The human body is a complex organism that undergoes numerous physical and chemical changes each and every day. While complex in its processes, the makeup of the average human diet is quite simple. According to the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board, the human diet should be made up of 40-65 percent carbohydrates, 20-35 percent fats, and 10-35 percent protein (Food and Nutrition Board). Protein is an extremely important macronutrient, not only because it is an important building block in your body and is found in every cell, but because it helps repair your damaged muscles and keeps your body healthy. For athletes, protein plays a vital role in muscle building, so obviously they will be more protein rather than less.
Protein is a macronutrient that must be consumed each day. Our body cannot store excess protein the same way we can with fat. The average American who lives an inactive lifestyle needs to consume 0.8grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. For active people or athletes, the amount of protein per kilogram of body weight will be more, as their body requirements will be greater. In order to promote muscle growth, athletes need to supplement their diet with additional protein sources. For the average person who does not need to consume additional protein for muscle growth, liquid protein is an excellent source for supplementing their meals. For the athlete, liquid protein makes a great post workout recovery drink.
Liquid Protein as a Meal Supplement
When preparing daily meals, you need to have a healthy balance of your three macronutrients– carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. One way to get a well balanced meal is to sit down, plan it out, and then take the time to prepare it. While this is the ideal way, it is not realistic to think that people will actually sit down and go through this process. We live in a fast paced society where people desire results immediately, and want things to be simple, especially their diet.
People want foods that they can grab and eat on the go. Liquid protein shots are excellent ways to supplement your meals. Supplements such as Profect, made by Protica, are loaded with quality protein. If you add these supplements to one of your meals then you will more than adequately reach your daily requirements for protein. This supplement is not intended to replace your meal.
It is important to get your protein from multiple sources, such as beans, lean meats, dairy products, and nuts. Not only will these sources give you protein, but they will also give you the calories you require and vital nutrients that can only be achieved from consuming whole foods.
The average person will get more than their recommended amount of protein through their daily diet, so should you choose to supplement with liquid protein shots then you need to make sure that you don’t get carried away. A diet too high in protein can be unhealthy and can lead to problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and cholesterol (since many proteins are come from animal products and contain saturated fats).
For normal people looking to lose weight, it is an excellent choice to substitute some of your protein intake with one of these liquid protein shots since they don’t contain the saturated fats that you would be getting from animal proteins. If you are looking for a smarter way to balance your diet, then liquid protein is one option you should consider.
Liquid Protein as a Post Workout Recovery Drink
When you choose to work out, you change the rules for your diet and nutrient needs. Not only will you require more calories to compensate for the extra exercise, but you will also require more protein to help build muscle and repair the damage that has been done during your workout.
According to Dr. Joseph Mercola “an athlete should wait 45-60 minutes after a cardiovascular workout to consume their recovery meal; which should include protein. If the athlete is performing a strength conditioning workout then their window of opportunity is between 15-30 minutes post workout to consume a meal” (Dr. Joseph Mercola). Liquid protein shots are ideal for post workout recovery drinks, because they are high in protein and are easy to transport. You can take them with you and consume them in the gym or on your drive home.
As an athlete it is very important to watch what you eat and make sure that your diet is balanced. You can easily do yourself more harm than good should you let your nutritional needs get out of balance. Protein is a key player in an athlete’s diet; however, it is important to remember that just like “normal people” who aren’t on a competitive level, you can cause damage should you consume excess amounts of protein. Supplementation of protein should be closely monitored by both the athlete and the coach or trainer. The correct amount of protein intermixed with a proper diet is a good thing. Too much protein can hinder the body and the athlete’s overall performance.
What This Means for Me
Everyone can benefit from liquid protein, whether you are a moderately active, white collar worker or an extremely active, top level athlete. Obviously each individual’s daily requirements for protein will be different, but that does not mean you should choose your protein sources differently. When adding supplements, such as liquid protein into your diet you need to make sure that you are reducing the other sources (particularly the ones high in saturated fats). Liquid protein shots contain 25 grams of protein, which is roughly half of what you need if you are consuming a 2000 calorie diet.
For athletes, protein is vital. Liquid protein can make a big difference in development and performance if the athlete incorporates into a well balanced diet and uses it as a post workout recovery drink. During this small period of time, you have the opportunity to grow your muscles and help them recover more quickly and prepare for the next workout. In essence, liquid protein is an amazing way to supplement your diet or to help athletic performance.