Why Whey? 5 Reasons to Add Protein to Your Routine
Getting enough protein is essential for gaining muscle and supporting recovery. If you’re looking to gain muscle mass or build your functional strength, aim to consume at least 100 grams of protein per day. I’d encourage anyone lifting weights to hit 1 gram per pound of bodyweight per day (or more) in order to improve recovery and maximize workouts. Protein is not only for bodybuilders and muscle-building enthusiasts, however. Protein is the single most powerful tool we can use in order to stay satiated, eat fewer calories, and lose more weight.
Working so much protein into your diet, and in forms that are easily digestible and ready when your body needs it, can be a challenge. Therefore, there are several reasons to consider adding a protein supplement to your routine:
Muscle growth: Protein is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue, and athletes and weightlifters require more protein than the average person due to their high levels of physical activity. Protein supplements, such as whey protein, contain amino acids necessary to support muscle growth, and can be part of a strategy to build muscle mass.
Recovery: Exercise, especially high-intensity exercise, causes muscle damage and soreness. Consuming adequate protein helps speed up the recovery process by providing the necessary nutrients for muscle repair.
Convenience: Protein supplements are a quick and convenient tool to meet your daily protein needs, especially for those who may not have the time or appetite to consume a full meal immediately post-workout. Struggling to hit 100+ grams of protein per day? Add 1-2 scoops of protein per day, and hitting those protein goals becomes exponentially easier.
Weight management: Protein can help to promote feelings of fullness and reduce appetite, which can be beneficial for weight loss goals. If you can match your pounds of body weight in grams of protein per day, I would bet money that your overall caloric intake will drop and the stubborn weight that you can’t lose will come off. Keeping protein high can also help your body maintain muscle mass as you lose weight. Remember, we want to lose fat as we drop the pounds, not muscle mass that we worked so hard to build.
General Health: Protein is essential for overall health and can help to support immune function, hormone production, and other important bodily functions.
If you’re looking to incorporate protein supplements, start by adding a scoop of whey protein as part of your post-workout recovery routine. While there are many different types of protein, and you can experiment with the type or combination that works best for you, whey protein is a good starting point. It is a high-quality, complete protein derived from milk. Importantly, whey is a complete protein with all the essential amino acids that the body needs to build and repair muscle tissue.
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