Don't Let Fear Get In The Whey: Why Women Shouldn't Be Afraid To Use Protein Powders
There's no way around it: Being fit and active is in. From Instagram accounts dedicated to lifting videos and healthy meal plans to an upsurge of workout supplement companies taking over the internet, healthy is becoming cool. Curiously enough, with plenty of evidence available on social media that says otherwise, many women will believe that lifting weights and downing protein powders will make them bulky. Listen up, ladies — protein powders won't turn you into a man. A Chad Wesley Smith physique is nowhere in your near future.
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That's why we've gone to experts to tell you once and for all why you shouldn't associate protein powder with a bulky frame.
Strength and conditioning specialist and exercise physiologist Dr. Scott A. Weiss, DPT, ATC, CSCS, FACSM, says, "Ingesting whey, or any protein, should not be a concern for women... Despite popular belief, protein consumption has no bearing whatsoever on muscle 'bulk' or 'stockiness.' Whey protein actually contains the amino acid leucine, which is a key for muscle synthesis, and, due to its fast absorption properties, it can balance nitrogen and help repair muscles better than other proteins."
Jamie Corso, an experienced trainer at DavidBartonGym's Astor Place location in New York, agrees with Dr. Weiss. She says that this stigma is "still very much alive! Using protein powder or any protein supplement cannot get you bulky. It is extremely hard for women to get bulky, as we don't have the natural testosterone levels."
Edwina Clark, MS, RD, APD, the Head of Nutrition and Wellness at Yummly and a former college track athlete, notes the importance of protein for everyday life. She says, "Beyond recovery, getting enough protein is essential for general day-to-day muscle maintenance, tissue repair, and satiety. Maintaining muscle helps keep your metabolism moving, and lessens the risk of immobility/injury as we age. Consuming whey protein as part of a meal or snack can help you meet daily protein needs, and mitigate the effects of getting older."
If that's not enough to convince you that a scoop of two or whey won't inspire the growth of a barrel-shaped chest and tree-trunk thighs overnight, then nothing will. Women need not fear protein — the experts say so. Protein powders are great supplements to a healthy diet, but remember that moderation is key. Properly timed and sized portions of whey can help you to become your happiest, healthiest, most fit version of yourself.