Protein Shakes

maysflower

Being a female one of my fears is having too much muscle and looking like a female version of the hulk. A friend recommended for me to start drinking protein shakes to help with my weight loss. I know nothing about protein shakes and would really like some advice and/or suggestions.

Thanks

EDIT: Wow! Thank you all so much for all your input. Your comments and suggestions are very helpful. Now it's time for me to find a protein shake I like! MFP people are the greatest!

JacqueBackhus

I'm doing the Body By Vi shakes and LOVE them! I'm losing weight and inches. They have alot of protein in them as well.

MissMaryMac33

I drink at least 2 a day.. I love them. This is a very personal question though since everyone has different taste preferences. If I tell you what I like, you might hate it so you really can't go by anyone else's opinion. There are a lot of places where youc an order samples online. You can also buy from GNC or Vitamin Shoppe and return or exchage if you don't like it...

Do you prefer fruity stuff?
Are you a chocoholic?
Are you a vanilla snob?
Do you like coffee?
Thick or thin drinks?

Those all factor in.... if you have some preferences I can give you some ideas though.

( You want to avoid all the pre-mixed stuff lilke special K, atkins, eas... you're paying for fancy packaging and getting mostly protein concentrate and lots of sugar and yuck)

angeleyez2134

I use protein shakes from Costco. You can get them in bulk boxes. They come in a convenient carton to take with you. I use Premier instead of muscle milk because of the costs and the calories are lower. the chocolate ones are not bad to digest. I hope that helps. :happy:

poustotah

I typically buy the EAS vanilla whey protein and make my own with fruit and yogurt. That ends up being my fruit allowance for the day (1 or 2 servings) and it's got plenty of calcium and all that good stuff but it really is a personal preference. I do NOT like the chocolate shakes but a lot of people do so it really depends.

Grimmerick

I've read that it is really difficult for women and even men to bulk up without a lot of hard work and dedication. I drink protein shakes after hard workouts, its more to restore what I lost during working out, it won't bulk you up, I like chocolate, Make sure you get a shaker with one of those wire balls in it, mixing up your shake can be kinda messy if you don't have one of those haha

bluegirl10

I use Designer Whey Double Chocolate.

LaDiablesse

I have a shake every morning that has helped me lose weight & inches, boosts my energy, & has many of the vitamins & minerals your body needs that you don't usually get. I love it & it's so easy in the mornings.

Luckydrd

The only way to bulk is up lift really heavy weights and eat lots of calories...3,000 a day.

If you're trying to lose weight and eat under 2,000 calories a day, you won't bulk up

bonnienm

Or try making your own. My husband likes 1 c whey protein powder (vanilla) 1 c blueberries or whatever kind of frozen fruit you want and 1 c coconut milk. Blend and drink. I like them too but don't drink them a lot.

Oliverseanj

Firstly, There are multiple factors that go into "bulking up", the primary one being testosterone (which is why even some men have problems bulking up..or looking like the hulk..while others don't)...women have about 30 times less testosterone than men so in order for you to actually bulk up to a point where you appear "manly" you'd have to supplementing your diet with some sort of testosterone agent (be it natural or artificial) . Truth is strength training is just as important as cardio training when it comes to a weight loss regimen.

Protein shakes are great supplements for those who can't afford and/or dedicate the time to preparing high protein meals throughout the day (most of us, trying to get results from 'mainstream' diet plans that are peddled (like the one that accompanies p90x) would cost you about $300 dollars a week in groceries. Make sure you protein shakes contain low carbs (for weight loss) and at least 20-30 grams of protein per serving (this way you aren't losing track of the amount of calories you are taking in, while attempting to get the recommended amount of protein). Look for shakes that contain other nutrients as well (amino acids, etc.)

Muscle milk is a favorite amongst those who need a shake to taste good (Me)
GNC amplified is good for those wishing to tack on muscle mass
Syntha 6 is good for lean muscle mass (not too bad tasting either)

just make sure you look at the calories per serving, the scoops per serving and you should be good.

melizerd

http://i.imgur.com/nj1UJ.jpg

That picture is what REALLY happens when women strength train, and eat plenty of protein. What we THINK will happen will NOT happen without steroids because we do NOT have enough testosterone.

So start strength training and getting enough protein. Right now I shoot to have 145g of protein a day, MFP sets the bar WAY low on this on it's own so I had to change it.

I make my own protein shakes, 1/2 cup low fat vanilla yogurt, 1/2 cup no sugar added applesauce, 1 cup frozen fruit of choice, 1 scoop of GNC whey protein, splash of water if it's too thick, blend. It's only 245 calories and 25g of protein. I often do one for breakfast and then one as a night time snack.

Also look up New Rules for Lifting for Women, it's a great book and tells you why you won't bulk up but that women really NEED to be lifting more weights.

TankGirl71

Please, for the love of pete, read this article. You will not "bulk up" by lifting weights and eating protein supplements, unless you're injecting yourself with anabolic steroids on a daily basis.

You will end up looking like this girl:
http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero//

I use Optimum Nutrition whey 2 or 3 times a day, mixed into oatmeal or yogurt or as a shake.

aneumany

does anyone find that their protein shakes make them feel really bloated after they drink it? this is my biggest problem with mine. idk its its the one im using, but i hate it...

joehempel

I've read that it is really difficult for women and even men to bulk up without a lot of hard work and dedication. I drink protein shakes after hard workouts, its more to restore what I lost during working out, it won't bulk you up, I like chocolate, Make sure you get a shaker with one of those wire balls in it, mixing up your shake can be kinda messy if you don't have one of those haha

^^^^ THIS.....you aren't going to look like Lou Ferigno by drinking protein shakes....it will help build and maintain muscle (and I mean tone, not bulk) and hence burn more calories at rest!

alicollins74

I tried the shakes from Complete Nutrition. They are really good but also very expensive. So, I ended up getting some called Body Fortress. I got the strawberry and it is really good. I also have the blender bottle which is a shaker w/ a wire whisk ball that you drop in and it helps get it all mixed up together. That was a good thing to buy...

I usually have 1 for breakfast and sometimes after I work out...

scarletfever2005

I've been using Intek Protein Evolution-chocolate and love it. Only 160 cals and 34g of protein. Good stuff.

MarisaJean82

I like the Designer Whey Chocolate powder, typically I mix it with soy milk and I mix it in my Magic Bullet for a couple of seconds. Before I was mixing it with a spoon and the chunks were disgusting.

Shyloh1

I just picked up some vanilla flavoured brown rice protein powder,to make shakes. I add unsweetened almond milk and fruit.

Teemo

does anyone find that their protein shakes make them feel really bloated after they drink it? this is my biggest problem with mine. idk its its the one im using, but i hate it...

You may be lactose intolerant.

aneumany

does anyone find that their protein shakes make them feel really bloated after they drink it? this is my biggest problem with mine. idk its its the one im using, but i hate it...

You may be lactose intolerant.

lol trust me i am teh farthest thing from lactose intolerant.. i drink milk and dairy on a daily basis...its has something to do with the protein, like i said id ont remember my old protein doing that.. but this one is bad...

pananna

I too am a little worried about drinking a protein shake to help with my weight loss program... I've been told that the crucial time to drink is post-workout (which you guys reiterate) but also it can be a good breakfast replacement and is very important to have have before sleep! This seems like a lot to me...Two to three times a day??

I don't eat a lot of protein usually, but I just feel weird drinking that much. Coupled with small meals, that should be fine, right?

BTW, just bought my first protein powder --- Muscle Milk Light.

Anybody have other advise or suggestions about using Protein Shakes for weight loss?

SweetStrawberry

I wish I could have protein shakes but I'm lactose intolerant and even the ones without the lactose upset my tummy!!

Oliverseanj

I too am a little worried about drinking a protein shake to help with my weight loss program... I've been told that the crucial time to drink is post-workout (which you guys reiterate) but also it can be a good breakfast replacement and is very important to have have before sleep! This seems like a lot to me...Two to three times a day??

I don't eat a lot of protein usually, but I just feel weird drinking that much. Coupled with small meals, that should be fine, right?

BTW, just bought my first protein powder --- Muscle Milk Light.

Anybody have other advise or suggestions about using Protein Shakes for weight loss?

i made a brief statement towards protein shakes and weight loss in my last post in this thread..

but the focus of it is..to make sure the protein content is high enough (and the calories NOT CARBS..are low enough) that you don't have to take too many shakes per day to get your desired amount of protein.

MissMaryMac33

I wish I could have protein shakes but I'm lactose intolerant and even the ones without the lactose upset my tummy!!

Which ones did you try? Pre-mixed stuff?

I don't know if we can put links ehre but there are plenty of companies that let you design your own blend so you get exactly what you want. For instant, you might try something like this:

Egg White Protein 30%
Gemma Protein Pea Isolate non-GMO 35%
Rice Protein Concentrate non-GMO 35%

elambabe

Bump