5 incredible protein powder shakes for losing weight
All men are not equal. Not when it comes to nutrition, lifestyle and working out. Like in any Bell Curve scenario, some have inherent athletic abilities and healthy nutrition programs, others don’t care at all about that. However, most of us are somewhere in the middle working hard to better ourselves.
The idea that men should stay fit and look good and healthy is not a new one, but now more than ever we need to do our best to stay, healthy, active and competitive. It will improve both our state of mind and the image we project on to the world.
For those of us that are trying to lose weight, we have some good news. Protein shakes can be used not only for building muscles but also for losing those few pounds that stand between you and your ideal standard.
Protein shakes are protein powder-based drinks that can complement or as a substitute for your meals. You can prepare them by adding protein powder to a whole array of drinks, smoothies, shakes or even foods (oatmeal). But the best way to make sure they work fast and healthy is to avoid mixing them with high sugar content beverages and go for healthy fruit and vegetable alternatives.
READ ALSO: Best recommended supplements for you. The healthy way to gaining muscles
Depending on the intake levels and the intensity of your routine you can use them for losing weight or getting good core workouts with great muscle tone and short recovery periods.
Alongside a rigorous fitness program, they may be an essential way to get the best and fastest results from your maximum efforts. And that is especially true about losing weight.
- Protein shakes increase your body’s natural resistance and recovery rate. And they do it by directly adding protein into your nutrition plan. It is a common misconception that all protein powder mixes are used by guys who want to buff up or need a higher protein intake level.
- Losing weight isn't always about what you take out of your diet, but what you add to it. Putting in more protein is one simple step that can be extremely effective in losing fat and keeping it off. That is because the protein will act as both a metabolism enhancer and as an appetite cutter. Protein shakes may help decrease levels of ghrelin, a hunger-related hormone.
- Your metabolism will have to keep up with the protein and help you process food better as protein is harder to digest than fat. It will keep your body full of energy and your mind off food.
- Protein powered based shakes are low in carbs and fat, so they can be incorporated into almost any diet. As they come in different flavors, they will help you stick to nutritional plans that require you to prepare your food and stay away from sweets. They are as practical as they are efficient.
Which protein powder products should you use in your shakes?
First on our list is Whey+ from Legion Athletics. A naturally sweetened and flavored whey isolate protein powder. The milk they use for the extraction of protein comes from small dairy farms in Ireland and contains almost no traces of fat or carb and no lactose. The fact that it does not contain lactose is very important considering that whey protein is isolated from whey, the liquid material created as a by-product of cheese production.
Each serving contains 100 calories, 22 grams of protein, 1 gram of carbohydrate, and 0 grams of fat.
Legion manufactures all its products in the USA in a CGMP- and NSF-certified facility.
This protein powder is a very wise choice for any man in search of healthy weight loss because of its protein content of 90% weighted protein. In other words, it will deliver the quantity and quality of the protein that you paid for.
A slightly bigger and more protein full alternative, This Optimum Nutrition product has probably the most popular choice on our list. It comes with multiple flavors from Double Rich Chocolate to White Chocolate raspberry or Cookies and Cream, this product is also a whey-based one and a good choice for a product that you can use long term.
It delivers 24 g of concentrate protein with Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) as its main ingredient, 4 Grams of Glutamine & Glutamic Acid, and 5 grams of branched chained amino acids for a caloric intake of 120 calories.
Unlike the Legion, it does contain 2 grams of sugar and 1 gram of saturated fat in each serving.
Promix Micellar Casein is a slow-digesting, before bed protein that will release amino acids over time and help your muscles repair and deal with the effort.
It uses casein which also comes from milk but has a slow-releasing mechanism that makes it just as suited for weight loss. The same mechanism is responsible for Casein keeping you fuller for longer. A real joy for men looking for post-workout shakes and smoothies that ensure a slow and complete recovery.
100% Casein Protein Powder from Promixree offers the full spectrum of casein proteins - Alpha s2, Beta, and Kappa-casein - and it's free of soy, gluten, GMOs and synthetic additives of any kind.
It will bring you 25 grams of protein, 0 grams sugar, and 5.3 grams of Branched Chained Amino Acids (BCAAs) per serving for only 105 calories. Because the protein is derived from milk, any Casein could leave you bloated so you should best use skimmed milk, water or unflavored almond milk.
Another great option for a post-workout smoothie is using egg protein powder. It is obtained directly from dried egg whites and it has the same slow amino acid releasing benefits but acts a bit faster because egg protein is digested quicker.
This product from Naked Mass uses eggs from non-NGO chickens that are processed in under a day to retain all their nutritional value. It is an excellent choice for those among us that are lactose intolerant and is also soy, gluten, and dairy-free.
It will help you lose weight and stay in shape by providing 25 Grams of Protein and 5.8 grams of BCAA's and will add no fats, no sugars and only 2 grams of carbohydrates to your diet. And that is all possible thanks to the fact that it uses only two ingredients: Non-GMO Egg Whites and Sunflower Lecithin.
But everything comes with a catch. Do note that egg protein powders are on average less likely to reduce appetite as whey-based ones.
Pea protein powder is a supplement made by extracting protein from yellow peas.
It is the best choice for men that want a high-quality protein that is rich in iron, easily digested and does not come from animals.
The powder from NOW Sports Nutrition can be purchased in a bunch of different flavors and uses a non-GMO vegetable protein isolate that is an ideal source of post-workout nutrition for people who may have difficulty supplementing with other types of protein.
It has a great 24 grams protein delivery with 4.2 grams of BCAA's and over 2 grams of L-Arginine and it does away with unnecessary soy or dairy compounds. The downside is it will add 2 grams of fat to your diet with every serving.
All pea protein powder products can be relatively high in sodium — with products containing 110–390mg per serving. And this one is no exception at 320mg. So people on a sodium-restricted diet are better off taking one of the other alternatives.
All of the protein powders that you can use to make your protein shakes have their pros and cons and finding the right one for you may prove difficult. But if you do find it and use it to complement your workout routine it will prove more useful than you think.
Don’t try to go all in and use these shakes as meal substitutes. That is the last thing they are. You will not lose weight in a healthy sustainable way, starving yourself and solely relying on powder as a replacement for food. Take it like a champ, hit the gym, change your bad eating habits and allow protein shakes to help with recovery.
The idea that men should stay fit and look good and healthy is not a new one, but now more than ever we need to do our best to stay, healthy, active and competitive. It will improve both our state of mind and the image we project on to the world.
What are protein shakes?
For those of us that are trying to lose weight, we have some good news. Protein shakes can be used not only for building muscles but also for losing those few pounds that stand between you and your ideal standard.
Protein shakes are protein powder-based drinks that can complement or as a substitute for your meals. You can prepare them by adding protein powder to a whole array of drinks, smoothies, shakes or even foods (oatmeal). But the best way to make sure they work fast and healthy is to avoid mixing them with high sugar content beverages and go for healthy fruit and vegetable alternatives.
READ ALSO: Best recommended supplements for you. The healthy way to gaining muscles
Depending on the intake levels and the intensity of your routine you can use them for losing weight or getting good core workouts with great muscle tone and short recovery periods.
Alongside a rigorous fitness program, they may be an essential way to get the best and fastest results from your maximum efforts. And that is especially true about losing weight.
Why use protein shakes for losing weight?
- Protein shakes increase your body’s natural resistance and recovery rate. And they do it by directly adding protein into your nutrition plan. It is a common misconception that all protein powder mixes are used by guys who want to buff up or need a higher protein intake level.
- Losing weight isn't always about what you take out of your diet, but what you add to it. Putting in more protein is one simple step that can be extremely effective in losing fat and keeping it off. That is because the protein will act as both a metabolism enhancer and as an appetite cutter. Protein shakes may help decrease levels of ghrelin, a hunger-related hormone.
- Your metabolism will have to keep up with the protein and help you process food better as protein is harder to digest than fat. It will keep your body full of energy and your mind off food.
- Protein powered based shakes are low in carbs and fat, so they can be incorporated into almost any diet. As they come in different flavors, they will help you stick to nutritional plans that require you to prepare your food and stay away from sweets. They are as practical as they are efficient.
Which protein powder products should you use in your shakes?
Legion Athletics Whey+
First on our list is Whey+ from Legion Athletics. A naturally sweetened and flavored whey isolate protein powder. The milk they use for the extraction of protein comes from small dairy farms in Ireland and contains almost no traces of fat or carb and no lactose. The fact that it does not contain lactose is very important considering that whey protein is isolated from whey, the liquid material created as a by-product of cheese production.
Each serving contains 100 calories, 22 grams of protein, 1 gram of carbohydrate, and 0 grams of fat.
Legion manufactures all its products in the USA in a CGMP- and NSF-certified facility.
This protein powder is a very wise choice for any man in search of healthy weight loss because of its protein content of 90% weighted protein. In other words, it will deliver the quantity and quality of the protein that you paid for.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
A slightly bigger and more protein full alternative, This Optimum Nutrition product has probably the most popular choice on our list. It comes with multiple flavors from Double Rich Chocolate to White Chocolate raspberry or Cookies and Cream, this product is also a whey-based one and a good choice for a product that you can use long term.
It delivers 24 g of concentrate protein with Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) as its main ingredient, 4 Grams of Glutamine & Glutamic Acid, and 5 grams of branched chained amino acids for a caloric intake of 120 calories.
Unlike the Legion, it does contain 2 grams of sugar and 1 gram of saturated fat in each serving.
Promix Unflavored Micellar 100% Casein Protein Powder
Promix Micellar Casein is a slow-digesting, before bed protein that will release amino acids over time and help your muscles repair and deal with the effort.
It uses casein which also comes from milk but has a slow-releasing mechanism that makes it just as suited for weight loss. The same mechanism is responsible for Casein keeping you fuller for longer. A real joy for men looking for post-workout shakes and smoothies that ensure a slow and complete recovery.
100% Casein Protein Powder from Promixree offers the full spectrum of casein proteins - Alpha s2, Beta, and Kappa-casein - and it's free of soy, gluten, GMOs and synthetic additives of any kind.
It will bring you 25 grams of protein, 0 grams sugar, and 5.3 grams of Branched Chained Amino Acids (BCAAs) per serving for only 105 calories. Because the protein is derived from milk, any Casein could leave you bloated so you should best use skimmed milk, water or unflavored almond milk.
Naked Nutrition Egg White Protein Powder
Another great option for a post-workout smoothie is using egg protein powder. It is obtained directly from dried egg whites and it has the same slow amino acid releasing benefits but acts a bit faster because egg protein is digested quicker.
This product from Naked Mass uses eggs from non-NGO chickens that are processed in under a day to retain all their nutritional value. It is an excellent choice for those among us that are lactose intolerant and is also soy, gluten, and dairy-free.
It will help you lose weight and stay in shape by providing 25 Grams of Protein and 5.8 grams of BCAA's and will add no fats, no sugars and only 2 grams of carbohydrates to your diet. And that is all possible thanks to the fact that it uses only two ingredients: Non-GMO Egg Whites and Sunflower Lecithin.
But everything comes with a catch. Do note that egg protein powders are on average less likely to reduce appetite as whey-based ones.
NOW Sports Nutrition, Pea Protein Powder
Pea protein powder is a supplement made by extracting protein from yellow peas.
It is the best choice for men that want a high-quality protein that is rich in iron, easily digested and does not come from animals.
The powder from NOW Sports Nutrition can be purchased in a bunch of different flavors and uses a non-GMO vegetable protein isolate that is an ideal source of post-workout nutrition for people who may have difficulty supplementing with other types of protein.
It has a great 24 grams protein delivery with 4.2 grams of BCAA's and over 2 grams of L-Arginine and it does away with unnecessary soy or dairy compounds. The downside is it will add 2 grams of fat to your diet with every serving.
All pea protein powder products can be relatively high in sodium — with products containing 110–390mg per serving. And this one is no exception at 320mg. So people on a sodium-restricted diet are better off taking one of the other alternatives.
All of the protein powders that you can use to make your protein shakes have their pros and cons and finding the right one for you may prove difficult. But if you do find it and use it to complement your workout routine it will prove more useful than you think.
Don’t try to go all in and use these shakes as meal substitutes. That is the last thing they are. You will not lose weight in a healthy sustainable way, starving yourself and solely relying on powder as a replacement for food. Take it like a champ, hit the gym, change your bad eating habits and allow protein shakes to help with recovery.
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Loves to play with new ideas, binge writing, traveling and gourmet coffee. Professional writer of non fiction with over 8 years experience in putting words to paper. Fan of iconic movies, sports, The Arctic Monkeys and city breaks. Yes, he knows how good his coffee is.