Protein Drinks for Vegetarians?!
Protein Drinks for Vegetarians?
I'm a vegetarian and am very satisified with the foods I'm eating, however I worry about my protein intake. I eat soy and meatless items often, but not consistently enough to be receiving my recommended daily intake (50g) of protein. I plan on buying a whey protein drink mix as an additional daily source, but the companies all advertise them to jocks who want more muscle. But protein is protein, right? Will this help me?
Answers:
You may be getting more protein than you think.
Lots of foods contain protein that you may forget about.
A great snack would be a protein shake of whey protein power (whole foods brand has a chocolate one that tastes good if you live near a whole foods market) blended with a banana, 1tbs. peanut butter (another great protein source), 1cup vanilla soy milk (1 cup has 5 grams of protein) and some ice.
If you are leary of buying "just a protein powder" get Carnation Instant breakfast packets. They make one that claims it has twice the protein of an egg. Use it for smoothies just like protein powder.
Ensure
Yes it helps, my karate teacher recommended it for me prior to joining the Army 20+ years ago because I was under weight for my height.
I don't think it will hurt you. I add protein mix to my shakes and smooties all the time, but I'm warning you, they don't taste very good. I bought one and even though I mixed it with my smoothie, I still had a chalky feeling in my throat.
You can get vegetarian protein drink powder from Holland and Barrett, that you could mix with fruit juice, soya milk, sprinkle on breakfast cereal or add to any food or drink of your choice.
It is not too expensive either.
I searched their site and found these products which I believe are vegetarian -
* 90 % Protein Powder instant with Soya Lecithin
This all natural protein powder mixed with juice or milk provides superior protein nutrition. You get all the naturally occurring amino acids plus soya lecithin in a supplement low in carbohydrates and fats.
* Pure Soya Protein Powder
This all natural protein powder mixed with juice or milk provides superior protein nutrition. You get all the naturally occurring amino acids plus soya lecithin in a supplement low in carbohydrates and fats. Available in a delicious chocolate flavour.
793 g. Powder
Price: ￡10.99
Price Per Unit: ￡0.014
*Soya Products
Naturally high in Daidzin, Genistein and other Soy Isoflavones, our Soy formulas are healthy additions to the diets of both women and men alike!
MYTH: "Vegetarians get little protein."
FACT: Plant foods offer abundant protein. Vegetables are around 23% protein on average, beans 28%, grains 13%, and even fruit has 5.5%. For comparison, human breast milk is only 5% (designed for the time in our lives when our protein needs are as high as they'll ever be). The US Recommended Daily Allowance is 8%, and the World Health Organization recommends 4.5%.
MYTH: "Beans are a good source of protein."
FACT: There is no such thing as a special "source of protein" because all foods -- even plants -- have plentiful protein. You might as well say "Food is a good source of protein". In any event, beans (28%) don't average much more protein per calorie than common vegetables (23%).