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I strongly hold on to the belief that you should always know what goes into your body. If you’re going to take supplements, make sure you know why you’re taking them, what ingredients they contain, what side effects they have on your body and how exactly they’re going to benefit you.
Most people don’t even have the slightest clue. They just drink protein shakes because, well, that’s what everybody else in the gym is doing.
As the name suggests, a supplement is nothing more than something you take when a particular nutrient is lacking in your diet. In other words, protein shakes are meant for people that don’t get enough of the nutrient from their daily food intake.
If you’re getting sufficient amounts of protein from lean meats, eggs, fish and dairy, feel free to never invest in whey protein. However, it’s quite difficult for most people to actually receive an adequate amount of protein from their daily diet, which is why so many bodybuilders and athletes drink whey protein.
The body requires a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats. The ideal amount of protein required by the body to build or preserve muscle mass, while losing fat is 1g per pound of body weight.
For someone weighing approximately 70kg, or 154 pounds, that is 154g of protein. It’s rather difficult to consume that much protein through whole foods entirely, which is why whey protein can be a useful supplement for those that are exercising.
In addition, the body is severely depleted after a heavy workout. Whey is an optimal source of fast digesting protein which can be beneficial to take after hitting the gym or exercising.
Realise that drinking a protein shake will not make you muscular. It is not a magic powder that makes you grow. It can be taken by men and women alike, and won’t lead to either one getting ‘undesirably muscular’.
Training hard and eating smart is the only formula to achieving a fit and healthy body. Whey protein and other supplements are simply a means to an end when your diet is lacking in certain departments such as vitamins and nutrients.
