Can I Drink Two Protein Shakes a Day?

Protein shakes have gone from a niche product meant for weightlifters and Olympic competitors to common, convenient beverages used by everyone high school football players to 50-something marathon runners. Following a workout with a tasty protein shake is an excellent way to jump-start your muscles’ repair process while helping to fight off hunger pangs. Some even embrace a diet involving multiple protein shakes a day, either as a weight loss tool or as a way to support an active lifestyle. But is it a good idea to drink more than one protein shake a day? Keep reading as the experts at ENU answer this very question.

What Does Protein Do for Your Body?

As one of the three key macronutrients that support a wholesome diet – fats and carbohydrates being the other two – protein serves an essential role in our bodies’ processes. Most people associate protein with strength and muscle mass, which is generally appropriate; protein offers unbeatable results for repairing your post-workout wear and tear and building new muscle tissues. This is why so many athletes and bodybuilders use fast-absorbing sources like whey or soy isolates in post-workout shakes after a trip to the gym.

Protein’s uses extend far beyond granting bigger biceps, however. For one thing, protein is an important part of repairing all the body’s systems and organs, not just those that suffer after a workout. Patients suffering from all manner of illnesses benefit greatly by including a healthy amount of protein as part of their medical nutrition support diet because it helps with everything from closing an open would to rebuilding a compromised immune system. It is also a critical component of many chemical processes in the body, including the synthesis of enzymes, hormones, and neurotransmitters.

For those looking to lose weight rather than gain muscle mass, integrating protein into your diet can be an effective way to battle hunger while still maintaining a well-rounded diet. Protein has been shown to create a satisfying feeling of fullness in those who consume it – a feeling that can help you resist the temptation to snack after or between meals. This not only keeps you manage your weight, but by eating more protein and less food overall, you basically crowd unhealthy foods full of fats and carbs out of your diet to make room for those protein-rich dishes.

Can You Eat Too Much Protein?

Now that we’ve established the importance of protein in your diet, let’s examine the uses of protein shakes. These drinks can be an excellent way to add a heaping helping of protein to your diet in a convenient and delicious form, but how big a role should they play in your overall meal planning? The answer to that question depends on your personal goals.

Generally speaking, drinking two protein shakes per day won’t hurt your diet; in fact, it can even help ensure that you get enough of some nutrients you may be lacking. However, most dieticians and nutritionists agree that solid foods are preferable to those consumed as a liquid. This is in part because your body digests solids and liquids in different ways, and in part because the simple act of chewing your food helps to let your brain know that you’re eating and increases your satisfaction with your meal.

That said, those who maintain a high level of regular physical activity will likely want to have more protein in their diet to promote muscle recovery and growth. If getting the desired amount of protein from solid foods alone is not feasible for you, then protein shakes can be a great way to boost your protein intake. Also, because liquids are processed faster by the body, a protein shake after a workout is the fastest and most effective way to feed your muscles the protein they need, especially when that protein is in an easily absorbed form like whey or soy.

Adding Protein Shakes to Your Diet

Keep in mind that even those who are physically active should be getting no more than 30-35% of their calories from protein; the rest of their diet should be in the form of fats and carbs, both of which your body needs as well. When selecting a protein shake, look for balanced nutrition and wholesome ingredients like the ingredients in our meal replacement shakes.

Each ENU nutrition shake contains 20 grams of protein from whey and soy isolates; complex carbohydrates from sources like brown rice, tapioca, and quinoa; heart-healthy fats drawn from coconut and sunflower oils; and a blend of more than 20 vitamins and minerals to support every system in your body. Plus, our shakes are gluten-free, lactose-free, non-GMO, certified Kosher, and contain no added sugars or artificial sweeteners. For a healthful, well-rounded protein shake that will support your lifestyle, whatever that may be, try ENU today.

Healthy Protein Shakes with Balanced Nutrition for All Lifestyles

Finding a protein or nutrition shake that suits your needs without ruining your diet can be tough, especially with so many products vying for a shopper’s attention both in stores and online. ENU meal replacement shakes offer an alternative to all the processed, overly sweetened beverages out there; now you can get the balanced, healthy nutrition your body craves in one tasty, convenient package. To learn more about how ENU can help you meet your health, fitness, or weight management goals, visit us online or call (855) 266-6733 today.