Are you dairy intolerant? Are you vegan or strict vegetarian? Here are some important tips for those of us who can’t use milk and whey protein powder or eat any dairy and/or meat for our protein sources.
Protein for Bodybuilding
- These days it is super easy to get enough vegetarian protein sources in a balanced plant-based diet to sustain an athletic lifestyle. There are also tons of gluten-free ancient grains like quinoa, teff, spirulina powder are healthy and great sources of complete protein.
Protein Powder Shakes
- Cut out the meat and then add in some super-nutritious protein powder shakes. Pretty much every protein powder on the market still fits into a diet that is limited to vegetarian protein sources. Whether you choose whey or plant-based protein powder shakes you can have a much healthier start to your morning than bacon and eggs.
Protein Bar Recipes
- I recommend trying out some easy protein bar recipes on your own. This will save you a lot of money and give you a high protein snack to take with you if your lunch or dinner out consists of nothing more satisfying than a salad. Learning to make homemade protein bars is an easy skill that will make you healthier and save you tons over the long haul, just remember to have fun with it. You don’t have to make the perfect pure protein bar every time. High protein bars can still have fruit like raisins or blueberries in them. You can even make your dessert bars more nutritious.
The Best Source of Protein
- Many of the best sources of protein are not animal-based. There are vegetarian complete proteins that are much healthier and don’t have the saturated fat or cholesterol, but will actually give you a better mix of complex carbohydrates and protein that will sustain you better during the day than meat alone. Quinoa, teff, buckwheat, and amaranth are just a few that I prefer when I am thinking about the best protein sources.
High Protein Snacks
- Even if you are not ready to start tackling some basic protein bar recipes, remember that there are tons of high protein snacks ready available wherever you are. How about mixed nuts?
How to Take Protein Shakes
- I recommend taking your protein shakes in the morning using a blender. This method will allow you to add in fruit and veggies, as well as help to mix some of the cheap protein powders that do not really mix well with a fork or spoon. As a to-go back up, try use an airtight container and add the water and vegetable protein powder, shaking vigorously. This method will work for many brands of high protein powders, but some cheap protein powders and vegetarian meal replacement supplements may still clump or rise to the surface unmixed.
Hemp Protein Powder
- One of the best vegetarian protein sources is hemp. Not only is it another complete protein, but it is also readily available as a high protein powder. There are also organic hemp protein hot breakfast meals and hempseed toppings and snacks available on the market. There are good raw protein powder options made from hemp, as well. The hemp protein shake has been a mainstay of mine for a couple of years now. Moreover, if you are a strict vegetarian or dairy intolerant, hemp milk is a great addition to just about any of the healthy protein shakes that you could dream up.