Has anyone used protein shakes to loose weight?

any one has used protein shakes as a meal replacement to loose weight? Did It work?
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Replies

  • BRITTNIAKEETA
    BRITTNIAKEETA Posts: 1 Member
    I have been using juice plus meal replacement shakes. They are gluten free dairy free low glycemic. I am a diabetic and with these shakes being low glycemic they are safe for me to have. I let my kids have them not for weight loss but if we are on the go and didn't get a chance to have breakfast.these shakes aren't chalking tasting like other shakes I have tired in the past.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    Protein shakes aren't meant to be meal replacements per se but some use them to get protein without a lot of extra calories. I'm not a fan of meal replacements either but at least they are designed to be weight loss aids whereas protein shakes aren't.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Why would any food cause weight loss? Think about that ...

    Its not about what you eat or drink, it comes down to calories.

    Protein shakes are to supplement protein. No foods or drinks directly cause weight loss. For weight loss , you need a calorie deficit.
    I could eat 1500 calories in cake and still lose weight. Because it comes down to calories. ( obviously I wouldn't eat only cake because my health would suffer but as far as weight loss is concerned I would still lose weight )

    Weight loss - calorie deficit
    Protein shake - supplement protein
  • samgamgee
    samgamgee Posts: 398 Member
    I'm currently replacing my afternoon snack with high protein yoghurts and shakes which are around the same calorie amount as my normal snack, because I find that protein keeps me fuller for longer than carbs and thus helps me control my calorie intake. Obviously being in a calorie deficit is the most important thing for weight loss.
  • cbelc2
    cbelc2 Posts: 762 Member
    Really, there is nothing wrong with food like it is found in nature. We don't shake mixes unless we have a medical condition and the doctor prescribes it. Just saying.....
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    cbelc2 wrote: »
    Really, there is nothing wrong with food like it is found in nature. We don't shake mixes unless we have a medical condition and the doctor prescribes it. Just saying.....

    There's nothing wrong with foods as they are found in nature. But I would also argue that there are many foods that aren't found in nature that can add pleasure or convenience to our lives and help us meet our health and fitness goals. Keep in mind that broccoli isn't found in nature either.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    cbelc2 wrote: »
    Really, there is nothing wrong with food like it is found in nature. We don't shake mixes unless we have a medical condition and the doctor prescribes it. Just saying.....

    There's nothing wrong with foods as they are found in nature. But I would also argue that there are many foods that aren't found in nature that can add pleasure or convenience to our lives and help us meet our health and fitness goals. Keep in mind that broccoli isn't found in nature either.

    True and I guess by your last statement we would have to say no foods in our modern diet are found in nature since we have modified all of our foods.
  • rmduck81
    rmduck81 Posts: 16 Member
    I use the protein shakes as a supplement, I don't get enough in my normal diet. So if I know I'm not gonna get enough during my day, I will have one so I reach my intake.
  • bionicrooster
    bionicrooster Posts: 353 Member
    I lost 60 pounds in less than a year with using the MFP calorie recommended guidelines. As part of that I had a GNC lean shake (170 cals) almost every day for breakfast, and often after the gym or running in the evening to get some extra protein. They work great, as long as the rest of your diet is pretty balanced.

    As has been stated before, calorie in vs calorie out is the only thing that really matters, shakes are just a convenient way to stick to it when your busy :-)
  • Verdenal
    Verdenal Posts: 625 Member
    I'm on a high-protein diet. Without protein shakes it would be difficult for me to meet my protein requirement. I use Isopure. It's filling.
  • socioseguro
    socioseguro Posts: 1,679 Member
    I prepare my own protein shake and drink it before my workout. It is a protein supplement for me, not a meal replacement. I log it ( whey protein isolate, a banana and almond milk) because all calories count.
    The protein shake has no effect on weight loss. I have it to aid with my muscle soreness, after weightlifting
    Eating at a deficit is necessary for weight loss. If you eat more calories than you burn, your body weight will increase.
    Buy yourself a food scale, weigh all of your food, log it at MFP.
    You do not need a meal replacement. Eat your favorite food, in moderation. Just make sure you are eating at a deficit
    Good luck with your healthy journey
  • emmycantbemeeko
    emmycantbemeeko Posts: 303 Member
    I have them occasionally because I don't like meat and occasionally struggle to get my protein requirement, and because a "chocolate shake" is a nice treat now and then. There's nothing magic about them, though- you still have to watch your caloric intake, and many people find drinking calories to be less satisfying than eating them, so you might find despite the high protein content, you're hungry sooner than you would have been after a meal of solid food.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    I'm not a big breakfast person, so I skip breakfast and have a protein shake as a mid morning snack. It's convenient to take to work, fast to drink, and fills me up for the morning (well combined with my other snack of a spoonful of peanut butter).

    I lose weight because I eat in a calorie deficit; I have incorporated a protein shake into my daily calories, so technically yes, I've lost weight drinking a protein shake.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    anisxoxo wrote: »
    any one has used protein shakes as a meal replacement to loose weight? Did It work?

    It's all about total calories. Personally, I could never use a protein shake as a meal replace because they never keep me full. Many of them are lacking in vital nutrients (outside of protein). But if you need some convenience, then make a smoothy. But at the end of the day, if you calories are equal, weight loss would be too.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    I pour my protein shake into oatmeal and eat it.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    _dracarys_ wrote: »
    I pour my protein shake into oatmeal and eat it.

    That's what I do on weekends although I make more of a protein slurry by adding less water. I'm too lazy to do dishes at work, so I don't want to deal with oatmeal.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    auddii wrote: »
    _dracarys_ wrote: »
    I pour my protein shake into oatmeal and eat it.

    That's what I do on weekends although I make more of a protein slurry by adding less water. I'm too lazy to do dishes at work, so I don't want to deal with oatmeal.

    I do the overnight thing with it. It's my afternoon snack at work; I just wait til I get home to rinse it out/throw in the dishwasher. Dishes at work? Ain't nobody got time fo dat.
  • TaraTall
    TaraTall Posts: 339 Member
    Love the overnight oats trick. I'll rinse at work but that's it.
    As for protein shakes, the one thing I like for it over food (gimme food any day.) is that I can drink it more slowly so I get the 'full' or 'I'm eating' mindset a little longer than mowing down on my cheese and salami and being hungry still. (until it settles any how)
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    auddii wrote: »
    _dracarys_ wrote: »
    I pour my protein shake into oatmeal and eat it.

    That's what I do on weekends although I make more of a protein slurry by adding less water. I'm too lazy to do dishes at work, so I don't want to deal with oatmeal.

    This is what I do too.
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    I use protein shakes to reach my protein goals with minimum calories and for a post workout snack.

    If I replaced a meal with a protein shake, I would be miserable until my next meal.
  • dubird
    dubird Posts: 1,849 Member
    edited January 2016
    I've used protein drinks like Boost as supplement sometimes. They're also really handy for when I'm sick or have dental work. I honestly wouldn't suggest any kind of shake as a meal replacement except every now and then. They can be very useful for supplements if you're not getting enough of something, and protein shakes are good supplements when you're weight lifting, but you'll be missing out some things, like fiber, if you replace regular meals with it.
  • erinc5
    erinc5 Posts: 329 Member
    I've tried quite a few protein shakes as I thought the same as others - it'd be a good convenient breakfast or something. I haven't tasted one that I'd like to drink again. They are all nasty. So, no, I stray away from them and eat real food that I can actually enjoy. They are also quite expensive.
  • bionicrooster
    bionicrooster Posts: 353 Member
    edited January 2016
    erinc5 wrote: »
    I've tried quite a few protein shakes as I thought the same as others - it'd be a good convenient breakfast or something. I haven't tasted one that I'd like to drink again. They are all nasty. So, no, I stray away from them and eat real food that I can actually enjoy. They are also quite expensive.

    The only ones I have found that I liked are GNC lean shakes, and they are actually cheaper than if I bought something healthy. And I am pretty sure they are "real food".... although if they aren't real, that would explain how they help in weight loss :-)
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    anisxoxo wrote: »
    any one has used protein shakes as a meal replacement to loose weight? Did It work?

    A protein shake is a protein supplement. This is not the same thing as a meal replacement shake. Meals have fat, fiber, carbs, micronutrients.....so much is missing from a protein supplement.

    If you like to drink your calories, if you don't want to be bothered with measuring portions....then a meal replacement shake can help you with a calorie deficit. You will lose weight because you are in a deficit.

    The problem with a short cut is you don't learn anything about the food you actually eat. Measuring & logging portions gives you tools for maintenance. You learn what needs to be changed to keep the weight off.
  • dubird
    dubird Posts: 1,849 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    anisxoxo wrote: »
    any one has used protein shakes as a meal replacement to loose weight? Did It work?

    A protein shake is a protein supplement. This is not the same thing as a meal replacement shake. Meals have fat, fiber, carbs, micronutrients.....so much is missing from a protein supplement.

    If you like to drink your calories, if you don't want to be bothered with measuring portions....then a meal replacement shake can help you with a calorie deficit. You will lose weight because you are in a deficit.

    The problem with a short cut is you don't learn anything about the food you actually eat. Measuring & logging portions gives you tools for maintenance. You learn what needs to be changed to keep the weight off.

    #TRUTH
  • bionicrooster
    bionicrooster Posts: 353 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    anisxoxo wrote: »
    any one has used protein shakes as a meal replacement to loose weight? Did It work?

    A protein shake is a protein supplement. This is not the same thing as a meal replacement shake. Meals have fat, fiber, carbs, micronutrients.....so much is missing from a protein supplement.

    If you like to drink your calories, if you don't want to be bothered with measuring portions....then a meal replacement shake can help you with a calorie deficit. You will lose weight because you are in a deficit.

    The problem with a short cut is you don't learn anything about the food you actually eat. Measuring & logging portions gives you tools for maintenance. You learn what needs to be changed to keep the weight off.

    So if I eat a grilled chicken breast for lunch its not a meal because it doesn't contain fiber and carbs?? A shake can certainly be a meal replacement. I think we all agree if it becomes a meal replacement too often it could cause bad habits long term.. as far as "if you don't want to be bothered with measuring portions", some of us have very busy lives that makes it difficult to have every meal measured out, especially when trying to grab a quick lunch at work. A shake works fine in that scenario.
  • erinc5
    erinc5 Posts: 329 Member
    And I am pretty sure they are "real food".... although if they aren't real, that would explain how they help in weight loss :-)

    Yes, haha. They are "real" food. I just was saying, I personally don't enjoy them - I would rather have some chicken and hard boiled eggs or something like that. No hate on others who enjoy protein shakes! I know many people who love them. Just not for me. Even if they were 0 calories, I would still not partake.
  • bionicrooster
    bionicrooster Posts: 353 Member
    erinc5 wrote: »
    And I am pretty sure they are "real food".... although if they aren't real, that would explain how they help in weight loss :-)

    Yes, haha. They are "real" food. I just was saying, I personally don't enjoy them - I would rather have some chicken and hard boiled eggs or something like that. No hate on others who enjoy protein shakes! I know many people who love them. Just not for me. Even if they were 0 calories, I would still not partake.

    I know I was just messing with you. I 100% agree when I can I would rather have a hunk of meat (or beans) for my protein :-)
  • bionicrooster
    bionicrooster Posts: 353 Member
    dubird wrote: »
    TeaBea wrote: »
    anisxoxo wrote: »
    any one has used protein shakes as a meal replacement to loose weight? Did It work?

    A protein shake is a protein supplement. This is not the same thing as a meal replacement shake. Meals have fat, fiber, carbs, micronutrients.....so much is missing from a protein supplement.

    If you like to drink your calories, if you don't want to be bothered with measuring portions....then a meal replacement shake can help you with a calorie deficit. You will lose weight because you are in a deficit.

    The problem with a short cut is you don't learn anything about the food you actually eat. Measuring & logging portions gives you tools for maintenance. You learn what needs to be changed to keep the weight off.

    #TRUTH

    I am curios about this part I guess: "The problem with a short cut is you don't learn anything about the food you actually eat. Measuring & logging portions gives you tools for maintenance. You learn what needs to be changed to keep the weight off.[/quote]"

    Why can't you use shakes AND learn how to measure and log foods better??? It worked for me, I must have been very lucky :wink:
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    erinc5 wrote: »
    And I am pretty sure they are "real food".... although if they aren't real, that would explain how they help in weight loss :-)

    Yes, haha. They are "real" food. I just was saying, I personally don't enjoy them - I would rather have some chicken and hard boiled eggs or something like that. No hate on others who enjoy protein shakes! I know many people who love them. Just not for me. Even if they were 0 calories, I would still not partake.

    I know I was just messing with you. I 100% agree when I can I would rather have a hunk of meat (or beans) for my protein :-)

    I used to go with cottage cheese but switched back to powder because it's a lot cheaper so there is that aspect.