Protein Shakes and Weight Loss
Protein shakes are not all about building up muscle mass. Women protein shakes go hand in hand with weight loss as they:
- help repair muscles after a rigorous fitness routine
- help retain lean muscle mass
- increase the body’s ability to produce heat resulting to more fats burned [this process is called thermogenesis], and
- keep one feel fuller longer or increases a person’s satiety level in between meals
1.Orgain Organic Plant Based Powder
Orgain is every health-conscious woman’s dream. It’s organic, non-GMO, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free and practically plant-based. These features make it an ideal protein shake product for vegans and those who are lactose-intolerant as well.
Protein Content: 21 grams of protein [from organic pea, brown rice, chia seeds and hemp]
Healthy Add-ons: Has a net carbohydrate content of only 3 grams, without any added sugar [though there are some complaints about added Stevia, a plant-based sugar substitute.]
2.Protein World The Slender Blend
This protein shake has weight loss literally stamped on it so, if you’re looking for something that’s really going to jump start you off in that direction, this is it. It’s made of a low-calorie mix of whey protein and nutrients that fight fat like green tea and raspberry ketones.
Protein Content: 24 grams of whey protein
Healthy Add-ons: Contain 141 calories with 1.5 grams of fat. Suitable for vegetarians and diabetics, gluten and soy free. It’s Kosher and Halal certified as well.
3.Naked Rice Organic Brown Rice Protein Powder
Naked Rice is as naked as you can get and that’s what makes it one of the best weight loss shakes 2016. More than being a protein powder suitable for smoothies; you can add it up to whatever dish you’re going to eat. It’s a 5-pound bulk of GMO-free, gluten and soy free plant-based protein that’s free of any artificial ingredients including sweeteners.
Protein Content: 25 grams of brown rice protein
Healthy Add-ons: Doesn’t contain any sugar or other form of sweeteners, has 4 grams of carbohydrates and contains 120 calories per serving. Additionally, each serving contains 4.9 grams of BCAAs or branched-chain amino acids which help reduce muscle breakdown especially at night and curb hunger pangs.
4.Solgar Whey Protein Powder
Solgar is a combination of whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrates. The advantages – it contains more amino acids, boasts of better nutriment absorption and makes protein more useful to the body. The downside – it’s not your usual 100% whey protein isolate. And though it’s 98% lactose-free, it has about less than 1% of soy which is not good news to those who are allergic or intolerant to it.
Protein Content: 20 grams of protein from whey protein isolate and concentrates
Healthy Add-ons: Only contains 90 calories per serving with 5 grams of fat. Plus, you get free-form L-glutamine and BCAAs on the side. It also doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners.
5.Manitoba Harvest Hemp Pro50 Protein Supplement
This protein supplement is not just good for your smoothies; it can be a healthy add-up to your regular yogurt and can even be used for your baked goods. It’s a non-GMO one-ingredient protein supplement – the source being hemp. It is a common knowledge that hemp is a good source of protein and amino acids. In addition to that, hemp also has considerable amount of fiber and omega fatty acids that are just as important to our health as the first two.
Protein Content: 15 grams of hemp protein
Healthy Add-ons: Each serving contains 7 grams of fiber and 2.5 grams of omega fatty acids. It’s non-GMO, whole food, raw and suitable for vegan diets.
6.Nature’s Plus Ultra Energy Shake
If you want effective healthy shakes for weight loss that double as your daily multivitamin go-to, this is the product to get. Its non-dairy formula makes it an ideal match for those who have lactose intolerance. Plus, this energy shake’s protein source is plant-based [pea, rice and soy protein] so it fits the vegan diet. The downside is it contains soy so it’s a no-no for those who are intolerant or allergic to it.
Protein Content: 25 grams of pea, rice and soy-based proteins
Healthy Add-ons: It has a lot of vitamin and mineral content like vitamin C, vitamin B complex and potassium. It also has a low GI.
Cons: It contains a form of sweetener — GlySweet.
7.Vega One All-in-One Nutritional Shake
There’s one reason why this protein shake carries the name all-in-one because it really does. Protein? Check. Fiber? Check. Vitamins, minerals and even omega fatty acids? Check, check, check. It even contains probiotics! It’s one complete meal replacement as you get almost all of the essential nutrients a body can need in one serving. This makes it one of the top weight loss shakes in the health and fitness markets.
Protein Content: 20 grams of protein from hemp, SaviSeed pea and flax
Healthy Add-ons: Aside from the protein, the nutritional shake also contains about 6 servings of greens and 50% of an individual’s daily vitamins and minerals needs. It is non-GMO, made from whole foods, gluten-free and suitable for those who are into vegan diets.
Cons: Contains Stevia, a plant-based sweetener.
8.Tera’s Whey Organic Whey Protein
Every ingredient in this US-made whey protein shake is organic. Protein powders sourced from whey are the perfect companion pre and post-workout as whey helps build and repair muscles. Additionally, Tera’s Whey has low-carb content [5 grams per serving]. It does contain organic Stevia, a plant-based sweetener though it’s low GI so it won’t cause your blood sugar to spike up.
Protein Content: 20 grams of whey protein
9.Designer Protein Aria Women’s Wellness Protein
This is one of the protein shakes in the market that’s specifically aimed at women’s wellness and weightmanagement. The good thing about Aria is it’s not as expensive as the others. So, if you are tight on the budget, check this weight loss protein shake out and see if it’s something to your liking.
Protein Content: 15 grams of protein [a blend of soy protein isolate, whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate]
Healthy Add-ons: A good source of calcium and soy protein for heart health. It also contains several vitamins.
Downside: It has Stevia and as a milk and soy product, it’s not suitable for the dairy-intolerant and those suffering from soy intolerance and allergy.
10.SlimQuick Pure Protein Powder
SlimQuickis one of the best weight loss protein shakes for women in the market as it’s specially designed to be one. It claims to help its user lose up to three times the weight.
I bought this just to see for myself if the protein shake craze is really effective or not but I’m still on my first week so there’s not much experience to tell other than it does stave off hunger pangs.
Protein Content: 20 grams of whey protein
Downside: Contains artificial sweetener so, go easy on this one.
The Perfect Time to Drink Protein Shakes
According to experts, the best times to drink protein shakes are before and after your workouts. Before as they increase your body’s heat production allowing you to burn more fats as you exercise and after as the protein content of your drink helps repair and restore your sore muscles.
There are also protein shakes that double as meal replacements so, you can chug in one in place of your usual meal [preferably lunch or dinner]. Some protein shakes are not suitable as before-bedtime drinks like those which are whey-based as they can cause blood sugar spiking at night. Check with a medical expert first if you plan on doing this.
Exercise Above All
You have to keep in mind though that the best slimming shakes in the market [or whatever protein powder or shake for that matter] don’t work like magic bullets. Weight loss isn’t achieved overnight and it doesn’t come without a price. You have to exert effort and pair your weight loss smoothies with an exercise plan for you to be able to shed off those pesky pounds. Yes, these top weight loss shakes dohelp you get to your goal and keep you on the right track but they wouldn’t do the whole job.