What Can I Take Instead of Protein Shakes?

Recent decades have seen a steady rise in the popularity of protein shakes. Today, everyone from professional athletes to casual gym-goers uses these beverages to boost their protein intake – either before, during, or after exercise – and increase their gains after their workout. Though they can help somewhat, many protein shakes lack the convenience and effectiveness they claim; not only do most protein supplements need to be combined with water or milk to make a semi-palatable drink, but the body can only use as much of that protein as it can break down. This means that some of the protein you paid for is going to waste, prompting some consumers to look for alternatives. So, what can you take instead of a protein shake? Keep reading as the experts at aminoVITAL explain.

The Drawbacks of Protein Shakes

We all know about the benefits touted by the makers of protein supplements – bigger muscles being the main one – but less well-known are the drawbacks of these products. Though they are marketed as fitness and nutrition products, most protein powders contain a few ingredients that might not align with an otherwise healthy lifestyle; perhaps the single greatest example of this is the use of sweeteners in protein powders.

It is not uncommon for a given brand of protein supplements to have 20 or more grams of sugar, whether through the addition of that particular ingredient or something like corn syrup solids. These sugars are often used to improve the taste of the product – part of why that last protein drink you had may have tasted like a chocolate milkshake – but they only hinder attempts to obtain that toned body you’ve been working for, plus they can cause an unhealthy spike in blood sugar levels.

There is also a fairly widespread belief that consuming excessive amounts of protein can damage the kidneys. Your kidneys are the organs that are responsible for filtering your blood; consuming excess protein can cause them to work harder, putting unnecessary strain on some very necessary body parts. To be clear, this assertion is disputed by some, though even those who disagree admit that you probably shouldn’t use protein powders if you have kidney issues for that very reason.

Protein Supplements vs. Amino Acid Supplements

Though there’s no disputing that protein is good for you, the benefits of protein shakes are countered somewhat by the drawbacks of these drinks; amino acid supplements, on the other hand, are a purer, simpler alternative that is both more effective than powdered protein and easier on your system, too. (For those who may not know, amino acids are what you’re left with once your body breaks down the protein you consume; in other words, it’s protein in a form your body can more readily use.) Whereas your body must digest the protein in a shake before you can benefit from it, amino acid supplements let you skip that step and go straight to enjoying the effects of the product.

And there are at least as many benefits from amino acids as there are from whole proteins, regardless of the source. Take leucine, for example; this branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) has proven effective at stimulating the production of muscle tissue. Isoleucine, another BCAA, increases energy during workouts and can jump-start the tissue repair process after rigorous exercise. The third BCAA, valine, provides balanced support in a variety of ways, all of which help to increase the effectiveness of workouts; its benefits include improving cognitive functions, reducing appetite, improving the glucose supply in muscles, and protecting those muscles from some of the enzymes that break them down.

Unlike powdered protein supplements, amino acids from Amino Vital come in a leaner, healthier formula. Not only do Amino Vital products use stevia leaves as a sweetener – removing sugar from the equation entirely – but they include pharmaceutical-grade amino acids from Ajinomoto, a longtime leader in the field of amino acid research and development. Ajinomoto amino acids are created through a patented, vegetable-based fermentation process to guarantee quality, and the resulting amino acids are entirely vegan, too.

For those looking to lose weight, Amino Vital products are certainly worth considering. Our amino acid-based formulas strip away the excess calories found in protein powders to create a unique fuel source for your workouts, one that rejects excess calories in favor of only those ingredients that feed your muscles. The BCAAs in Amino Vital formulas can help to limit soreness after physical activity, and they promote the body’s fat-burning processes as well. Though protein shakes may have a larger following and greater popularity, they represent a past loaded down with sugar and primitive in its protein deliver. By offering advanced amino acid products with minimal calories and near-immediate bioavailability, Amino Vital is pushing the boundaries of sports nutrition, to the advantage of athletes everywhere.

Fast, Convenient Amino Acids Fuel Your Workout Without Excess Calories

Amino acids may seem like a gimmick, but they’re the real deal. These products provide all the benefits of traditional protein supplements in a form that supports muscles without sabotaging your overall health and fitness goals with sugar and other additives. If you or someone you know is looking for the perfect product to boost performance quickly and efficiently, look no further than Amino Vital. Learn more about all of our products by visiting us online or by calling (888) 264-6673 today.