Best Protein Shake

Choosing the Best Protein Shake for You

There are meal replacement shakes and protein shakes. Meal replacement shakes are meant to completely replace one or two of your meals per day. They are ideal for weight loss or maintaining optimal health. The best protein shake will be rich in proteins, low in carbohydrates and provide all the vitamins and minerals you would get eating a well-balanced meal. A meal replacement shake will have between 200 and 400 calories.

Protein shakes on the other hand, are just protein and are not formulated as meal replacements. They are low in calories and contain little or no carbohydrates, fats or other nutrients. Undenatured whey protein is the king of protein shakes and should be your first choice. A good quality whey protein has little lactose so even if you are lactose intolerant you should not have any issues. The Isagenix shakes contain active enzymes to help with digestion.

Whey protein source

Read the label before you buy whey protein! It's so important to know what you're putting in your body and the source of the ingredients. Only purchase products containing undenatured whey protein, which means the protein has not been damaged during processing. Check that the whey is from 100% pasture fed cows and contains no growth hormones or antibiotics (see organic whey protein).

The best whey comes from New Zealand.

Other ingredients

The best protein shake will contain only natural ingredients and therefore only natural sugars. Watch out for artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, saccharin and cyclamate or their brand names NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, Equal-Measure or any ingredient that says ‘artificial’ sweetener. (See Whey Protein Dangers)

Sometimes it’s not what is listed. Consumer Report July 2010 Article indicated the most popular brands of whey protein in the US had high concentrations of heavy metals including lead, arsenic, and cadmium. Knowing where the ingredients are from is important!

Also, check the following;

• Low fat and low saturated fat
• Low sodium
• A source of dietary fibre

The Best Protein Shake is a Nutritious Food for Your Children!

No time for breakfast? Kids 4 years and older can drink protein meal replacement shakes in quantities appropriate for their size and age. They get everything they need to start their day in one quick and easy drink. Throw in some frozen fruits or banana or frozen yogurt for variety.

Note: Protein shakes (not meal replacement shakes) are not recommended for children under the age of 12.

Gluten-Free Options

Protein shakes are also an inexpensive alternative for people on gluten-free diets. The costs of gluten-free products can be, well, shocking. And people on gluten-free diets are at risk of not meeting all of their daily dietary requirements because of their gluten intolerance.

A good quality gluten-free meal replacement protein shake is a convenient and inexpensive way to get the nutrition and feel good.

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