Can protein replace a full meal? The answer may be controversial

Whey protein is the most popular supplement ever. Its popularity stems mainly from the fact that it contains a large amount of rapidly digestible protein. The vast majority of strength athletes use it regularly after every workout, as the human bodyThe human body can use the protein it receives in this way much faster than protein received in the form of meat or other food. So you could say that whey protein is a permanent part of the diet of most athletes. But is it possible to use whey protein instead of food? The answer to this question is not entirely clear, as it depends on many factors. In today's article, we will therefore look at this topic in more depth and look atWe'll look at the situations in which protein can replace a normal meal, and in which situations it can't.

Nutritional values of whey protein

As mentioned in the introduction, whey protein contains a large amount of high quality protein. For example, one serving of Prom-IN Pure Performance contains a total of 30.4 grams of it. In this respect, it can replace virtually any normal meal without any problems. However, the problem may arise in connection with the sufficient intake of other nutrients. These are no longer found in whey protein in such quantities. This is quite logical, because the low carbohydrate and fat content is one of their advantages. Therefore, whey proteins can replace some meals with regard to their nutritional value, but they are certainly not suitable for completely eliminating some meals from your diet. A balanced diet must consist of all the essential nutrients, which whey proteins alone simply do not meet.

When can whey protein replace a meal?

There are several situations in which it pays to include whey protein in your diet. Let's take a look at the best of them.

Protein for breakfast

If you're in a hurry to get to work or school in the morning and can't make breakfast, whey protein can come in handy. It only takes a minute to prepare and you can take it with you on the go. The only downside is the low carbohydrate content, which is needed for a good energy boost in the morning. The solution may be, for example, our reviewed Czech Viruse Day Starter, which is made exactly for this purpose.

Protein instead of a snack

When it comes to snacks, basically the same applies as for breakfast. Protein is convenient, especially because of its quick preparation and high protein content, but it falls a little short in terms of the necessary carbohydrates and fats. However, if you supplement your snack protein with, for example, one piece of fruit, this problem is easily solved.

Protein during the day

Although not always ideal, in extreme cases you can substitute protein for pretty much any meal. As a rule, this can be the case when you are either really busy during the day or you are on a strict diet and have a specially designed diet. But if you substitute protein for lunch, for example, it would be a good idea to include some other larger meal in the afternoon.

When, on the other hand, it is not worth relying on protein

Although it may seem a bit strange and surprising, you shouldn't substitute protein for a meal after a workout. Don't get me wrong - the best time to eat whey protein is after a workout. However, a reasonable amount of time should be followed by a complete meal containing not only a large but also plenty of carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins. If, exceptionally, you don't manage to find time to eat after your workout, it won't be the end of the world. Still, protein shouldn't be the only thing you eat after a workout. After all, the post-workout meal is the most important meal of the day and should therefore also be given the most attention.

Protein instead of food should not be the norm

While it doesn't hurt anything to replace a meal with whey protein once in a while in a hurry, it's not the best idea in the long run. First of all, it means you almost never have time to prepare a meal, which is a problem in itself. Proper and balanced nutrition is essential to maximizing results. Skipping breakfast every day in favour of making a protein instead is definitely not a good solution. If you don't have time to prepare breakfast in the morning, prepare it in the evening or simply get up a little earlier. However, eating well should be a priority and in this case you must not you regularly replace a full meal with a powder dissolved in water.

How to make protein a complete meal?

However, the above does not change the fact that if you combine protein with other ingredients, you canA complex meal that serves as a nutritionally balanced snack or breakfast. For example, you can enrich your protein shake with fruit. A blended banana or berries not only add nutritional value to your favourite whey protein, but can also add a great flavour. If you're a fan of vegetables, there's also the option of adding spinach or other leafy greens to your protein. If you want to add healthy fats to your protein as well, reach for an avocado to turn your protein shake into a full meal. Last but not least, we can also recommend oatmeal, which will provide the necessary fiber, which is especially good for breakfast.

There are no limits to your imagination. If you prepare the whey protein together with other ingredients, the resulting smoothie will not only be greatprotein, the smoothie also contains plenty of complex carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins. In this case, it can certainly be considered a complex meal and there is no reason why it cannot be included in the diet as a separate course.

Final summary

Whey protein can serve as a substitute for a regular meal in some situations, but it should not be the norm. However, if you add fruit or oatmeal, for example, to the protein, the resulting smoothie can easily be included as a full meal in the diet. You should not resort to protein as a substitute for normal protein on a regular basis, because in the long run it does not meet the requirements for a nutritionally balanced diet that athletes need.

That's all from us for today. We'll be happy to answer any questions or comments you may have in the comments below.