Protein Powders?

JessicaWhosit
JessicaWhosit Posts: 38
in Food and Nutrition
Hi!

My name is Jessica. I'm getting started with fitness again and am quite overweight as it stands. I'm starting Zumba tomorrow along with going to the gym and have been reading about protein powders. I'm trying to find out if they are right for me and if so, which to get.

A little about me:

I'm 22 years old and am newly married. We have busy schedules so our diets aren't great and while I'm trying to work on it, it can be hard with low income to get in the right food choices. I'm a college student and I also work as a tour guide so I am on my feet a lot. I would prefer to be able to mix whatever powder I'd get with water or with something simple so that I can stay moving throughout my day. I have a long fitness journey ahead of me and am looking for some advice, thank you!

Replies

  • smarieallen85
    smarieallen85 Posts: 535 Member
    So I think, from what I've read on these threads, that you should eat a gram of protein for each pound of lean body mass. Check to see whether you're getting enough or not first. I only have a scoop of protein powder on days when I have lifted weights.
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    So I think, from what I've read on these threads, that you should eat a gram of protein for each pound of lean body mass. Check to see whether you're getting enough or not first. I only have a scoop of protein powder on days when I have lifted weights.

    1g/LBM is a good place to start if you have a good idea of your body fat or are pretty overweight, so worth it for OP to try measuring her body fat.

    Otherwise, 0.8g per total weight in lbs is another way to go about it, although at your weight OP, 200+ grams is likely overkill.

    Before buying protein powder, see how well you manage getting in protein from the foods you eat. If you have trouble, then definitely consider protein powder. I'd rec bodybuilding.com for reviews, and then see what is available locally. I'd say look for something low cal (usually low- to no-fat and -carb) if you prefer getting calories from food, which I prefer myself, and look at what reviews say about texture. Some powders are HORRIBLE for texture: come out chalky and take like a litre of water just to get the texture to be bearable for drinking, but then it tastes horrible and way too watered down. Health food stores, Target, Walmart, and any supplement stores should carry some if buying locally. Buying online though will be cheaper once you find a brand you like since you can buy in bulk and it's usually cheaper per serving that way.

    The type doesn't really matter either. Whey is most popular, but you can do rice, pea, vegan, whatever. And it can be isolate or blend, although I prefer a blend myself. Optimum Nutrition is pretty popular but it's an isolate kind.. I find isolates can leave me feeling less satisfied though, especially if taken before a workout. So if you're using PP outside of workout times, you'd probably want something that will have a bit more longevity to it. It won't be a meal replacement but it'd be something to drink maybe as a snack or along with a meal. Or make a smoothie with it and have that in the morning/when you get home, or make it in the AM and store in a thermos (something insulated) to drink on the job, thus it will be more filling since it will have more calories and substance to it.

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