Protein shake up down under

Executive Summary

"It's likely only elite athletes benefit from protein bars and drinks," the Australian Consumers Association says in the July 6 issue of its online magazine Choice. "For the rest of us, they're just an additional source of kilojoules and a little more than an expensive snack." The group says that most people do not need more protein when exercising, and cites the Australian Institute of Sports in noting that even among athletes, only a few specific groups may need extra protein on occasion: endurance athletes, strength-trained athletes and adolescent athletes. "For most people, the 20, 30 or 40 grams of protein in these bars and drinks is a surplus. With a bar costing as much as $6, that's a lot of money to fork out unnecessarily," the group states...