Should I take protein powder?

jacquelinezng151
jacquelinezng151 Posts: 19 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi guys!

So recently I've been reading a bunch about protein powder and I'm not sure whether I should use it or not. I'm a female hockey player and I go to the gym multiple times a week. But, I'm not a hard core gym enthusiast. I just do some basic strength and full body workouts for hockey (i play at college). So should I be taking protein powder, or is it not necessary. Pros and cons? Thanks everyone!

Replies

  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    edited October 2016
    totally agree with @ninerbuff

    For what it's worth - I often have a protein shake, but it is more to do with the convenience (it's easier to make a shake than cook some chicken) than anything else.

    As,someone who is active, you should keep an eye on your protein intake, ensuring that you get enough (the values of this are disputed) but how you achieve that intake is up to you.
  • Red_Pill
    Red_Pill Posts: 300 Member
    It's not a must. There's no magic behind it. If you don't mind using food to hit your protein goals then keep doing what you're doing. If you'd rather guzzle a portion of your protein and have it digested as soon as possible then shakes are great for that.
  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
    I have worked myself into a eating issue where I can't get enough calories so I use a shake to add more calories to my over all daily content. It has mostly Protein but fat and Carbs too..
  • hgycta
    hgycta Posts: 3,013 Member
    edited October 2016
    If you have no problem getting adequate protein from other food sources, then you don't need it. I personally love protein powder (although I'm not an athlete). My diet isn't super high in protein since I don't normally eat a whole lot of animal products (not a vegetarian or vegan, just really don't have a craving for it unless it's eggs or sushi). Still, I could easily get enough protein from beans, tofu, etc, and I often do. I don't really use protein powder so much as to only supplement protein into my diet (whey protein is very easily absorbed by your body and is a complete protein, unless you are a vegetarian I would not recommend plant proteins since not only do I feel they taste worse, but they aren't as bioavailable), but I really enjoy the taste when blending protein powder with ice, milk, and occasionally some flavored nut butter/a frozen banana and find it's a much healthier replacement for milkshakes when I'm craving something cold and sweet. There's really a lot you can do with it (such as replacing milk with International Delight's flavored iced coffees, or adding some Cajeta), so I mostly use it as a dessert. But it never hurts to try it, most companies will send you samples if you write to them (I recommend Quest and MusclePharm). Never hurts to try it out, each person is different! ;) I don't think I could drink it though unless it were blended, so make sure you have a blender at hand for the full experience!
    Pros: Delicious, Healthy Alternative to Milkshakes, Variety of Flavors Available
    Cons: Good Protein Can Be Rather Expensive (I usually keep an eye on the Vitamin Shoppe for sales, Black Friday and Cyber Monday will be here before you know it!!!!)
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I find having smoothies for breakfast extremely convenient and add protein powder to them.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    jacquelinezng151 wrote: »
    Hi guys!

    So recently I've been reading a bunch about protein powder and I'm not sure whether I should use it or not. I'm a female hockey player and I go to the gym multiple times a week. But, I'm not a hard core gym enthusiast. I just do some basic strength and full body workouts for hockey (i play at college). So should I be taking protein powder, or is it not necessary. Pros and cons? Thanks everyone!

    It's just a supplement to help you hit your targets...if you're having trouble hitting your targets with food then sure...if you're hitting your targets without supplements then it's completely unnecessary.
  • canadianlbs
    canadianlbs Posts: 5,199 Member
    afaik, your lifestyle might make your target higher than they would be for, say, a desk jockey life. but any way of reaching that target is fine.

    i use whey isolate and make a breakfast shake with it using berries and yogurt. but it's more like an insurance type thing. i can get sort of intermittent with eating during the day so i like the feeling that at least i'm starting out with 30 grams of my daily protein chore already done.
  • se015
    se015 Posts: 583 Member
    jacquelinezng151 wrote: »
    Hi guys!

    So recently I've been reading a bunch about protein powder and I'm not sure whether I should use it or not. I'm a female hockey player and I go to the gym multiple times a week. But, I'm not a hard core gym enthusiast. I just do some basic strength and full body workouts for hockey (i play at college). So should I be taking protein powder, or is it not necessary. Pros and cons? Thanks everyone!

    Protein helps build muscle so I guess if you're looking to gain strength then extra protein won't hurt. Unless you have kidney problems then more protein won't necessarily hurt you. As others have stated if you don't eat sufficient protein in your routine diet than it would also help. Other than the strength improvement I don't know of protein powder will be necessary for you based on what your goals are, but again I don't think it would hurt. Be mindful of your protein intake and calorie intake at the end of the day too.
  • genpopadopolous
    genpopadopolous Posts: 411 Member
    It isn't necessary at all.

    I like it though. I make a cold brew coffee protein shake in the morning and sip it until lunch. Tastes like freaking Starbucks, under 200 calories, and I feel satisfied.

    Works for me!
  • Dano74
    Dano74 Posts: 503 Member
    It's not necessary... but it tastes better than a sixth chicken breast and makes protein easy. That said, quality matters. Some protein powders are garbage and less protein than advertised. Definitely do homework before you just buy some tub.
  • canadianlbs
    canadianlbs Posts: 5,199 Member
    Dano74 wrote: »
    Definitely do homework before you just buy some tub.

    on this note, labdoor is the site i use when i'm in the mood for some protein porning.

  • kelseymallen
    kelseymallen Posts: 85 Member
    It's not necessary, but if you have a hard time hitting your recommended daily intake of protein, protein powder can help. Personally, I'm rarely able to hit my RDA of protein with food alone, so protein shakes help fill the gap.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    edited October 2016
    kelseymallen wrote: »
    It's not necessary, but if you have a hard time hitting your recommended daily intake of protein, protein powder can help. Personally, I'm rarely able to hit my RDA of protein with food alone, so protein shakes help fill the gap.

    And sadly, the RDA is not even adequate to muscle mass during weight loss.

    And I have nothing else to add that others haven't already stated...
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Like others have said, it's not necessary. It could be useful if you have trouble meeting your protein target or find it an easy way to add protein to a meal that wouldn't normally have much. I sometimes use it for the second reason, as I have three favorite breakfasts (omelet, oatmeal, and smoothie) and the second two are lower protein than I personally prefer at breakfast unless I add protein powder. If I didn't enjoy the taste of the protein powder I wouldn't add it, though -- I'd find some other 100 calorie or so way to add protein.

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