Here’s something they don’t always tell you at the gym – muscles are made in the kitchen. You could spend hours pumping away in the weights room but if your diet isn’t up to scratch, you aren’t going to see the results that you want. Sorry, but that’s the way it works.
To work towards those fitness goals, take a closer look at the fuel you’re consuming (i.e. what you’re eating day-to-day). We definitely wouldn’t recommend counting every gram going in and out, but doing something relatively simple like increasing protein intake will improve results.
Upping your protein may help keep muscles healthy and boost your muscle mass. You could load up on meat — and pack it into every meal — but that would be both expensive and boring. (Not to mention bad for the environment!) The most effective and affordable method of adding protein to your diet is with something called whey protein powder.
Here’s a quick guide on everything you need to know.
What is whey protein powder?
Whey protein is a byproduct of the cheese-making process. Whey is the watery bit of milk that separates from curds when cheese is made (no it doesn’t sound appetising but more on that below). It usually comes in the form of a powder and can be mixed with liquids to make milkshake or smoothie-like drinks which you can drink as part of a set routine or before and after workouts.
What are the benefits of whey protein powder?
There’s some debate about the exact health benefits of whey protein powders, but evidence suggests that adding protein powder to your workout routine boosts strength, muscle mass, and recovery. Other potential benefits include weight gain, healing properties, and combatting allergies.
Are whey protein powders safe?
Always check with your healthcare professional before you increase your protein intake significantly. There are a few risks for people with particular illnesses, so we recommend playing it safe before you invest. Once that is out of the way, there’s nothing stopping you.
Do whey protein powders come in different flavours?
A byproduct of cheese-making sounds a bit sickly, yes. But supplement companies add flavours and sweeteners to their powders, while keeping calories and carbohydrates to a minimum. This ensures that it is both palatable and effective at doing what you want it to do — build muscle. Flavours include chocolate, banana, vanilla, and strawberry.
What is the best protein powder?
To help you pick the best product for your particular set of goals, we have researched all the top protein powders, and compared brands, prices, reviews, and much more. We’ve then condensed all of this information into a handy list, so that you can make an informed decision.
These are the best protein powders for 2022.
