Best Whey Protein Shakes

May 18, 2010

Top 5 Reasons Why You Need To Take Whey Protein Supplements

Filed under: whey protein supplements — Tom @ 4:59 am

Despite the many health benefits of whey protein supplements, there are still a lot who prefer not to take them. There is always the reason of too much sugar and carbohydrates. Others may have been brainwashed by the so-called drastic side effects of taking too much protein in the body.

Whey protein has become saleable in the market because the majority of them really work. To give you an idea on what you can enjoy, read the following list:

Your body does not have enough protein. One of the foremost reasons why you need to supplement your diet with whey protein is because you do not have enough of it to maintain leaner and firmer muscle. You could be fond of too much carbohydrates or sugar, which can increase your calorie and distort your weight, making you more obese.

It is essential for better athlete performance. Athletes are considered to be the major consumers of proteins, and they would normally prefer whey. Unlike other kinds of proteins out there, whey is completely natural protein. This means that it is enriched with several types of amino acids that your body really needs to function very well.

When taken, they can boost the energy level of athletes, strengthen their muscles, make them less prone to injury, and help them recover from injuries a lot faster. Athletes require twice the protein consumed by an average person.

It helps you manage your weight a lot better. With the rise of Western-style food diet, it is not surprising anymore that there are a lot of people who weigh more than they should. Not only does obesity reduce their level of self-confidence, but it can also make them more vulnerable to life-threatening illnesses such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and diabetes.

By using whey protein, you can already cut back on fats and carbohydrates that you can consume because it does not contain a lot of them. Whey protein also permits your body to burn more calories because it stimulates thermogenesis or the breakage of fats through internal body heat.

Whey protein provides you with a much better heart. Your heart is one of the vital organs in the body, and yet it can also be very susceptible to disorders including the build-up of plaque that causes heart attack, hypertension, or stroke.

The secret to maintaining a good heart is a combination of a low-fat and low-sugar diet, as well as exercise. Whey protein can help you in the former. You can effectively adapt a healthier lifestyle with it.

It supports the diet of those who are sick. What happens when you are sick? You are basically very weak, and you may never be able to eat the right kinds of food, which you supposedly need to rebuild your immune system.

Protein, being the source of the building blocks of life, should be included in your diet, and you can do that by taking whey protein supplements made of whey protein. Even if you are not eating properly, your body still remains nourished.

May 4, 2010

How To Spot The Best Whey Protein Powder

Filed under: best whey protein — Tom @ 5:53 am

So how do you exactly find the best whey protein powder? Unknown to many, there are actually quite a couple of factors that you need to consider before you can come up with your own list of ideal whey protein powder brands that are currently sold in the market.

To give you an idea of what they are, check out the following:

Purity. The first thing you need to remember is the purity of the whey protein powder. How much protein does it really contain? Otherwise, there’s a good chance that you’re simply paying for fillers that your body doesn’t make use of or doesn’t need. Things may get a little complex, though, if you think about the different components of proteins.

To simplify, there are two things you need to watch out for: fats and carbohydrates. The carbohydrates should never be more than 3 grams, including sugar. Moreover, the ratio between fat grams and protein should be 1:25. If this is too hard to achieve, you can just look for those with fat grams that are 2 and below for every 25 grams of protein.

Mixability. You should not find it too difficult to combine the powder with water, milk, or any liquid substance. You need to ensure that you can conveniently dissolve the powder in the liquid to make the most out of it. If not, most of the powder will just stick into the glass or mug, unused by your body.

Flavor. Flavor or taste doesn’t in any way affect the effectiveness of a whey protein. There are whey protein powders that are uber-delicious and yet they are not very pure. Nevertheless, since you’re going to chug it down sooner or later, you still have to think about its taste. As much as possible, it should be palatable, so you would be more encouraged to take it, especially when you’re going to work out.

There are different flavors available in the market today, so you don’t have to stick with the same thing over and over. Two of the favorites include chocolate and vanilla, though there are some that are fruity, such as those that taste like strawberry.

Price. Should the best whey protein powder have a very high price tag? The answer is no. However, you should also be wary of those that are sold at dirt cheap prices. There’s a huge chance that they are just trying to rip you off by selling substandard products. Because they cannot sell their protein powder based on the quality, they lure you with its practicality.

Texture. This refers to the ability of the whey protein to achieve the consistency that you prefer. For example, if the powder is supposed to be a shake, it should appear creamy, frothy, or thick.

It does pay to conduct your own research before you buy any whey protein powder. The Internet can be truly helpful in this aspect, since you can already read several consumer reviews. Needless to say, though, you have to search for other opinions from friends, fitness trainers, health experts, and health magazines and journals that may carry features or reviews of these supplements.

January 26, 2010

Putting Soy Protein Shakes In Proper Perspective

Filed under: soy protein shakes — Tom @ 2:32 am

Soy protein shakes are supplements that contain concentrated levels of soy protein. Research has established resolutely that soy protein is an essential requirement in the body for proper functioning of many body organs. In fact, soy protein is today being used to trigger and facilitate weight loss. In the medical arena, soy protein has been used to stabilize cholesterol levels in the body and to amplify mental coordination.

You will easily find a soy protein shake in the market today, either in a packaged powder form or as pre-packaged ready-to-drink solution of soy protein and water. Remote studies have claimed that a soy protein shake if consistently included in the diet, helps the body far more than any whey protein supplement. What is for sure though is the fact that soy protein shakes incorporate all, again all, essential amino acids. Medics usually refer to the same trait of soy protein as having a complete profile of amino acids.

For the human body to function at the optimal most levels, essential amino acids are a rudimentary requirement. Essential amino acids are those protein components the body cannot synthesize naturally, and have to be derived from the dietary provisions. While it is hard to consume foods that generate adequate levels of essential proteins, a soy protein shake is a guarantee dietary inclusion that can ensure your body is never lacking in any essential amino acid.

It would therefore be of great help to the body, if you made soy protein shakes a part of your regular diet. There are so many benefits to reap from soy protein. Essentially, while ingested on a frequent basis, soy protein relieves menopause symptoms, facilitates improvement of the memory, repairs the muscle connective tissues and contributes to prostate health among many other benefits. Indeed, FDA approved soy protein and the soy protein shake formula in 1999, after rigorous testing.

Soy protein is very essential not only for body builders and athletes, but also for the general public even those who rarely see the gym. Those in weight loss programs are the ones who most frequently use soy protein shakes. Understandably, losing excess weight is a priority concern in the US today, with a multibillion-dollar industry to boot. People who want to shed weight spend billions and billions of dollars in search of a working solution. What they all don’t know however, is that the answer is far cheaper and available in their local stores.

The fact is that a soy protein shake yields a superior protein form that facilitates general improvement of all bodily functions until weight deposits are burnt or secreted. Such functions that are harnessed by soy protein include a fast and efficient metabolism rate. With an optimal metabolism, weight loss becomes a possibility especially if accompanied by exercises. The idea is to cater for all amino acids unavailable and inadequate in the daily diet regime using the complete amino acid formula of soy. Once that is done, the general body health will improve starting with easy weight management.

January 22, 2010

Amicable Perfection of Meal Replacement Shakes

Filed under: meal replacement shakes — Tom @ 2:15 am

It has only been a couple of years since meal replacement shakes became a diet alternative. But thank God that we now have them. The meal replacement formula is so distinct such that there is nothing like it in the dieter’s market. This revolutionary product is today believed to aid in building muscles and reducing body fat content. Shakes have become ideal for dieters and bodybuilders who are pressed for time in the weight management course.

Meal replacement shakes are richly endowed in protein, moderate carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins as well as low levels of safe fats. They have been precisely prepared to offer maximal nutritional value in such a way that the body can hardly promote result to storage of body fat. One serving of the shakes incorporates about 250-300 calorie units. These calories are mixed in the ratio of carbohydrates at 20-25 grams, proteins at 35-45 grams and fat at about 2-4 grams. Additionally, the formula also includes vital minerals and vitamins at a ratio of 50-100 percent. This is the formula of all shakes approved by in RDA as meal replacements.

The protein in the shakes is sourced from isolates of milk protein, calcium caseinate, whey and albumin eggs. All these proteins are derivatives of eggs and milk. The carbohydrate content on the other hand, is sourced from corn syrup, sucrose, table sugar and maltodextrin and sometimes glucose chains. As for the fat, it is usually sourced from coconut oils or canola specifically in the form of partially hydrogenated oils.

The best Meal replacement shakes in the market today obtain their rich protein from eggs and whey and not from any other cheaper alternative. Naturally, egg proteins and whey are absorbed maximally and rapidly into the body. Once absorbed, the proteins are effectively utilized to fuel important body functions such as the growth and repair of muscle tissues.

Meal replacements as a rule must be utilized only as a complementing option to a nutritional regimen that is well balanced. They should never be used as substitutes for any natural food diet requirement. They are used to cater for a dietary niche of a specific type, but not as a complete nutritional source. Over using meal replacements could lead to disparities in the diet regimen ratios and consequently to vital nutrients deficiency. The best use should be combining meal replacement shakes with a foray of natural foods. This will result to a satisfactory nutritional supply for optimum health and growth.

Meal replacement shakes in the modern dietary realm have assumed an important fulcrum in the creation of a calorie deficit. They have become very popular over the years, due to their convenient ability to determine the dietary calories of every meal. Knowing how much calories you eat makes it easy to control fat accumulation or loss. However, consult your physician prior to incorporating any kind of meal replacement within your diet. Meal replacements are not manufactured with equal provisions.

Check for artificial sweeteners among the ingredients of the brand you choose. Refined sugar or artificial sweeteners are not ideal nutritional inclusions. Again, avoid those shakes that claim to triple energy levels. What they feature most is caffeine, which is also not ideal in large doses. A good meal replacement shake should be able to aid you to reduce food cravings, to lose weight, to increase your body energy, to build a healthier skin and nails, to lower your bad cholesterol levels, to amplify mental clarity and most importantly, to improve your metabolism.

November 22, 2009

The Pillars Of The Whey Protein Weight Loss Approach

Filed under: whey protein weight loss — Tom @ 9:08 am

Whey protein weight loss is a new approach that has gained great support in the dieting community. Athletes and body builders alike have benefited from the ability of whey protein to trigger lypolysis, the body’s natural process of fat combustion. Weight loss has remained a passionate ambition of the populace, an ambition that has become unattainable for many. Prior to the studies that postulated whey as a natural stimulant to weight loss, people had tried a million and one remedies.

Whey protein weight loss has proved to be a working theory however, yielding fast and lasting results in fat combustion. Whey stimulates natural hormones in the body that are responsible for burning fats and consequently reducing weight. In most cases, whey is used as a protein supplement. The working principle of whey protein in yielding weight loss is the subject of discussion in this article.

Initiating burning of accumulated body fat is one major role that whey protein plays in a body builder’s system. Reduction of body fat content optimizes physical fitness, metabolism, muscle mass and muscle toning, which are all key traits of success in the fitness industry. Reduction of body fat always leads to a reduction in the tare body weight. Several research studies conducted on test rats, showed that whey protein triggered production of fat burning hormones in the body.

Most studies compared the body’s reaction to both glucose and whey protein. While whey initiated high fat combustion, glucose initiated conversion of blood sugar to fats. As such, in weight loss ventures, why is as precious as gold is to the jewellery business.

For instance, whey regulates levels of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a very essential hormone in determining appetite. High serotonin levels increase a person’s appetite and thus leading to high consumption of fatty foods. With the introduction of whey protein, serotonin levels lower drastically. This in turn lowers the appetite.

Whey also regulates the release of cortisol. Cortisol is the stress-causing hormone in the body. When released in high volumes, it amplifies the appetite and then freezes fat combustion. The term stress eating refers to the tendency of eating anything within sight just to release stress. In most cases, accessible, ready to eat foods during moments of stress are the fatty foods. If your Cortisol levels keep high, your weight loss strategies are doomed. In whey protein weight loss therefore, consumption is regulated and preferentially reduced. Besides that, by suppressing cortisol levels, whey also activates the fat burning processes that utilize the fats already deposited in the body.

Whey has high levels of leucine, a very important chemical substance in promoting weight loss. Leucine is an amino acid that keeps body muscles healthy and perpetually active. It is also a good preventative chemical for muscle loss during fat loss exercises. Once the body is in an active state, it is able to loose fats continually.

Finally, whey protein weight loss strategies also rely heavily on whey’s ability to amplify the rate of metabolism. Whey consumption increases metabolic speed to guarantee that more calories are burnt. The more the calories burnt, the more the weight reduced.

November 10, 2009

An Advanced Understanding of Pure Protein Shakes

Filed under: whey protein shakes — Tom @ 5:58 am

In this article, we are going to go all over and pick out the most important facets of pure proteins shakes as a diet supplement for bodybuilders. There are so many introductory briefs on proteins these days. However, you need to get over and above the introductory basics and advance your understanding of proteins if you are ever going to build some muscle bulk.

First, realise the fact that you do not need pure protein shakes to succeed in bodybuilding. What you need is proteins. These two are different and you must understand them as such. You will equally be successful in gaining an impressive bulk if you can eat solid foods with adequate proteins proportions. The problem is that by the time your eat all the proteins you need in solid foods, you will have eaten tons of fat and carbs. Either this will get you fat or you will eat less protein than required.

Pure protein shakes give a concentrated form of protein. There are no fats to worry about, no carbs to exceed the caloric parameters. You get an all-protein meal in a glass of a flavoured drink. That is why protein shakes are recommended, not because they are needed but because they make life easier. In fact, if you count the amount of calories in the shakes and those that are in your food, you will realise that they are far cheaper and economical.

Nevertheless, if you shift from eating solid proteins to drinking shakes all day, you will severe your metabolism to failure. Your body was made to digest solids and that is why you were given teeth instead of a funnel in the mouth. Pure protein shakes are supplements and not food. Eat solid proteins like eggs, fish, poultry and meat, and then supplement their caloric contribution with the shakes (maximal 30% of the total protein diet).

You must also know that there is no question whatsoever that pure proteins when ingested as shakes, boost your muscle growth. To grow, repair and replenish your muscles after training, shakes are essential. Disregard any contravening debates and just get your shake. Once that is settled, the question then arises of which brand or type of pure protein shakes to buy. Protein shakes in the market must be tallying in their thousands by now, but their selection criterion is pretty simple.

If a shake has such ingredients as aspartame, sucrose, brown rice syrup and saccharin (artificial sweeteners) or fructose and any artificial colors, leave it where you found it. You do not need chemical poison to accompany your shake just because of how it looks or tastes. Serious bodybuilders eventually learn how to go beyond tastes and colours in the search for optimally natural and healthy diets.

When should you take pure protein shakes? While proteins must be incorporated in every meal, two glasses of a pure protein shake a day will do; just before and after a workout session. Ensure that your total protein tallies at three grams for every pound of body weight.

September 17, 2009

Stay Thin with a Protein Shake Diet

Filed under: protein shake diet — Tom @ 2:38 am

Most people know that you can’t stay thin without doing exercises. Regular exercise increases one’s metabolic rate and which enhances the speed of burning fat in your body. Both diet and exercise are important when one wants to stay lean. When you become lean due to exercise, you must maintain a good diet. This is the point where a protein shake diet of healthy mixed drinks can come in.

Many studies have been done to compare exercise and protein shake diet drinks to determine the effect of each method in maintaining a lean body. These studies came up with many interesting answers. The study involved a group of obese women who weighted 184 pounds and they were compared with slender women whose weights were in the 127 pounds range. It was expected that every one of the slender women were physically fitter than the obese women but the results showed that both groups of women had similar physically activity. Even though the diets of the two groups were different, they had the same energy expenditure levels.

The obese women ate 45 to 50 percentage fat with high processed food. The lean women ate a lot of fiber while they skipped or took small amounts of animal protein and fat. Maybe you have asked yourself what you should do to have a proper diet and stay thin. Below are three ideas you can follow as you take your protein shake diet drink.

1. Eating the correct ration each meal. So what should be the right ratio in a meal? You need to make sure you eat according to your capacity. You need a lean protein shake diet drink, replete with unprocessed carbs and a little thumb-sized amount of fat, in order to fuel you brain and body with glucose; with fiber you will prevent yourself from hunger as well as stabilizing blood sugar and burning off body fat. You need to have enough glucose in your body so as it will not get into starvation mode. You thus need proteins and healthy fats to transform carbs into glucose that give you energy.

2. Reduce all the processed carbs and foods. They are of no nutritional importance to the body. When you consume a lot of processed carbs and food, the body will be forced to maintain excess weight of water. The body will hence store fats as it thinks it’s in emergency starvation since there isn’t enough nutrition in the body.

3. Taking high protein shake diet drinks in breakfast. You need to make good plan of the ingredients of the protein shake you have in mind. Shakes are easy and quick to make, when made properly they taste great and they are rich in nutritional ratio. You can have them the way you desire, either as a snack or a meal. The following ingredients are needed to make good protein shake diet drinks: water, soy milk, vanilla, sugar, coffee, whey proteins powder, fresh fruits, cinnamon and ice if necessary. These should be mixed together in a blender.

September 8, 2009

The Best Homemade Protein Shakes Ever

Filed under: homemade protein shakes — Tom @ 6:18 am

Do you like protein shakes? This is one question for which many people can come up with different answers. This proves that the majority of individuals are still not well aware of what type of protein powder to take or what the contents contained in protein shakes are. Homemade protein shakes are meal replacements which are used to substitute a daily heavy meal. Just like many other type of beverages, protein shakes exist in different varieties. The most popular are whey protein shakes, natural farm protein shakes and fruity protein shakes. In addition to these, a complete recipe series of homemade protein shakes have been introduced to the market.

In the weight loss product realm, protein shakes are designed mostly for women and are specifically tailored based on women’s tastes, conveniences and preferences. The best protein shakes contain ingredients such as soy powder, which has been known for high levels in protein that enhances the growth of muscle mass. One thing that you should understand is that throughout the process of weight loss protein enhances the muscles’ growth as well as cutting down the fat in your body.

Homemade protein shakes ingredients are of two types or categories, one that includes slimming agents or chemicals, and second, the fresh ingredients. The former includes the fat eliminators such as inositol and lecithin while the fresh ingredients include fresh fruits, vegetables, vanilla and coffee powder. Other varieties of protein shakes include other varieties of nutritional ingredients such as wheat germ or oat which is best in lowering the level of cholesterol in your body.

Below is a recipe for preparing the best mocha whey homemade protein shakes. The ingredients should include: one full cup of hot water, one chocolate shake and a half cup of coffee. You are to pour the hot water into the coffee and stir till it becomes cold. Then you need to mix it with the chocolate shake, slowly shaking the mixture inside a blender as you wait to enjoy the drink.

How to prepare vanilla cappuccinos - This is another of the meal replacement homemade protein shakes. Ingredients include: a cup of hot water, half cup of coffee, one vanilla shake, sugar and cinnamon.

Mix the hot water with thick coffee essence, put some few piece of cinnamon, then stir slowly till it becomes cold and remove the cinnamon stick once you start to smell it. Mix the cinnamon coffee with the vanilla shake together with sugar. Use a blender to mix the mixtures until it become a fine mixture and then serve it hot so as to have the one of the best homemade protein shakes.

For vanilla cream soda made of whey protein shakes, the ingredients include:
One vanilla shake, one can of diet cream soda, creams isle, one can of orange soda, and five ice cubes. Mix the orange diet soda with the cream soda and vanilla shake. Pour the shake into the blender and add some ice cubes and then shake it together. It is well served when cool. This shake is also considered as one of the best homemade whey protein shakes.

July 29, 2009

Casein Protein vs. Whey Protein Shakes

Filed under: casein protein shakes — Tom @ 5:58 am

Admittedly, until a couple months ago I was not even aware that there was another milk protein byproduct called casein protein. I was only aware of whey protein and in general favor it over most other forms, as it is considered the most complete protein source. But I’ve since learned a few things about casein protein that I believe are worth sharing, and it may make a great addition to your protein shakes and meal replacements.

As we’ve discussed in previous posts, whey protein is one of the proteins found in milk and is a byproduct of the cheese making process. But this is not the only protein source found in cows’ milk. Casein protein is a slow digesting, long lasting protein, that too comes from this same cheese making process and it rivals whey for potency and purity. But there a few major differences between the two.

After consuming casein protein it becomes a jell-like substance when exposed to your gastric juices. This coagulated jell is difficult to digest and can remain in your stomach for up to 8 hours. For protein buffs this may sound like a bad thing because they want protein now, but in actuality it provides a unique alternative to whey protein. You see, whey protein is a very fast dissolving, fast digesting protein source. It can, within an hour of consumption, be fully digested and absorbed into the blood stream.

This may sound great to protein buffs, but it has a downside. Our stomachs don’t have a limitless capacity to absorb nutrients, and so a great deal of what we consume merely gets flushed down the toiled without having contributed much to the body. This is disturbing and expensive. On the other hand, casein protein will not rush through your system and therefore, rush out of your system. The mere fact that our bodies digest casein much more slowly is a great asset in the quest for regular nutrition and energy.

Look at it this way. Most foods advocated for nutrition and health benefits are slow digesting. Nutritionists direct people away from simple sugars found in cookies, pastas, white breads and point them toward whole grains, wheat, and vegetables. This has the benefit of keeping your body fueled for longer periods of time without overloading yourself with calories at any one meal. In other words, casein protein is digested much like solid healthy food, and it can offer many of the same benefits.

Casein protein is nicknamed ‘the nighttime protein’ because it can provide a steady stream of amino acids for up to 8 hours. And while many people do not need to be concerned with protein deficiencies during sleep, bodybuilders, athletes, and those who simply exercise frequently will indeed benefit greatly from not starving the body for 8 to 10 hours a night. Whey protein before bed will do little by comparison, and may just cause an extra trip to the toilet or two.

When to Add Each Protein to Your Protein Shakes
Because of these unique attributes of each protein one should seek to maximize the benefits of each for greatest nutritional value. This in part depends on the nature of these proteins, and it also depends on when our bodies need immediate or longer term proteins. Selecting the right protein at the right time of day for your protein shakes will only enhance the benefits.

Whey protein shakes should be consumed when your body needs a quick and potent source of protein. For those who hit the gym frequently, this need can be best met if you consume a pre workout whey protein shake. This will ensure your efforts in the gym are not destructive, tearing down muscle mass to fuel your workouts. After a particularly aggressive and exhausting workout, whey protein shakes may also be a good option along with ample carbs to replace glycogen stores, though whey needn’t be the only protein taken at this time.

At most times of the day, a slow and steady protein source is more conducive to maintaining muscle mass as well as growing muscle mass. It keeps our bodies in a positive nitrogen balance and prevents constant insulin surges which tell our body to retain body fat. Ideal times then for casein protein shakes are post workout, before bed, and first thing in the morning if you don’t intend to eat right away. Casein and whey protein can also be blended or mixed to provide the benefits of both in a delicious and nutritious protein shake.

June 2, 2009

Whey Protein Shake Benefits and the Incredible Banana Tofu Whey Protein Shake

Filed under: whey protein shakes — Tom @ 9:01 am

The best whey protein shakes all share a few things in common; they’re nutritious, delicious, and convenient. Whey protein, as we’ve previously discussed is the most complete protein source available. It has more complete proteins than even egg whites or beef. This means you’re consuming a low fat, easily digestible, easily mixable, high protein source. It doesn’t get much better than that for those who pay attention to health.

Protein is an incredibly important macronutrient, and most of us in the West know this quite well. What we rarely think of however is that it isn’t easy to meet our daily protein requirements without also consuming excessive carbohydrates or fat. When you go to a restaurant, protein is surrounded by all those delicious high calorie foods like white breads, French fries, and pastas. It’s like high glycemic carbs are the only adornment of lean meats. And eating at home is tough enough. It’s time consuming to prepare healthy meals, let alone high protein meals that taste good enough to eat.

Whey protein shakes bypass this relative dietary inconvenience by allowing you to combine pure protein with delicious, highly mixable low fat fruits and vegetables. This should not be our main source of nutrition, but 1 to 3 whey protein shakes a day as a meal supplement and a couple mid day snacks is highly recommended. It incorporates all the vitamins and macronutrients of a full meal, but doesn’t sit in your stomach for hours and can be consumed even when not hungry.

And this is important for those who are looking to lose weight, because infrequent eating is the leading cause of a poor metabolism. If your body is fed regularly, every 3 to 4 hours, in moderate quantities, then your body will not have to work through large meals and store excess calories as fat. Furthermore it will prevent energy crashes which exacerbate this starvation mechanism, the body’s proclivity to retain body fat rather than use it for energy. Most people think calorie reduction and infrequent eating is the key to weight loss. And this will work for a few weeks…until they’ve downgraded their metabolism and now cannot deviate from their low calorie diet without putting on weight immediately.

Whey protein shakes are the ideal solution to this dietary paradox. It removes the guilt of stuffing your face all day, and it keeps your body satisfied and your metabolism high. Those looking not to lose weight but to gain weight will find whey protein shakes are a very convenient way to meet high protein needs. It’s easier than eating tough meal replacement protein bars, and shakes can be prepared in advance and drunk throughout the day. This is an easy way to grab an extra 60 to 120 grams of protein a day without forcing yourself to eat all day long.

And now to the incredible banana tofu whey protein shake. This turns the traditional conception of a shake on its head, and it was happened upon by my girlfriend last week. Rather than using ice cream, ice, or yogurt to add thickness and taste to the shake, she used soft tofu. I too was skeptical at first, but it turned out to be a glorious discovery, and one that provides multiple protein sources, combining the soy protein in tofu with the best whey protein powder. In addition to this mix, she added a banana and kiwi juice.

That’s it. It’s simple, very nutritious, and very delicious. If it’s lacking in anything, it’s fat. You could always pop a few almonds on the side, or look for tofu with a bit more fat in it to put you in the zone. But this has high protein content, and simple sugars from the banana and kiwi juice, making this an excellent pre or post workout shake. Simple sugars pre workout are great for an immediate energy boost, and post workout are great to replenish energy stores and pack the muscles with glycogen for the next day’s session. Protein pre workout keeps the body from breaking down muscle for energy, and post workout helps repair muscle broken down from a hard lifting session.

So this recipe for two servings of the incredible banana tofu whey protein shake, which is far from solidified, looks something like:
1 package soft tofu
1 or 2 bananas
2 to 3 scoops of whey protein powder
½ cup to 1 cup kiwi juice (depending on how thick you like it)

Give this whey protein shake a try and let me know what you think.

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