One of the most important things you can do for your health is get a good dose of protein within an hour of waking up. The easiest way I’ve found to do that is with a high-quality protein shake.
Protein shakes are everywhere these days. But how do you know you’re getting the right one? So many of the shakes on the market these days are full of sugar and unhealthy fillers and other ingredients that are going to work against your health and energy.
I wanted to make it easy for people to find high-quality protein and fiber powder, so I made it available for purchase on my webstore at jenlandamd.com/webstore.
If you prefer to shop around, here are some guidelines on how to choose a healthy protein powder that’s going to give you a great start to your day:
1. Choose a high quality protein source (minimum of 20g protein per serving). The best sources of protein: pea, rice, potato, hemp, chia, beef, chlorella. Avoid: Soy or milk-based proteins like whey protein.
2. Choose the right sweetener (less than 6g per serving). Look for: stevia, lo han guo, xylitol, rice syrup, or evaporated cane juice syrup. Avoid: Artificial and other types of sweeteners, including aspartame, sucralose, and maltitol.
3. Add fiber (at least 5g per serving). Fiber keeps you feeling fuller longer and balances your blood sugar. Look for: apple pectin, prune powder, larch arabinogalactans, blend of soluble and insoluble fibers. Avoid: Soy (soy protein isolate and other fillers), artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.
4. Jazz it up! Once you’ve found the right base for your protein shake, you can make it something you look forward to drinking every morning with delicious, healthy add-ins. Some of my favorites are: almond or coconut milk, spinach or kale, 100% cocoa powder or cocoa nibs, berries (fruit is yummy, but don’t go overboard – fruit has lots of sugar!), and natural flavors like peppermint or coconut. Yum!
From my webstore: