overdoing it on protein powder?

CostaRica120

I've been using a lot more protein powder lately and it's making a huge difference in keeping me satiated and preventing cravings...but could this be unhealthy?
I'm mixing it into my morning coffee, yogurts and smoothies. 1 serving is around 30g, but some days I have 60g or maybe more.
I'm still not generally hitting my protein goals (maybe set too high?), so I don't think I'm overdoing it on protein in general...but sometimes I get the large majority of my protein from powder versus real food. Could that be bad or can I keep on using protein powder liberally?
I use Vega, Kaizen and unflavoured whey protein I picked up at Bulk Barn.

kwtilbury

Between pre-workout, post-workout and mixing it into oatmeal and greek yogurt, I get close to 100 grams of protein from powder supplements in an average day. If it works for you, I say do it.

The only issue I can think of is if it contains harmful byproducts - for example, research has shown that some brands contain high amounts of toxic metals. I'd be curious to hear others' takes on this.

juggernaut1974

What's your current weight and what's your current protein goal in grams?

jpaulie

can you share your diary?

CostaRica120

My weight is 140 lbs and protein goal set to 116g...hardly ever hit that though without some serious effort.

Diary is open now. Eeek!

SoDamnHungry

Some days just to meet my protein goals I have two servings of protein powder. My goals aren't that high, I simply don't eat much protein in general. I would say that it's not bad to be consuming that much protein powder, but it would be better to get protein from other sources as well for a more varied diet. But 60 grams of protein a day isn't in excess.

Ironmaiden4life

I'm not familiar with any of those brands and recommend people go with well tested brands where purity is known. The problem with supplements is they are a self regulated industry, the FDA does not get involved (something I really wish would change) so often companies will use the cheapest inferior ingredients possible. An excellent example of this recently has been with amino spiking scandal in protein powders.

There's nothing wrong with using powders but from a nutritional standpoint it is better for you to eat a variety of real foods as well to make sure you're not only getting quality protein but you're not creating deficiencies in your micro-nutrient profile.

jpaulie

OP you are actually eating pretty well. Hitting your calorie targets and your protein intake is by no means bad. a lot of my female friends on here past/resent struggle to get that much. you are getting most of your protein from food, not supplements.

Like the above poster said the only issue would be the quality with the brand which I am not that familiar with. Others on here may have some suggestions on the quality.

juggernaut1974

CostaRica120 wrote: »

My weight is 140 lbs and protein goal set to 116g...hardly ever hit that though without some serious effort.

Diary is open now. Eeek!

That doesn't sound too out of line. Not familiar with the particular brands either - but by the name, is it safe to assume you're vegan? That would make sense why it's difficult to hit protein goals, and in that case, supplementing is probably a good thing.

Other vegans on the board may be able to share some other good vegan protein sources.

Apologies if I'm assumed incorrectly.

jpaulie

no she has chicken in there. OP any reason for selecting a vegan protein powder?

juggernaut1974

jpaulie wrote: »

no she has chicken in there. OP and reason for selecting a vegan protein powder?

OK my bad...I didn't scope out the diary. Ignore the above.

CostaRica120

No, not vegan. I didn't even realize they were vegan protein powder. My non-vegan partner purchased them, probably just based on in-store recommendations. I haven't done my own research on the best protein brands.
But like Ironmaiden4life pointed out...I've heard of problems with some, so I guess that was also my concern with consuming too much. I guess if I use a really good brand (recommendations?) then I don't need to worry about that risk much. I don't really know about Kaizen, but I think Vega is pretty reputable. Who knows about the Bulk Barn stuff.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll continue trying to up my non-powder sources of protein and see if that leaves me equally satiated, since this has been helping SO much wrt sticking to my calorie goals.

jpaulie

Optimum Nutrition gold Standard at GNC is pretty popular, I have used a couple of others but this is pretty good

Francl27

I'd much rather eat real food, personally, but protein powder has never really kept me full either.

sixxpoint

Protein powder is okay to use for convenience, but you really shouldn't need to rely on it every single day to hit your protein goal.

Remember, protein powder is a "processed" fast food. It would be wise to correct your diet, by predominating your intake with a rich variety of whole foods.

140 lbs. X 0.60-0.80 g protein per 1 lb. bodyweight = 84-112 grams protein per day (112 g/day is more than sufficient for your current weight)

Ironmaiden4life

sixxpoint wrote: »

Protein powder is okay to use for convenience, but you really shouldn't need to rely on it every single day to hit your protein goal. Focus more on whole foods and correct your diet.

I use protein powder every single day ..... sometimes twice in a day ..... gasp! lol

Nothing wrong with using a powder to HELP make up dem macros

sixxpoint

Ironmaiden4life wrote: »

sixxpoint wrote: »

Protein powder is okay to use for convenience, but you really shouldn't need to rely on it every single day to hit your protein goal. Focus more on whole foods and correct your diet.

I use protein powder every single day ..... sometimes twice in a day ..... gasp! lol

Nothing wrong with using a powder to HELP make up dem macros

There's nothing wrong with using a multivitamin to hit your micronutrient goals either, but the wisest decision would be to first correct your diet so that supplements are not relied on so much (outside of days of convenience).

Ironmaiden4life

sixxpoint wrote: »

There's nothing wrong with using a multivitamin to hit your micronutrient goals either, but the wisest decision would be to first correct your diet so that supplements are not relied on so much (outside of days of convenience).

I agree and always advocate nutritionally dense real food.

My point was that it's fine to use a protein supplement everyday in addition to a nutritionally dense diet to attain your protein macro.

sixxpoint

Predominating your protein intake with heavy use of protein supplements is restrictive from a nutritional standpoint. You're missing out on a lot of beneficial minerals and accompanied essential dietary fat. They are also filled with preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and are less satiating and satisfying than whole foods rich in protein despite the same caloric contributions.

Barring convenience, hitting your protein macro should be quite easy without any protein supplement usage (if you know how to compose a rational diet).

Ironmaiden4life

sixxpoint wrote: »

Predominating your protein intake with heavy use of protein supplements is restrictive from a nutritional standpoint. You're missing out on a lot of beneficial minerals and accompanied essential dietary fat. They are also filled with preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and are less satiating and satisfying than whole foods rich in protein despite the same caloric contributions.

You just won the internet.....congratulations

sixxpoint

Ironmaiden4life

LOL.... love it and very true