I love whey protein because it’s quickly absorbed by the body and gives you antioxidant protection. You can easily add it to your diet by mixing whey protein powder into smoothies, cereal, juice or water. It is an instant, high-quality protein that you don’t have to cook—that’s my kind of food. Plus, whey protein tastes good. Just be careful when choosing your whey powder. Read the label to make sure that it has virtually no fat, contains whey protein isolates (which are absorbed faster than other forms) and is microfiltered—a method that keeps the proteins intact.
Because whey is digested quickly, it allows the amino acids to repair the muscles that are building lean muscle mass. Try a whey protein smoothie after you exercise in the morning, and you may notice less post-workout soreness. In my opinion, whey protein should be an integral part of weight loss systems.
Below is the recipe for one of my favorite smoothies.
Serving size: One
1 cup frozen blueberries or strawberries (berries are powerhouse sources of antioxidants)
1/2 cup pomegranate juice (pomegranates slow aging and fight heart disease)
1/2 cup of light soy milk
1 scoop (15 grams) whey powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (helps regulate blood sugar levels)
1 tablespoon freshly ground flaxseeds (an excellent source of omega-3 and fiber that helps to suppress hunger)
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high for one minute.
If you’re one of the many people who just can’t find the time to sit down and eat breakfast, the smoothie is your answer. It takes minutes with the perfect blend of protein, fiber and good fat to rev up your metabolism first thing in the morning.
Tracey Mallett
Tracey Mallett (www.TraceyMallett.com) is an internationally-recognized certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist. She is the author of "Sexy in 6: Sculpt Your Body with the 6 Minute Quick Blast Workout." Tracey is the creator and star of the "3-In-1 Pregnancy System," for pre- and post-natal mothers. Her newest videos are "Renew You" and "Super Body BootCamp." A proud mother of two, Tracey, now lives in Los Angeles.
