Q:It was mentioned a few weeks ago that the best protein drinks to have are those low in carbohydrates. What do you consider to be the maximum carbs that a protein drink should have?

A:

Protein shakes vary a great deal. If anyone is interested on how to choose a protein shake, I would be happy to address the greater picture. If that is the case, please send whatever questions you might have.

A large number of people do not need to supplement with protein shakes, but they do offer a level of convenience that conventional protein sources (chicken, eggs, fish) do not. If you can keep the carbs below 10-15 grams, you are doing well. To do this, protein shakes often add a lot of artificial ingredients that aren’t the best for your body anyway, so keep that in mind when you are making a choice. The less ingredients a protein shake has, the more natural it tends to be.

I really like Spirutein Vanilla which is what I use in the shake recipes on the website. It is dairy free and gluten free and contains non GMO soy.

I also like Amplify XL Vanilla. It has no gluten, aspartame, preservatives, or artificial colors and tastes amazing! It is expensive, but well worth it. It comes in a large container, so you can share it with a friend. This one tastes fantastic just mixed with water, so it is very portable. I have only found this one at GNC. The serving size is 3 scoops (238 calories), but I never use more than 1.5 scoops which is 120 calories, 4 carbs, and 20 grams of protein.

There is also another protein shake called EAS Advantage Carb Control that comes pre-mixed in a juice box type container and has 110 calories and 17 grams of protein. It is not as natural as the other two, but it is great to keep in the fridge at work or in a cooler in your car on days when you know you will be away from home for a while. The vanilla is my favorite flavor.

A good rule to follow is no more than 30 grams of protein per meal. The body digests and absorbs different types of protein at different rates, but 30 grams is a good guideline. There is no need to overdo protein. Moderate amounts of protein should be balanced with a diet high in low glycemic vegetables to achieve a higher alkaline balance in the body. Eating high amounts of protein without the balance of vegetables can lead to kidney problems. As with all other food choices, moderation is key.