10 Protein Powders That Will Help You Lose Weight
"Think protein powder is just something bodybuilders use to gain muscle upon muscle? You may have to reevaluate what you think you know about this must-have pantry staple. While protein helps build strong muscles and bones, it also helps keep our bodies trim and our bellies full—making it a crucial part of any weight-loss plan.
“Getting adequate protein per meal has been shown to control appetite, increase satiety, manage weight, and maintain muscle mass while decreasing body fat,” says Heather Mangieri, R.D.N., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and author of Fueling Young Athletes. “Studies suggest that eating protein may prevent the secretion of the hunger hormone ghrelin and stimulate secretion of other satiety hormones, [which signal to your brain that your stomach is full].”
If you’re looking to rev up your metabolism, a top-notch protein powder is just the tool you need to easily sneak the macronutrient into your every meal. Sprinkle a scoop into your smoothies, dairy-free milk, coffee, oats, homemade nutrition bars, pancake/waffle mix, hot cocoa—pretty much anything you want—and pow, you’ve made a snack with a big protein punch. This is especially beneficial for vegetarians and vegans, who may or may not be getting enough protein from their meat-less diets.
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“Protein powder can fill in any gaps between the amount of protein we eat and the amount of protein we need,” says Lauren Antonucci, R.D.N., a registered dietician and board-certified sports dietician, and owner/director of Nutrition Energy, a nutrition consulting practice in New York City. “Many women, especially women who work out most days, have trouble getting their total daily protein needs. Plus, they often don’t get adequate protein intake post-workout, which is critical to muscle repair. Using a good-quality protein powder post-workout or with meals can add the [recommended amount of] protein you need throughout the day.”
But with all the different types of powdery stuff crammed on store shelves, it might seem easier to shrug your shoulders and walk away than to analyze which one is best for your slim-down goals. So we took it upon ourselves to talk to a panel of nutrition experts and whittle down the choices for you. These are the top 10 protein powders our pros recommended, so you can spend less time staring at labels and more time losing lbs."
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