Super Fitness Health BlogProtein powders and meal replacements – the healthy fast-food
Protein powders and meal replacements are now two of the most favoured and versatile kinds of dietary supplements available. They are used for a wide variety of reasons, by a cross-section of people, for a variety of health goals. For example:
- by athletes and body builders for a protein boost, to support their recovery times and performance
- by slimmers, seeking low calorie, nutrients-fortified meal replacements
- by those suffering with food or dairy allergies, as a nutrients top-up everyday
- by those on low-protein diets, such as vegans and vegetarians
- by those with restricted food choice, such as coeliacs or anyone else trying to avoid gluten.
Gym and bodybuilding
With no protein, our bodies can’t operate efficiently. Protein is very important for anyone who routinely places increased strain on their bodies, such as routine gym-goers and professional bodybuilders.
This is because protein is thought to be important for maintaining and increasing muscle and bone mass, for tissue and cell repair, for keeping the immune system healthy and for preventing low energy levels. It is also one of the primary sources of energy when following a low carbohydrate diet, which many bodybuilders do because it can be of assistance with fat loss and can improve muscle definition.
Sports
Individuals who leads an active lifestyle, and especially endurance athletes (like runners, swimmers, cyclists and those who take part in triathlons etc), will probably be used to focusing on ensuring adequate intake of carbohydrates to enhance performance and prevent muscle breakdown. However, studies have also demonstrated the role of protein for performance, muscle repair and recovery.
Vegans, vegetarians and raw food fans
For vegans and vegetarians, a widespread problem is that frequently they do not consume enough calories or protein to maintain their weight or meet their body’s needs. A vegetarian or vegan diet does not necessarily mean a diet lacking in protein or calories, but it is certainly difficult to maintain both in a healthy and nutritious way.
As already mentioned, protein is a critical nutrient, which plays many roles in the operation of our bodies, including building and repairing new cells and muscle tissue. Nutritional guides recommend that, as a basic rule, between 10-15% of your total calories should be sourced from protein.
Both meal replacements and protein powders can play a very helpful role in the diets of vegans and vegetarians, to address not only the challenge of ensuring appropriate intake of protein and calories, but also to ensure optimal intake of other vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
Weight management
A number of studies have indicated that a high-protein diet combined with exercise can support the weight management process, enhance fat loss, improve muscle tone and improve blood fat levels.
As mentioned above, protein can assist in the repair and growth of muscle. This, in turn, brings about more calories being burned each day. Higher-protein diets may also help people to gain better control over their appetites and calorie intake, as well as help to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce cravings.
Most people know that the slimming process can be difficult. Most weight management programmes involve constrained food choice and a reduction in calories. This can on occasion result in a nutrient-deficient diet, if the slimmer is not cautious. For those who want to reduce their calorie (and fat and sugar) intake, but still want to ensure that they are getting a healthy amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients every day, meal replacements and/or protein powders could be the answer. However, be sure to check that such dietary supplements are sugar and, ideally, dairy and gluten free!
Dietary supplementation
Anyone who suffers from an allergy (whether that be to gluten or dairy or any other form of food allergy or intolerance), will know how difficult it can be to locate foods that suit their lifestyle and medical needs.
Food choice can often become rather limited and, without variety in the diet, a person’s overall well-being can begin to weaken. It is important to bear this challenge in mind and take proactive action to address it. For example, through cautious meal planning and dietary supplementation.
Quite often, meal replacements and protein powders that are dairy, wheat, gluten and sugar free (with no artificial ingredients) are some of the best ways to top-up on nutrients and calories if an allergy sufferer is finding it difficult to sustain a varied diet.
Specialist Supplements Ltd has a comprehensive range of meal replacements and protein powders to suit almost every need. The range is vegan and vegetarian friendly and includes organic food form powders, superfruit and superfood vegetable, fruit and berry blends, hemp and rice protein. Most products in this range are free from gluten, dairy, wheat, sugar and yeast – all are free from animal products and artificial ingredients (including additives, preservatives and artificial colourings). Check them out now!
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