Protein shakes are a dietary supplement that can be used to lose weight, improve athletic performance, or positively impact recovery times after an intensive workout. They can be purchased as a ready-made product or in powder form to be created at home.
Here are the pros and cons of protein shakes to consider if you’re thinking about adding them to your routine.
List of the Pros of Protein Shakes
1. They provide weight maintenance.
Drinking a protein shake provides an opportunity for losing weight or maintaining a current weight. As part of a meal replacement program, people attempting to lose weight can lose more overall weight compared to those following a standard diet. That is because the average protein shake has fewer calories than any full meal.
2. They are convenient.
Drinking a shake is fast and convenient. It only takes a few minutes to prepare and makes you feel as full as a balanced meal. You can even use fresh fruit with the shake to maintain a complete nutritional profile.
3. They are affordable.
Although you may pay upwards of $100 for a protein shakes mix, you’ll receive multiple shakes from that container. That reduces the cost per servings price dramatically. Most protein shakes are priced at less than $0.50 per serving.
List of the Cons of Protein Shakes
1. On their own, they do provide nutritional loss.
Protein shakes cannot be a full meal replacement. Even if healthy levels of carbohydrates and fats are included with the shake’s formula, the levels of phytonutrients and antioxidants found in a full meal are not found in a protein shake.
2. It won’t provide instant success.
A protein shake is a tool. When used properly, it can help people lose weight or improve their workout performance. If you don’t work out or don’t change your caloric intake levels, however, a protein shake can cause people to gain weight instead of losing it – and not muscular weight.
3. They don’t usually taste very good.
Protein shakes can be challenging to drink because of their flavor. Even with multiple flavors available, many people find that they must add something to the shake to make it palatable.
These protein shakes pros and cons are just the beginning. It can be a tool to improve personal health, but may not be the right choice for everyone. As with any dietary plan, consult your doctor with any specific questions you may have.
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.