
There is a possibility of whey protein making you fat, which may lead to weight gain, if you don’t invest time in following a workout routine regularly. This NutriNeat article elaborates more on how whey protein consumption can add extra pounds when your daily routine is lacking in any physical activity.
Whey protein can provide plenty of health benefits, including better immunity and digestive health for those living a healthy lifestyle.
As we all know, when it comes to building muscles, exercise alone is not helpful; it needs to be complemented with an appropriate diet. In order to improve muscle growth, fitness experts often advice to include certain supplements, particularly whey protein, in one’s diet. Taking whey protein in the form of powders or shakes often helps gain greater muscle mass and show better results.
However, can we expect the same effect when exercise is excluded from the daily schedule? Can intake of whey protein serve the intended purpose when one is not following any exercise program? Or does whey protein make you fat? Let’s have a look:
Although whey protein can assist in building toned muscle, this effect is visible only when one works out regularly. For those who are not into muscle building and not investing time at the gym, whey protein is not of any help. Whey protein primarily formulated for athletes and bodybuilders is usually taken post-workout. Any rigorous exercise routine causes small damages to the muscles in the form of micro tears. In order to expedite this process of repairing and rebuilding damaged muscles, taking a glass of whey protein shake is recommended.
However, when you are not doing any workout, it is like leading a sedentary lifestyle, with protein requirements far less than those opting for an active lifestyle. An average American diet does satisfy protein needs of individuals not involved in any kind of physical activity. So taking whey protein supplements means adding excess protein to one’s diet. With no workout, these extra proteins consumed are not used by the muscles, and get stored as fat. Over time, there is no muscle gain, but only accumulation of fat, which may lead to weight gain.
One also cannot forget that whey protein, be it powders, shakes, or protein bars, are high in calories. For instance, 1 scoop of whey powder has a whopping 100 calories. Whereas, taking a whey protein shake will further increase calorie consumption, as it also contains milk. With no exercise fitted in the routine, most of these calories go straight into the fat reserves. As hardly any calories are burnt with an increasingly less active lifestyle, these fat reserves remain unused, which eventually increases and may cause obesity and weight gain.
What you have read above might sound contrary to what you have commonly heard, that whey protein intake assists in weight loss. Well, whey protein does contribute to fat burning, provided you exercise daily. The supplement complemented with regular workout is found to be effective in increasing muscle mass and boosting metabolism. With gain in muscle mass, the body burns a higher number of calories, as more calories are taken to support muscle tissue. Thus, whey protein can be an effective aid in calorie burning process if it is coupled with daily exercise regimen.
A point to note here is that, whey protein causing weight gain is not backed by any scientific studies, but considering its high calorie content, taking it along with your regular diet and no exercise can surely elevate the risk of gaining more pounds.
On the whole, when planning to include whey protein in your diet, make sure you fit a workout routine in your day-to-day schedule, so as to reap its muscle-building benefits. Skipping the exercise part and having high-calorie whey powder supplements is sure to increase your risk of weight gain. Keep in mind that whey protein is no magic wand to gain muscles; it works only when supplemented with appropriate exercise and diet.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.