Why Protein Powders and Shakes Aren’t Good For You
There are a lot of diets on the market today that want to make you believe that the best possible way to lose weight is to simply drink protein powders and shakes as snack and meal replacements. While this may seem like the best way to go, these liquid alternatives aren’t as good for you as you would think—for many reasons.
They Don’t Change Your Behaviors
First and foremost, drinking your meals and snacks doesn’t change the behaviors that led you to being overweight to begin with. Therefore, when you go back to eating as you normally do, which you will have to do eventually, any weight that you did lose will likely come back on. This means that relying on this type of weight loss method is only a temporary solution to the problem.
They Don’t Give Your Digestive System a Workout
Another reason protein powders and shakes aren’t good for you is that they don’t give your digestive system a proper workout. In other words, your body has an easier time processing their ingredients than it does if you had eaten real food, like a steak and salad, for instance. In fact, some even cause digestive upset. This makes your system more sluggish, which leads us to the next point…
They Don’t Speed Up Your Metabolism
Protein powders and shakes don’t speed up your metabolism like eating real food can. If you’ve ever tried to lose weight before, then you know that your metabolism is the key to true and lasting weight loss. So, if you do things that slow it down versus speeding it up, which is what living on liquid meals does for you, then you’re going to find it harder to lose weight and keep it off for good.
There Are Other Reasons Too
Other reasons to avoid protein powders and shakes is that they can damage your kidneys if taken in high amounts, and since they aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some ingredients in them (like metals such as arsenic and lead) aren’t necessarily deemed safe for consumption. Additionally, if your diet consists mainly of protein drinks, you’re missing out on the vitamins and minerals in other food groups, potentially resulting in a deficiency.
Eat Real Food Instead
For these reasons, when trying to achieve greater health and a lower weight, you are better off eating real food instead of relying on protein powders and shakes. This includes choosing foods that are high in protein, but also carbs and some fat as your body needs all three macronutrients to function best.
Some guidelines to follow when it comes to real food include:Choose food that is as close to its natural state as possible. The fewer processed foods you eat, the better it is for your system. So, focus on foods that are as close to their natural state as possible and your body will thank you with higher levels of health and lower amounts of weight. Eat proper portion sizes. Even healthy foods should be eaten in their proper portions to be considered good for you. Your body can only use so many calories a day, which makes staying in a particular range critical to losing weight or maintaining your loss. Use your SlimPlate portion controlling plates and bowls and it will make it easier than ever to see exactly how much food your body needs for maximum results. Incorporate variety. Eat the same things over and over again and your taste buds are going to get bored, potentially tempting you to eat foods that won’t get you closer to your weight-based goals. That is why variety is so important. Not to mention that it also ensures that you get the vitamins and minerals you need to help your body (and your metabolism) function as good as possible. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Another option for fighting food boredom involves trying new things. Every week when you grocery shop, aim to pick up one new healthy food that you wouldn’t normally buy and then go online and find ways to cook or prepare it. Who knows? You may just discover something that you absolutely love, making you wonder why you didn’t try it long ago! Make healthy versions of your favorite foods. Just because you’ve set out to lose weight doesn’t mean that you have to eat foods that you don’t enjoy. Instead, focus on buying foods that you love in their healthiest versions possible. This may mean trying new recipes and exchanging unhealthy ingredients for more nutritious ones, but have fun with it and you may just be surprised at how much you love the new version you have created!
In the end, just remember that the best thing you can do for your body is to eat real foods. To rely on weight loss methods that promote anything else, like drinking protein powders and shakes, isn’t a long term solution. Or a healthy one.
Tags: best way to lose weight, diet, healthy living, portion control, slimplate system, weight loss tips