Can you still drink protein shakes without working out

Can I Drink a Protein Shake Without Working Out?

Choosing the right protein powder for your meal replacement needs

Not all protein powders are designed to be used as meal replacement shakes. Most protein supplements are designed to give your body a protein boost to help recover AFTER a workout. Some options however, are loaded with an abundance of nutrients, making them wonderful for meal replacement options. If you’re in a rush, and want a quick, nutrient dense meal, a protein shake is a nutritious and more importantly EASY choice. Remember, not all protein shakes are healthy to use as a meal replacement. It’s very important that you choose a protein powder with a diverse nutritional profile, and enough calories to keep you satisfied until your next meal. Consider Green Peaks Plant-Based Protein. It's a high protein, moderate calorie option (190 calories, and 30g protein per serving). It also is packed with anti-inflammatories, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals, providing you with a much more well rounded nutritional profile than your traditional protein powder. 

Why Drink a Protein Shake Without Working out?

The most common reason that somebody would drink a protein shake without an exercise, is because they are looking to lose excess weight. You can help this process by substituting a regular meal with a protein shake. Green Peaks Premium Plant-Based Protein shakes are much lower in calories than a full meal or snack, and loaded with nutrients. You’ll be getting all of your nutrients without the added calories or bulk of a regular meal. We talk in more detail about how plant based protein can be a great option for weight loss on this blog. 

Can you still drink protein shakes without working out
 

Making your meal replacement work with your taste and preferences

There are a ton of different options for vegan protein shakes that taste fantastic and have positive health benefits. Consider adding your favorite fruits, non dairy milks, or leafy greens. If you're looking for delicious recipe ideas, here are some of the most popular recipes that our nutrition team have created. Follow the link to see the ingredients to the specific shake.

1) Green Power Smoothie

This smoothie is one of my favorite drinks for right after a long, tough workout. Or as a light, nutrient packed breakfast to start my day. 

2) Pineapple Blueberry Recovery Smoothie

Harness the anti-inflammatory power of Pineapples (thanks Bromelain!), and the antioxidant properties of blueberries, to make this magical post-exercise vegan recovery smoothie!

3) Spirulina Boosted Protein Shake

If you’ve never tried Spirulina, now is a great time to start. Spirulina is a vegan superfood consisting of blue green algae, and just a small amount can go a long way! Spirulina is known to be a great detoxifying agent, and is absolutely PACKED with nutrients. It contains a wonderful blend of vitamins, minerals, carotenoids and proteins.

Can you still drink protein shakes without working out

GreenPeaks protein is NSF certified and can help you meet your weight loss goals. Take a look at our Premium Chocolate Plant Based Protein product page for more information. 

Protein shakes are all the rage among the sweaty set, but they can be of benefit to sofa sloths, too. Protein is one of the building blocks of your cells, and it's needed for your body to function. Unfortunately, most mass-produced protein shakes are little more than liquid candy – high in fat, sugar and calories. Making your own helps ensure that you load up on nutrients without also packing on the pounds.

Why You Need Protein

Protein is an essential macronutrient made up of amino acids. These chain-like compounds can be broken apart and put back together in a nearly endless variety of patterns which are used to create different kinds of cells. Your body can make some of these amino acids on its own, but not all of them. The complete proteins found in animal products are your best source of the essential amino acids that your body cannot produce on its own. So, aside from being needed to build and rebuild muscles, protein is required to create new cells.

That doesn't mean that you should be putting meat in your protein shakes. Dairy products are also high in protein, as are certain green leafy vegetables and alternative sources such as whey powder. Too much protein can put a strain on your kidneys, so if you're using protein shakes to lose or maintain weight without working out, you need to balance your diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and between 32 and 64 ounces of water per day.

How to Use Protein Shakes

Fad diets aside, you shouldn't try to replace all meals with protein shakes. Your body requires a varied diet which includes roughage as well as protein. One way to incorporate protein shakes into your diet is to have them for breakfast. Many people who don't work out aren't hungry when they first wake up, but skipping breakfast is an ineffective way to start the day and can lead to poor food decisions at lunch.

Consider replacing your lunch with a protein shake if you're able and willing to eat a healthy breakfast. Keeping protein shakes on hand can help fill you up during a busy day so you aren't tempted to hit the vending machine, snack stash or nearby fast-food place. When you're not working out, it's especially important not to get too hungry, because you won't burn off the extra calories you couldn't resist.

People who work late might consider having a protein shake instead of dinner. Coming home tired and hungry makes you more likely to either grab a too-large portion of whatever's in the refrigerator or to binge on snacks instead of cobbling together a meal. Eating unwisely late at night can cause weight gain, especially if you're not working out the next day. A creamy, low-calorie protein shake is also soothing and scrumptious enough to feel like dessert or a decadent bedtime snack.

How to Buy Protein Shakes

Nothing is more important than reading the labels on mass-produced protein shakes. It's best if they contain no sugar, but a low amount of natural sugar is okay. Since you're not working out, you don't need huge amounts of protein, so look for around 25 milligrams per serving. If you can't find a protein drink that low, dilute it with low-fat milk or soy milk. Whey protein is best to find on the ingredient list because it's easiest to digest.

How to Make Protein Shakes

Making protein shakes yourself is the best way to ensure that you're not wasting calories on added sugar, fat and artificial ingredients. Start with milk, soy milk or a nut milk like almond or cashew. Add some low-fat yogurt for extra protein and to up the creaminess factor. One of the simplest protein shakes is soy milk, vanilla yogurt, two bananas, a healthy scoop of peanut butter and a squirt of pure maple syrup if you like it a little sweeter. Peel, break into chunks and freeze bananas for a thicker shake that will stay cold longer.

Start with your milk and yogurt base and add mixed berries, bananas and a scoop of whey powder. You can also add spinach or kale. Any fruit will work, so buy what's in season. You can either peel the fruit or strain the protein shake if you like a smoother texture. The trick is to keep the nutrition factor high and the calorie count low if you aren't exercising to burn off extra calories.

What happens when you drink protein shakes without working out?

There can be health consequences if you drink protein shakes without exercising are: (1) less muscle gain, (2) unwanted weight gain, (3) increased risk of kidney-related problems, and (4) abnormal spike in blood glucose level.

Is it OK to drink whey protein without working out?

Increased dietary protein is one effective strategy. For example, increased whey protein ingestion with and without exercise training is associated with enhanced weight loss, body composition and subjective hunger in overweight and obese individuals.