein? How much protein do I need? What are the best ways to get protein?
There are many reasons why an adult needs protein. If you do not take in enough protein, it may cause you to gain weight and lose muscle mass. When you take in more protein, it can help to improve the hormone glucagon in your body which can help to control the amount of body fat you have. Protein is able to strengthen your bones as you get older. Protein is what you need to repair your cells, build muscle, and encourage you to grow healthy. You may get enough protein from the food you eat. It is important to know that you get enough, but not too much protein.
You receive protein naturally from food such as meat, fish, eggs, poultry, lentils, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, and dairy from your everyday diet. Typically, it is less expensive to eat real food than it is to purchase protein powder. Protein powders tend to be slightly expensive, but for good reason. Expensive is relative, and it does depend on how much food you consume, because eating a large amount of fish could be pricey, too. Protein powder gives you an extra boost of protein without having to consume larger amounts of food, and it can easily be mixed into a smoothie or shake as a post-workout protein drink.
There is a relatively easy way to determine if you are consuming enough protein. To determine the amount of protein you need in grams, you must first convert your weight to kilograms. To do this, you divide your weight (pounds) by 2.2. This will give you your weight in kilograms. You then multiply that number by 0.8 and that answer is the number of grams of protein you need each day. If you are an athlete, you might need a little more protein, so you would take your weight in kilogrammes and multiply it by 1.2. This is the amount of protein you want to consume. This will also tell you if you should supplement your current diet with more protein, such as protein powder.
When considering adding in a protein powder, it is important to note that they are all a little different and you should choose your protein powders and supplements carefully. When choosing custom supplement manufacturing, you want to make sure that they meet your needs. If you are vegan or vegetarian, you want to make sure the protein does not contain milk protein or whey. You want to avoid proteins that have added sugar. Make sure that sugar is not one of the first 3 ingredients listed. You also want a protein that is low in carbohydrates, which is between 5 to 15 grams per serving.
Depending on why you want extra protein may dictate when you use it. If you are an athlete and want protein to help you gain muscle and recover from a workout, you should consume it within 60 minutes of finishing a workout. This is the time when your muscles will respond the best to the protein for growth and repair. If you want to consume protein to help you lose weight and control hunger, you should make sure you have protein with every meal and snack. This will help you feel full and stay full. You should try to consume about 3 ounces or 20 grams of protein at every meal. Pay attention to the ingredients of your protein. Sometimes there is added sugar or flavour to help the protein taste better. A protein powder that is not flavoured does not really taste good.
Helen Bradfield did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She has an ongoing interest in mental health and well-being.
