Protein Shakes? How Much Protein Do You Need?

Caring for your health includes fueling your body with protein.
Protein isn’t just for athletes. It builds muscle, strengthens bones and boosts immunity. It keeps you satiated and keeps hunger at bay, so it’s an important tool in
weight loss.

Here are some general guidelines:

  • Under 50: Multiply your weight by 0.38 grams
  • Over 50? Multiply by 0.45 grams
  • For a 55-year-old at 150 lb., that’s 67.5 gram of protein daily, or about 22.5 g per meal.

It’s important to address your personal physical goals as well. You may want to drink a protein shake every day. A normal shake is two scoops, totaling 30 grams of protein; but if you don’t eat a lot during the day, you may want to use three scoops for a total of 45 grams of protein.

Typically, it is recommended a woman take 20 grams of protein in her shake UNLESS she’s trying to build muscle (which most of us need to do), and in that case, she could add 30 grams of protein to her shake.

Make certain to check your labels.I use a shake that has ZERO sugar. Stay away from convenient shakes like Ensure. Ensure only offers 9 grams of protein but has 10 grams of sugar, plus a blend of vegetable oils!

Knowledge is protein power.

Do you “Shake”?

Did you know that as we age, we need to increase the amount of protein we consume every day?

In fact, once you reach your 60s, you might want to begin upping the amount of protein you consume per day in an effort to maintain muscle mass and strength, bone health and other essential physiological functions.

An increase in protein is necessary because older bodies process protein less efficiently, so even healthy adults in their 60s need more protein than when they were younger to help preserve muscle mass. By the time people reach age 65, they become at greater risk of sarcopenia which is the loss of muscle mass, strength and function.

Nutrition experts recommend 69 to 81 grams of protein for a 150-pound woman, and 81 to 98 grams for a 180-pound man.

I like to have a protein shake for lunch and fill my blender with berries, a banana, spinach and my fiber mix. It’s yummy and I get a big dose of protein AND fiber at the same time!

I just can’t stress it enough……and it’s actually one of the easier things we can do for our bodies.

  • Start your day with a little bit of protein, like a hard boiled egg
  • Strive for a minimum of 45 grams of protein/day for women, 55 grams for men
  • As we age, we need to increase that minimum to closer to 60 grams for women and 70 grams for men.

Arsenic, Lead Found in Popular Protein Supplements

Whether for weight loss, muscle building, or simply as a convenient quick meal on the go, many Americans turn to protein powders and drinks.

But a new study shows that many of the top-selling powders and drinks may contain concerning levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, and toxins like bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in some plastic containers and food can liners.

These substances have been linked to cancer, brain damage, and reproductive issues. When products were tested, many contained detectable levels of at least one heavy metal and 55 percent tested positive for BPA.The problem is, these toxins accumulate in your body and can stay there for years. Frequent consumption of foods that contain them can have adverse effects on your health.

This article from Consumer Reports provides a review of popular protein powders and drink supplements available today, and whether they’re necessary for most people.

The company I work with manufactures protein supplements and happily each product is made from only the finest ingredients to deliver the healthy, benefits. Every product in one line is also soy-free, gluten-free, and GMO-free, does not contain artificial sweeteners, and is kosher. A few specific products are also dairy-free and vegan.

Whether your goal is to maintain healthy blood sugar, build muscle, achieve a healthy weight, or just snack smarter, you need to be knowledgeable to protect your body every step of your journey. I’ve attached this article to help learn more about healthier for you flavors and formulas. You owe it to yourself to make an informed healthy choice.