If you started going to the gym and want to have a healthy fitness routine or trying to lose weight, you might know what protein shakes are and what they do? As a beginner you might not know which protein shake is best for weight loss and when is the best time for that. You might also have questions in your mind like, should you drink protein shakes when trying to lose weight? Or when to drink protein shakes for weight loss and muscle gain? Here are some weight loss protein drinks and protein powder you can drink for muscle gain with some useful tips.
What Are Different Protein Shakes?
Protein shakes are usually drinks made by a mixture of protein powder and water or any other liquid. You can also add natural ingredients to it. You don’t need protein shakes for daily body needs, but if you want to lose weight and replace fat with muscle, you should include good protein shakes for weight loss in your diet. You should also know when to drink protein shakes for weight loss. Some popular protein powders to lose weight are:
Whey protein: a dairy-based protein that absorbs quickly, and contains essential amino acids.
Casein protein: also, dairy-based that absorbs slowly, and has all essential amino acids.
Soy protein: plant-based protein with all essential amino acids. It has isoflavones for some health benefits.
Hemp protein: plant-based protein with omega-3 and omega-6 fats and contains essential amino acids.
Rice protein: also, a plant-based protein, has all amino acids except lysine.
Pea protein: plant-based protein with all essential amino acids and is a healthy alternative to wheat and soy protein.
Also Read: Protein shake in the morning makes up for your healthy breakfast ideas and keeps you energized during the day.
How Protein Shakes Help You Lose Weight?
Can I drink a protein shake to lose weight? Certainly yes! Protein shakes and drinks make it easy for your body to lose weight and replace fat with muscle. Here is how you can lose weight with protein shakes.
1. Decrease Your Hunger And Appetite
First and foremost, protein shakes make your stomach full and you have the feeling of a full stomach. You end up eating less than you usually do, just enough to meet your body’s daily nutrient demand. It helps you feel satisfied for a longer time than other nutrients. You don’t feel hungry and your body’s excess fat gets utilized when you work out. This way you end up losing weight that was put on due to excess fat.
2. Maintain Lean Muscle With Healthy Metabolism
A high-protein diet in the morning with strength training can help you gain muscle mass. It replaces the fat in your body with muscles. Building muscles is healthy for your metabolism because muscles help for active metabolism. Women usually cut down their calories when they try to lose weight. This harms you by making your metabolism slow and you eventually gain more weight after. Increasing your protein intake helps you lose weight with a healthy eating plan.
3. Help You Lose Belly Fat
Your belly fat is the stored amount of fat that your body could need in case of hunger and during fasting. Some amount of fat is necessary for the body, the rest makes lumps and just stays there. A high protein diet helps you combat hunger, lose weight, and ultimately get rid of extra fat with a little bit of exercise. And protein shakes are the best option to replace your meal with a high protein diet. You only have to know when to drink protein shakes for weight loss.
4. Maintain Your Healthy Weight
You have done so much to complete your new year resolution and now you lost your weight, gained some muscle mass, increased metabolism, and managed your appetite. You don’t want to put on all that weight over again. Regular intake of a high protein diet and protein shakes help you maintain the weight you have now. You only have to keep exercising or do yoga for weight loss.
5 Best Protein Shake Recipes For Weight Loss You Can Make At Home
Protein shakes made from protein powder may get you some protein that you need. But these protein shakes for weight loss for females are not enough. You need to add some organic ingredients to it to make it healthier. Here are the five best shakes for women’s weight loss journey they can make at home easily.
1. Peanut Butter Protein Shake
This homemade protein shake is creamy and delicious making you want more. You don’t need to add sugar to it. The protein shake is high in fiber and has a low-fat proportion. You have to blend a cup of yogurt with a half cup of almond milk, two tablespoons of peanut butter, and a bunch of green grapes. Blend well, refrigerate and enjoy.
2. Berries Protein Shake
Berries are strong antioxidants, and they are a great source of fiber to help you lose weight as well. You can use strawberries, blackberries, or cape gooseberries in your shake. Add chia seeds, and raw honey to make it sweet and tasty. Blend it with a quarter cup of water, and a half cup of almond milk. Refrigerate.
3. Chocolate Banana Protein Shake
Believe it or not, cocoa makes the best food for weight loss. You can blend it with other ingredients and make it tasty and healthy. To make it, add some almonds, a cup of milk, half a cup of yogurt, a tablespoon of cocoa, and a quarter cup of quinoa. Quinoa is a plant-based protein source and has all the essential amino acids that your body needs. Blend these ingredients and refrigerate.
4. Vegan Oats Protein Shake
This one is for women who are vegan and want to avoid every dairy product in their protein smoothie. This is the best protein shake for weight loss which includes oat, tofu, and cashew milk. Blend a cup of silken tofu with a cup of almond or cashew milk, a banana, and a quarter cup of oats. Use honey for a sweet flavor and refrigerate.
5. Spinach And Flax Protein Shake
This green homemade protein shake makes up all the requirements of your body during your workout period. Combine a cup of unsweetened almond milk, spinach leaves, a spoon of flax seeds, and a spoon of chia seeds. Also add chunks and pieces of mango, pineapple, and banana for more fibers and flavors. Blend well and refrigerate.
When To Drink Protein Shakes For Weight Loss?
You need protein shakes when losing weight as well as when gaining muscles. You just have to look for the best time when to drink protein shakes for weight loss or muscle gain, depending upon your end goal.
Before A Workout
The best time to drink a protein shake for weight loss would be a few hours before you work out. Most suitable times are either mid-morning or in the afternoon an hour or two before working out. Your body gets enough supply of nutrients and suppresses your appetite for longer. You will burn some calories and get rid of fat when you exercise after that. Your body will keep on burning the fat for a longer period.
Or After Workout
Instead, if you want to build your body and gain some muscle mass, consume your protein shakes after work out. After a workout, your body demands instant nutrient replacement to recover the muscles. The best time is within 30 to 45 minutes of workout. The protein uptake by your body is faster after a nice workout. You need to energize your body after a workout. First, lose some weight and then replace fat with muscle mass.
As a beginner, you might not know when to drink protein shakes for weight loss or muscle gain. If you recently joined a gym for a workout, you must’ve learned about protein shakes and drinks. Now you know the types of protein shakes and protein powder you have in the market. They are the easiest source of protein to achieve your goal and the easiest meal replacement plan as well.
Also Read: Sometimes the most hated foods provide the greatest health benefits like spinach and kale are the most natural vegan protein source for you.
