Are protein shakes good for breakfast? And are they good for you? Read on to discover 4 reasons why we think a protein shake is a good breakfast choice and offers a healthy kickstart to your day.
1.Drinking a protein shake is an easy way to hit your daily recommended protein target
We need protein in our daily diet for growth, repair and maintenance. Many people get their daily protein from meat or dairy-based products but plants are a good source of protein too. Protein is found in nuts, quinoa, soya, beans, peas, lentils, seeds, some vegetables like dark, leafy greens and more. The Reference Nutrient Intake for protein for adults is 0.75g protein per kg body weight per day. So, for example, if you weigh 65kg that would be 48.75 grams of protein per day. There is around 37.4g of protein in 130 grams of chicken breast which would be 75% of your daily target, but what if you want to get your protein from plant sources?
Anyone following a vegan diet or just having a preference for eating plants the majority of the time should get their protein from a variety of plant sources throughout the day. Around half a cup of cooked quinoa provides 4 grams of protein, and ½ a cup of cooked black beans provides 8 grams of protein. Starting your day with a protein shake gives you a big hit of protein from nutritious plant-based sources. There’s 11g of plant-based protein power in each 250ml serving. The protein comes from natural sources like organic cashews and sunflower seeds. You could also try making your own protein shake for breakfast at home by blending seeds with nut milk, nut butter and other delicious ingredients of your choice.
2. Having protein after exercise can help muscles rebuild
Having the right nutrients both before and after a workout is always a good idea. Protein is essential for helping muscle growth and repair, muscles also use up glycogen when you workout and your body rebuilds its glycogen stores to repair and restore muscles. Having a protein shake for breakfast can be really helpful to build and repair muscle while also satisfying your taste buds. Consuming the right amount of protein gives your body the amino acids it needs, and studies show that consuming protein pre-and/or post-workout induces a significant rise in muscle protein synthesis. Your muscles are constantly replacing lost protein and protein synthesis often occurs continuously.
3. Good to go – a quick and convenient breakfast
If you often miss breakfast or are always in a rush, it’s all too easy to grab something unhealthy as the day goes on. Help take the stress out of your morning by prepping a protein shake the night before you go to work. You can use the time you save from whipping up a cooked breakfast for some extra workout time or to press the snooze button one more time and get some extra zeds. Bliss.
What’s in your protein shake? Just be aware of the ingredients you use in your shake; some protein shakes and powders contain additives and fillers. At Plenish, our protein shakes are made using completely organic ingredients like oats, almonds, cashews and dates – so they pack in a natural protein punch.
4. A burst of energy to jump-start your day
Do you want to keep your energy levels high all day long? There are many natural ways to boost your energy levels throughout the day, but starting it with a nutritious breakfast will help you keep your levels high for longer. A well-balanced meal will keep you fueled for hours. Plenish Protein Shakes contain organic gluten-free oats, nut butter and dates which combine to give you a steady supply of energy.
Are you ready to start your day with a healthy protein hit? Have you created your own protein shake using Plenish Milk? Share your recipe with us @plenishdrinks using #plenish.