By Allyson Gofton.
Most communication around protein powders seems to be directed at muscle-building, gym bunnies (mainly men), high achieving sports people, weight-loss diet regimes and now it is being marketed to pre-menopausal women. However, whey protein concentrate can also be used to supplement a healthy diet.
Protein is our most essential macronutrient along with carbohydrate – not too refined please, and fat – good fats that is. We need protein to build and repair muscles and bones, to make hormones and enzymes and, it’s also an important source of energy that makes us feel fuller longer.
As we age it can become harder to get the balance correct and at times, especially for the elderly, very hard to get enough macronutrients into the diet.
A couple of tablespoons of whey protein concentrate blended into half a cup of milk can be used in most cooking processes. Here are some tips & tricks (that I discovered through trial and error) on how to cook and make good use of the whey protein concentrate.
- Like all proteins – meat, eggs, cheese etc, if over-cooked it will become tough. Cheese will become stringy, eggs become rubbery, meat goes dry and chewy and whey protein can become granular. Cook over, or in, lower heats.
- In a liquid format, the whey protein concentrate needs to be dissolved first by whisking in milk (or water) until the powder has evenly dispersed. Like this, the milk can be used to make smoothies, sauces, custard and, used in baking.
- Whey protein concentrate can be sifted with flour to make baked goods that include a good amount of liquid such as cakes, loaves, muffins etc. It is not suggested to add to pastry ingredients or biscuits as it will make them tough.
- When adding whey protein concentrate to baking, work on the ‘less is more’ theory. Too much can make baked goods tough. Start with our recipes before you branch out and try your own.
- Whey protein concentrate enhances the browning of sweet baked goods and breads and it’s wise to cover items with baking paper for most of the cooking time and remove towards the end if required.
- When used in sauces, quiche mixes, frittatas and dishes that will be baked, note that if heated to a high temperature for too long the whey protein concentrate will act as a thickener and can cause the dish to set firmer.
- Adding to smoothies and similar style drinks is an easy way to top up your protein intake. If you can taste an underlying dairy note, add a touch of vanilla or the grated rind of a citrus fruit to mask it.
- Whey protein concentrate if added to milk to make frozen desserts will help keep the dish more stable when removed from the freezer. Great in summer if you regularly make iced desserts.
It is essential to remember to have a well-balanced diet consuming proteins from other sources which provide additional essential nutrients - beef with iron, zinc, Vitamin B6 & B12, or salmon with its high Omega 3 levels, or eggs with Vitamin A, D & E to state a few things. Whey protein concentrate is, however, a great tool to help get enough protein into our diets to preserve muscle and feel satiated, especially as we age. Go well 😊
© Allyson Gofton (text)
© Lottie Hedley (photography)