We all want to be healthy and nourish our bodies with the best foods, especially when we are working out and exercising. Oftentimes, we opt for a protein shake as a meal replacement or an additional meal to help us put on some muscle. How do we know which protein shakes would best suit us? There are a ton of protein options but how do we know which would fit our needs specifically? Here is a list of different types of protein shakes, what they do and how they are beneficial.
Types of Protein Shakes:
Whey
Whey is a by-product of cheese making. Whey is a protein that can aid in weight loss and also help with lean muscle growth. This protein shake is fairly inexpensive compared to most other protein shakes and is also great for a post workout meal. The downside to whey protein is lactose, which some people are allergic to and there is a chance some contain artificial sweeteners and chemical, which are not beneficial to your body.
Rice
This protein is a great source of carbohydrates, fibers and Vitamin B. Rice protein is especially loved by vegetarians because there is no milk product in it and it is hypoallergenic to not cause an allergic reaction and used entirely by the body. The main downside to rice protein powder is that is should not be used as a main source of protein as it lacks some amino acids.
Soy
This is a plant-based protein that does contain all of the essential amino acids, compared to rice protein. This is an excellent protein to help promote bone health and the immune system as well as a preventative measure for cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. There have been some downsides to soy protein however. It have been said that soy can negatively affect your hormone levels and is often times genetically modified.
Casein
Casein is the other major protein in milk, besides whey. Casein, as opposed to whey, is a slow digesting protein. Researchers have found that this is an ideal protein to take before going to bed because it is such a slow digesting protein. This protein is more expensive than some protein and does contain some artificial flavors and ingredients to aid in the taste.
Weight Gain
A weight gainer protein is going to be a mixture of different proteins. This protein will be very caloric to help you put on muscle weight. This protein is beneficial to those looking to gain weight because if often will help them consume more calories than they would be able to eat in one day. These proteins do however, contain artificial sweeteners and some additives to add to the calorie count.
Deciding on a protein powder to aid in your workouts and healthy lifestyle is difficult. There are so many options now days with proteins, you really have to do some research in order to choose the right one for you. From muscle builders to weight loss, there is a protein powder that will work for you to help you reach your goals.