How much protein do you really need per day? The science says 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight or 0.36 grams per pound. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but that is just a guideline for sedentary lifestyles. The right amount of protein will also depend on how active you are, your age, how much muscle mass you have, your physique goals and what your health currently looks like –  Protein consists of one or more long chains of amino acids and is an essential part of all living organisms… What does that really mean? Well, protein is a macronutrient that is essential to building muscle mass, even if you are not looking to build muscle, your body needs protein to build and repair tissue, make enzymes, hormones, etc. It is an important building block for bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, hair, nails and blood.

Whew, that’s a lot of information, and it is just a nutshell! Bottom line, you need protein to live a healthy life, regardless of what source of protein you prefer, it is necessary, especially if you are active in any way. I personally like the convenience of protein powder because it is portable (hello fancy shaker collection!) and it is super easy to get my daily protein intake without adding a slew of calories. Yes, I’d rather eat my food than drink it, but it is sometimes not convenient to eat a steak or egg whites right after or before a workout so protein powder is perfect.

Taking into account the vast selection of protein powders out there, different prices, different sources, different flavours, and so on, it is very easy to get discombobulated! However, what if I told you that there is a brand-new complete all natural clean whey protein powder that will not break the bank, and the company is right here in Vancouver?

AURA nutrition has just launched a relatively simple formula that is tailored for women users (it’s not to say that guys can’t use it, just that it was formulated with the lower average female body mass in mind). Created for women, by women, AURA has a unique digestive blend that makes it easier for the body to process, an issue that is more common among women than men.

AURA uses undenatured, cold-filtered whey protein, which means that it has not been exposed to high heat. Basically, the milk is chilled before it is filtered, which causes the molecules of protein to stick together. There is no processing, denaturing or hydrolyzing of the whey protein. Hello simplicity! AURA also contains undenatured, cold-filtered whey protein hydrolysate. Hydrolysates allow the protein to absorb quicker than a concentrate or isolate. Add to this their digestive blend, which includes chicory root extract, cinnamon, lactase enzyme (which breaks down lactose), probiotics, and potassium citrate, and it’s no wonder that AURA’s protein supports your overall digestive health.

 

Their blend has been athlete tested with a blend of potassium, calcium, and iron to support the female athlete. I think it is a perfect post-workout snack to help in muscle repair. It has 24g of protein per serving and no added sugar. Their powder blends very smooth in straight water in a shaker bottle, of course it also works great in smoothies but if you’re on the go, like me, then sometimes water is the only thing I have access to so it’s good to have a smooth, chocolatey, tasty shake without any lumps or after taste.

 

Did I mention that their 500g packaging is made from recycled materials? It’s also very compact for carrying in your gym bag, although they also have single serve pouches available for your convenience. You can order the 500g for $44.43 or their 10 pack 36g single serve sachets for $39.88 at www.youraura.ca

 

I look forward to seeing this company grow and am excited to see what other products they will be developing in the future. So far I am sold on their protein powder to #levelup my wellness.