The care women require when they are pregnant is not at all unknown to anyone in this world. Pregnancy is that beautiful phase of women’s lives during which they become very sensitive and critical. During pregnancy, you are not only responsible for your life but also the unborn baby developing inside you. Thereby, you need to be extra cautious and preventive during this phase of your life. This requires a proper understanding of the diet you consume especially the protein powder for pregnant women.
Everyone is aware of the fact that during pregnancy, women need the utmost care and concern not only physically but mentally too. They need to get the right amount of nutritional diet and content in their body for the healthy development of their child. However, this might not be the case with every woman but you still need to involve the best diet considering the extra nutrition you might now need keeping in mind the unborn child you have inside the womb.
Changes during pregnancy
During pregnancy, most women face early morning sickness due to the changes taking place inside the body. Due to this, they start lacking proper nutrition making them vulnerable to other risks during this critical period of 9 months. They now require nutritional supplements to balance the nutrition they require in the body. For example, protein powders, multivitamins, energy boosters, etc.
The most popular one is the inclusion of protein powder in the diet chart of the pregnant woman. These need to be mixed with milk to get consumed or sometimes even water. These have proved to be the most convenient alternative that fulfils the needs of your protein intake. This is not only popular for pregnant women but anyone who is facing a scarcity of sufficient proteins. Proteins are very important for whole-body functionality as well as the development of new tissues and organs. But the area of concern here in this article is about the protein intake, the usage, the amount, why they might need extra protein, and the best protein powders for pregnant women.
How much protein do pregnant women might need?
It is a well-known fact that every individual’s protein requirement would be different as the body is different. So, doctors usually measure this through a general pre-established range for any nutrient required by the human body during different phases of life. When you are a child, you might need different nutrition which might be entirely different from the ones required by oldies. Like, proteins required by pregnant women range between 60-70 grams a day per child the woman is carrying.
Why do pregnant women might use protein shakes or drinks during pregnancy?
Mostly, it’s considered that protein powder is needed mostly by youngsters when they are building muscles. But this is not the real case. There are several reasons why you might need protein shakes and other nutritional drinks by anyone like pregnant women.
- When pregnant women undergo morning sickness and allergies to specific foods: During these times, pregnant women might become allergic or nauseous to many foods which might lead them to consume protein powder to fill up their stomachs.
- When they are tired and losing out on energy: Protein is a good source of energy in your body and best for the development of tissues and internal organs. It also helps you in the healing of your body during recovery. So, when you are tired, you can easily resort to easy and convenient protein powder.
- When you are vegetarian: It is widely known that non-vegetable food provides you with the best amount of protein source. So, when you are a vegetarian, you might need to opt for other protein supplements as you cannot eat non-vegetable foods. Non-vegetable foods like chicken, mutton, fish, eggs, etc are all the best sources of protein.
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10 BEST PROTEIN POWDERS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
Protein powders are nothing but concentrated forms of natural proteins that can help pregnant women in completing the protein requirements if scarce. Here are the 10 best protein powders that can be recommended to pregnant women after consultation with the doctor:
Orgain Organic Protein Powder
Organic plant protein powder is at the top of this list the reason being it is free of soy, dairy products, gluten, and other preservatives and sweeteners. This vegetable protein powder is safe for pregnancy and also the preferred protein powder for pregnant women. It has a very creamy texture. In addition, it contains an appropriate proportion of lean protein.
It is a delicious protein powder made with a natural formula. The formula mixes well with both water and milk. It is also very suitable for baking different recipes such as cakes, biscuits, and sauces.
Considering that it is a plant-based powder, it tastes good. Also, it helps build lean muscle. If you are a fitness enthusiast, you can also consider adding this protein powder to your diet. It is light on your stomach.
Advantages
- Rich in Lean protein
- Soft to your tummy and easy to digest
- Tastes really good
- Reasonable price comparatively
Disadvantages
- Does not taste good when mixed with flakes
Olly Powdered Protein
If you are looking for an affordable and safe pregnancy protein powder, you can choose Olly Plant-Powered Protein. It is made from only pea and flaxseed protein. So compared to other protein powders, it has the fewest ingredients but is great during pregnancy.
Olly does not contain soy, additives, artificial flavours, or preservatives. This makes the powder easier to digest. The formula provides the right balance of protein and fibre content to keep your body strong and functional. Most importantly, the protein powder tastes great. If you want to make a healthier and more delicious protein shake or shake, you can easily mix the powder with various fruits.
Advantages
- Easy to prepare and consume
- Enough protein per serving
- Perfectly matched with a variety of foods and flavours
- No artificial sweeteners, soy, gluten, and chemicals that cause harms
Disadvantages
- Some consumers report that the taste of the powder is not the same as claimed
Paleo Pro Protein powder
Paleo Pro protein powder is one of the safest protein powders recommended for pregnant women. It comes in various sizes but the 1 pound package is quite popular and can be used for several days. Protein is extracted exclusively from grass-fed dairy cows for nutritional content. Therefore, there can be no chemicals or toxins in your diet.
The best part is that it does not contain any gluten, dairy products, whey, soy, and hormones. Thereby, it will be suitable for allergic mothers too. Another thing to keep in mind is that it contains vanilla flavour, which is a great way to enjoy it in the form of smoothies, cereals, or flakes.
It is very convenient and easy to prepare. It only takes a little time. You just take a spoon and mix it with 12 ounces of water or a delicious drink to get your flavour.
Advantages
- It is very convenient to make and easy to prepare
- Reasonable price with this blend
- There are no chemicals
- good protein content in the right quantity
Disadvantages
- During pregnancy, not everyone likes the strong taste, however, this shake tastes quite stronger
Horlicks Mother’s Plus
Horlicks Mother`s Plus is a scientifically prepared nutritional and protein supplement for pregnant women. It is a blend of approximately 25 essential nutrients, which can provide nutrition for mothers and help babies grow. Provide 100% of Vitamin B2, B12, and C during pregnancy. It also provides folic acid and iron during breastfeeding.
Many micronutrients, such as iodine, zinc, magnesium, vitamin A, B6, vitamin D, and protein can promote a healthy birth, weight, and improve the breast milk quality of the mother-to-be. At the same time, DHA can promote brain development in the womb itself. All these nutrients can strengthen the immune system of mothers and babies giving them the best care in this crucial phase of life.
Advantages
- It is a good supplement in this price range
- The drink is satisfactorily filled with nutrients
- Improves health and overall pregnancy issues if not allergic
- Contains B2, B12, and C vitamins
Disadvantages
- Might not suit everyone
Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Protein Powder
Sunwarrior Warrior Blend is a good protein powder for health-conscious consumers. This vegetable-packed protein shake can provide pregnant women with complete lean protein. In addition, the formula also contains essential amino acids necessary for muscle growth. It does not contain soy, dairy products, sugar, and gluten. The protein shake is made up of peas, hemp, and beans. It helps to keep the protein intake at the correct level during pregnancy. It mixes really well with fruits and flakes for the best taste. Most importantly, you will enjoy the taste of this protein shake.
The company even processes this powder through the best system to ensure that chemicals and artificial additives don’t get mixed with the ultimate protein powder. This protein pack is great value for money because it provides 25-30 grams of protein per serving.
Advantages
- It is light and easy to digest
- Comes in large packaging and is thus easy to handle and store
- Contains no added chemical
- Contains the essential amount of amino acids
Disadvantages
- A bit expensive than other shakes
Blend it Up Protein Powder
Blend It Up protein powder is a beneficial drink and the best protein powder for pregnant women. To get the best natural output, the ingredients are carefully obtained . This is an absolutely natural product containing soy, amaranth, quinoa, millet, and chia seeds.
It also contains no artificial fragrances. You can mix it with your favourite beverages like smoothies, energy drinks, and milk for obvious reasons. The content and composition are damn safe for pregnancy as it contains healthy fats, low carbohydrates, and lean protein. You can add coconut, milk, smoothies, almonds, etc for making it tasteful.
Advantages
- The content is quite rich in nutrition
- It is prepared from natural products
- It is very safe for mothers to be
- The adequate proportion of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins
Disadvantages
- Doesn’t taste good due to extreme smoothness and tasteless
Raw Organic Whey Protein Powder
Raw Organic Whey Protein is one the most preferred and best protein powder for pregnant women. It comes in a 5-pound packed box. This protein powder is suitable for pregnant women because it contains organic ingredients that are not harmful to you.
It is made up of natural ingredients. Also, it does not contain soy, artificial colours, and flavours. It is carefully purchased from small farms in the United States, where the cows are fed all-natural products. You can mix it with strawberries, milk, and other kinds of stuff for great taste.
Advantages
- 100% organic content, so quite flexible
- Easy to prepare and drink
- Attractive packaging
- No artificial additives and chemicals
Disadvantages
- This is an expensive option comparatively
Naked Whey Protein Powder
Another good option for nutritious and delicious pregnancy protein shakes. The product uses a special protein formula that can not only enhance your muscle-building but also help you through recovery. The powder contains no gluten, no synthetic sweeteners, colours, hormones, soy, or flavours.
Naked Whey is derived from grass-fed beef protein. All ingredients in Naked Whey are natural and enough to provide important amino acids and lean protein. For a serving of this powder, you can get 25 grams of protein, 2 grams of sugar, 3 grams of carbohydrates, 120 grams of calories, and 6 grams of amino acids.
This powder is unique in that it is processed to ensure that there is no chemical added that can cause harm to pregnant ladies. Finally, you can add it to your smoothies and other drinks.
Advantages
- It contains no chemical additives or preservatives
- Prepared from grass-fed beef cattle
- Each serving contains the right amount of protein content
Disadvantages
- Disappointing taste and flavours, not everyone would love it
Nuzest Clean Protein Powder
If you want to try protein formulas to get all the proper nutrition during pregnancy, you can consider Nuzest Clean Protein. The package comes in a recyclable container which can be later on used for other homely purposes of storage. This product is made of high-quality European pea lean protein. For every 20-25 grams, you will get 20-21 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbohydrates, and 90 calories. It is smooth, delicious, and contains no harsh chemicals.
This best-formulated dairy product is purely vegetable, very suitable for pregnant women. Most importantly, it is gentle on the stomach. It is no wonder why many women prefer Nuzest during pregnancy. In addition, it does not contain gluten, soy, sugar, or other sweeteners for good tastes. This makes it the best protein powder for pregnant women.
Advantages
- This is designed with low carbohydrate formula and thus little side effects
- It is very light ad go gentle on the stomach even when you are sick
- Contains all nutrients in a proportionately good amount
- It is a gluten-free drink
- It is made out of herbal contents
Disadvantages
- Though most people enjoy the vanilla flavour, the vanilla flavour is too strong for some consumers in this protein powder
Levels Grass-Fed 100% Whey Protein
If you crave protein during pregnancy, there are many products available online. However, very few can compete with Levels Grass-Fed protein powder. One serving of Levels Nutrition powder contains 24-25 grams of protein and 5-6 grams of good amino acids. It does not contain any additional sugars, making it a favourite of many pregnant women. Also, this protein powder is nutritious. It has no hormones, sugar, soy, fillers, artificial sweeteners, and flavours. You will like its flavour, creamy consistency, and delicacy. It has a unique rich monk fruit flavour and is a delicious treat. Thereby, these prove to be one of the protein supplements available for you in this price range.
Advantages
- Delicious taste if you love the creamy flavour
- Provides you with a good appetite
- As the quantity increases, the price becomes a bit flexible,
- The 5-pound jar can last a long time with a quite decent price if used correct measurements
- No added sugars, sweeteners, or spices
Disadvantages
- Some users do not like the taste of chocolate due to its creamy texture
Possible risks of drinking protein shake during pregnancy
When you are pregnant, you need to be extra cautious of your food habits and whatever goes inside your mouth. Intake of some strange or toxic content might lead to exposure of your baby’s development at stake. The consumption of Protein shakes might get you exposed to some risks, which are as follows:
- Risk in development of body tissues or additional development of tissues of the fetus
- Might cause miscarriage
- Might lead to hearing issues of the unborn baby
- There might be increased chances of premature birth that is before 9 months
- Also, there might risk of complications during pregnancy or birth
Another fact of concern to the very surprise of everyone stays the organic proteins are quite unfriendly to other conventional supplements. There have been many types of research going on this concern to evident the rumours regarding the usage of protein as supplements. Undoubtedly, supplements should be avoided to the possible extent as natural products are the best, however, in case of emergencies. You shall resort to these supplements of nutritional stuff. Also, not everyone likes protein shakes, in that case, you can always include Nut butter like peanut butter, chia seeds, and greek yoghurt, etc to get some additional protein intake.
