Protien Shake Advice

Caper88

I was just wondering if anyone could shed some advice on protein shakes. I have been noticing them in a lot of peoples food diary. I normally hit the preset protein number MFP has been given me for protein. My main goal is to lose all the extra fat I have stored in my body. I would love to gain some muscle to be strong but I do not want to bulk up. I have always associated protein shakes with body builders. It is something I should be drinking? Do you use them as meal replacements or just as a drink? What time of the day is best time to drink it? Thanks for the help.


Well I do not want to ruin my calories, carbs and all of those numbers for the day. Yes I do find trying to eat all my calories, specially the work out ones back. I just do not understand why protein shakes are so important. Like I understand it can help make you feel full so you should have some threw out the day. But I always thought protein shakes were for body builders. I guess I just don't understand why you would drink them if your not going to body build.

mamareese

I don't know the answer. But I'm bumping because I'd love to hear the feedback!

luv2ash

protein shakes are a great way to get in some protein into your diet, particularly after working out. You can and should increase your lean healthy protein, it will lead to feeling fuller longer. I usually get around 125 grams of protein a day.

You will not build muscle unless you are lifting extreme amounts of weight and taking steroids.

Right now I am building lean sexy muscle by lifting 10 pound weights but very slowly until it hurts, about 12 reps. Those lean sexy muscles will lead to burning fat all day long! Yea, thats what Im talking about!

luv2ash

When choosing a protein shake make sure it does not have too many calories, fat, or carbs in it. You don't want to screw up the rest of your nutrition. They are out htere. Personally, I don't use these, but I do have friends who do. best time is after a workout in my opinion, as a snack, because hopefully you are eating 6 times a day.

katschi

I'm by far an expert on protein shakes but I can tell you why I use them.
I don't always feel like eating my meal and would rather drink it.
I usually make myself what is called a green smoothie.
I use a plain whey protein powder so I can flavour it anyway I like. I use almond milk, protein powder, spinach, 1/2 banana, berries and 1 T flaxseed.

Don't be afraid of bulking up. Women rarely have the capacity for becoming too muscular without the aid of steroids.

eta: you don't taste the spinach. :happy:

DHalaby73

I use Muscle Milk Light it taste great and low in calories...I like vanilla,strawberry...I drink it after I come from the gym 275 calories with skim milk...MFP has the nutritional value on here if you want to check it out..

sarasotatim

I always have one almost immediately after working out, whether it be resistance or cardio....I either use Richard's whole whey protein powder and make my own, or I'll grab a few of the Diet Muscle Milk 100 cal boxes and have one of those

And as some others have said, don't worry about bulk or muscle mass, women don't have the testosterone necessary to facilitate building bulging muscles without some type of anabolic aid or growth hormone....the women I've seen that are naturally lean and solid from resistance training and protein drinks look GREAT!

mds2372

I was told that one of the best ways to lose weight (and it has been working VERY well for my brother) is to eat 5-6 small meals/snacks a day (it helps increase and maintain metabolism according to the nutritionist that advised my brother and I). I live a relatively busy life, or at least I am away from my apartment on campus in classes and things enough that I don't have time to eat 5 times a day. So I use protein shakes for two of my "meals" while I am on campus because I can make them up before I go down and keep them in my backpack. In addition I have a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I'm not sure if others are using them similarly, but that is how they fit into my life.

reneelee

I have been told to drink 1/2 of the drink after a workout and save the other half to drink while preparing dinner. So you sample less and you get filled up so you eat a little less dinner.

astovey

I like food too much to drink away my calories. I really like the Pure Protien Shakes.

http://www.pureprotein.net/pages/products_drinks.aspx

Very low in fat and about 1g of sugar. Love em and they are only around 110 calories!

hpsnickers1

I'm by far an expert on protein shakes but I can tell you why I use them.
I don't always feel like eating my meal and would rather drink it.
I usually make myself what is called a green smoothie.
I use a plain whey protein powder so I can flavour it anyway I like. I use almond milk, protein powder, spinach, 1/2 banana, berries and 1 T flaxseed.

Don't be afraid of bulking up. Women rarely have the capacity for becoming too muscular without the aid of steroids.

eta: you don't taste the spinach. :happy:

Men bulk up because of the amount of testosterone they have. Women don't have enough of this hormone to cause us to bulk up. Women body builders use performance enhancing drugs, take testosterone pills, and eat mass amounts of food and protein and left weights for hours a day. I couldn't get enough protein on the calorie restriction so now I have protein powder. I've heard it's really good to drink after a strength workout but I've really gotten used to having it in the morning in my milk.

jteammom

I have been wondering this myself. Thanks for the info - I will be back later to learn more. (guess that's my first "bump" )

1FITmamaofTWINS

if you are a female you can never bulk up, you do not have enough of the male hormone test to make it possible. protein is essential for repairing and building muscle. you should be getting 1 gram per lb of body weight of your ideal weight. so if you wish to be 130lbs you need to consume 130grams of protein. i recommend a shake no more than 180calories no less than 20grams of protein per scoop. good luck!

AggieCass09

i'm a vegetarian so I use a protein shake after my work outs to give me an energy boost (avoid shakyness) as well as to help me meet my protein allotment in a quick and easy fashion. I have not "bulked up" as you mentioned, but I can definately see more definition in my arms since starting protein shakes (I also lift 2x a week alternating through the p90x routines). I use optimum nutrition 100% whey gold standard in extreme chocolate milk. It has 130 calories per serving and 24 g of protein. When looking for one for you, make sure it isnt too high in calories; the "body builder" ones have more carbs then the one that I use and also more calories. Good luck!

1FITmamaofTWINS

p.s choose a 100% whey protein powder and consume it right after your workout. whey is faster digesting which is why you should drink it after a workout. All other forms of protein should be from foods unless of course you are somewhere where you arnt able to eat. then a shake is perfectly fine

Caper88

Well I have been trying to do a bit of straight training though my main goal is to burn off fat. I have not been straight training on a regular bases but I did make a plan to start it monday after my new weigh in. I bought a measuring tape to track inches. I always thought as a women who wants to lose fat I should focus on walking and those kinds of work outs.

So should I start to use a protein shake now that. I am going to start straight training.

NicholasMongold

I love protein shakes! I drink shakeology!! I haven't found anything like it!!
If you want to KNOW more just ask
BUT I also take whey protein with it. (in order to bulk up) :flowerforyou:

NicholasMongold

Well I have been trying to do a bit of straight training though my main goal is to burn off fat. I have not been straight training on a regular bases but I did make a plan to start it monday after my new weigh in. I bought a measuring tape to track inches. I always thought as a women who wants to lose fat I should focus on walking and those kinds of work outs.

So should I start to use a protein shake now that. I am going to start straight training.

You should try p90x! you'll get there in 90 days! lol

Caper88

I would love to do P90x but I am not close to being in enough physical shape to do it. I have about 80 or so lbs to lose.

NicholasMongold

well They have power 90 too and p90x has an easy "lean" version too. and for whatever reason they do have 30 day money back guarantee

1FITmamaofTWINS

start drinking it asap

Caper88

Thank you for all of the responses

claire_b79

This is the one I use and I love it. I drink the chocolate one with almond milk and some frozen fruit.

http://myvega.com/products/whole-food-health-optimizer/features-benefits

Lisa1971

I like food too much to drink away my calories. I really like the Pure Protien Shakes.

http://www.pureprotein.net/pages/products_drinks.aspx

Very low in fat and about 1g of sugar. Love em and they are only around 110 calories!

I love pure protein too! Very yummy!

HeidiMightyRawr

I love protein shakes, I use Casilan 90 which is the nicest tasting one I've ever tried, basically flavourless and if you add fruit it's really yummy. It's not loads of protein per serving (14g) but the serving size is only 16g-2 tablespoons, so a high %. There are loads out there that are low calorie, mine is 58 cals per serving and with 300ml of milk instead of water it's still just 205 cals, while upping the protein a bit more too.

I use protein shakes because I do alot of strength training and it helps so much with that, plus it helps if it gets to late in the day and I realise I haven't had that much protein - you won't bulk up, women are different to men and have different hormones associated with muscle bulk. I've been training solidly for 9 months but first started over 2 years ago and haven't bulked up at all, I have more muscle but it's not like a bodybuilder or anything. Strength training helps so much and is just as important as other things like cardio and walking are for weight loss - plus it gives that nice toned look.

poisongirl6485

I use mine as a meal replacement for my first meal of the day. I just started using optimum nutritions nitrocore 24 mainly b/c it's a combo of whey and casein proteins and is sustained release, leaving you fuller longer. It's a little high on calories (200) but low sugar (2g) and pretty tasty. Since the calorie content is higher I probably won't be using it as a 'snack' supplement though.