As we walk into a new year, we continue to see a trend in Healthy Protein Shake sales.Speaking from experience, there are a ton of options out there. Supplement companies aren’t required to comply with FDA standards. Even if they were, the FDA only bans about 15 chemicals in our food and skincare products. Shocking, we know
At Dealzclick we want to motivate you to look into the ingredients before buying a huge tub of protein powder. Be aware of 5 ingredients to avoid, Like Lecithin, Xanthan gum, “Natural Flavors”’ Artificial Sweeteners and skim milk powder or milk solids (like Whey).
As a health-conscious blog, we wanted to relieve some anxiety and answer some frequently asked questions about Healthy Protein Shakes. We will be using our family’s favorite protein powder as a reference as we go through your FAQ’s.
Are protein Shakes actually healthy?
If you are avoiding the five ingredients we mentioned above, then shakes can be packed full of multivitamins, superfoods, and plant-based protein. To guarantee you are getting a healthy protein shake check the glycemic index. For example, our family’s favorite healthy protein shake has only 4.1g of glutamic acid which is less than a bowl of oats. We are looking for a low glycemic index to encourage a healthy blood sugar level and prevent future diabetes. Also, we suggest avoiding fillers/thickeners. Anything that ends with gum is a thickener, Coconut flour and Psyllium fiber are examples of fillers.
Thickeners and Fillers are used to “bulk up” the protein powders so companies can appear to have more powder for less the cost. The reality is companies that add thickness and fillers are charging the same, or more for unhealthy powders.
TL: DR Are protein Shakes actually healthy?: YES! Read the label to guarantee you are getting the healthiest option.
How bad do protein shakes taste?
We have tested & tried a range of protein selections and can confirm the best tasting protein shakes are the ones with minimum flavor. Before you roll your eyes consider this. Your protein should taste like what you choose to mix in with it.
Shakes are healthiest when you add your favorite whole fruits (and yes veggies) in the mix. There is nothing worse than having a chocolate flavored protein when you are craving a tropical orange mix. That’s why our family can confirm that the best healthy protein shakes are ones with minimum to no flavor. That way you can add your own or personalize the shakes to what your family likes.
The other issue with having Sour Patch flavored protein powder is the negative impact of artificial flavors. Even protein powders that are considered to have “Natural Flavors” are guilty of
adding processed additives to produce the correct flavor.
From past research, I’ve learned about the benefits of drinking luke warm water. So personally, I drink this protein powder with lukewarm water. I can guarantee that this protein powder isn’t
gritty and fully dissolves in whatever you choose to mix in with it.
TL: DR How bad do protein shakes taste?: We would never compare protein shakes to chocolate truffles (although some companies try) but can guarantee there are protein shakes that fully dissolve into a smoothie. Stay away from gritty aftertastes and anything that resembles a dessert. You will thank us later.
When should I Drink my protein Shake?
Personally, I drink my protein shakes in the morning. It’s been tested and tried by myself and my family and we each agree it’s best to start your day with a protein shake. You feel more energetic throughout the day and aren’t as tempted to indulge in unhealthy snacks.
When I choose to intermittent fast, I start my day with a protein shake and feel satisfied until dinner. We do suggest coordinating with your doctor before choosing to drastically change your diet. If you are interested in how intermittent fasting is beneficial, we suggest reading this article by Harvard Medical school discussing recent studies done on the promising results of
intermittent fasting.
TL: DR When should I drink Protein Shake? Our family enjoys protein shakes in the morning, but it’s best to consult with your doctor before using a protein shake for a meal replacement.
What is the healthiest protein shake?
This blog prides itself on testing products so you get an honest review. After doing some research on our own, we found that Plant Vital is the healthiest protein shake for our family.
This product originated from a family in Canada who worked in the supplement industry in the past. They were upset with the industry’s obsession with maximizing profits by adding chemicals, fillers, and additives. Plant Vital has gained a name in the protein powder industry, for the past three years they had enough sales to avoid being manipulated by investors or shareholders.
The best part? Our entire family enjoys Plant vital. Our 9 year-old and 16 year-old loves this protein powder, and as parents we love to see the benefits it provides for them. My mother also used this product to to fix her digestive system by having a healthy gut flora/bacteria. We have seen our bodies go into a healthy equilibrium that offers an energetic lifestyle.
TL: DR What is the healthiest protein shake? In our family’s opinion, we believe Plant Vital to be the healthiest and most versatile of the protein shake options.
How do you choose the right healthy protein shake?
In this section of tested and tried products, we will continue to give our honest review. We pride ourselves in choosing quality products that benefit the whole family. That’s why when choosing the right healthy protein shake, we go through a checklist which is provided below.
Checklist for your Healthy Protien Shake:
No Lecithin
● No Xanthan Gum
● No “Natural Flavors”
● No artificial sweeteners
● No Whey or other milk powder
● Low Glycemic Index
● No thickeners (gums)
● No Fillers (flours and psyllium fiber)
● Little to no flavor for better mixing options
● Fully dissolves in water
● Family approved
● Meal replacement qualities
If you follow this checklist, you are sure to choose the right healthy protein shake. If you don’t want to go through 100s of labels (like we did) then you can order your protein here.
