How/why is protein powder used?

arianamzai

I've always thought/ heard that protein powder leads to weight gain but i'm seeing a lot of it in peoples' diaries on mfp. : )

Can someone explain to me what protein powder is used for and how it should be used to help with weight loss?

I kind of understand that it can be used in smoothies but I don't understand it's function.

Thank you so much for the help!

RaggedyPond

It helps rebuild muscle after a hard work out. One scoop is the same as eating a chicken breast. I am not very hungry in the mornings so I have a scoop for breakfast and I don't get hungry for real food until a few hours later.

salvyhead

The primary function of protein powder is putting money in the pockets of the people selling it.

whierd

The primary function of protein powder is putting money in the pockets of the people selling it.

Tin foil hat...ENGAGE!!!!

grimendale

I use it after a workout to put some protein in my system before I go shower. It's a much easier way to get protein than cooking something while I'm still dripping sweat and exhausted to boot. It works for its intended purpose.

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

I use it as a means to get enough protein into me on days when I'm not inclined to eat a lot of meat. Protein powder is also a good source of micronutrients if you're lacking on some of those.

I prefer to get my protein and nutrients from other food sources, but sometimes mixing a scoop of chocolate powder into a bowl of yogurt tastes like dessert for breakfast, and you can't beat a dessert for breakfast that still gives you nutrition.

BeachIron

It helps people up their protein intake. I use it sparingly and rely primarily on regular food. When I do eat it when losing weight I generally put it in Greek yogurt so it's filling. When bulking, I'll combine it with milk and drink it as a shake for the extra calories. It's helpful when you need it but I don't find it essential. I eat plenty of fish, meat and dairy so eat a high amount of protein in my regular diet.

bajoyba

I sometimes use a protein blend with added vitamins and minerals for breakfast because I don't like eating a lot food in the morning. I have also used it after workouts, and sometimes I prefer a smoothie for dessert because it soothes my sweet tooth in a healthy way. There are lots of ways to use protein powders, and various brands often have website that offer recipes and ideas for how to use their powders.
It's convenient and fast, and it helps me meet or exceed my protein goals for the day.
And it definitely hasn't caused any weight gain!

neanderthin

Primarily because fish doesn't taste good in a smoothy.

kazzsjourney

I use it to meet my protein requirments....plus its kinda yummy

PikaKnight

Helps me meet my protein macro.

JDBLY11

The primary function of protein powder is putting money in the pockets of the people selling it.

I disagree. You would have to get those calories and protein from somewhere, so why not in a protein powder? It is actually pretty inexpensive if you think of what you would have to buy in meat or dairy or whatever to equal the same amount of servings of protein. Some brands are relatively inexpensive and last a long time.

CrankMeUp

Primarily because fish doesn't taste good in a smoothy.

this was awesome and ridiculously disturbing at the same time


well done.

Lyadeia

I make all sorts of tasty treats which use protein powder to increase the protein content of the food, add flavor, and eliminate the need for other sweeteners. I make protein shakes occasionally, but much prefer high protein cheesecake, protein brownies, protein ice cream, etc. which all taste amazingly similar to their low protein/high sugar counterparts.

Lyadeia

Primarily because fish doesn't taste good in a smoothy.

Um. Ewww.

Now I can't get that horrible thought out of my mind, and I am actually imagining a codfish smoothie............ :sick:

kennethmgreen

Primarily because fish doesn't taste good in a smoothy.

this was awesome and ridiculously disturbing at the same time


well done.

Agreed it was well done. But I found it disturbing and ridiculously awesome.

CrankMeUp

Primarily because fish doesn't taste good in a smoothy.

this was awesome and ridiculously disturbing at the same time


well done.

Agreed it was well done. But I found it disturbing and ridiculously awesome.

wanna play Legos?

cheriym

I like it in a low carb smoothie -- there are several good low sugar/carb brands out there - I add half a whole orange, peel and all b/c it is yummy and full of nutrients!

Sarauk2sf

It is just to supplement your food intake to get enough protein based on your requirements. While you should get the majority of your protein from food (satiety, chewing, micronutrients etc), there is nothing wrong with supplementing - but there is nothing special about protein powder in itself.

CharRicho

I use it to boost my protein intake since I have insulin resistance and need to be on a low carb, high fat, high protein diet.

Weight loss is through a caloric deficit, and as long as you log your protein powder, and count those calories, it will not impair your weight loss goals.

leebesstoad

Primarily because fish doesn't taste good in a smoothy.

I've been trying to imagine a tuna fish smoothie. Uh, not good. Not good at all.

I use protein powder to add a protein source to my morning breakfast which is oatmeal. Mix the protein into the oatmeal and I've got a nice 25 grams or so of protein with breakfast. I try to evenly distribute the protein throughout the day. Too much protein all at once is kind of useless. Your body can only handle so much at once. The rest is just pi$$ed out of the body and doesn't do what I want it to do: help build muscles.

_Zardoz_

Protein powder is used because people believe all the advertising and can't think for themselves. Rather then get enough protein via food (which is easy) they believe in magical powder which will miraculously build muscle etc. Their money their choice but unless you are an elite athletes your just throwing money away.

grantdumas7

Protein powders are mainly for convince. I use them a lot during the day because I don't feel like cooking except for dinner and before going to bed I will have a protein smoothie.

iAMsmiling

Primarily because fish doesn't taste good in a smoothy.

tricksee

Protein powder is mainly for convenience and aids people to hit their protein requirements.

The particular kind I use has 50 grams of protein per serving. A chicken breast is about 30 grams of protein.

If my daily protein requirement is 100 grams, I'd need to buy, prepare and eat more than 3 chicken breasts per day. (which isn't cheap at the end of the week)

So powder it is!!!!!!!!!!!!

55in13

My primary use is as an easy meal replacement. I have some vanilla whey powder, a shaker and dish cleaning supplies (never used with anything else) in my desk at the office. Some days I purposefully plan nothing else and some days it just happens; I am at work, it's lunch time and due to time constraints lunch has to be something quick. I can run out for a sandwich or something (and to be fair, there are good choices) or I can mix a quick shake and know that I am getting protein and some nutrients that satisfy what I needed to get. And despite what a lot of posters indicate, I find it saves me money.

kikilita

My primary use is as an easy meal replacement. I have some vanilla whey powder, a shaker and dish cleaning supplies (never used with anything else) in my desk at the office. Some days I purposefully plan nothing else and some days it just happens; I am at work, it's lunch time and due to time constraints lunch has to be something quick. I can run out for a sandwich or something (and to be fair, there are good choices) or I can mix a quick shake and know that I am getting protein and some nutrients that satisfy what I needed to get. And despite what a lot of posters indicate, I find it saves me money.

I never even realized there were "shakers." I always thought I HAD to have a blender to use that stuff.

rowanwood

Primarily because fish doesn't taste good in a smoothy.

this was awesome and ridiculously disturbing at the same time


well done.

Agreed it was well done. But I found it disturbing and ridiculously awesome.

Zevran?

55in13

My primary use is as an easy meal replacement. I have some vanilla whey powder, a shaker and dish cleaning supplies (never used with anything else) in my desk at the office. Some days I purposefully plan nothing else and some days it just happens; I am at work, it's lunch time and due to time constraints lunch has to be something quick. I can run out for a sandwich or something (and to be fair, there are good choices) or I can mix a quick shake and know that I am getting protein and some nutrients that satisfy what I needed to get. And despite what a lot of posters indicate, I find it saves me money.

I never even realized there were "shakers." I always thought I HAD to have a blender to use that stuff.

Not all powders mix as readily as others. 100% whey powders do mix easily. To use a shaker like I do, you are pretty much committing to using water or milk only, though some people throw in an ice cube or two as an agitator and get yogurt to mix acceptably (and you have to do a little testing and define for yourself what is acceptable). I am very committed to reaching my goal and "acceptable" for me has the bar set a little lower right now.

EDIT - you will find 9$ shakers at GNC. Big Lots sells an oversized travel cup that has a twist on top with a good (rubber washer) seal for $4. You want a twist on top with a good seal so you can shake really hard and it needs to be oversized so there is enough air in there for the shaking to agitate it well.

cwolfman13

I just use it to supplement my protein intake. I have difficulty eating enough fish, meat, and poultry to meet my protein goals so I supplement with whey. Also, I have some days where I'm just constantly on the go and don't have time to sit down to a piece of meat or whatever...so I will often just take a couple of shakes with me along with some fruit and nuts if I know I'm gong to be running around like a madman for 6-8 hours.

It's just a supplement...the more active you are, and particularly if you're pushing and pulling iron, the more protein you need. If you're moving a lot, about 0.8 - 1 gram per pound of LBM.

Sarauk2sf

Protein powder is used because people believe all the advertising and can't think for themselves. Rather then get enough protein via food (which is easy) they believe in magical powder which will miraculously build muscle etc. Their money their choice but unless you are an elite athletes your just throwing money away.

lolwut?