PROTEIN SHAKES: Yea or Nay?

baileybutton

I'm looking to LOSE weight/inches, and am not too worried about building muscle mass at the present time (I want to tone, yes, and realize that I will also be gaining lean muscle mass, but I don't want to "bulk up" under my fat). I follow a lot of fitness blogs and many of the girls will have a protein shake for breakfast, or make protein pancakes, etc. Do you think protein supplements are really vital in weight loss? Or are they just an alternative to a well-balanced meal? Would you recommend using protein supplements? NOTE: I rarely eat meat, beans/lentils, etc., and I realize these are good sources of protein. SO, on the flip side of things, if I'm not getting enough protein in my diet, will this slow down the weight loss process? Thanks for any help in advance!

crystalmichelle82

i do meal replacement not protein shake. shakeology.

daram05

Speaking from my experience, I would recommend them. I've been swapping between Right Size Smoothies and Special K's Protein Shakes and I love them. They satisfy my hunger initially in the morning and give me energy. Plus, I know I am getting a substantial amount of protein needed to burn throughout the day. I started them in February and it helped me with my 9lbs loss between February and March.

They vary with people, so I will say it is at least worth trying to see if it is something to incorporate with your weight loss program.

poledancing_ninja

You need testosterone to get bulky so don't worry about getting too large!

Mamapengu

I add protein powder to some of my smoothies- basically to help balance out my intake. Sometimes it's easier to add some powder to the blender rather than scrounging for some protein in another form. Sometimes I grab some nuts, too. I eat the smoothies because they are filling and take longer to eat so I don't find myself mindlessly looking for food as often, not because I think they are the 'perfect' food and essential to a healthy diet. Do what works for you to get a healthy intake!

heathersmilez

Sounds like you are in desperate need for a Whey Protein powder since you are getting virtually 0g of protein daily! You body needs it for functioning and for muscle repair, you will NOT bulk up under your fat with a simple Whey shake at breakfast or better yet, after a workout. If you are just getting carbs than you arne’t properly getting to the fat to burn it off, you keep burning what you eat but don’t get to the existing problem just preventing additional lbs.

Women should have 50g minimum of protein a day (MFP's settings are wrong, trust me the entire MFP community agrees) and you should actually be getting at least 1.5g per kg of your ideal weight.

*** There is a thread going on now w/ people posting their fav brand and its nutritional content, check that out.

jimswife1

I keep a protein shake handy for after workouts or as a replacement meal when I am running short on time. It has kept me from stopping and getting fast food many a time. Also I have some at work because sometimes it is so busy, I don't get the chance to eat a proper meal.

Protein keeps me full longer, which causes me to eat less carbs and as a diabetic, that is important for me. As far as using them on a regular basis to replace a meal, no I don't do that. I'm trying to make lifestyle changes, not short fixes.

You did mention that you don't get enough protein in your diet and that isn't good either, because your body will start to burn muscle if you are exercising regularly. You will have to figure out some creative sources of protein to get it in.

Best of luck to you.

taso42_DELETED

They're not VITAL to weight loss. Like you suggested, they're just a supplement to daily nutrition. If you can get all your nutrients from food, you're fine. If your schedule is so busy that you can't prepare enough healthy food all day, they're helpful. The bottom line is, they're basically kind of food, just like chicken breast is a kind of food.

I wrote a "whey protein 101" blog a little while back
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/taso42/view/whey-protein-101-120880

runamym

http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/rev-your-metabolism/eat-more-protein.php#slidetop

a little blurb on ways to boost metabolism and Men's Health magazine says that one way to boost metabolism is to increase protein intake.