IS PROTEIN POWDER GOOD FOR WOMEN'S WEIGHT LOSS?
When wandering into the world of whey protein powder for the first time, knowing which is the best whey protein powder for women can be challenging. Is whey protein actually good for females? Which whey is best for women—whey concentrate, isolate or hydrolysate? And, the important question… what flavour should you choose? As a quick snapshot, some of the benefits of whey protein powder (which we will look at in further detail) include…
- Boosts strength and performance
- Helps with muscle growth and recovery
- Protects the immune system
- Assists with weight loss
If you’re trying to choose the best protein powder for female weight loss and are still learning the ins and outs of whey protein powder, its benefits, and how it can support your health and wellness goals, this is the blog for you!
Read on to discover…
- Which protein is best for females?
- Is whey protein good for females?
- What are the benefits of whey protein?
- Which whey is best for women?
- What is the best protein powder for female weight loss?
WHICH PROTEIN IS BEST FOR FEMALES?
There are multiple variations of protein powder on the market these days, but whey protein powder is an excellent choice for women who are not lactose intolerant and looking for a dairy-based protein. One of the most popular, whey protein, contains all nine essential amino acids we need from our diet because our body doesn’t produce them naturally—these amino acids are absorbed quickly into the body, therefore providing fast benefits. Because of this, whey protein is considered one of the best sources of protein available and a complete protein.
If you prefer a dairy-free protein powder to add to your diet, plenty of vegan-friendly varieties are also available. One thing to consider when shopping for a vegan protein powder is the amino acid profile and checking that it contains all nine essential amino acids—so it can be considered a complete protein. Most plant-based sources don’t include all of the essential amino acids on their own, but when there’s a combination of two, it boosts the levels of amino acids, often making it a complete protein.
At Happy Way, our vegan protein powders are made with either a plant-based blend of rice and pea protein or hemp protein. Both hemp, and the combo of two plant proteins, contain all nine essential amino acids, making them a rich source of protein too. For more information on our vegan protein powders and their benefits, check out our blog, ‘The best plant based protein powder.’
IS WHEY PROTEIN GOOD FOR FEMALES?
There’s no denying that whey protein provides numerous benefits to both females and males. For women in particular—and those who are new to the protein world or concerned that protein powder’s only for gym junkies and those who want to bulk up—rest assured that whey protein is a great supplement to add to your diet. Besides being versatile and an efficient and effective way to boost your daily nutrient intake, whey protein powder can support your weight loss goals and provides a multitude of other benefits to both the mind and body. See below.
1. BOOSTS STRENGTH & PERFORMANCE
Whether you’re a workout queen, a professional athlete, or prefer the occasional fitness class or weekly walk, whey protein powder can help to increase strength and performance. As mentioned, whey protein contains all nine essential amino acids and is high in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)—the combination of three essential amino acids, leucine, isoleucine and valine. BCAAs are absorbed quickly by the muscles in our bodies, allowing you to gain increased energy and strength. This can be helpful before or during training and performance and support you daily.
For more information on BCAAs, check out our blog, ‘What are the benefits of BCAA powders?’.
2. ASSISTS WITH WEIGHT LOSS
Whey protein powder helps to boost your metabolism and keeps you feeling full for longer periods, since protein is considered the most hunger-reducing macronutrient. Including whey protein powder in your daily diet, along with other wholesome foods, can provide a great source of nutrients and deter you from any unhealthy snacking throughout the day.
Instead of a couple of pieces of toast on the go or skipping breakfast entirely, why not make a delicious protein smoothie with your favourite whey protein powder and add in some fruits, nuts, oats, ice, water, or your milk of choice. A whey protein shake throughout the day can also keep the cravings away and prevent you from adding any unnecessary calories to your diet, which will help support your weight loss goals. Check out some of our favourite recipes using whey protein powder here.
Since the nutrients in whey protein powder are absorbed quickly by the muscles in our bodies, having a protein shake approximately 30-45 minutes prior to exercise will help boost energy, allowing you to train longer and harder. This makes it the best protein powder for female weight loss, as it helps you burn more calories and decrease body fat. Alternatively, enjoying a protein shake post-workout will help your muscles repair, recover, and maintain lean muscle mass. It’s perfect for those who want to participate in daily exercise as it prevents the dreaded aches and pains following an intense training session.
3. HELPS WITH MUSCLE GROWTH & RECOVERY
As mentioned earlier, whey protein powder increases energy and strength and can help you build and maintain lean muscle mass. Because it’s a great source of protein and BCAAs, which are rapidly absorbed in the body, you’ll quickly notice the benefits of incorporating whey protein powder into your diet daily—particularly around your endurance during your workouts.
The essential amino acid, leucine, is found in whey protein powder and helps to stimulate protein synthesis, which is key for muscle growth. Combining the use of protein powder with resistance training can assist with building and maintaining muscle, even when you’re losing weight. Besides supporting muscle growth, whey protein powder can also aid in muscle recovery, repairing damaged muscles and tissue.
4. PROTECTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Because whey protein powder is packed with nutrients from high-quality superfoods and organic ingredients, it can provide many benefits to the mind and body. Whey protein powder offers a rich source of antioxidants, which can boost your body’s immune system and therefore fight off harmful diseases and illnesses. It can also act as an anti-inflammatory, lower blood pressure and help maintain overall health.
WHICH WHEY IS BEST FOR WOMEN?
Whilst there are several types of whey protein powder on the market, at Happy Way, we believe the best whey protein powder for women is made from whey protein concentrate, which is what we use in our whey protein powders. There are three different types of whey protein, which all vary based on how they’re processed.
Whey protein concentrate is considered the most popular and affordable and is believed to be the richest in vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients of the three.
See below for a quick overview.
1. WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
Whey protein concentrate is believed to provide the best flavour and consistency of the three types of whey protein, making it an excellent choice for daily smoothies and shakes. It contains approximately 70-80% protein and is high in immunity-boosting nutrients, yet whey concentrate still has some lactose, carbs and minimal fats, being that it’s been through less processing of the three.
2. WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE
Whilst whey protein isolate may contain approximately 90% protein and have lower levels of lactose and fat, it’s also lower in nutrients that can provide many benefits to the mind and body. Because it contains fewer carbs and fats, whey protein isolate can be suitable for those with sensitivities to lactose.
3. WHEY PROTEIN HYDROLYSATE
Whey protein hydrolysate is often used by performing athletes as it digests quickly and is absorbed rapidly by the muscles—boosting energy, improving performance and helping with muscle recovery and stamina. During production, it’s broken down with the help of enzymes and acids, which allows for its fast absorption and digestion, however, it’s considered the most expensive of the three types of whey protein.
WOMEN’S BEST WHEY PROTEIN POWDER
If you’re looking for the best protein powder for female weight loss, look no further! At Happy Way, our whey protein powders are 100% natural and filled with vitamins, minerals and nutrients that boost your health and well-being and support you and your weight loss goals in a healthy way. All-natural means no artificial flavours, preservatives or sweeteners are used to provide the delicious taste of each flavour. Instead, they’re made with high-quality raw superfoods, and a combo of certified organic and organically grown ingredients, proving natural is best!
Our whey protein is sourced from Aussie pasture-fed cows, and each protein powder is considered gluten-free and non-GMO.
For a more detailed look at our whey protein and the benefits of each flavour, read our blog, ‘Top 10 best whey protein powders’, and you can shop our range of whey protein powders here.