Do you want protein from a company that puts its customers’ needs first? Then check out newcomer Performance Inspired Nutrition.

Performance Inspired Nutrition was started when entrepreneur, actor and producer Mark Wahlberg and former 25-year EBP/CMO/GM at GNC, Tom Dowd, were inspired to supply their loved ones with trustworthy products built on a better, all-natural brand.

They know protein is critical to building and maintaining muscle mass. Athletes, the elderly, those looking to lose fat mass and the ill or injured have increased needs for protein. Because of this increased need for protein, it’s great that Performance Inspired Whey Protein contains 25 grams of protein per serving, plus it has probiotics and fiber to help you digest and keep you from feeling bloated.

That is why Performance Inspired Nutrition Whey Protein is Hy-Vee’s Dietitian Pick of the Month.

The current recommended daily allowance (RDA) for protein is .8 grams/kg of body weight. But there are so many people who could benefit from extra protein.

Are you an athlete?

Athletes’ needs vary based on timing, duration and intensity of activity, which is why Performance Inspired Nutrition came out with Ripped Whey Protein. Not only does it contain the same 25 grams of natural protein as the original, it also contains caffeine to enhance performance and 4 grams of the amino acid leucine per serving. Leucine is the key amino acid for building muscle, and you would have to drink four cups of milk or eat 6.75 ounces of chicken to get close to that amount of leucine. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American College of Sports Medicine have recommended athletes consume 1.2 to 2.0 grams of protein per kg of body weight per day.

Looking to lose weight?

If you’ve been cutting your calories to lose weight, there is a good chance you are losing muscle along with fat. However, studies show that eating more protein, or at least 1.2 grams/kg of body weight per day, in conjunction with resistance exercise, reduces the amount of muscle lost during dieting. This is especially important since more muscle burns more calories at rest.

Over the age of 65?

As we age there is a natural loss of muscle strength and function.  Studies show that someone over the age of 65 needs more protein to maintain muscle and protein balance than someone who is younger. This may be because we become more resistant to muscle building as we age. Therefore it is important for the aging population to continue weight training and increase their protein intake to 1.2 to 1.6 grams/kg of body weight per day.

Performance Inspired Nutrition is one of the few supplement companies that contains no artificial or synthetic ingredients.

Performance Inspired Whey Protein powder isn’t just for your post workout shake. Try mixing it in oatmeal for a high-protein breakfast choice, blending it into pancake mix for high-protein pancakes, adding it into a fruit smoothie for an antioxidant- and protein-packed snack, or mixing it with yogurt for an evening treat to aid in muscle protein synthesis overnight.

No matter how you use it, you can feel good about giving your body the quality protein it needs.

Strawberry Banana Performance Inspired Smoothie Bowl

Serves 2

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

All you need

•1 banana, peeled and frozen

•1 scoop vanilla bean Performance Inspired Performance Whey Protein

•1 (5.3 oz) Hy-Vee non-fat Greek vanilla or strawberry yogurt

•½ cup sliced strawberries or other fruit

•2 tbsp Hy-Vee sliced almonds

•1 tsp chia or hemp seeds

•Additional toppings, as desired

All you do

To a blender, add banana, whey protein powder and yogurt. Blend until smooth and pour into 2 bowls.

Top with sliced strawberries, almonds, chia seeds. Add additional toppings as desired.

Source:  Hy-Vee Dietitians

The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.