Do you need a protein supplement?

I was pretty sure I have been getting enough protein. Several years ago I tried going vegetarian for six months. (It was the most miserable six months of my life. Related: this happened before I discovered that I have a gluten intolerance.) At the time, I had studied up on protein recommendations. The conventional wisdom was that an adult woman needs around 45-50 grams of protein per day. That's about what I eat now, more or less, so I thought I was okay.

Not true! Turns out that the standard recommendation is .8 grams per kg of weight per day. (But look where the standard recommendations have gotten us… a nation with an out-of-control obesity problem, myself included.) Newer information is that this amount is probably way too low, and we should be getting more like 1.4 grams per kg of weight per day. Here's a calculator that will do the math for you, based on your height, weight, and amount of daily activity.

How best to add protein to your diet? After all, there is only so much steak a person can eat. (Trust me, I've tried.) If you really want to make a substantial boost in your protein intake, then protein powders are the best way to go.

It's just a pity they taste so bad, cost so much, have such a horrible texture, and are inconvenient to prepare. But aside from that, they're great!

The protein powder I find most often recommended is Isopure Zero Carb, particularly the chocolate, vanilla and cookie dough flavors. I couldn't find any at my local store, and I didn't feel like shopping around, so I bought the only non-sweetened one I could find: Naturade Veg Protein Booster in "natural flavor."

My first experience was pretty bad. I mixed it with unsweetened almond milk. I do not recommend this combo. For the second day I mixed it with Crystal Light, and it was… less awful. Better still is to mix it with a smoothie, perhaps with some berries.

I'll keep choking this stuff down until it's gone (because I'm cheap that way). If you have any personal faves or recommendations, let me know!

Image courtesy Flickr/phoenixar