Whole Foods vs Protein Powder – Protein Requirements During The Fitness Journey

It doesn’t matter whether you eat protein or drink it, right?

WRONG! 

Yes, you can get your macronutrient from whole foods and whey protein powder, but there are differences. So, if you’ve thought about going all-in with your fitness journey, you must know about the crucial diet routine to optimise your workout sessions.

Protein from whole foods

Whenever you think of protein, dairy and meat immediately come to your mind. They are a good source of macronutrients, but they provide your body with other dietary supplements. 

• These whole foods offer vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fibre.
• They ensure better gut health and overall satisfaction from food.
• They also provide essential amino acids for protein synthesis and good tissue growth in your body.

Protein from supplements

The alternatives to whole foods, i.e. protein powder, consist of the complete set of peptides and other benefits.

• These supplements offer vitamins and minerals to enhance your nutritional intake.
• A single serving of the powder can take care of your day’s protein requirement. 
• They don’t contain carbs which help with ensuring your caloric deficit. 

Which one is better?

Since both the food choices come with their own benefits, you might find it challenging to stick to one. The good news is – you’re not supposed to. You can choose to keep both options as per your health goals!

Balanced Diet

As whole foods contain essential micronutrients to boost your body’s recovery process, you must have these items on your plate. These sources will cater to your overall health against merely fulfilling your protein requirements.

Weight Loss

However, you might have to consume more calories with these foodstuffs for your daily protein needs. So, if you’re planning for weight loss, it will get tricky to achieve desired results. In these cases, protein supplements come to your rescue. 

Muscle Mass

As you age, your muscles begin to lose their mass and strength. Regular protein intake through food will add to your caloric palate. This will make it challenging for you to lose weight and increase your chances of turning obese. 

That’s where protein powder becomes an integral part of your daily routine. You can receive your requisite portion of the macronutrient without any carbs intake.

Specifically, health technology is increasingly applied to older people, although solid evidence for long term effects in changing lifestyle behaviour is generally lacking. 

Convenience

Eating a healthy diet is the topmost priority of every fitness enthusiast. However, it gets difficult to follow and maintain a wholesome lifestyle with a busy schedule. 

But, you can choose to save time for other significant events in your life without compromising on the essential nutrients. A protein shake bottle can help you feel satiated for a long time, even when you’re in a hurry. 

Note: If you decide to include protein shakes in your regular diet, it’s crucial to prefer one that comes fortified with micronutrients!

To be precise

Picking the ‘whole foods’ lane or siding with the ‘whey protein powder’ team doesn’t have to be challenging. As you already know, they are called ‘supplements’ to offer additional nutrition in your diet and not act as a competition against your usual intake. 

One thing you should always follow is bettering your health while fulfilling your every nutritional requirement!