Mrs. A sets her table complete with her favourite bottle of drink. She believes that food does not go well if her drink is not there to accompany it. She is not alone in this.
Mr. B is about to have dinner when a cursory look into his freezer reveals that he has run out of drinks. He quickly covers his food and runs to the store outside his house to get his drink. For him, a dinner disaster has just been averted.
The habit of taking fluids, such as water, alongside a meal is not new. Water is said to aid digestion. It helps break down food to ensure a smooth journey into the stomach, maintains the balance of body fluids and works to prevent constipation.
Apart from water, people have various drinks which they take with their meals, such as carbonated drinks, fruit juices, iced tea, beer, wine, etc.
Since fluids are an important part of our meals, we would do well to be nutrition-conscious about them. For starters, we need to incorporate protein-rich drinks into our diet.
Protein-rich drinks provide us with nutrients such as calcium and minerals, energy to carry out activities, boost immunity and give our skin a natural glow.
Here are four protein-rich drinks that should not only be a part of our regular diet, but are also essentials for a healthy lifestyle.
#1: Soy milk
Soy milk, made from soybeans, is a protein-rich drink to include in our diet. The protein in soy milk is healthy, plant-based and supports healthy muscles and organs. Soy milk has no cholesterol and is quite the immune booster. This drink is quite easy to make and here is a homemade soy milk recipe you can follow to make this amazing drink.
#2: Milk
Milk is a very nutritious source of protein. Packed with calcium, magnesium, potassium, Vitamins A and D, milk contains valuable nutrients needed by the human body. Drinking milk helps with healthy bones, gives the skin a great complexion, relieves stress and helps prevent weight gain. Milk also contains beneficial antioxidants, which reduce harmful agents in the body.
#3: Yoghurt
One protein-rich drink we should have in the diet is yoghurt. Made by the bacterial fermentation of milk, yoghurt is beneficial to the heart, great for gut health and helpful in preventing yeast infections. When choosing your yoghurt, aim for the unsweetened kinds, as they contain minimal ingredients and no added sugar.
#4: Smoothies
Smoothies serve as both a healthy drink and a snack. They are nutritious, healthy, refreshing and quite filling. Smoothies help keep blood sugar in check, increase mental alertness and help with digestion. To make healthy smoothies, use milk or Greek yoghurt as they are both high in protein. Also, include nuts and seeds in your smoothies, as they contain fibre, which keep you full, subdue food cravings and help in weight management.
Humans are creatures of habit. So naturally, we may find it difficult to stop consuming our favourite unhealthy drinks. However, we must make conscious efforts to reach out for yummy and nutritious protein-rich beverages, not only at mealtimes but also at various times during the day.
Remember, you are what you ‘drink.’
Eneh Veronica Ejembi is a digital content professional and public relations executive.
