Protein powders: are they worth it?
Replies
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for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »My quick and dirty take on protein powders. If you know that you are going to be short on your protein goal for the day, you may want to make you a shake to make up the deficit. But I wouldn't use them as they were regular meals.
1) They're not intended to be regular meals. A meal replacement shake (as opposed to a protein shake) has more evenly balanced nutrition. They're intended to supplement your protein intake if you're not getting enough from the rest of your diet, with minimal calories from other macronutrients.
2) I wouldn't use any shake as a regular meal because I don't find them particularly satiating. If I'm actually hungry, a protein shake (or any drink/liquid) doesn't do much of anything as far as satisfying my hunger.
I do peek in diaries on occasion and you'd be surprised at the number of those who do.
There's nothing wrong with consuming protein powder alone, as long you fill the rest of the macros you need, it's not the end of the world. Protein powder is a food, if a person enjoys it more than chicken or turkey....who cares?0 -
for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »My quick and dirty take on protein powders. If you know that you are going to be short on your protein goal for the day, you may want to make you a shake to make up the deficit. But I wouldn't use them as they were regular meals.
1) They're not intended to be regular meals. A meal replacement shake (as opposed to a protein shake) has more evenly balanced nutrition. They're intended to supplement your protein intake if you're not getting enough from the rest of your diet, with minimal calories from other macronutrients.
2) I wouldn't use any shake as a regular meal because I don't find them particularly satiating. If I'm actually hungry, a protein shake (or any drink/liquid) doesn't do much of anything as far as satisfying my hunger.
I do peek in diaries on occasion and you'd be surprised at the number of those who do.
There's nothing wrong with consuming protein powder alone, as long you fill the rest of the macros you need, it's not the end of the world. Protein powder is a food, if a person enjoys it more than chicken or turkey....who cares?
Just having a discussion. No need to get testy.0 -
for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »My quick and dirty take on protein powders. If you know that you are going to be short on your protein goal for the day, you may want to make you a shake to make up the deficit. But I wouldn't use them as they were regular meals.
1) They're not intended to be regular meals. A meal replacement shake (as opposed to a protein shake) has more evenly balanced nutrition. They're intended to supplement your protein intake if you're not getting enough from the rest of your diet, with minimal calories from other macronutrients.
2) I wouldn't use any shake as a regular meal because I don't find them particularly satiating. If I'm actually hungry, a protein shake (or any drink/liquid) doesn't do much of anything as far as satisfying my hunger.
I do peek in diaries on occasion and you'd be surprised at the number of those who do.
There's nothing wrong with consuming protein powder alone, as long you fill the rest of the macros you need, it's not the end of the world. Protein powder is a food, if a person enjoys it more than chicken or turkey....who cares?
Just having a discussion. No need to get testy.
Not getting testy, I just don't see the big deal if someone prefers protein powder over food.1 -
for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »My quick and dirty take on protein powders. If you know that you are going to be short on your protein goal for the day, you may want to make you a shake to make up the deficit. But I wouldn't use them as they were regular meals.
1) They're not intended to be regular meals. A meal replacement shake (as opposed to a protein shake) has more evenly balanced nutrition. They're intended to supplement your protein intake if you're not getting enough from the rest of your diet, with minimal calories from other macronutrients.
2) I wouldn't use any shake as a regular meal because I don't find them particularly satiating. If I'm actually hungry, a protein shake (or any drink/liquid) doesn't do much of anything as far as satisfying my hunger.
I do peek in diaries on occasion and you'd be surprised at the number of those who do.
There's nothing wrong with consuming protein powder alone, as long you fill the rest of the macros you need, it's not the end of the world. Protein powder is a food, if a person enjoys it more than chicken or turkey....who cares?
Just having a discussion. No need to get testy.
Not getting testy, I just don't see the big deal if someone prefers protein powder over food.
Hmmmm. But you said in a prior post that protein powder is food.0 -
I use protein powder because it is pretty darn helpful in hitting my macros without going over on my calories (and getting to eat more than just meat day to day). Plus, it's fast, easy, and doesn't require much prep or cleanup, something my crazy schedule appreciates!
I just have a shake post workout though, as my breakfast. I don't use it on days I don't workout.0 -
for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »My quick and dirty take on protein powders. If you know that you are going to be short on your protein goal for the day, you may want to make you a shake to make up the deficit. But I wouldn't use them as they were regular meals.
1) They're not intended to be regular meals. A meal replacement shake (as opposed to a protein shake) has more evenly balanced nutrition. They're intended to supplement your protein intake if you're not getting enough from the rest of your diet, with minimal calories from other macronutrients.
2) I wouldn't use any shake as a regular meal because I don't find them particularly satiating. If I'm actually hungry, a protein shake (or any drink/liquid) doesn't do much of anything as far as satisfying my hunger.
I do peek in diaries on occasion and you'd be surprised at the number of those who do.
There's nothing wrong with consuming protein powder alone, as long you fill the rest of the macros you need, it's not the end of the world. Protein powder is a food, if a person enjoys it more than chicken or turkey....who cares?
Just having a discussion. No need to get testy.
Not getting testy, I just don't see the big deal if someone prefers protein powder over food.
Hmmmm. But you said in a prior post that protein powder is food.
It is, I probably should've termed it as "Other foods".1 -
for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »My quick and dirty take on protein powders. If you know that you are going to be short on your protein goal for the day, you may want to make you a shake to make up the deficit. But I wouldn't use them as they were regular meals.
1) They're not intended to be regular meals. A meal replacement shake (as opposed to a protein shake) has more evenly balanced nutrition. They're intended to supplement your protein intake if you're not getting enough from the rest of your diet, with minimal calories from other macronutrients.
2) I wouldn't use any shake as a regular meal because I don't find them particularly satiating. If I'm actually hungry, a protein shake (or any drink/liquid) doesn't do much of anything as far as satisfying my hunger.
I do peek in diaries on occasion and you'd be surprised at the number of those who do.
I'm not surprised by anything in regards to the things people do nutrition-wise. Amazed sometimes (in a facepalm, eye-rolly kind of way), but not surprised.2 -
for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »My quick and dirty take on protein powders. If you know that you are going to be short on your protein goal for the day, you may want to make you a shake to make up the deficit. But I wouldn't use them as they were regular meals.
1) They're not intended to be regular meals. A meal replacement shake (as opposed to a protein shake) has more evenly balanced nutrition. They're intended to supplement your protein intake if you're not getting enough from the rest of your diet, with minimal calories from other macronutrients.
2) I wouldn't use any shake as a regular meal because I don't find them particularly satiating. If I'm actually hungry, a protein shake (or any drink/liquid) doesn't do much of anything as far as satisfying my hunger.
I do peek in diaries on occasion and you'd be surprised at the number of those who do.
I'm not surprised by anything in regards to the things people do nutrition-wise. Amazed sometimes (in a facepalm, eye-rolly kind of way), but not surprised.
True. I'd also say that everything depends on whose diaries you peek in, it's unlikely to be an average sampling.0 -
for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »My quick and dirty take on protein powders. If you know that you are going to be short on your protein goal for the day, you may want to make you a shake to make up the deficit. But I wouldn't use them as they were regular meals.
1) They're not intended to be regular meals. A meal replacement shake (as opposed to a protein shake) has more evenly balanced nutrition. They're intended to supplement your protein intake if you're not getting enough from the rest of your diet, with minimal calories from other macronutrients.
2) I wouldn't use any shake as a regular meal because I don't find them particularly satiating. If I'm actually hungry, a protein shake (or any drink/liquid) doesn't do much of anything as far as satisfying my hunger.
I do peek in diaries on occasion and you'd be surprised at the number of those who do.
I'm not surprised by anything in regards to the things people do nutrition-wise. Amazed sometimes (in a facepalm, eye-rolly kind of way), but not surprised.
I cringe more when I see 1200 calories diets with no fruits and veggies in there. Not sure what is more scary, the fact that a high percentage of women eat at 1200 calories despite doing a *kitten* load of exercises or the fact that they eat no micronutrients and little fiber for the number of calories they eat.1 -
for_ever_young66 wrote: »for_ever_young66 wrote: »My quick and dirty take on protein powders. If you know that you are going to be short on your protein goal for the day, you may want to make you a shake to make up the deficit. But I wouldn't use them as they were regular meals.
1) They're not intended to be regular meals. A meal replacement shake (as opposed to a protein shake) has more evenly balanced nutrition. They're intended to supplement your protein intake if you're not getting enough from the rest of your diet, with minimal calories from other macronutrients.
2) I wouldn't use any shake as a regular meal because I don't find them particularly satiating. If I'm actually hungry, a protein shake (or any drink/liquid) doesn't do much of anything as far as satisfying my hunger.
I do peek in diaries on occasion and you'd be surprised at the number of those who do.
I'm not surprised by anything in regards to the things people do nutrition-wise. Amazed sometimes (in a facepalm, eye-rolly kind of way), but not surprised.
I cringe more when I see 1200 calories diets with no fruits and veggies in there. Not sure what is more scary, the fact that a high percentage of women eat at 1200 calories despite doing a *kitten* load of exercises or the fact that they eat no micronutrients and little fiber for the number of calories they eat.
Or do they buy into the WW way and just don't log fruit and veggies. Hard to tell sometimes.0 -
I use them when for whatever reason I am below my protein goal. I really like to make protein fluff, it makes a huge bowl for the calories so takes a while to eat, and the protein content makes it extremely filling to me. I find it seriously helpful for when I just want to binge eat something sweet.0
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I'm not finding them worth it after a few years of experimentation. Currently I have a "vegan" mix on the counter.
Being on a stupid low calorie diet, and an allergy elimination diet, I thought these powders would help in staying reasonable on calories while providing some of the nutrients I was worried I am missing.
I'm beginning to see the idiocy in all of it, really.
If I were motivated enough to pull the blender out every time, I'm sure I could make some fancier shakes. Reality is that I also thought the quick convenience of shaking powder with liquid was a selling point, I don't need to create more dirty dishes than necessary, No? Not so much.
Cows milk and my digestive system is a rotten combination, goat milk fairs better but is expensive here, and there's something lacking in rice milk for me in terms of enjoyment. All nuts currently seem to give me hives, as well as banana and avocado, so those mixers are out even before calorie load was considered. I could go on, but currently this is a major negative for the efforts and cost.
Besides ingredient issues, I have yet to find a powder with a decent taste. They all suck, honestly, unless you add a ton of things like honey (that's a negative for me right now), chocolate, etc. I just don't seem to ever enjoy the taste or consistency. Moving beyond that, if I chug one down, I feel real funny for hours. I don't think my stomach enjoys that much liquid at once, it really does prefer actual food. In the morning, I drink my coffee and then have to wait a bit before eating as even that is just too much liquid. Never heard of anyone else having that issue though. Maybe the powder could be added to coffee, but I thought I read the heat of hot coffee would alter the powder negatively, and I haven't been willing to sacrifice a perfect cup of coffee to potential powderous ruin.0 -
I've been drinking some sort of shake thing in the morning since i'm a little girl. i'm not a breakfast person and this way I get some nutrition before i'm out the door.0
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I think it varies so much from person to person it's impossible to say definitively how worth it they are. As PP have mentioned, some people few it as a supplement and some people treat it as a meal replacement. For me, protein powders are absolutely worth it. I eat a mostly plant based diet, and have a (taste) preference for large quantities of vegetables so without protein powder/bar supplements I would be hard pressed to reach my protein goals. Protein bars are especially helpful to me as a snack with a decent amount of calories when I'm (mentally) struggling to eat enough. Yes, it would be cheaper to drink a large amount of milk and eat some spoonfuls of peanut butter, but I won't, so instead I invest in the items I know I'll actually consume.
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