Those with kidney disease: If you have kidney disease, you may need to be aware of your protein intake.Those consuming a balanced diet: If you do not have any dietary restrictions and you consume protein on a regular basis, you can likely meet your needs through food alone.While protein shakes may be useful in specific situations, there are certain groups of people who may not benefit from protein shakes. If you are not able to consume enough protein through foods, protein shakes may be beneficial. Consuming adequate protein can help combat this loss of muscle, especially when paired with resistance exercise. Older adults: As we age, we begin to experience muscle loss and decreases in appetite.

Those with certain dietary restrictions: If you have dietary restrictions that prevent you from meeting your daily protein needs, a shake can be a helpful way to increase your intake alongside whole food sources.

If you are exercising and know you will not have time to adequately refuel with a meal, you might consider using a protein shake to meet your increased protein needs. It is also best to spread your protein intake out throughout the day, rather than having it in one sitting. However, keep in mind that consuming more protein than this does not help you add more muscle. If you do not meet your protein needs, it can impact bone metabolism and athletic performance, and can contribute to menstrual irregularities.

Those who are active and short on time: As an active person, your protein needs are higher (about 1.2-2 grams per kilogram per day).

The following groups may benefit from protein shakes: Be sure your shake has adequate carbohydrates or pair it with a carbohydrate source such as grains, fruit, dairy, or starchy vegetables. Keep in mind that your carbohydrate needs will also be greater with exercise. We do not, however, recommend relying on protein shakes over whole food meals often, because shakes tend to be low in other necessary nutrients such as fiber, carbohydrates, and certain vitamins and minerals. While we recommend using food to meet your protein needs when possible, there are certain situations in which protein shakes may be useful.

Best Organic: Kate Farms Organic Vanilla Protein Shake is a higher carbohydrate option to help support harder workouts and is also vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free.ДЄlways speak with a healthcare provider before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs and which dosage to take.

Best Overall: Owyn Dark Chocolate Plant-Based Protein Shake is our top choice because it is a complete protein source that is vegan, allergen-friendly, and packs in omega-3s, iron, potassium, and calcium.

When considering what protein shake to buy, consider the amount of protein, protein source, ingredients, and budget that is right for you. So if you find yourself in need of a protein boost, a protein shake can be a quick and convenient way to help you meet your needs. Bohling, MD, a family medicine specialist at Mercy Medical Center in Maryland, says вЂњPeople who may benefit from protein shakes include people who aren't getting enough protein in their diet because of dietary restrictions, those who are trying to lose weight, or anyone trying to build muscle.вЂќ However, there may be situations in which a ready-made protein shake can come in handy. Protein can be found in foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, tofu, tempeh, and in varying amounts in grains and legumes. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, protein needs can usually be met through diet alone, without the use of supplements. Adequately refueling with enough protein and carbohydrates after exercise is critical if you want to optimize your training and recover quickly. The protein needs of active individuals are higher than the general population.

Caffeinated protein powder