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With the UK in lockdown, many of us are looking for ways to get fit at home, and may consider increasing our protein intake to fuel exercise. Protein powder, a once niche product for bodybuilders, can now be found on supermarket shelves, in shakes, bars, fortified foods, capsules and even sweets. In 2016, a Mintel survey found nearly one in ten Brits had used protein powder in the three months leading up to the study.

BBC One’s The Truth About… Getting Fit at Home reveals expert advice on whether we need to boost our protein intake and what to consider before consuming protein shakes and supplements.

The Department of Health recommends 55.5g per day protein intake for men and 45g for women. But the average amount consumed by a 19-64-year-old man is 87.4g daily and woman 66.6g, according to the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey.

Protein requirements vary from person to person, depending on weight and physical exertion. “Those training to improve strength, fitness or similar need a little more protein”, says Graeme Close, Professor of Human Physiology at Liverpool John Moores University. He recommends a total of 1.5g protein per kg body weight for a person regularly training (90g protein for a 60kg person, for example).

Protein shakes are “a convenience, not a necessity” for most people, says Professor Close, adding “the best way to get your protein is from food”. However, there are instances when protein products might be beneficial.

The most common type of protein shake is made from whey, a by-product of cheese. It’s “milk with the fats and sugar skimmed out”, says Professor Close.

“Other forms of protein have become very popular, with various vegan proteins and blends including hemp, rice and pea protein”, says personal trainer Scott Laidler. But are they necessary?

It’s important for those training to eat a “consistent amount of protein throughout the day”, comments Professor Close. So if it’s not possible to eat when you need to, a protein product can help supplement the diet to meet a training target. But he recommends eating food naturally rich in protein throughout the day. “Wake up in the morning and have an omelette, smoked salmon or yoghurt and berries”, he says. Meats such as beef and chicken, fish, eggs, dairy, lentils, beans, pulses, tofu and soy-based products are all good protein sources.

You can find protein-packed veggie recipes and a variety of higher-protein dishes on BBC Food.

“You see all these pictures [of people] in men’s health magazines looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger in the mid-’80s, holding a protein shake”, says Professor Close. “They don’t look like that because of a shake, they’ve trained the house down and the rest of their diet is immaculate.”

While you need protein to synthesise new muscle growth, “results will only be seen when following a well-considered exercise programme, eating a well-constructed diet, and getting adequate rest and recovery from your training”, advises Laidler. Protein shakes aren’t “a magic bullet or some kind of special ‘active ingredient’ that leads to fast results”. When protein is digested from any source, it is broken down into amino acids, the building blocks used for muscle growth. But you can’t grow or strengthen muscles without exercise.

“Protein digestion requires a higher energy expenditure [than some other macronutrients], so can help to reduce appetite”, says Dr Aishah Iqbal, a medical doctor, personal trainer and weight-loss coach. “However, using protein shakes as meal replacements for weight loss is often very unsustainable [and you] will commonly see the weight bounce back once the practice is stopped.”

An additional problem is that protein shakes do not have the same nutritional value as food, which makes them unsuitable for meal replacements. “They don’t have all the vitamins and nutrients that a balanced meal would contain”, says Professor Close.

There is a wide range of protein bars, and some are less healthy than others, containing additives, sugar and unhealthy fats, so it’s important to read the label. “You could make your own trail mix, with naturally high-protein ingredients such as nuts and seeds, as an alternative”, says Laidler.

If you are struggling to reach the required protein level for the amount of exercise you do, despite doing your best to consume protein from naturally protein-rich foods, British Dietetic Association clinical and sports dietitian Rick Miller says it is acceptable to fill “in the gaps with a reputable brand of protein supplement”.

“Top athletes use products batch-tested by quality insurance third parties, which often have a logo, such as the Informed-Sport badge”, says Professor Close. He adds this is sound advice for the non-pro supplement taker too.

A number of protein powders contain more calories, carbohydrates and protein than you need. Some products, often called “mass gainers”, can be very high in calories and carbohydrates.

If you want to take a protein supplement, “always read the label carefully, take the recommended serving size, and don’t be tempted to take far more than is necessary, as this is not supported by the current evidence”, concludes Miller.

“Those with pre-existing kidney issues should be mindful of excessive protein intake, as there is an indication it can worsen the disease”, says Dr Iqbal. If you’re unsure, ask your GP to refer you to a registered dietitian for advice.

The NHS website says “there’s also evidence that, in the long term, consuming too much protein can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis”.

Protein supplements are not recommended for children due to the lack of research into long-term effects.

To find a suitable trained and qualified sports nutritionist, visit the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR) website.

You can watch The Truth About… Getting Fit at Home at 9pm on Wednesday 13th January on BBC One or catch up on BBC iPlayer.