How much is too much when it comes to protein powder?

PearlAng
PearlAng Posts: 681 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi,

I'm a vegetarian and I never get enough protein. A large part comes from peanut butter, but usually that sets me far over my fat goal. Same goes for almond butter, etc. I also eat yogurt and cottage cheese, which helps.

Recently I began making smoothies with protein powder again, and I think it's a nice addition. I use a soy/whey blend and my question is, how much is too much? I actually find myself craving them sometimes, would it be okay use it twice a day instead of just once? It would definitely help me reach my protein goal, but I've heard mixed things about using the protein powders.

Replies

  • ldy_78
    ldy_78 Posts: 61
    I see a lot of people do two protein shakes a day. I think if the protein is a good one and not chock full of chemicals, then why not? If your tummy can handle it, then do it. Protein is hard as a vegetarian. I was one for years, and I wish I had known how to supplement better. These days, I aim for upwards of 75 grams per day and to some degree that comes in the form of supplementation. I think you'd probably really like quest bars too... they are low in sugar and high in protein. The chocolate brownie flavor is SO good if you pop it in the microwave.

    For your sweet tooth check out proteinpow.com and rippedrecipes.com. There are tons of high protein, low sugar dessert recipes on there that utilize protein powder. I get sick of drinking shakes, so these recipes help me mix it up. I love the protein cupcakes and pancakes recipes. Yum!
  • MikeEnRegalia
    MikeEnRegalia Posts: 110 Member
    Are you a vegetarian for ethical reasons? If so, maybe you could warm up to eating (sea) insects ... shrimps are a really good source of protein.
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    Too much PP is when you've gone over your protein minimums by quite a lot and have thus sacrificed getting in enough fat and possibly enough carbs.

    Depending on your protein needs, how much protein you can get from food, and how much food you are eating in general, you can have as much or as little PP as you want. I typically only need to use a scoop a day, and it's usually just on workout days. But on rest days I wind up etiher using PP or having to eat WAY more yogurt, cottage cheese/cheese, PB, meat/poultry/fish than I would like in order to get in 160g of protein.
  • PearlAng
    PearlAng Posts: 681 Member
    Thank you, everyone! The insight provided is very helpful.

    Also, to answer your question, I am not a vegetarian for ethical reasons, I'm pretty much just a picky eater. I would rather continue to abstain from eating meat:smile:
  • Jim_Barteck
    Jim_Barteck Posts: 274 Member
    Hi,

    I'm a vegetarian and I never get enough protein. A large part comes from peanut butter, but usually that sets me far over my fat goal. Same goes for almond butter, etc. I also eat yogurt and cottage cheese, which helps.

    Recently I began making smoothies with protein powder again, and I think it's a nice addition. I use a soy/whey blend and my question is, how much is too much? I actually find myself craving them sometimes, would it be okay use it twice a day instead of just once? It would definitely help me reach my protein goal, but I've heard mixed things about using the protein powders.

    I would say once you start snorting it you've gone too far ;)

    Seriously though, twice a day is perfectly fine....

Categories