Whether you are a casual health enthusiast, sportsperson, athlete, powerlifter or hardcore gym freak, you all know the importance of adequate protein in your daily diet. While the average person may not need as much protein as a sportsperson or hardcore gym freak, that doesn`t mean that they are getting optimal amounts of protein in their diet.
International society of sports nutrition recommends 1.4-2gm of protein per kg of bodyweight for athletes. This means 112gm -160gm of protein a day for a 80kg athlete. This requirement can go even higher depending on these things:
1. If someone is training hard frequently along with a job that requires much physical work.
2. If someone trying to lose fat without losing much muscle.
3. To improve body composition.
4. If someone using Steroids (PEDs).
First priority to get all this protein should be from real foods which have complete amino acid profile such as chicken, mutton, lamb, fish, cheese, eggs or milk. People who are vegetarian are left with only limited options .On top of that if they have a busy lifestyle where they can`t eat as much solid food will have to rely on protein powder supplements.
Another situation where reliance on protein powders (Whey isolate, Soy, Pea,Rice) may increase is when someone is suffering from “Lactose intolerance”. It is estimated that 60-70 % of Indians are lactose intolerant with south Indians being more affected (66.6%) than north Indians (27.4%).
Lactose intolerance is a condition where the affected person is unable to digest a sugar called lactose present in Dairy products. As a result, affected person gets bloating, painful stomach cramps, gas or vomiting. While whey concentrate may have some amount of lactose present in it, whey isolate reduces it to much lower level which most people may get comfortable with. Even better option for people with lactose intolerance is using protein powders made from Soy, Pea, Rice or a blend of any of the three. They are again considered high quality proteins.
-As a pure vegetarian who`s not using any Performance enhancing drugs, it becomes really challenging to get below 10% body fat without losing muscle mass. And any athlete who has worked hard day and night (with training and diet) to achieve that few pounds of muscle will not want to lose it very easily.
Have a good day, folks! And stop thinking of protein powders as something taboo or associating it with steroids.
