adding protein powder to diet?
squishprincess
Posts: 371 Member
i keep seeing mixed reviews on adding protein powder into your diet, but i don't see how it negatively affects your goals if you meet your cal/macro goals? me personally, am not adding it as an every day substitute, but i have seen several recipes throughout various spots on the web, that call for protein powder (like brownies, muffins, pancakes etc) and i thought it would cool to try it out & plus get more protein. it doesn't hinder weight loss or maintenance right? plus, i don't eat redmeat or don't eat dairy much at all, so i figured the extra boost on some days would help. yay or nay?
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Replies
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I have nothing useful to add, but read the title as "adding protein powder to dirt" and went WTF? I think I need a coffee.0
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Alatariel75 wrote: »I have nothing useful to add, but read the title as "adding protein powder to dirt" and went WTF? I think I need a coffee.
yum
I don't see any reason to add protein powder unless you're having a hard time hitting your protein or if its for convenience.0 -
Some days I'm under my protein goals by 30-40 grams, so I thought it might be okay to throw in some powder to make eggs some mornings on workout days. But Idk
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Omg I need coffee too cus I meant to type make pancakes, not eggs lol0
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Use protein powder to help you meet your protein goals if you struggle to do so with other foods.
As a non-meat eater one scoop a day helps get me up to my 100g daily intake as otherwise my day can end up too carb-heavy.0 -
Yes I feel it would help me out some days especially since I can't eat a lot of certain nuts due to allergies & I don't eat most meats so eh I figured why not. But a lot ppl seem to be against it and I was just wondering why exactly. I mean at the end of the day I know its ultimately up to me
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I'm not a massive lover of drinking it as a shake. I make 'mug cake' with it though. One scoop of chocolate powder (usually 25g), half teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder and a pinch of baking powder. Add an egg and mix really well either in a mug or slightly bigger container until its pretty smooth and runny. Microwave in a mug for 20 secs, take out and swirl and blast for another 5 seconds. It will set a little more if you leave it to stand for a minute or two. It should be sort of gooey. I add no sugar peanut butter to mines. Great for treat cravings and has the added bonus of almost 30g of protein..if you add the peanut butter too
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I'm not a massive lover of drinking it as a shake. I make 'mug cake' with it though. One scoop of chocolate powder (usually 25g), half teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder and a pinch of baking powder. Add an egg and mix really well either in a mug or slightly bigger container until its pretty smooth and runny. Microwave in a mug for 20 secs, take out and swirl and blast for another 5 seconds. It will set a little more if you leave it to stand for a minute or two. It should be sort of gooey. I add no sugar peanut butter to mines. Great for treat cravings and has the added bonus of almost 30g of protein..if you add the peanut butter too
I am absolutely making this tonight!!!
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I won't do it, I don't trust those guys to put in the protein they say they're putting in. I don't trust them to keep out whatever I might want kept out. If I'm not pretty confident about the company it comes from, I'm not swallowing their pills or powders.
However, many people have done it and have lived to tell the tale.
You make the call. 0 -
I use protein powder in Greek yogurt almost daily. Nothing wrong with it, and I doubt it will cause you into suddenly implode from using it or anything. Find one you like and use it as you see fit.0
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I won't do it, I don't trust those guys to put in the protein they say they're putting in. I don't trust them to keep out whatever I might want kept out. If I'm not pretty confident about the company it comes from, I'm not swallowing their pills or powders.
However, many people have done it and have lived to tell the tale.
You make the call.
Your fears are not unfounded. A number of companies have been accused of amino acid spiking their protein powder, which makes it appear that there is more useful protein per serving than what you're actually getting. It's an intentional ripoff, but it's not illegal.
forbes.com/sites/alexmorrell/2015/03/12/lawsuits-say-protein-powders-lack-protein-ripping-off-athletes/
Know the company you're buying from and don't just buy the cheapest powder you can find thinking that aside from taste, they're all the same. I use Optimum Nutrition. Their protein powder has been tested by independent labs numerous times and their labels are not misleading. ON protein is reasonably priced and I like the taste of their Extreme Chocolate.
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I've never tried it, but I feel your struggle with getting enough protein. I do eat a protein bar instead of chocolate for dessert most nights...it tastes good and gets me closer to my goal.
I'm not opposed to meat, but often just don't eat it because it's not necessarily at the top of my fave list.
How many calories are in a serving of protein powder? I guess if it's a decent amount, people may be opposed because it's calories you can't taste and sort of feel wasted (when you could be using them for food you really like)...just a guess.
And what others said above...never really knowing what's in that powder because it's likely much less regulated than food. Not that food sources are really the best all the time any way!0 -
I've never tried it, but I feel your struggle with getting enough protein. I do eat a protein bar instead of chocolate for dessert most nights...it tastes good and gets me closer to my goal.
I'm not opposed to meat, but often just don't eat it because it's not necessarily at the top of my fave list.
How many calories are in a serving of protein powder? I guess if it's a decent amount, people may be opposed because it's calories you can't taste and sort of feel wasted (when you could be using them for food you really like)...just a guess.
And what others said above...never really knowing what's in that powder because it's likely much less regulated than food. Not that food sources are really the best all the time any way!
Whey comes in at just under 100 cal for a 25g scoop, which gives around 20g of protein so it's very good 'value' in terms of calories.0 -
It's not used for medical purposes.I won't do it, I don't trust those guys to put in the protein they say they're putting in. I don't trust them to keep out whatever I might want kept out. If I'm not pretty confident about the company it comes from, I'm not swallowing their pills or powders.
However, many people have done it and have lived to tell the tale.
You make the call.
Your fears are not unfounded. A number of companies have been accused of amino acid spiking their protein powder, which makes it appear that there is more useful protein per serving than what you're actually getting. It's an intentional ripoff, but it's not illegal.
forbes.com/sites/alexmorrell/2015/03/12/lawsuits-say-protein-powders-lack-protein-ripping-off-athletes/
Know the company you're buying from and don't just buy the cheapest powder you can find thinking that aside from taste, they're all the same. I use Optimum Nutrition. Their protein powder has been tested by independent labs numerous times and their labels are not misleading. ON protein is reasonably priced and I like the taste of their Extreme Chocolate.
It's marketed to athletes, who are notorious for swallowing things without giving it too much thought. How many times have we heard them say, "I didn't know there were drugs in it"? They don't know what's in it, but they take it. Makes me wonder if the people selling it haven't marketed it that way for a reason. It's possible. It's been done before.
It's just not something I would swallow, in pill or powder form.
But so many people do and they all seem none the worse for wear, so maybe I'm being too picky...overly-cautious.0 -
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Kallkel, it's nothing to be scared of. It's just that some people are wasting their money on products that don't deliver what they claim and who will be falling short on their macros without knowing it.
There are other things you could worry about, like dangerous chemicals being added, but I don't think that's been an issue. And if you're going to worry about that, you might as well worry about antibiotics, corn feed and dead, diseased carcasses being fed to livestock.
I'm not saying that protein powder is safer or more dangerous than meat and dairy, only that the real concern with protein powder is to buy from a company you know you can trust.0 -
Kallkel, it's nothing to be scared of. It's just that some people are wasting their money on products that don't deliver what they claim and who will be falling short on their macros without knowing it.
There are other things you could worry about, like dangerous chemicals being added, but I don't think that's been an issue. And if you're going to worry about that, you might as well worry about antibiotics, corn feed and dead, diseased carcasses being fed to livestock.
I'm not saying that protein powder is safer or more dangerous than meat and dairy, only that the real concern with protein powder is to buy from a company you know you can trust.
You make a good point. Something to chew on, for sure. 0 -
Well, it's not like they're combining talcum powder with whatever dust they swept up from the floor and slapping a "Protein Powder - Seriously, We Really Mean It!" label on it. The amino-acid spiking thing might be a concern if you were relying solely on powders to get your protein, but if you're a normal person using it as a supplement? It's fine. Get most of your protein from food and fill in the gaps with protein powder if you want/need to. Buy from a reputable company -- I wouldn't buy protein powder from a guy selling it out of the back of his van or whatever -- but this isn't something to make yourself crazy over.
OP: Protein powder doesn't help or hinder weight loss any more than any other protein source. If you can, try to find individual serving sizes so you can sample the product before buying a tub, because different brands vary wildly in terms of taste.0 -
Your fears are not unfounded. A number of companies have been accused of amino acid spiking their protein powder, which makes it appear that there is more useful protein per serving than what you're actually getting. It's an intentional ripoff, but it's not illegal.
forbes.com/sites/alexmorrell/2015/03/12/lawsuits-say-protein-powders-lack-protein-ripping-off-athletes/
Know the company you're buying from and don't just buy the cheapest powder you can find thinking that aside from taste, they're all the same. I use Optimum Nutrition. Their protein powder has been tested by independent labs numerous times and their labels are not misleading. ON protein is reasonably priced and I like the taste of their Extreme Chocolate.
I always do a protein shake right after I work out but I'm trying to build muscle and I find it difficult to hit my protein goal without it. I'm another fan of the ON Gold Standard. I put Extreme Chocolate in my morning coffee sometimes. Makes it mocha flavored and I don't have to add extra sugar to sweeten the coffee. Word to the wise: the French Vanilla did not go so well in coffee. The more you know.0 -
IA with what everyone has said really. Use it if you have trouble meeting your protein goals. I have a tendency to struggle hitting my protein, so I will do a protein powder shake a couple times a week. Also, I have Celiac's Disease, and a nice protein powder (I use Navitas Hemp Powder) serves pretty well as a substitute for flour in a couple of protein cookie recipes. So, I like to use it to make little peanut butter cookie snacks. So, I get my sugar/cookie fix but also help hitting protein goals.0
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KarenJanine wrote: »I've never tried it, but I feel your struggle with getting enough protein. I do eat a protein bar instead of chocolate for dessert most nights...it tastes good and gets me closer to my goal.
I'm not opposed to meat, but often just don't eat it because it's not necessarily at the top of my fave list.
How many calories are in a serving of protein powder? I guess if it's a decent amount, people may be opposed because it's calories you can't taste and sort of feel wasted (when you could be using them for food you really like)...just a guess.
And what others said above...never really knowing what's in that powder because it's likely much less regulated than food. Not that food sources are really the best all the time any way!
Whey comes in at just under 100 cal for a 25g scoop, which gives around 20g of protein so it's very good 'value' in terms of calories.
Thank you for answering the calorie question. I've never used it so I truly don't know--do you simply add the powder to your good, or do you mix it with water to create a shake? If it's the former, then I'd have a hard time adding 100 calories without actually tasting something. If it's creating a shake or something that actually tastes good, then I could see replacing 100 calories elsewhere with that shake.0 -
When I buy unflavored protein powder, I either bake with it or mix it with milk (and sometimes chocolate syrup -- it makes the best, creamiest chocolate milk!). Unflavored whey powder in water is unspeakably nasty. Depending on the brand, you can drink flavored protein powder in water (although it tends to taste better in milk), or mix it with yogurt or whatever.KarenJanine wrote: »I've never tried it, but I feel your struggle with getting enough protein. I do eat a protein bar instead of chocolate for dessert most nights...it tastes good and gets me closer to my goal.
I'm not opposed to meat, but often just don't eat it because it's not necessarily at the top of my fave list.
How many calories are in a serving of protein powder? I guess if it's a decent amount, people may be opposed because it's calories you can't taste and sort of feel wasted (when you could be using them for food you really like)...just a guess.
And what others said above...never really knowing what's in that powder because it's likely much less regulated than food. Not that food sources are really the best all the time any way!
Whey comes in at just under 100 cal for a 25g scoop, which gives around 20g of protein so it's very good 'value' in terms of calories.
Thank you for answering the calorie question. I've never used it so I truly don't know--do you simply add the powder to your good, or do you mix it with water to create a shake? If it's the former, then I'd have a hard time adding 100 calories without actually tasting something. If it's creating a shake or something that actually tastes good, then I could see replacing 100 calories elsewhere with that shake.
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I've never tried it, but I feel your struggle with getting enough protein. I do eat a protein bar instead of chocolate for dessert most nights...it tastes good and gets me closer to my goal.
I'm not opposed to meat, but often just don't eat it because it's not necessarily at the top of my fave list.
How many calories are in a serving of protein powder? I guess if it's a decent amount, people may be opposed because it's calories you can't taste and sort of feel wasted (when you could be using them for food you really like)...just a guess.
And what others said above...never really knowing what's in that powder because it's likely much less regulated than food. Not that food sources are really the best all the time any way!
Mine is 100 calories for a 28g scoop and has 18g of protein and 3g of fiber. This is my standard method of consumption... 1 scoop of protein powder, 1.5 cups of Greek yogurt (340g)...
And that's pretty filling. Last night I put chocolate chips in it.
ETA: The macros are in this order: Calories, Carbs, Fat, Protein, Fiber, and Sodium0 -
PrizePopple wrote: »I've never tried it, but I feel your struggle with getting enough protein. I do eat a protein bar instead of chocolate for dessert most nights...it tastes good and gets me closer to my goal.
I'm not opposed to meat, but often just don't eat it because it's not necessarily at the top of my fave list.
How many calories are in a serving of protein powder? I guess if it's a decent amount, people may be opposed because it's calories you can't taste and sort of feel wasted (when you could be using them for food you really like)...just a guess.
And what others said above...never really knowing what's in that powder because it's likely much less regulated than food. Not that food sources are really the best all the time any way!
Mine is 100 calories for a 28g scoop and has 18g of protein and 3g of fiber. This is my standard method of consumption... 1 scoop of protein powder, 1.5 cups of Greek yogurt (340g)...
And that's pretty filling. Last night I put chocolate chips in it.
ETA: The macros are in this order: Calories, Carbs, Fat, Protein, Fiber, and Sodium
Yeah, that's what I meant: for 100 calories, I want to taste something! It sounds like you're adding it to your food (yogurt) and although it helps fill you up, you wouldn't taste anything from that 100 calories. That would make me sad.0 -
KarenJanine wrote: »I've never tried it, but I feel your struggle with getting enough protein. I do eat a protein bar instead of chocolate for dessert most nights...it tastes good and gets me closer to my goal.
I'm not opposed to meat, but often just don't eat it because it's not necessarily at the top of my fave list.
How many calories are in a serving of protein powder? I guess if it's a decent amount, people may be opposed because it's calories you can't taste and sort of feel wasted (when you could be using them for food you really like)...just a guess.
And what others said above...never really knowing what's in that powder because it's likely much less regulated than food. Not that food sources are really the best all the time any way!
Whey comes in at just under 100 cal for a 25g scoop, which gives around 20g of protein so it's very good 'value' in terms of calories.
Thank you for answering the calorie question. I've never used it so I truly don't know--do you simply add the powder to your good, or do you mix it with water to create a shake? If it's the former, then I'd have a hard time adding 100 calories without actually tasting something. If it's creating a shake or something that actually tastes good, then I could see replacing 100 calories elsewhere with that shake.
I buy the flavoured variety and usually mix with skimmed milk into a shake, which adds around another 50 calories but it mixes fine with water if you don't want the extra cals. There are loads of flavours so it's a case of finding something you like. Many companies sell individual servings so you can try a few flavours before committing to a larger purchase.0 -
I use Plant Fusion vanilla pea protein. I do a half scoop in my cereal or yogurt. It's delicious!0
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I use Combat, 2 scoops, before swimming at 5AM. That is bascially, my breakfast. By the time I get to work I'm already at a -1200 for the day. 0
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It's not used for medical purposes.I won't do it, I don't trust those guys to put in the protein they say they're putting in. I don't trust them to keep out whatever I might want kept out. If I'm not pretty confident about the company it comes from, I'm not swallowing their pills or powders.
However, many people have done it and have lived to tell the tale.
You make the call.
Your fears are not unfounded. A number of companies have been accused of amino acid spiking their protein powder, which makes it appear that there is more useful protein per serving than what you're actually getting. It's an intentional ripoff, but it's not illegal.
forbes.com/sites/alexmorrell/2015/03/12/lawsuits-say-protein-powders-lack-protein-ripping-off-athletes/
Know the company you're buying from and don't just buy the cheapest powder you can find thinking that aside from taste, they're all the same. I use Optimum Nutrition. Their protein powder has been tested by independent labs numerous times and their labels are not misleading. ON protein is reasonably priced and I like the taste of their Extreme Chocolate.
It's marketed to athletes, who are notorious for swallowing things without giving it too much thought. How many times have we heard them say, "I didn't know there were drugs in it"? They don't know what's in it, but they take it. Makes me wonder if the people selling it haven't marketed it that way for a reason. It's possible. It's been done before.
It's just not something I would swallow, in pill or powder form.
But so many people do and they all seem none the worse for wear, so maybe I'm being too picky...overly-cautious.
Are you sure the athletes just aren't trying to use the supplement companies as a scapegoat to cover their intentional use of PED's? I am sure there have been instances where a supplement company added things but we could all probably rattle off a handful of athletes that have lied about taking PED's.0 -
Use it or don't, it's just a tool to assist. Like all the above points, find a brand you can trust. I like Orgain, Raw, Plant Fusion, or Vega as a non-met or dairy eater. They are all pretty good so far as flavor and only Vega will break the bank. You can also try True Nutrition's website. They'll let you mix your own out of various ingredients for relatively cheap.
Keep in mind that it's just a tool to help you hit your macros and avoid the hype on the labels and you should be golden.0 -
alrighty, i'm really enjoying all this input. thanks yall
for now i just have a vanilla soy protein powder with a minimal list of ingredients i picked up yesterday (before reading all of this lol) from fresh&easy, so it'll have to do for now. but i'm def gonna keep those brands you have all mentioned in mind, and probably order online when i need to.0
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