Whey Protein Shake -
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Protein Shake For Breakfast
Can you take a protein shake for breakfast and not anything else? I presume this is the question that you are asking. So is it appropriate? Are there are adverse health effects? Let's take a look.
Now, as always, you have to be clear about what you are trying to achieve in the first place. That depends on several variables such as your lifestyle, your personal goals, your individual preferences, etc. Whatever your goals may be, your ultimate goal MUST NOT cause damage to your health. For this reason, we DO NOT recommend having JUST protein shakes for breakfast. Here are the reasons why.
1) Protein shakes do not provide a well balanced diet. - This is the number one reason why you should not replace breakfast with protein shakes. Protein shakes do not contain other vitamins and minerals that your body needs for normal functioning. So it is important that you consume your protein shakes with other foods such as whole meal breads, fruits, and milk. And of course, don't forget to take your vitamins!
2) Contrary to popular belief, whey protein shakes alone will not help you build muscle or lose weight. - Losing weight isn't about eating as little as you can. You are going to suffer from severe health consequences in the long run if you don't eat healthily. So forget using protein shakes as a holistic weight loss solution. It just doesn't work long term. You will lose weight in the short term, and then your health suffers, and you end up putting on the weight that you have lost. So again, don't use protein shakes as a breakfast replacement. Also, protein shakes alone won't help you gain lean muscle mass quickly because without essential vitamins, the body will find it hard to absorb the amino acids in the protein shakes.
The way to benefit fully from protein shakes is to use protein shakes as a supplement because that is what it is. That means you consume your breakfast as per normal, and on top of that, you consume your protein shake.
Now some argue that you are adding on calories just by drinking an additional protein shake. However, bear in mind that to sustainable weight loss is NOT about calories. To lose weight, and MAINTAIN the weight, you need to keep your metabolic rate up. That means you must strive to acquire lean muscle mass so that your body acquires the natural ability to burn fat. And how do you acquire lean muscle mass? By meeting your daily protein requirements! Some experts recommend at least 1 gram of protein for every pound you weigh, while others recommend at least 1.5 grams for every pound. Whichever the case, it's about eating more proteins, eating better, and not eating less. So don't worry too much about calories. As long as you eat clean, eat your vitamins and protein shake supplements, you will do fine in the long run.
Here is another article on why you should NOT replace breakfast with protein shakes.
