Turns out, Little Miss Muffet had the right idea when she spent her mornings with pesky spiders eating curds and whey. Nowadays we have the blessing of being able to scoop up that whey and add it a massively nutritional protein shake instead.
Protein gets a bad rap when it comes to the daily eating regimen. For too long it has been associated with the body builders and endurance athletes of this world when really just about every individual could benefit from adding more protein to their diet.
Protein levels deplete during a workout and need to be replenished but our bodies do not produce the essential amino acids required to do this job. That is why many people choose to fuel up with a protein shake before or after a sweat session.
What is Whey?
So what is whey protein really? What was Miss Muffet really stirring into her curds?
Whey is a byproduct of cheese and even though it was once considered waste, new research has shown the benefits of whey protein as a high quality and powerful protein that promotes good health and the growth of muscles. Whey protein is also found in baby formula.
Whey is considered a complete protein. It is found in three forms: isolate, concentrate and hydrolysate. Isolate is the most pure of three kinds and it is most easily absorbed into the body.
You can get whey protein from meats, soy, vegetables and other products but the easiest way is through purchasing a 2-5 jug at a health food store to incorporate into your daily meals.
The Right Way to Use Whey
People often assume that whey is just for the muscle men at the gym, those looking to bulk up for the beach. Not so true. Whey protein actually gives your metabolism a helping hand in losing weight and the right kind of weight. You will be losing the body fat, not the muscle when you decide to add whey into your daily diet. Experts agree that whey is a super food with benefits that are not talked about often enough.
If you are serious about your workout regimen then it would be wise to add protein into the diet. The process of building muscle is one that involves a great deal of tearing skeletal muscle cells. For every tear there needs to be a substantial repair and your body cannot do this on its own. Enter whey protein, a way to boost protein production and outweigh the damage that arises from physical exercise.
Be sure that when you begin perusing the aisles of the grocery store for whey protein that you look for a packaging that is natural, just the bare bones protein without any additions. It is easy to overlook packaging and get a protein with a ton of unnatural ingredients congregating together in the nutritional labels. Scour the labels for the protein without the unpronounceable additives or 30 grams of sugar snuck into the formula. You don’t need a sugary protein powder for it to taste good.
I have found one of the best ways to get that additional 20-30 grams of protein per day and thoroughly enjoy the consuming of it is through a wonderful concoction that I like to call the smoothie.
Healthy smoothies that make 2 8-ounce servings are made up of ¾ cup of skim or 1% milk, 3-4 crushed ice cubes, and a scoop of low-fat vanilla yogurt. The fun is in mixing and matching the rest to your liking. Add berries, a tablespoon or two of peanut butter, cinnamon, fresh fruit or even pumpkin are healthy additions that won’t tamper with the healthiness of this beverage. The fun is in finding a protein smoothie that works for you.
Photo by rbbaird
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