Is Protein an Important Supplement?

I know, fitness can be expensive. You know as well as I do that a burger at McDonald’s costs a lot less than an organic salad from a farmer’s market. So a question I get all the time is “Do I really need to spend the money on protein?” Well, the quick answer is yes, but let’s take a harder look at the fitness world’s favorite supplement and see how it measures up.

The Upsides:

1. Protein Builds Muscles

Everybody needs to be thinking about building muscle. Everybody. I know what you may be thinking. I just want to lose fat, not have big muscles. That’s a fair response, but remember that muscle naturally burns fat! More muscle = more fat lose without exercise!Protein

2. Powders Mean Less Eating

Sure, you can get all of the protein you need from food, but you’re going to be eating a lot. And that’s fine, if you’re ready to accept all of the calories that come with that much eating. Protein powders can have as little as 100 calories per serving and you’ll get all of your protein needs in a convenient drink.

3. Meals on the Go

Don’t have time to stop for a healthy breakfast? Contemplating the quick and easy Egg Muffin? Have a protein shake instead. Put one scoop of powder into a bottle of milk or water, shake it and go. Easy. Healthy. Cheap.

4. Inexpensive

Protein is great because it is relatively cheap. A 10lb bag of whey protein will cost you about $100 and last you practically forever. Just think of it the same way you would buying groceries. You can buy a regular sized tub of protein, pay $30 and get 30 healthy, low calorie meals. How’s that for a dollar menu?

5. Aids in Recovery

When you work out, you break down muscle fibers and release lactic acid. This causes soreness the next day. Muscles grow back stronger as they recover and you rest.

If you finish your workouts feeling shaky, try finishing up with a protein shake. The amino acids in most proteins will help in the synthesis of protein, helping your muscles recover faster.

Flip side of the coin:

Down-Sides

1. Finding the Right Taste

Not all protein flavors are made equal. Believe me, some flavors will make you hate your life. In my experience, I can say that staying away from most of the GNC brand flavors is a good idea.
Vitamin Shoppe’s brand of proteins are pretty good, but DO NOT BUY THE KIND SWEETENED WITH SPLENDA. Tastes like death. Seriously.
Hands-down the best flavors of protein are made by Muscle Milk and Optimum Nutrition respectively. I prefer Optimum Nutrition for value. Just me.

2. Casein and Soy

Thus far, I’ve only been talking about whey protein powders. Why? Because casein and soy powders have two things going against them:

They are expensive.
They generally taste like death on a cracker.

Sorry to all the vegan readers out there, but if you want a quality vegan protein powder you’re simply going to have to pay out the nose for it. I don’t make the rules.

In summary, protein is always a good idea. Not only is it inexpensive and good for muscle recovery, but it also helps keep you on your diet when you’re in a hurry. Plus, if you buy the right kind, they taste great. (Cookies N’ Creme Muscle Milk is all I have to say about that.)