Protein powders have become popular as meal replacements and as supplements for building muscle quickly. But what’s really in them? Highly processed whey, usually. Added sugar, very often. Artificial flavors, almost always. After all, who wants to drink a glass of yummy whey all by itself? Maybe that one guy who sometimes indulges in a glass of watered-down Elmer’s Glue. The rest of us, not so much.
That last part should give you a clue as to how healthy whey protein powders really are. As a rule of thumb, if you have to add a bunch of artificial flavors, sugar, and other assorted stuff to a food in order for it to be palatable (using a very loose definition of the term), you probably shouldn’t put it in your body in the first place. You probably shouldn’t even call it food.
However, if you do opt for commercial protein powders, you should know that the added ingredients can wreak havoc on your blood sugar. They can also thicken your waist, thanks to unnecessary calories.
Worse, many of these powders are made from something called soy protein isolate, which you can pretty much count on being made from GMO soy. If they’re not made from that, these powders are often made from peas, rice, and other vegetables. Again, you may be looking at GMOs. And your body will not thank you. Not that it will have time, anyway, busy as it will be trying to get your blood glucose back under control.
The news isn’t all bad for protein powders, though. They can be a reasonable choice when used for a specific purpose and for a limited duration, such as when you’re resting your digestive system during a three-week whole-body cleanse. But even then, there are better options.
The fact is, our bodies need natural sources of protein. Real food. Not manufactured junk. Grass-fed beef. Wild fish. Organic chicken. All of these contain nutrients – hundreds of them – that aren’t found in protein powders.
Stick with real proteins. Include healthy fats (saturated fat is best) in appropriate amounts. Eat lots of veggies and some fruit. Enjoy robust digestion. Free yourself from heartburn, reflux, and bloating. That’s all there is to it, really. There is no substitute for the real food your body needs. No need for one, either: you can reach all your goals without ever turning to imitation food. In fact, you’ll reach them in a way that’s sustainable and healthful your whole life long.