My thoughts on protein powder- Thinking Out Loud

Hello friendly friends and welcome to another Thinking Out Loud Thursday! What's on my mind today? Protein powder for some reason!

Do you use protein powder?
Do you not like the idea of using protein powder?
Do you think protein powder tastes like chalk? (just wondering- I've heard it been said before)

If you read my blog, you know I use protein powder. Vegan protein powder. This one to be exact:

I love the ingredients list:

Vanilla being my flavour of choice, although I do like the chocolate flavour too. (You see, here in Australia, we don't get cool flavours like pumpkin pie, cookie dough, strawberry milkshake.. etc. We get chocolate, vanilla or no flavour. Yes.)

There's a big debate about protein powder. On one side there are people who drink it daily after workouts to feed there muscles and help in recovery or simply drink it because they don't much like meat/ are vegan / vegetarian  and then there are those who believe you can get all the protein needed from whole natural foods- even if you train everyday or are vegan/ vegetarian.

I hear both sides and agree with both too. I guess that's a weird thing to say and is actually impossible.. but I do.

Here's my opinion (remember everyone has their own :)

I believe it is possible to get enough protein from natural everyday foods whether you are a body builder, vegan, vegetarian and so on.

I believe protein powder is a handy tool for those who may need extra protein but are short on time/ energy.

I believe there are good and bad types of protein powder (more heavily processed and full of sugar vs organic + more natural types)

I believe the inclusion of protein powder in the diet can be very helpful.

I believe protein powder should not be the only source of protein in your diet. It should not supplement meals etc.

I do not believe protein powder is a food group and if it is used as one, I can't see the benefits.

To sum it up, I don't see protein powder as either a bad guy or a good guy, I just see him as a guy who can help a brother out when needed.

I use protein powder. I like the taste of protein powder. I find protein powder quite helpful.
I would say I have protein powder about 2-3 times a week. Not every day, just on days when I feel like I need a little extra protein boost, because I'm constantly on the run/ don't have much time to plan my meals and so they may be lacking in the protein department- never usually the veggie department though ;)

A big bowl of roast veggies.

I don't just shake it up with some water though... I make the most of the yummy flavour it provides.
For example:

In vanilla berry ice cream:

Brekky protein balls:

Mixed into my rolled oats:

Made into chocolate cheesecake ice cream:

Perhaps my favourite of all, the extremely thick chocolate green smoothie:

So that's my thinking on this matter... out loud of course!
Don't forget to head on over to the wonderful Spoons for some more Thinking of the Out Loud variety and a chance to find new blogs and inspirational words of wisdom!

Thoughts, questions and queries always welcome!

See ya later! :D