Protein shakes and weight loss

No magic bullet

Whether you're drinking protein shakes to replace meals or aid in weight loss, there are a few key things to keep in mind.

The first is this: It's not a magic bullet for weight loss.

It's true... you might reduce your daily calories by replacing certain meals with protein shakes.

But (and here's the thing most protein shake manufacturers won't tell you), you'll miss out on the nutritional benefits of whole foods.

Protein in shakes

The thing about protein is that it contains calories. When you eat too much protein, it can make losing weight a lot harder. Even more so if you drink protein shakes in addition to what you normally eat.

The average person needs between 46 and 56 grams of protein a day, depending on your overall health and weight.

Do you need protein shakes to lose weight?

Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. explains that as long as you're eating healthily (fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean sources of protein), and including physical activity in your daily routine, it isn't necessary to add any extra protein – through shakes or other sources – into your diet.

The key to losing weight is burning more calories than you consume.

Recommended reading: Shed the weight by replacing meat with legumes

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