Protein shakes have become widely popular amount the health conscious crowd and often touted as a healthy meal replacement. Unfortunately, many people are under the false impression that protein shakes are a healthy meal alternative. This article will share with you three reasons why you should avoid protein powder and the best healthy alternatives to conventional protein powder.
3 Reasons to Avoid Protein Powder
1. It is a processed food
Protein powders are highly processed and are typically heated to the point that the protein is denatured, which makes it almost impossible for the body to recognize and utilize. The result is higher levels of acidity and toxicity in the body, which can lead to unwanted illnesses and disease. Like all highly processed foods, protein powders tend to be loaded with artificial flavors, colors, stabilizers and preservatives. Many even contain artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. It is important to read the label to see what ingredients could be lurking.
2. Contains very little (if any) nutrients
This goes along with the fact that it’s processed. When you refine a product you leave behind much of the nutrients. Additionally, we are beginning to discover more about our food and about how all the parts of the food work together in harmony to assimilate its vitamins and minerals. Whole foods will always beat protein powder when it comes to providing a broad range of nutrients. Remember that being fit and healthy isn’t just about macronutrients (protein, fat, carbs), it’s about micronutrients (vitmains, minerals, antioxidants, etc) too. Fortifying protein powder with a bunch of vitamins and special ingredients is not the same, as much as the marketers would like you to believe. It is best to get calories from solid food. Not only does this give you more nutrients, but it also keeps you more satiated. Solid food adds fiber and bulk to your meal so that you can feel satisfied longer on fewer calories.
3. Filled with dangerous and toxic ingredients
Because protein shakes aren’t subject to FDA regulations, you need to really trust the powder that you use. It is important to consider the harmful hormones that dairy farmers use that ends up in the whey protein of protein shakes. Numerous studies have demonstrated that recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST) can harm both cows and humans. In every package of rBGH sold to farmers, the dangers of reproductive effects, digestive disorders, infection, blood cell levels, and illness in cows are listed. Despite these warnings and concerns that researchers have posed for human health, rBGH is still in widespread use by farmers everywhere as a means to increase animal size and milk production. Most whey proteins found in protein shakes contain rBGH. And the bad news is that supplement companies are not required to tell you if your protein shake was made from whey-based proteins that came from milk containing rBGH
In addition to harmful growth hormones protein shakes can also contain high amounts of heavy metals! One recent study found that almost every single protein shake tested contained arsenic, cadmium, lead, and/or mercury. And scientists aren’t the only people who have taken notice—athletes who rely on protein powders to fuel exercise, muscle growth, and competition are complaining to supplement companies at alarming rates about the heavy metals toxicity. Too many heavy metals in your diet will result in heavy metal poisoning as your soft tissues begin to absorb toxins that are difficult to naturally remove. Sadly supplement companies aren’t required to tell you about heavy metals!
As if it weren’t bad enough many protein shakes contain GMO ingredients which we are starting to learn can have detrimental affect on our overall health and wellness.
Healthy Protein Powder Alternatives
There is some logic behind the protein shake-mania. Giving your body extra protein can help to tone muscle and also helps to detox the liver. You just need to make sure you are doing it without all the other harmful chemicals that so many protein shakes on the market contain. You are in luck! There is a great, natural way to boost your levels of protein while avoiding all the other nasty ingredients. I add Collagen Hydrolysate to just about everything (where to buy). It is flavorless and dissolves in just about anything! I add it to smoothies, yogurt, tea, fresh juice, etc. You can read here about the benefits of gelatin.
If you are a vegetarian and/or want to use plant based protein powder as an alternative to the grass-fed option I mentioned Food Babe recommends this Hemp Protein Powder. (where to buy)
