Uneasy about protein shakes

littletoblerone

So I've decided to try the The New Rules of Lifting for Women and the program includes a protein shake after every workout session.
The thing is I've never used protein shakes of any kind, and in my mind there's a sort of a prejudice towards them believing they belong in the group of steroids and unhealthy unnatural things.
Now I understand what protein is and I completely understand they're not really on the unhealthy side at all, but still, I sort of need a bit of a mental and moral boost when it comes to them.

Are there any health risks related to them? Will I find instructions for use on the packaging? Is it usually just powder or what? What are your experiences with them generally? And above all, is there a reason to be worried?

Thanks!

micheleb15

You realize that meat is protein right? No health risks. Two scoops is usually a serving. Most are powder form. You're way overthinking this.

GetSoda

Usually powder, and some are better than others. Most contain artificial sweeteners. Some carry inflammatory thickeners like Carrageenan.

i would suggest Truetein. It's delicious, has a great nutrient profile, and the least amount of garbage.

You can always just eat some cottage cheese, too. Look for cottage cheese with ingredients like "Cheese, milk, salt" and that's about it.

kikicooks

You don't have to have the protein shake right after lifting, its just suggested for an fast, easy way to get in protein to help repair your muscles right away. If you don't want to get protein powder, then don't, just find other ways to get it in. If you'd like to give the shakes a try just read your labels and research any ingredients that you question. Personally I like Optimum Nutrition and Trutein protein powders.

MoreBean13

Whey is the same exact protein that's in cheese. It's just separated dairy protein.

kgeiger141

It's just a good way to get a high amount of protein, much needed if you're working out in general, but especially if you're lifting/building muscle. Gotta repair those guns somehow!

If you aren't looking for anything terribly specific, I would just go to your local grocery store in the pharmacy/health section they usually have a lot of different types of protien powder (usually it's powder). If you don't have anything specific you're working on, then you don't need anything specific. Get the 100% whey if you're unsure. Any brand will do. Consume within 30 minutes after your workout. It will have directions right on the container for you. You might want to invest in a mixer/shaker, but you can easily just stir it into a glass or put it in a regular water bottle.

Best of luck!!

SirBonerFart

it's flavored powder milk

fivethreeone

Like all prejudice, this prejudice is caused by ignorance.

Be glad you now know the truth and can move past it.

AllonsYtotheTardis

You don't have to use protein shakes if you don't want to. They are often used because they are convenient (and are sometimes the easiest way for some people to meet their protein targets for the day). There's nothing wrong with it, though.

You can get your protein from your regular food if you choose - it's pretty easy if you don't have a really high protein requirement. (My protein target is 100g daily, which I find no problem if I plan accordingly). Depends on your particular needs.

redheaddee

Whey is the same exact protein that's in cheese. It's just separated dairy protein.

damn, she beat me to it. So...

+1

Acg67

You're no longer natty if you use protein shakes

fivethreeone

You're no longer natty if you use protein shakes

:laugh:

talikaveronica

I love my protein shakes. Sometimes after a workout or even before bed. Go to a supplement store like Popeyes or something and ask questions. They will find a good one for you. Powdered form and different flavors. They also often have extra vits and minerals your body needs. All goodness.

whierd

Vitamins made me bulky.

Shock_Wave

Protein is a food and food in general when you eat it makes your body anabolic. Steroids also make your body anabolic so I guess in that regard both food and steriods can be the same. Although food is nutritional and packed with nutrients that your body needs to survive in order to live, steroids are not..

wild_wild_life

So I've decided to try the The New Rules of Lifting for Women and the program includes a protein shake after every workout session.
The thing is I've never used protein shakes of any kind, and in my mind there's a sort of a prejudice towards them believing they belong in the group of steroids and unhealthy unnatural things.

They don't belong in that group. It's more like ensure:nursing home as protein powder:gym.

Are there any health risks related to them?

No

Will I find instructions for use on the packaging?

Yes

Is it usually just powder or what?

Powder, but you can buy ready to drink liquid too.

What are your experiences with them generally? And above all, is there a reason to be worried?

They are a just a convenient way to get protein, with the added benefit of being easy to drink in your pre or post-workout window or whenever you want to consume them. No reason to be worried. If you're trying to avoid artificial sweeteners, sugar or anything else, read the fine print. See if you can get them in sample packets so you can try a few different kinds.

Or skip them and meet your protein goals with whole foods. Either way works.

Iron_Lotus

There are more steroids in the meat you eat than in protein powder lol

It's protein there is no steroids in protein powders. It will not harm you there are no side effects except meeting your protein macro and some of them are quite yummy.

SirBonerFart

There are more steroids in the meat you eat than in protein powder lol

It's protein there is no steroids in protein powders. It will not harm you there are no side effects except meeting your protein macro and some of them are quite yummy.

like creatine

Iron_Lotus

There are more steroids in the meat you eat than in protein powder lol

It's protein there is no steroids in protein powders. It will not harm you there are no side effects except meeting your protein macro and some of them are quite yummy.

like creatine

LOL! Yes like creatine *insert sarcasm*

littletoblerone

Thank you very much everyone! You've basically did everything I asked from you - reassured me that it's alright to start doing it.

explosivedonut

Dude if you are worried about protein, don't take a look at creatine. I'll just share my personal story.

On a cold Friday afternoon, I had come home from school. I had been thinking of the gym all day. I was hungry, didn't have any lunch. In fact, I didn't eat because I spent the money. For the past month I was saving up for something. Something special which I bought at GNC. I was surprised they didn't ask for ID; I was pretty sure the cashier noticed how nervous I was. Anyways, my mom asked my how my day was when I got home, but I ignored her. I have more important things to do. I run to the bathroom and unpack my bag. In my school bag is a white plastic bag from GNC. I open the bag, first removing the receipt and flushing it down the toilet to get rid of the evidence. My heart was racing now. I unpack the creatine monster from the bag.

I wonder what people will be asking me when they see that I will be 50lbs heavier. Should I say I was just eating a lot? I remove the label from the tub and tear it into a thousand small pieces. I flush that down the toilet, too. It is time now. I run up to my room when my mom ask me what I am holding. I panic, sweat drips down my forehead and my teeth chatter. "Mom, it's just for a school project". "What project?" "I don't know mom I just started it!". A tear runs down my cheek. I run upstairs and open the creatine, scooping upservings into a clear water bottle. What have I gotten myself into? I fill it with water and drink it. There is no turning back now. The creatine monster is inside me now, it will control me. What should I do if I die? I cant let my family know about this.

I open the creatine tub and throw it all out the window; a white cloud of mysterious dust sparkles into the wind so graciously. I feel the substance taking control of me; I am now the monster. I walk downstairs, its time to work out; time to get big. Now I worry, I don't want to get too big; people will think I use steroids. I do use steroids. No I don't. Creatine. All I see is the weights now, I am almost downstairs when I hear "Do you want a cookie I just baked". I know I do not have time for this **** now. "No mom I do not want a cookie" I walk in the basement and drop to my knees before the weights, tears running down my cheeks. I turn to the right and look at myself in the mirror. Oh god, what have I done?

Creatine, Not Even Once

JoRocka

baw ha ha ha ha

lmfao

nice. I love it.

limyers0419

PlantFusion is the only protein powder I use. Love it and feel pretty good about putting it in my body. I usually drink it for breakfast though. I like the vanilla bean flavor and I like to add half a banana and some pb2 powder. Sometimes I like to put cocoa in for a change up.

http://plantfusion.net/

sr72090

Dude if you are worried about protein, don't take a look at creatine. I'll just share my personal story.

On a cold Friday afternoon, I had come home from school. I had been thinking of the gym all day. I was hungry, didn't have any lunch. In fact, I didn't eat because I spent the money. For the past month I was saving up for something. Something special which I bought at GNC. I was surprised they didn't ask for ID; I was pretty sure the cashier noticed how nervous I was. Anyways, my mom asked my how my day was when I got home, but I ignored her. I have more important things to do. I run to the bathroom and unpack my bag. In my school bag is a white plastic bag from GNC. I open the bag, first removing the receipt and flushing it down the toilet to get rid of the evidence. My heart was racing now. I unpack the creatine monster from the bag.

I wonder what people will be asking me when they see that I will be 50lbs heavier. Should I say I was just eating a lot? I remove the label from the tub and tear it into a thousand small pieces. I flush that down the toilet, too. It is time now. I run up to my room when my mom ask me what I am holding. I panic, sweat drips down my forehead and my teeth chatter. "Mom, it's just for a school project". "What project?" "I don't know mom I just started it!". A tear runs down my cheek. I run upstairs and open the creatine, scooping upservings into a clear water bottle. What have I gotten myself into? I fill it with water and drink it. There is no turning back now. The creatine monster is inside me now, it will control me. What should I do if I die? I cant let my family know about this.

I open the creatine tub and throw it all out the window; a white cloud of mysterious dust sparkles into the wind so graciously. I feel the substance taking control of me; I am now the monster. I walk downstairs, its time to work out; time to get big. Now I worry, I don't want to get too big; people will think I use steroids. I do use steroids. No I don't. Creatine. All I see is the weights now, I am almost downstairs when I hear "Do you want a cookie I just baked". I know I do not have time for this **** now. "No mom I do not want a cookie" I walk in the basement and drop to my knees before the weights, tears running down my cheeks. I turn to the right and look at myself in the mirror. Oh god, what have I done?

Creatine, Not Even Once

Perfect.

KathieSwenson

I was really sore from exercising the other day and had heard how good protein powder is good for you as far as repairing muscles. I was so sore I could barely move. I bought some protein powder and drank it yesterday morning for breakfast (I was full after drinking it). I then Exercised yesterday and today I woke up I was not sore. However my back was killing me but I have extreme back problems and weather changes caused that issue. I also say I had a lot more energy and was up moving all day because of it. Muscle is good it raises the metabolism and in turn the more muscle the faster you will loose the fat.

I'm glad someone mentioned to check the ingredients for artificial sweetness. Fortunately for me the one that I bought doesn't have aspartame in it otherwise I would be heading to the hospital but its information that is very important for people who can't have aspartame/nutra sweet. However so far, every time I have dank a shake I started feeling better and my energy is up, I will probably do mma workout tonight to change it up from Zumba. Assuming I can get rid of this headache and my back pain. All in all I'm pretty impressed with protein powder and think that you should try it.