Should You Drink Protein Shakes Every Day?
As long as what you put into your protein shake is healthy and part of an overall balanced diet, it's great to have one every day, but it's not always necessary for meeting your protein requirement.
As long as what you put into your protein shake is healthy and part of an overall balanced diet, it's great to have one every day, but it's not always necessary for meeting your protein requirement. Drinking a protein shake every day only becomes a risk if you add ingredients to them that should only be consumed in moderation.
Meeting Your Protein Needs
Even if you work out daily, having a daily protein shake isn't required for getting enough protein -- most people already get more than enough from food, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The recommended dietary allowances for protein for men and women are 56 and 46 grams per day, respectively. However, eating more won't harm you as long as you're healthy and following a balanced diet. If you have kidney disease or other medical problems, talk with your doctor or dietitian about your protein needs. For athletes, the National Strength and Conditioning Association recommends getting 1.2 to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day.
Shake Smarts
Watch out for hidden sugar in your smoothies -- if you add yogurt to your shake, make sure it's unsweetened. If you use juice in your protein shake, make sure it doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup or any other processed sugars. If your shakes are more like smoothies, with added fruit and nut butter, you'll also want to keep an eye on calories so you don't end up consuming hundreds of calories in one drink. For a simple protein shake, use nonfat milk, plain Greek yogurt and berries.