The Point of Protein Shakes

sassyjae21

I see a lot of stuff about protein shakes on here, but never really understand what people use them for (besides for the obvious). Are they meal replacements? Do people just use them to build muscle? Are they actually beneficial? Or just a waste of calories and money? What's your take?

neanderthin

To supplement their protein intake. Some people need to do that. Personally I don't drink shakes because I have no problem getting enough protein. No right or wrong as long as shakes aren't using most of someones daily calorie allotment.

QuietBloom

I use them to up my protein without having to eat a lot of meat, which I am not good at doing. Not a vegetarian or anything like that. It's just not my favorite thing. I have been known to eat my cereal in the morning with a scoop of protein powder mixed in the milk. Yum. I usually drink one shake a day (as part of a meal or not, I don't really pay attention to 'breakfast, lunch and dinner' thinking.)

Having said that, I think I would be better served to eat actual meat, as I am no doubt missing out on great nutrients that you can't get any other way.

neanderthin

I use them to up my protein without having to eat a lot of meat, which I am not good at doing. Not a vegetarian or anything like that. It's just not my favorite thing. I have been known to eat my cereal in the morning with a scoop of protein powder mixed in the milk. Yum. I usually drink one shake a day (as part of a meal or not, I don't really pay attention to 'breakfast, lunch and dinner' thinking.)

Having said that, I think I would be better served to eat actual meat, as I am no doubt missing out on great nutrients that you can't get any other way.

You need to sample my duck confit then....

callie006

I rarely eat meat and have a difficult time getting enough protein without going over my calories without shakes or bars or other things I bake with protein powder. I usually have a shake as a snack or part of a meal. If I'm having fish (usually once or twice per week) or eating other meat (happens once in a blue moon) I usually don't need a shake and will skip it.

silveropes

on days I work I go from 630 am until 2pm without a food break. I drink a protein shake to help me make it so I don't hit up the drive thru on the way home.

3foldchord

I thought the point of protein shakes was to increase ones protein.

I use them to get more protein in my diet.

-I am on a high protein diet to help with my hypoglycemia and migraines. I can't often reach my protein goal (130grams) without them.
-when I am having bad migraines or yet another bronchitis-like-cold, I do use them as meals, because I don't feel well enough to cook/make/eat "real food"

Mr_Knight

You need to sample my duck confit then....

Oh my....

sassyjae21

I thought the point of protein shakes was to increase ones protein.

You seemed to have missed the part where I said "Besides the obvious".

What I am wondering, which most of you have answered, was whether or not people take them to bulk up (more protein), or because they are lacking it in other areas.

Thanks, everyone!

beckyzalldat

glad you asked this question....I was wondering the same

SezxyStef

I use protien shakes and powder in my breakfast smootie if I am working in the office. Hard to scramble eggs and cook bacon at work.

So for me it's just to supplement my protien when /if I know I can't get it the old fashion way.

BenjaminMFP88

I use them to suppliment some additional protein in my diet and as a meal replacement. I don't get to the gym until late at night so it works well as a final meal for me after my workout.

cwolfman13

They are a supplement, not a meal replacement. I for example try to get in around 145 - 150 grams of protein per day which I find difficult without supplementing with a protein shake...sometimes two per day.

Protein is a pretty important macro and not just for bulking up...without adequate protein during a cut or dieting, you will lose more muscle mass than you otherwise would. Protein helps protect your muscle in every way.

sassyjae21

Great, thanks for the answers! I'm thinking of adding them into my diet. I have a hard time reaching calories. I just don't get that hungry . But I work out a lot and I don't want to be losing muscle or breaking my body down. I think I'll try to incorporate them and see if that helps.

FindingMyself24

I use them as a meal replacement but also to get extra protein in my vegetarian diet.

MyOwnSunshine

I had a bariatric surgery called a "sleeve," which makes the stomach drastically smaller. In order to meet my protein macros when I'm lifting and trying to maintain/build lean mass, I need to supplement with protein shakes. I simply cannot eat more than 3-5 ounces of dense protein at a time. I do try to get as much protein as possible from food sources, but I do rely on a protein shake (and sometimes a bar or an extra shake) to hit my desired macros.

crybaby2384

I drink a protein shake after every workout. It helps your body build and maintain muscle. I prefer to have a lot of protein in my diet also. If I don't I start feeling all sick and moody.

Phoenix_Warrior

I only use them if I can't get my protein intake for the day ( too busy, etc). Otherwise, I look to meet my protein macro elsewhere. I never use them as a meal replacement.

Francl27

I prefer protein bars. But I use protein powders on oatmeal (or make protein pancakes).

billsica

I shall answer your question with a question?

Do you lift, bro?

eric_sg61

Only use them pre & post workout.

Jersey_Devil

use them as a supplement, not as a replacement. It may be the "obvious" as you say, but it's to help you reach your protein goals. If someone is on a bulk, they may add lots of extra calories as well. (adding cottage cheese, milk, fruit, baby spinach etc...)

sassyjae21

I shall answer your question with a question?

Do you lift, bro?

I don't, but I would like to start. Not sure where to begin. :ohwell:

lngrunert

I sometimes use them as a meal replacement for breakfast only, because I have very little appetite in the morning but would be ravenous if I ate nothing until lunch on a work day. A protein shake or breakfast bar is plenty for me in the a.m., and it leaves me with lots of calories for the afternoon and evening, which is when I'm really hungry.

kaylorraine44

I use it to supplement my protein intake. I'm a flexetarian so I don't like preparing and eating meat every single day.

ironanimal

Makes it easier to get the protein you need in, and it's pretty cheap versus a lot of alternatives (£ per gram/protein basis).

PikaKnight

I thought the point of protein shakes was to increase ones protein.

You seemed to have missed the part where I said "Besides the obvious".

What I am wondering, which most of you have answered, was whether or not people take them to bulk up (more protein), or because they are lacking it in other areas.

Thanks, everyone!

The obvious answer is the only answer - to help those meet their protein macro. If you want to "bulk up" that'd require you to eat at a calorie surplus.

randomtai

I thought the point of protein shakes was to increase ones protein.

You seemed to have missed the part where I said "Besides the obvious".

What I am wondering, which most of you have answered, was whether or not people take them to bulk up (more protein), or because they are lacking it in other areas.

Thanks, everyone!

The obvious answer is the only answer - to help those meet their protein macro. If you want to "bulk up" that'd require you to eat at a calorie surplus.

Obvious question has obvious answer :laugh:

ShaunShaunphenomenon

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this. Most of the time Protein is find in poly something I forgot the name of it, but it's to help you with your amino acids that your body would naturally digest in things such as meats, eggs, fish etc. things high in protein.

Another huge thing which a lot of people (myself included) use protein shakes for is to help repair damaged tissue in athletes. If I have a bad day and believe something is sore, i take some protein and also some glutamine as well to help with the recovery. Most of the time people use it when their carbs are a little low so they can help build muscle quicker. You've heard of a low carb diet, this is a supplement which people use for that as well.

This is only a small bit of what I know. I was like you and said "Look at those people drinking that gross powdered stuff, I wonder why they do it" so then I learned why.

I don't normally drink them unless I'm repairing or cutting in my diet. I rarely cut though it's mostly for repairing torn tissue etc.

I hope this helps.

getfitwithjackie

When I increased my protein & decreased my carbs I lost weight quickly so I usually have a scoop per day to get a lot of protein with not a lot of calories (there are lots of good protein powders out there at only 100 calories). I generally like to eat my calories, so I usually go with 1 per day, 100 cals, versus those 300-400 cal ones.

mmm_drop

For me, they are an easy, quick, filling breakfast.

If I make my smoothie minus the protein it just isn't nearly as filling.