Protein Shakes Good for Pregnancy? If So, Do You Recommend a Brand?

I'd ask your ob-gyn. Kidneys can be taxed with excessive protein, and it's already taxed with your pregnancy. Too much protein can lead to kidney damage, the worst you don't want at this sensitive time. Ask your doc first.

First, Arbonne protein shakes should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. There is an herb in there that should not be ingested during pregnancy or b-feeding.

Increasing protein intake towards the end of your pregnancy is good for postpartum recovery. Think of all the blood loss, expended energy, etc. Eggs is the best source of protein and the only complete protein. Aim to eat two per day. Quinoa (keen-wa) is a high protein grain like cous cous, easy and quick to cook. Can be eaten hot or cold. Use it in place of rice or cous cous.

I did rice protein by Nutrabiotics. Chocolate and Vanilla are good. Can be found at the Vitamin Shoppe online and the cheapest. Adding a little bit more protein will not be harmful, but don't go Atkins either. You can add the powder to milk for your cereal, dispite popular belief, milk is not considered a protein, it is a carb, a good one, but a carb. So when you have a bowl of cereal, it has very little protein to help sustain blood sugars. You also add it to oatmeal, rice cereal, etc. Make smoothies and add some protein powder to it. Pea protein is another good option and is we are seeing more of it out there. Jay Robb makes an egg white protein powder, which is ok. His protein bars are pretty good. Let me know if you have more questions.

J. W., MPH, ACE-CPT
National Program Director
Healthy Moms(R) Fitness

hi D.,
dont know if it is good while being pregnant i dont think it can hurt but ask your doctor. I use a brand from whole foods called jay rob www.jayrob.com which is a whey without any additives and from cows not treatet with rbhg.
mirjam

Hello,

My husband has been drinking protein shakes for years. He has tried them all and found Ultramet by Champion Nutrition to be one the best tasting . He buys the chocolate and vanilla. They also come in strawberry and banana cream. The best place to get them is from Nutrition Express, a discount mailorder catalog. You can call them a 1-800-338-7979 or go to their website at www.nutriionexpress.com . I'm sure they would send you a free catalog if you call. You can probably buy these products a GNC, but you will pay a HUGE markup! Nutrition Express is a fraction of the price; you will pay to have them delivered, but it will still be less than GNC.
Remember that when you ask for advise, consider the source. I say this because if you ask a physician if you should do this, I would bet money that 99% of them would say ABSOLUTELY NOT! They also believe that you don't need to take vitamins, although many of them are starting to change their tune. Did you know that a supplement with the RDA - recommended daily allowances that was determined by the FDA - are barely enough nutrition to sustain any type of health? They are based on the minimum needed to prevent diseases like scurvy.
I don't think there is anything wrong with souping up your nutrition, vitamins, and protein. The doctors will tell you these shakes have too much protein. I disagree. Did you know that these shakes were originally developed for the elderly to give them nutrition? The pharmaceutical industry (which is where most of the doctors get their info), wants you to believe that you don't need these supplements and that they aren't approved by government. Sorry, you got me off on a tangent now.
Check out the Nutrition Express website; give them a call. Maybe they would be willing to make a recommendation to you or send you free samples. Maybe you want to try a shake with smaller amounts of protein. All I know is these shakes taste good, and if you are going to do this, don't you want to be drinking something you like that? Good luck! CB

Hi D.,
Talk to your OB before you take any supplements. If you do decide to do these shakes then make sure they are just protein (talk to the people at Whole Foods). Many of the protein boosters at GNC are loaded with muscle builders & other stuff you do not want to take while pregnant. If I were you I would try & do it with your daily diet. Try adding grilled chicken or tuna to a salad for lunch. If you don't like meat that much than make millet or quinoa, both are grains that are loaded with protein.

Be sure to talk with your doctor before trying anything! I use Boost brand High Protein Chocolate, found in the same aisle as nutritional drinks (like Ensure) at Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, etc... The chocolate flavor, I think, is the best. You can also call the company and ask for them to send you coupons, and you call once every month!

Some of them have a lot of sugar, so watch out for that.

Good luck!

I did protein shakes during both of my pregnancies and found it was the perfect amount of additional calories so I was not starving all the time -and it seemed to balance my blood sugar. I did the Arbonne protein shakes. They are available thru consultants, I would be happy to share my discount with you.
Shelly
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I don't think you need too much addition protein during pregnancy. You might want to consider replacing one of your meals with a protein shake. I am a distributor for Shaklee and the Shaklee Soy Protein shakes can be used as a high quality, low-fat, cholesterol-free alternative to traditional
high-fat, high-cholesterol protein sources.