If you’re trying to sculpt those sexy muscles you’ve been building, you need protein. But chances are that you already know that protein is really important! What you really need to know is which protein to get sculpted with, and how to pack more protein into your days.
One of the keys to making protein work for you is to consume enough of it. Around 35% of your daily calories can come from protein healthily. If you eat a 2,000 calories diet and are very active, that’s about 175 grams of protein daily.
When you’re trying to shape your body, you’ll probably need to limit your consumption of other macronutrients, like fats. That’s why it’s best to eat the clean proteins mentioned in low-fat formats.
Choosing to get enough protein through your regular food can be inconvenient. 175 grams of protein a day is a lot! Rather than counting how much protein is in everything you eat, it can be simpler to add protein supplements to your routine.
Of these options, whey powder is simply the most effective. But, if you need an alternative and eating lots of protein-rich foods isn’t an option, the other types of protein powders can help too.
A great way to use protein supplements is in a smoothie right before HIIT or another intense form of exercise. Your stomach won’t be full of heavy food, but you’ll have the protein your body needs while you work out.
Of course, just consuming a ton of protein isn’t enough to build and shape muscle alone. You’ll also need the right kind of workout, timing, and more. Use our FREE Muscle Mass Guide to kick-start your body sculpting.
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