What does protein powder do?

Protein plays a vital role in the daily functioning of your body and is essential for muscle growth, healing, reproduction and maintaining a healthy immune system. Your body uses protein to build and repair tissue, making it an essential macronutrient for muscle growth. But muscles aren’t the only benefit, it improves brain function and reduces fatigue, it helps with weight loss by reducing the levels of the hunger hormone. Protein breaks down into amino acids (also known as the building blocks of protein), which are essential to the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters.

Protein powder is a supplement derived from eggs, whey, rice, soy or a combination of them. It is made into a powder form that you can mix into drinks or sprinkle over food to boost your protein intake.

Protein powder is also a common choice for new vegans who no longer consume traditional sources of protein such as meat, fish and eggs. If you’re recovering from an injury, protein powder can also aid with healing and is commonly used by injured athletes to hasten recovery. Teenagers may use protein powder as a supplement to fuel exercise or boost protein levels in general since their bodies typically use more protein than the average adult.

Anyone can use protein powder to naturally enrich their diet and reach their health and fitness goals. It's commonly consumed in shake form, but you can have it however you like. Protein powder is popularly used by both men and women, beginners, gym goers, athletes and bodybuilders looking to increase the protein in the bodies to keep up with vigorous workout routines and muscle building.

Whey Proteins

Whey protein is a mixture of proteins isolated from whey, which is found in the water portion of milk. It is often considered a complete protein, containing all 9 essential amino acids and is known to be high in BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) like leucine, the most efficient growth promoting amino acid.

Happy Ways whey protein powder is made with the highest quality raw and organic superfood supplements. For protein powder that’s full of natural antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, free from preservatives and artificial flavours, try our range of Whey Protein Powder.

Vegan Protein Powder

Vegan protein powder can be made up of proteins derived from sources such as plant matter, hemp seeds, brown rice, or soy. Most plant-based prin sources tend to miss one or more of the 9 necessary amino acids, but you can easily make it up by eating a variety of plant proteins on a regular basis. Vegan protein powder is known to boost metabolism and improve digestion as fruits and vegetables are packed with friendly fibres, vitamins and antioxidants.

The vegan solution eliminates allergy symptoms such as gluten and lactose intolerances, as well as promoting environmental stability and the ethical treatment of animals. To see the benefits for yourself, try our Vegan Protein Powder range.

What does protein powder do for weight loss?

What does protein powder do for weight loss? Protein has a high thermic effect, so you’ll burn a lot of calories simply by digesting it. The convenience of having it available in powder form means you’re less likely to snack on unhealthy food between meals. Whey protein powder is great for weight loss because it helps keep you fuller for longer and is great for preventing overindulgence. For this reason, a whey protein shake works well as a healthy, fulfilling meal replacement and is popularly incorporated into low-calorie diets to aid weight loss naturally. The versatility and convenience that protein powder offers when it comes to weight loss makes it a great option for anyone looking to lose weight without turning to extreme, ineffective diets and weight loss pills.

What does protein powder do for muscle growth?

What does protein powder do for muscle growth? Protein powder is packed with essential amino acids, making it great for muscle growth and promoting lean muscle mass with enhanced protein synthesis in the body. It’s best used immediately after a training session for muscles to absorb the necessary protein, or within 30 minutes at most. It increases blood flow to muscle tissues, delivering nutrients, energy and the amino acids from the protein powder, making sure that you get the best support for your muscle growth and recovery.

How to Use Protein Powder

How much protein should I have?

If you’re ready to try protein powder to enhance your performance and repair and maintain muscle growth, it’s important that you consume the right amount for your body type and fitness goals. Not sure where to start or how much protein you should have? Research has found that the appropriate level of protein depends on an individual’s overall health, activity level, muscle mass, weight and age.

However, the average recommendations are 1.76 - 2.2g per kg if you’re trying to lose weight, 2.2 - 2.6g per kg for gaining muscle, and 1.1 - 1.5g per kg if you want to maintain your current body weight.

When is the best time to consume protein powder?

The best time to consume protein powder really depends on your health and fitness goals. If you want to lose weight, build muscle or boost your energy levels you will need to take it at the best time.

You may have heard protein shakes be called ‘pre-workout’, this is because consuming protein powder around 45 minutes before exercising can boost energy levels and improve performance.

Consuming protein powder within 30 minutes after a workout, in the form of a protein shake, bliss ball, or protein bar, is also beneficial to provide essential amino acids to muscles, promoting muscle growth and a quicker recovery.

Consuming protein powder within 30 minutes after a workout, in the form of a protein shake, bliss ball, or protein bar, is also beneficial to provide essential amino acids to muscles, promoting muscle growth and a quicker recovery.

Choosing the Right Protein Powder

To find the best protein powder for you, it needs to suit your lifestyle choices, dietary requirements, fitness goals to make sure you’re getting the best support for your body.

Different goals call for different protein powder, so it’s important to take a look at the ingredients and nutritional value so you can make an informed decision on which protein powder is right for you.

If you’re looking for a boost in your training session, try our Top of the Choc Whey Chocolate Protein Powder to increase your muscle strength, enhance your performance and intensify your workout.

If you’re trying to maintain a healthy diet, try our Cacao Mint Hemp Vegan Protein Powder. Hemp protein powder has a slightly nutty/earthy taste and is made with organic natural ingredients.

Whey protein powder VS plant-based protein powder: what’s the difference?

Whey protein is the most common type of protein powder, however, vegan protein powders are becoming more popular, offering a great plant-based alternative. Check out the advantages of whey protein powder vs plant-based protein powder and find out what does protein powder do and which one is right for you.

Choosing the Best Protein Powder for Pregnancy

It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. If you’re a regular protein powder consumer or are new to the supplement, you’d want to know if it’s safe to use during pregnancy. Experts recommend a minimum of an extra 25 grams per day for women who are pregnant or nursing a newborn.

The best protein powders for pregnancy are organic and natural forms that are free from preservatives and artificial flavours. It should be rich in vitamins and minerals, with natural antioxidants and nutritional value to make sure you and your bubba are getting the best, whether it be in smoothies, bliss balls, protein shakes, muffins or anything else that tickles your fancy.

What about Hemp Protein?

Hemp protein powder is a plant-based alternative, packed with vitamins, minerals and amino acids that improve muscle growth, increase endurance and improve the recovery period after exercise.

Hemp is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant species, without the THC compound found in marijuana. It has an abundance of health benefits and is quickly becoming a more popular superfood, being rich in magnesium, zinc, iron, vitamins B and D3.

Not only is it safe for hypoallergenic being sugar, gluten, nut, lactose, and soy free, it’s also environmentally friendly. See our recipes that show you how to use hemp protein powder. 

How to enjoy protein powder

There is no wrong way to take protein powder – here at Happy Way HQ, we are always busy experimenting with new ways to enjoy our protein. Blended, shaken or baked into a treat...the possibilities are endless!

When you don’t have time to prepare a high protein meal after an intense workout, protein shakes and smoothies can help you meet your protein uptake. To get your protein shake (or smoothie) free of any lumps, here are some handy tips:

• Always add water, milk or low-fat yoghurt before the protein powder
• Use a blender or a shaker bottle to mix your protein shake or smoothie
• Pick a shaker bottle with a mesh screen or a metal ball whisk over a plain one
• Don’t just mix protein powder into water or milk with a spoon

Get creative with ingredients! We personally love adding nuts, fruits and superfoods to get a silky-smooth texture for our smoothie bowls. What’s more, protein powder can be used in baking recipes for a grab-and-go treat packed full of energy.

Our Favourite Recipes

Raw Salted Caramel Protein Powder Balls

Enjoy our Top of the Choc Whey Chocolate Protein Powder in these delicious raw salted caramel protein powder balls. It takes less than ten minutes to make and can be the perfect pre or post workout snack.

Banana and Peanut Butter Muffins

With just one scoop of Like a Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder, you can make these yummy banana and peanut butter muffins. It makes the perfect afternoon snack or addition to your morning brekkie.

What makes Happy Way different?

Happy Way protein supplements are made with high-quality, raw superfoods combined with whey protein powder to create a natural, healthy way to boost the protein in your diet. With recipes and a concept developed by devoted fitness professionals who understand the role an enriched diet can have on your health goals, Happy Way is all about providing a refreshing, contemporary twist to the way we think about protein powder.

Free of artificial flavours, preservatives and sweeteners, every Happy Way product is filled to the brim with natural vitamins and minerals. You can rest assured that when you choose Happy Way, you’re choosing the natural path to health and fitness – and we make sure that none of the good stuff is lost in the production process through heat and chemicals.

Additionally, we have both vegan AND whey protein powders available. Incorporating protein into your diet has never been easier! And if you’re after a brand that cares about the environment as well as your health and satisfaction, you’d be glad to know that at Happy Way, our products are completely organic and free from the antibiotics, hormones, pesticides and fertilisers that come from unsustainable farming and manufacturing practices.

That’s what makes us Happy…and we know you’d agree!