Ladies: Experiences using low calorie protein shakes for weightloss?

JAT74

Yes that's true if you can get hold of it. I have one shop within 30kms which sells that, and it's overpriced because it's imported from the UK (I'm in Spain).

Normally protein shakes are the most economical way for me to get enough protein and they are also quite filling due to the liquid content, I find I am a lot more full after a protein shake compared to a yogurt.

PeachyCarol

Eh. Sometimes I'm not terribly hungry and feel like a smoothie instead of a meal and have a shake. It's not like I'm saving calories since a scoop of protein powder has the same amount of calories as a cup of Greek yogurt. Adding things to a smoothie, they usually come to at least 350 or so calories. Most of the time, for the same amount of protein, I'd rather have a protein bar for less calories if I'm having a between meal thing.

I usually have them when I have a migraine and can't stomach the idea of chewing.

They don't have magical weight loss properties, but I'm a vegetarian, and they help me supplement my protein intake.

JAT74

No they are not magical weight loss drinks but supplements which are usually low calorie, low carb and low fat. For me they help meet my macros like not many other foods I can find, and a protein shake keeps me a lot fuller than a greek yogurt or other foods with the equivalent amount of protein.

I find that if I have one for breakfast I am often not hungry until lunch time and that way I can have a higher calorie lunch. The same with dinner, most days I have a large lunch so have a shake for dinner so that I have something to stop me being too hungry before bed.

Ideally I try and have 1 protein shake as a meal replacement and 1 as a snack or after a workout.

PeachyCarol

JAT74 wrote: »

No they are not magical weight loss drinks but supplements which are usually low calorie, low carb and low fat. For me they help meet my macros like not many other foods I can find, and a protein shake keeps me a lot fuller than a greek yogurt or other foods with the equivalent amount of protein.

I find that if I have one for breakfast I am often not hungry until lunch time and that way I can have a higher calorie lunch. The same with dinner, most days I have a large lunch so have a shake for dinner so that I have something to stop me being too hungry before bed.

Ideally I try and have 1 protein shake as a meal replacement and 1 as a snack or after a workout.

When I eat yogurt, I don't eat those little cups of sweetened yogurt, I eat 227 grams of plain Greek yogurt, so it's more filling for me than a shake. I looked at your diary and saw the yogurt you eat. That wouldn't fill me up either

It's nice to have options. A shake for me isn't really filling unless I put oatmeal in it, but by that point, between the protein powder and the strawberries? The calories are really starting to add up.

It's fascinating how we're all different when it comes to this stuff.

JAT74

Actually I use the low-fat low calorie yogurts to get in a light snack between meals, or to add to things like cereal. You obviously didn't notice the Greek yogurt I eat 2-3 times a week too, though as I said before I can't get the 0% Greek style yogurt very easily so I end up buying whatever is on offer and that doesn't usually give me much protein and is higher in calories and fat than I'd like.

I'm not sure where you are located but for some of us it's not very easy to find certain foods. In Spain I find that they're not very focussed on fat free or low fat/low calorie so there is limited choice. When I'm in the UK I can find a lot more health foods and generally a lot more fat free options for every type of food being sold.

3laine75

JAT74 wrote: »

Actually I use the low-fat low calorie yogurts to get in a light snack between meals, or to add to things like cereal. You obviously didn't notice the Greek yogurt I eat 2-3 times a week too, though as I said before I can't get the 0% Greek style yogurt very easily so I end up buying whatever is on offer and that doesn't usually give me much protein and is higher in calories and fat than I'd like.

I'm not sure where you are located but for some of us it's not very easy to find certain foods. In Spain I find that they're not very focussed on fat free or low fat/low calorie so there is limited choice. When I'm in the UK I can find a lot more health foods and generally a lot more fat free options for every type of food being sold.

And their food is all the better for it. One of the things I love about going on holiday is the gorgeous fresh produce, dairy, meat etc - Spanish ham is to die for. They don't seem to be inundated with the 'low-fat', 'no-fat', 'fat-free', 'healthy option' packaged crap that we are. That stuff is far from good for you - you might not have heard, but fat isn't bad for you (too low an intake is). Cutting fat means you just have more volume of food - what's the point if it's at the detriment of taste (and your health)?

cwolfman13

Protein in general is satiating and a higher protein diet is often recommended in weight loss not because it actually makes you lose weight but because it helps you stay fuller longer and it also preserves your lean mass.

Protein shakes are just a supplement that can help you get more protein in your diet; unfortunately, they don't have any magical properties. If they did, I'd be at 10% or less BF by now easily.

spzjlb

I'm on the go a lot. I usually try to eat/chew my calories, but sometimes I make a small protein shake with chia (good n-3:n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio) to have before I leave my office to tide me over before supper. Otherwise, it is hard to not eat a few wildly high calorie snacks as I am making supper. We all have very different lifestyles and eating habits. I agree that the shakes are not "for weight loss" but they can be a tool. (Also, I really enjoy the taste of mine, so it is almost a treat.)

JAT74

3laine75 you're right to a certain extent, though unfortunately aside from the Serrano ham, olive oil, seafood and other specialities we are stuck with the larger than life fruit and veg grown using pesticides which often has no taste. All the best produce and organic fresh food gets exported so I dread to think how bad some of it really is.

I know a mediterranean diet is supposed to be better for you, but most restaurants here serve everything with chips and huge chunks of bread so aside from what I've already mentioned, all in all I am not sure how much healthier it really is.

3laine75

JAT74 wrote: »

3laine75 you're right to a certain extent, though unfortunately aside from the Serrano ham, olive oil, seafood and other specialities we are stuck with the larger than life fruit and veg grown using pesticides which often has no taste. All the best produce and organic fresh food gets exported so I dread to think how bad some of it really is.

I know a mediterranean diet is supposed to be better for you, but most restaurants here serve everything with chips and huge chunks of bread so aside from what I've already mentioned, all in all I am not sure how much healthier it really is.

That's sucky! I tend to prefer self-catering and have always loved the fruit and veg - tends to taste like what it's meant to be instead of the watery tasting stuff we get here.

I hear you though, I wouldn't be impressed with that either (especially if i was going out to eat, that should, at least, be palatable).