Will protein shakes make me bulky?

newblessings585
newblessings585 Posts: 19 Member
edited November 13 in Food and Nutrition
Hello everyone ! So i need a little help. I want to lose weight of course. Will drinking a protein shake in the am or pm every day along with good diet and exercise make me huge ? I want a small thin frame which im used to having . and if it wont ,what type of protein shake should i be drinking.?
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Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    The only thing that will make you bulky is eating in a calorie surplus...and for women, that's not very easy anyway
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    No.
    What Malibu said.

    Even with heavy lifting and calorie surplus, it is difficult for women to get bulky.
  • julie_broadhead
    julie_broadhead Posts: 347 Member
    Big and bulky is the result of careful and very intentional diet and training. Drinking a protein shake or two isn't going to do that to you. That being said, you don't really need protein shakes. They are a pretty convenient way to fill out you protein macro for the day but you can easily get you protein from food.

    If you want to use a shake, Dymatize, Optimum Nutrition, and Bodylogix all make pretty decent protein supplements.
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    malibu927 wrote: »
    The only thing that will make you bulky is eating in a calorie surplus...and for women, that's not very easy anyway

    This.
  • newblessings585
    newblessings585 Posts: 19 Member
    Big and bulky is the result of careful and very intentional diet and training. Drinking a protein shake or two isn't going to do that to you. That being said, you don't really need protein shakes. They are a pretty convenient way to fill out you protein macro for the day but you can easily get you protein from food.

    If you want to use a shake, Dymatize, Optimum Nutrition, and Bodylogix all make pretty decent protein supplements.

    Thank you! I usually dont have time to cook bfast in the am thats one reason why i wanted to use a shake .
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    No.
    What Malibu said.

    Even with heavy lifting and calorie surplus, it is difficult for women to get bulky.

    Yup agree with this.. I am actually eating at a surplus and bulking (for the second time) still not bulky.

    I like the Quest protein powder but instead of making a shake I like to bake with it or make pancakes. Yum. In the past for shakes I've used Optimum Nutrition which was pretty good.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Protein shakes are nothing more than another food source (albeit a convenient, powdered one). There's nothing magical about them. It's like asking "Will I get bulky if I eat a chicken breast every day?".

    "Huge" is the result of years of intense weight training, a caloric surplus and plenty of anabolic steroids. As long as you're not doing all three of those things, you won't ever have to worry about getting "huge".
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,207 Member
    People work very, very, very hard to get "bulky". There's not a drink in the world that will build your muscles if you're not working them hard.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    People work very, very, very hard to get "bulky". There's not a drink in the world that will build your muscles if you're not working them hard.

    ...and even if you are working your muscles hard, nobody in the world has to worry about "accidentally" getting too bulky. It's not like you're suddenly going to wake up one morning and look like the Incredible Hulk.
  • newblessings585
    newblessings585 Posts: 19 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    People work very, very, very hard to get "bulky". There's not a drink in the world that will build your muscles if you're not working them hard.

    ...and even if you are working your muscles hard, nobody in the world has to worry about "accidentally" getting too bulky. It's not like you're suddenly going to wake up one morning and look like the Incredible Hulk.

    Lol well that's good to know
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    edited December 2016
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    People work very, very, very hard to get "bulky". There's not a drink in the world that will build your muscles if you're not working them hard.

    ...and even if you are working your muscles hard, nobody in the world has to worry about "accidentally" getting too bulky. It's not like you're suddenly going to wake up one morning and look like the Incredible Hulk.

    Well thanks for crushing my dreams.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    People work very, very, very hard to get "bulky". There's not a drink in the world that will build your muscles if you're not working them hard.

    ...and even if you are working your muscles hard, nobody in the world has to worry about "accidentally" getting too bulky. It's not like you're suddenly going to wake up one morning and look like the Incredible Hulk.

    Well thanks for crushing my dreams.

    I know, right? Total buzzkill. ;) That sad little fact has shattered the dreams of many men and women who bust their butts every day in the gym and slam protein shakes daily, waiting for the 'bulk fairy' to visit and endow them with hyooge, rippling muscles. There are a lot of people who wish it was as easy to become "bulky" as some people think it is.
  • sarko15
    sarko15 Posts: 330 Member
    I wouldn't say you would get bulky, but I also have a pretty small frame and the calories in protein (as in, with protein powder) shakes definitely make me gain weight when I drink them regularly. Same with protein bars. This might not be the same for you, but that was my experience. Take a look at the nutrition facts on your protein powder and see if it's worth it to you.

    I'm not trying to gain serious muscle so I'm expending enough calories. I mostly drink green smoothies with spinach and kale which have a ton of protein and nutrition but not all the calories. Like everyone else said, if you're trying to lose make sure you aren't consuming more calories than you expend.
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    edited December 2016
    sarko15 wrote: »
    I wouldn't say you would get bulky, but I also have a pretty small frame and the calories in protein (as in, with protein powder) shakes definitely make me gain weight when I drink them regularly. Same with protein bars. This might not be the same for you, but that was my experience. Take a look at the nutrition facts on your protein powder and see if it's worth it to you.

    I'm not trying to gain serious muscle so I'm expending enough calories. I mostly drink green smoothies with spinach and kale which have a ton of protein and nutrition but not all the calories. Like everyone else said, if you're trying to lose make sure you aren't consuming more calories than you expend.

    Those things would only make you gain weight if they put you in a calorie surplus.

    If you were in a calorie deficit, it would literally be impossible for protein shakes alone to make you gain weight.

    I use protein powder consistently in a deficit and lose weight. They're really not that calorific depending on which one you buy and don't add a bunch of stuff to them.
  • sarko15
    sarko15 Posts: 330 Member
    edited December 2016
    sarko15 wrote: »
    I wouldn't say you would get bulky, but I also have a pretty small frame and the calories in protein (as in, with protein powder) shakes definitely make me gain weight when I drink them regularly. Same with protein bars. This might not be the same for you, but that was my experience. Take a look at the nutrition facts on your protein powder and see if it's worth it to you.

    I'm not trying to gain serious muscle so I'm expending enough calories. I mostly drink green smoothies with spinach and kale which have a ton of protein and nutrition but not all the calories. Like everyone else said, if you're trying to lose make sure you aren't consuming more calories than you expend.

    Those things would only make you gain weight if they put you in a calorie surplus.

    If you were in a calorie deficit, it would literally be impossible for protein shakes alone to make you gain weight.

    I use protein powder consistently in a deficit and lose weight. They're really not that calorific depending on which one you buy and don't add a bunch of stuff to them.

    Definitely. That was what I was trying to explain. Obviously protein shakes won't make you gain weight alone. In my experience (and do let me know which protein powder you use that's low calorie because I want in on that) they're pretty caloric, and I'm not eating enough calories to justify one meal of a protein shake that is that many calories, because I think it's important for me to keep to 3 meals a day for consistency. So that's why I can't do protein shakes because it constantly eats up precious calories. If your calorie goal was 2000, that's different, but a lot of people with slighter builds are eating around 1200 or so. To each their own, but there are other ways to get adequate protein in smoothies without protein powder that have fewer calories if you are already eating at a low number, which was my suggestion because she asked for suggestions.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,089 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    People work very, very, very hard to get "bulky". There's not a drink in the world that will build your muscles if you're not working them hard.

    ...and even if you are working your muscles hard, nobody in the world has to worry about "accidentally" getting too bulky. It's not like you're suddenly going to wake up one morning and look like the Incredible Hulk.

    Not unless you make me angry. :wink:
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    If you are a woman, you will not gain muscle easily. That is a biological fact.
  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    Are you kidding?
  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    If all it all it takes is protein shakes to get huge then why do body builders take steroid stacks of trenbolone, clenbuteral, T3, anadrol, anavar, dianabol, and so forth? Every single one of those have mild to severe life altering side effects. Also, a protein shake is no more than a concentrated glass of milk.. Just with reduced lactose and increased protein.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    jessef593 wrote: »
    If all it all it takes is protein shakes to get huge then why do body builders take steroid stacks of trenbolone, clenbuteral, T3, anadrol, anavar, dianabol, and so forth? Every single one of those have mild to severe life altering side effects. Also, a protein shake is no more than a concentrated glass of milk.. Just with reduced lactose and increased protein.

    I know the point you are trying to make but you are ill-informed about the majority of those substances if you think they get you "huge".
  • The__Wolf
    The__Wolf Posts: 92 Member
    - the human body can only absorb a certain amount of protein to build muscle mass during a certain period of time
    - The human body is highly efficient when it comes to prioritizing calories and it generally only builds muscle mass when there is a repeated need (i.e. continued stress on a particular muscle)
    - muscle mass accumulation (hypertrophy) is enabled by a number of anabolic hormones (e.g. testosterone) which have very different concentrations in men and women in most circumstances which results in women not being able to put on as much muscle mass as men despite comparable effort and diet.
    - Protein shakes do not automatically turn into muscle mass unless you are providing the body with a reason to build muscle
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    The__Wolf wrote: »
    - the human body can only absorb a certain amount of protein to build muscle mass during a certain period of time
    - The human body is highly efficient when it comes to prioritizing calories and it generally only builds muscle mass when there is a repeated need (i.e. continued stress on a particular muscle)
    - Protein shakes do not automatically turn into muscle mass unless you are providing the body with a reason to build muscle

    The 3 points above are not correct.

    -macronutrient timing is not important
    -The human body is incredibly inefficient
    -Protein shakes never "turn into muscle mass"

    The bro-science you have spouted in the 3 threads I have just read are not helpful for anyone.
  • The__Wolf
    The__Wolf Posts: 92 Member
    The__Wolf wrote: »
    - the human body can only absorb a certain amount of protein to build muscle mass during a certain period of time
    - The human body is highly efficient when it comes to prioritizing calories and it generally only builds muscle mass when there is a repeated need (i.e. continued stress on a particular muscle)
    - Protein shakes do not automatically turn into muscle mass unless you are providing the body with a reason to build muscle

    The 3 points above are not correct.

    -macronutrient timing is not important
    -The human body is incredibly inefficient
    -Protein shakes never "turn into muscle mass"

    The bro-science you have spouted in the 3 threads I have just read are not helpful for anyone.

    - OK? The above point is not an endorsement of "meal timing" (which I agree is absolute broscience) but a simple way of saying that there is an upward bound to the capacity of the amino acid transporters within the small intestines and the availability of short term storage within the labile protein reserve and skeletal muscle tissue. The rest is oxidized into fuel via gluconeogenesis. The reality is that there is definitely a cap for how much protein is utilized for lean mass vs turned into an energy substrate. Sorry if this is too "broscience" for you, bruv.
    - Your definition and my definition around efficiency is very different. When it comes to energy storage, the human body's framework is built around maximizing the long term availability of calories which is why it will use prioritize metabolically active sources (muscles) over less metabolically active sources (fat). I would understand your response if I didn't explicitly make the context clear.
    - You're saying the same thing I'm saying. There are multiple steps between protein consumption and lean mass development.

    Finally, I'm not sure who pissed in your cereal but you seem to be going out of your way to find areas of disagreement.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    The__Wolf wrote: »
    The__Wolf wrote: »
    - the human body can only absorb a certain amount of protein to build muscle mass during a certain period of time
    - The human body is highly efficient when it comes to prioritizing calories and it generally only builds muscle mass when there is a repeated need (i.e. continued stress on a particular muscle)
    - Protein shakes do not automatically turn into muscle mass unless you are providing the body with a reason to build muscle

    The 3 points above are not correct.

    -macronutrient timing is not important
    -The human body is incredibly inefficient
    -Protein shakes never "turn into muscle mass"

    The bro-science you have spouted in the 3 threads I have just read are not helpful for anyone.

    - OK? The above point is not an endorsement of "meal timing" (which I agree is absolute broscience) but a simple way of saying that there is an upward bound to the capacity of the amino acid transporters within the small intestines and the availability of short term storage within the labile protein reserve and skeletal muscle tissue. The rest is oxidized into fuel via gluconeogenesis. The reality is that there is definitely a cap for how much protein is utilized for lean mass vs turned into an energy substrate. Sorry if this is too "broscience" for you, bruv.
    - Your definition and my definition around efficiency is very different. When it comes to energy storage, the human body's framework is built around maximizing the long term availability of calories which is why it will use prioritize metabolically active sources (muscles) over less metabolically active sources (fat). I would understand your response if I didn't explicitly make the context clear.
    - You're saying the same thing I'm saying. There are multiple steps between protein consumption and lean mass development.

    Finally, I'm not sure who pissed in your cereal but you seem to be going out of your way to find areas of disagreement.

    Despite the fact that this is true, regardless of the fact that these amino acids are being used for ATP production through gluconeogenesis, they are still triggering anabolic signalling before being oxidized. To try and say that one must "spread out" protein consumption is just simply incorrect.

    You can hear some more about this here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTF9YR6BU9k&t=407s
  • cityruss
    cityruss Posts: 2,493 Member
    No.

    But I want to live in a world where they do.
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    edited December 2016
    sarko15 wrote: »
    sarko15 wrote: »
    I wouldn't say you would get bulky, but I also have a pretty small frame and the calories in protein (as in, with protein powder) shakes definitely make me gain weight when I drink them regularly. Same with protein bars. This might not be the same for you, but that was my experience. Take a look at the nutrition facts on your protein powder and see if it's worth it to you.

    I'm not trying to gain serious muscle so I'm expending enough calories. I mostly drink green smoothies with spinach and kale which have a ton of protein and nutrition but not all the calories. Like everyone else said, if you're trying to lose make sure you aren't consuming more calories than you expend.

    Those things would only make you gain weight if they put you in a calorie surplus.

    If you were in a calorie deficit, it would literally be impossible for protein shakes alone to make you gain weight.

    I use protein powder consistently in a deficit and lose weight. They're really not that calorific depending on which one you buy and don't add a bunch of stuff to them.

    Definitely. That was what I was trying to explain. Obviously protein shakes won't make you gain weight alone. In my experience (and do let me know which protein powder you use that's low calorie because I want in on that) they're pretty caloric, and I'm not eating enough calories to justify one meal of a protein shake that is that many calories, because I think it's important for me to keep to 3 meals a day for consistency. So that's why I can't do protein shakes because it constantly eats up precious calories. If your calorie goal was 2000, that's different, but a lot of people with slighter builds are eating around 1200 or so. To each their own, but there are other ways to get adequate protein in smoothies without protein powder that have fewer calories if you are already eating at a low number, which was my suggestion because she asked for suggestions.

    My pre-exercise calorie goal is 1500 calories, with exercise I generally will eat up to 1800 calories. Whey isolate is the best option, IMO, if you want a lower-calorie protein shake. Mine is 150 calories for 41 grams, which gives me around 30 g of protein. Mixed with 8 oz of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, that is 180 calories. That's a snack.

    And I'm glad that you understand that energy balance is the key to weight loss/gain. I was responding to this statement in your post:
    the calories in protein (as in, with protein powder) shakes definitely make me gain weight when I drink them regularly. Same with protein bars.

    I think it's important for others reading to understand that calories are what matter here, and that it was not the protein shakes or bars that cause you to gain weight.

    Continue eating how you like - I'm not saying you should be using protein supplements. I just want to make sure that accurate information is presented in this thread, since the OP seems to be a common misconception that many women have.
  • The__Wolf
    The__Wolf Posts: 92 Member
    rainbowbow wrote: »
    The__Wolf wrote: »
    The__Wolf wrote: »
    - the human body can only absorb a certain amount of protein to build muscle mass during a certain period of time
    - The human body is highly efficient when it comes to prioritizing calories and it generally only builds muscle mass when there is a repeated need (i.e. continued stress on a particular muscle)
    - Protein shakes do not automatically turn into muscle mass unless you are providing the body with a reason to build muscle

    The 3 points above are not correct.

    -macronutrient timing is not important
    -The human body is incredibly inefficient
    -Protein shakes never "turn into muscle mass"

    The bro-science you have spouted in the 3 threads I have just read are not helpful for anyone.

    - OK? The above point is not an endorsement of "meal timing" (which I agree is absolute broscience) but a simple way of saying that there is an upward bound to the capacity of the amino acid transporters within the small intestines and the availability of short term storage within the labile protein reserve and skeletal muscle tissue. The rest is oxidized into fuel via gluconeogenesis. The reality is that there is definitely a cap for how much protein is utilized for lean mass vs turned into an energy substrate. Sorry if this is too "broscience" for you, bruv.
    - Your definition and my definition around efficiency is very different. When it comes to energy storage, the human body's framework is built around maximizing the long term availability of calories which is why it will use prioritize metabolically active sources (muscles) over less metabolically active sources (fat). I would understand your response if I didn't explicitly make the context clear.
    - You're saying the same thing I'm saying. There are multiple steps between protein consumption and lean mass development.

    Finally, I'm not sure who pissed in your cereal but you seem to be going out of your way to find areas of disagreement.

    Despite the fact that this is true, regardless of the fact that these amino acids are being used for ATP production through gluconeogenesis, they are still triggering anabolic signalling before being oxidized. To try and say that one must "spread out" protein consumption is just simply incorrect.

    You can hear some more about this here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTF9YR6BU9k&t=407s

    ... re-read my first sentence... now explain how I suggested that one MUST "spread out" anything?

    My point was simple - there is a limit to how much protein your body will utilize. There was no implication or recommendation offered there.
  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    jessef593 wrote: »
    If all it all it takes is protein shakes to get huge then why do body builders take steroid stacks of trenbolone, clenbuteral, T3, anadrol, anavar, dianabol, and so forth? Every single one of those have mild to severe life altering side effects. Also, a protein shake is no more than a concentrated glass of milk.. Just with reduced lactose and increased protein.

    I know the point you are trying to make but you are ill-informed about the majority of those substances if you think they get you "huge".


    I know that T3 is a thyroid medication which increases metabolic rate which aids in fat loss for body builders, clenbuteral is also used to increase metabolic rate for fat loss. Anavar is a mild steroid, anadrol is one of the most potent steroids developed for people with degenerative diseases in order to preserve muscle mass. Trenbolone Is an extremely powerful testoterone developed for increasing lean mass on cattle, which also happens to have a shared effect on humans. I was making a point with several substances used by body builders in order to gain lean mass, and also to get to a shredded physique.
  • Lizarking
    Lizarking Posts: 507 Member
    Arnold said it best... and I'm paraphrasing here:

    Person: Arnold I don't want to look like you.
    Arnold: Don't worry, you won't.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Hello everyone ! So i need a little help. I want to lose weight of course. Will drinking a protein shake in the am or pm every day along with good diet and exercise make me huge ? I want a small thin frame which im used to having . and if it wont ,what type of protein shake should i be drinking.?

    No more than chicken will make you bulky..
This discussion has been closed.