Protein Shake Myths and Misconceptions

Towards these recent years, protein shakes and other nutritional drinks have increasingly become favorite choices among people who want to lose weight quickly and safely. Just what is so attractive about these health drinks? Despite their high prices, what makes them so appealing for people?

First off, protein shakes are seen as a convenient way of boosting the nutritional consumption of athletes, particularly those working on their endurance, patients who have undergone weight loss surgery, those who are senior citizens, as well as patients with cancer or many other conditions. This is because these shakes help boost the levels of protein needed by that person undergoing certain medical procedures. The average person typically would not need that added boost, and might actually be harmful when taken for the long term.

So what’s wrong with the way that people perceive protein shakes? The following are common myths and misconceptions surrounding the fad that has crept up on us:

1. Taking in extra protein means more muscles, which translate to more calories burned. In terms of weight loss programs, it is viewed as a great way to increase protein intake without the added burden of fats and other weight-affecting calories from eating meat. For those who want to lose weight, substituting protein shakes for meat might seem to make them lose weight, but in that case, it is not an issue of the protein intake but rather a switch of the protein source. Some people actually are not aware of their actual intake of meats, and might write it off as protein shakes being more effective in turning their fats into muscles. What really happened might be that, with protein shakes, they wind up sticking to that particular serving instead of stuffing themselves with protein, and not to mention fats and sugars. But remember that proteins themselves are not the main contributor to muscle build-up, as it should be tied up with the necessary exercise to break down muscles and build them up again over a period of time.

2. Protein shakes are sometimes misperceived as being needed for losing weight. Manufacturers sometimes have the tendency to claim that their product is the best way to lose weight, but doctors argue that no product is a magic solution for weight problems. The reason why people lose weight with them is that when they substitute a meal with them, they wind up consuming a fixed number of calories, instead of sometimes accidentally having an extra serving of roast beef. Bear in mind, though, that these shakes still contain calories, some higher than others, so using them alongside regular eating habits, or in higher numbers of servings than the recommended, will actually still cause you to gain weight.

3. Some advertising pushes protein shakes as a safe and wholesome way to lose weight. But do you know that these products are actually not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration? The absence of this regulation means that you have absolutely no guarantee of the safety of the product you are considering. Interestingly, in July 2010, Consumer Reports magazine conducted a laboratory test was of 15 brands of protein shakes, and found that all of them contained heavy metals in their ingredients, such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. Also, the MayoClinic warns against consuming too much protein on a daily basis, as this puts unnecessary stress on the body to manage the byproducts of digesting protein. Among the risk for the added pressure is liver damage. Of course, this is more true for those who are not serious athletes anyway; bodybuilding athletes tend to be the exception, as in their case, the protein will naturally be used up for building up muscle instead of losing them as they work out regularly.

While there may be some parties that contest these warnings for protein shakes, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Of course, if you only intend to use protein shakes for a temporary weight loss program, it might be a good idea, as it can help you regulate your appetite over a period of time. The greater care is needed for those who have plans of using protein shakes for a long period of time, as most of the health warnings involve long-term and high quantities of use.

Water for a Healthier Weight

Water is among the greatest components of nature. The human body comprises of a high percentage of water compared to any other element. But do you know that you can also make use of water to further your weight loss goals? These interesting ways to make use of water will translate into a healthier body for you minus all the side effects of less-natural substances used for diets and weight loss programs.

1. Increase your intake of water to manage your weight better. Experts recommend at least eight glasses of water a day, but nobody said anything about drinking too much water. How can increased intake of water improve your chances of losing weight? This can happen when you choose the times you take in water wisely. For example, studies show that drinking water immediately after waking up improves your overall health. Also, drinking water before meals and throughout your meal will also decrease your chances of overeating, as you will feel full faster. Studies show that it takes about twenty minutes for your brain to register that you are already full, and taking sips of water throughout your meal forces you to eat slowly and extends the time you spend eating without increasing food intake.
2. Replace other drinks with water for a healthier you! Without a doubt, water is the healthiest option for a drink. Surely, fruit and vegetable juices are laden with vitamins and minerals, but unless you drink them fresh, they will likely be filled with sugar and other components, such as sugar-free sweeteners. These will not do your diet any good. In addition, keeping a steady stream of sweet things does little for your sweet tooth, as it keeps you looking for sweet things at every turn. Even further down the health line would be colas and sodas. When you learn to replace all the drinks you take in during the day with water, you will be surprised at the number of calories you slash off of your daily intake!
3. Water is not only good for your intake, but it is a good place to exercise, too! If you do not have an active lifestyle but would like to exercise, exercising in a pool offers you a strain-free workout. This is because the water helps to support your weight through buoyancy, as well as the weight of any dumbbell you might be using under the water. This is largely why pregnant women are recommended to do aqua exercises far more frequently compared to other forms of exercise. Aqua exercises are also a good choice for those who are obese or overweight and could not yet stand the strain of workout out on their feet. Those who suffer from arthritis or muscle and joint problems also benefit greatly from working out in the water. If you know how to swim, half an hour of doing laps burns plenty of calories and works the muscles all over your body, giving you a more effective workout compared to higher impact exercises like jogging or aerobic dancing. Also, if you happen to be among those people who hate to get all stinky and sweaty, this would be your best bet, as it burns up tonnes of calories and tones up your muscles without ever making you break out in a sweat. And you get to have more fun, too. As a trainer puts it, water exercises work like crazy but feels like play. Plus, you get to avoid injury much more effectively when in the water.
4. Water is still the best way to hydrate after a workout. Although there are sports drinks that have become commonplace on all supermarket shelves these recent years, experts still believe that nothing compares to the refreshing they get from downing a sports bottle of water. When you do workouts, be sure you take along your own container of water, as it can keep you going longer and more effectively, too.

From these benefits, you will likely start to see water in a whole new light. After all, it will have to be the best friend of anybody intending to lose a little extra weight, on all ways possible!

Next Page »