I’ve often written about the health benefits of protein. Protein powders have become a very popular health supplement over the years. Initially, protein powders were thought to be only for bodybuilders wanting to bulk up and build muscle, however over time many have come to realise just how important protein is in our diet.

There are many reasons why we require protein in our diet. It is important for tissue repair and the formation of new tissue plus our muscles, hair, nails, skin, and eyes are made of protein. The cells making up our liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, nerves, brain, and sex glands are made of protein. In fact, every cell in our body requires protein to maintain its life.

When we exercise it is even more important to consume protein as protein is required to repair and rebuild muscle plus maintain good muscle strength.  We need to be aware that as we age it is more difficult for our bodies to build and maintain muscle.

Often if we find our nails are splitting, keep breaking or are slow growing, increasing protein in our diet may resolve the problem. Thinning, listless hair may also be resolved by increasing the protein in our diet. Sometimes skin that is aging prematurely may be helped by increasing protein in our diet.

With it now being obvious just how important protein is in our diet, we need to address how we can increase our protein intake. The reality is most of us eat nearly enough protein. Carbohydrates seem to rule these days when it comes to our diet. Obviously, we can increase our protein by eating more fish, chicken, dairy, eggs, red meat, legumes, tofu, and nuts. Often people will include a protein powder in their diet because it’s an easy way of consuming a concentrated form of protein.

There are many protein powders on the market. Previously the only protein powder available was whey protein, extracted from dairy. These days however our most popular protein powders are plant-based protein e.g., rice, pea, and hemp. Many find these protein powders much easier to digest.

Over the past few years hemp protein which is produced by grinding hemp seeds to a fine powder, has become extremely popular. Some would argue hemp protein is one of the best vegan protein powders available. It has a lovely nutty, earthy flavour and is great for adding to smoothies and general cooking. It is a complete protein with 20 amino acids including all 9 essential amino acids. It’s believed to contain more healthy omega fats being omega 3 and 6 fats in the perfect radio of 3:1. It contains more fibre than most protein powders.  In fact, hemp protein powder contains approximately 8 grams of fibre per 30 grams which is much higher than other plant-based protein powders. This means by adding both protein and fibre to our diet we may feel fuller longer. Hemp protein is extremely rich in minerals, in particular magnesium and iron.

Hemp protein comes in several flavours including vanilla and chocolate. I generally like to use a natural hemp protein powder as I can then add my own flavours. Our new Skinny Mocktail range has now added lots of new and exciting options. I’ve found adding one of the mocktail powders has added a brand-new dimension to my daily smoothie. It means I can add lots of new and delicious flavours to my smoothies such as coconut-pine, choc-berry espresso, peach mango, melon berry and apple lychee.

In addition, I now benefit from all the great therapeutic ingredients in the mocktail powder. L-Carnitine, Bitter Orange, Grains of Paradise, Chromium Picolinate and White tea Powder for weight management. Inulin, L-Glutamine, Aloe Vera, Chamomile and Probiotics for gut and digestive health and L-Tyrosine, Schisandra and L-Theanine for focus and cognitive support. What a bonus!

So, if you want to take your smoothie to the next level, try some of these great combinations.

For more information and recipes call down to chat to Bev and the girls at Go Vita your health shop at 5 North St, Batemans Bay.