How many protein shakes is too many?

d2footballJRC

I'm pretty surprised by the amount of protein people devour in MFP. I don't think you 'need' 150 grams but that's probably just me. At least please make sure you're not prone to kidney diseases before going all the way pro.

She's right about the kidney disease. Go get your kidneys checked first just to make sure. I have hydronephrosis in my right kidney, I'm 140 pounds but I can only have up to 80-90g of protein/day without causing problems. I normally have 1-2 whey protein shakes/day, always at least 1. I ignored my dr's advice to lower my protein intake from 140g because of how much im training but when I started having major kidney infections and started going into kidney failure. I cut it back. It's been almost a year since I cut it back and haven't had any problems.

This goes for whether youre bulking, losing or leaning. I'd go check with your dr first. it's a simple $10 urine test. Had I listened to that $10 test I wouldn't have ended up in the hospital and numerous occasions that cost a lot more than $10.

Just be smart about it

Interesting then, you'd have to avoid BCAA's and Amino Acids then as well I'd think.

rovernio

i take 4 a day

lessac

Maybe, but again, protein makes you feel fuller longer. Thus on a forum where a majority of people are trying to lose weight a protein is going to be beneficial in that right a long.

I will say, weeks where I don't get a ton of protein (ex. last couple weeks) because I'm on the road, my lifts and gains aren't the same as weeks I cram the chicken and protein powders. Recovery, Strength gain, and heck even pump I get is driven by the amount of protein I take in.

As for proteins, your body breaks them down into Amino Acids, then will cram as much Amino Acids into your body it can then after that it will turn the AA into Urea and will excrete it. You don't pass protein, no matter what the protein will be broken down.

Exactly. What I meant to say was that most people are just peeing/pooping most of the protein they consume since they are not working out as intensely. But if more protein makes you feel better, then why not? The thing I questioned was 'need'.

Needless to say for athletes, high protein intake goes in a high calorie diet where you also get enough calories from fast oxidizing monomers namely glucose to sustain fast and enough energy before the workouts, which is not the average 1.5-2.0k average calorie intake I see here. Etc etc. I'm not trying to prove a point but merely stating my opinion. I never needed more than 1.7 grams per kg while I rowed with 14.4% body fat in high school.

On a side note, feeling fuller is better accomplished with casein instead of whey. Whey protein is metabolized faster whereas casein is basically a rock and should be preferred if you want your appetite dead longer. You may want to try that.

Galletakek

i take 3 a day...... but i do get in proteins from chicken/tuna/ground turkey/fish ..... hmmmm i hope this post keeps going...

Galletakek

sorry double post :P

d2footballJRC

On a side note, feeling fuller is better accomplished with casein instead of whey. Whey protein is metabolized faster whereas casein is basically a rock and should be preferred if you want your appetite dead longer. You may want to try that.

I always recommend a well balanced shake like Trutein (Cinnabon is DELISH!) or Myofusion that is a balanced protein shake. That way you get the best of all worlds. Not all protein powders are created equal.

lessac

She's right about the kidney disease. Go get your kidneys checked first just to make sure. I have hydronephrosis in my right kidney, I'm 140 pounds but I can only have up to 80-90g of protein/day without causing problems. I normally have 1-2 whey protein shakes/day, always at least 1. I ignored my dr's advice to lower my protein intake from 140g because of how much im training but when I started having major kidney infections and started going into kidney failure. I cut it back. It's been almost a year since I cut it back and haven't had any problems.

This goes for whether youre bulking, losing or leaning. I'd go check with your dr first. it's a simple $10 urine test. Had I listened to that $10 test I wouldn't have ended up in the hospital and numerous occasions that cost a lot more than $10.

Just be smart about it

Sorry to hear about that but also glad to hear you're doing fine. Even though it's not related to this topic, same basically goes for an EKG and a cardio effort test. It's best to get the heart checked as well if one doesn't have a history of sports or had a drastic lifestyle change. Better safe than be sorry, especially since people put all this effort to be fit and healthy, not the opposite.

lessac

I always recommend a well balanced shake like Trutein (Cinnabon is DELISH!) or Myofusion that is a balanced protein shake. That way you get the best of all worlds. Not all protein powders are created equal.

I'm really clueless about brands but will keep those in mind when I start working out in three weeks. I have days once in a while that I find it hard to feel hungry enough (namely, I eat too much sugar gah... I need a rehab!) so those should come handy.

HarlCarl

Hey! I read this on the internet, it has to be true! :laugh:

I knew this topic would have differing opinions. I say do what works for you, or ask a Dr.

For what it's worth, I saw/read a study that reports your body just passes anything over 20g of protein in a short amount of time. Dont consume it all at once. I dont remember the time frame and I dont plan on searching for the information to add to this post.

* Don't quote me on this information. I am not a doctor....just ask my wife. She always says I have no patience! :noway:

This is wrong.

Tge downside to getting the majority if protein intake from powder is that you miss out on tge mountains that you would get from whole food sources. If tge rest if your diet is fairly balanced, it should be fine though.

mel2m22

One of the ways I get protein without a bunch of calories are the tubes of liquid Whey protein, they come in flavors and there are 42 grams of protein with 180 calories. I'm not sure why your protein requirement is so high but make sure it is medically advised because excess protein can be really hard on your kidneys.

laddyboy

I do 1 a day and only 2 when I am low or my protein intake. I get between 200-250 grams of protein per day. I ONLY use Optimum Nutrition products after reading consumer reports on the Arsenic and metals in some protein powders. I try to get my protein from real food and supplement with powders when I need to.

mrdee555

I take 460ish approx half food and half shakes per day but you would obviously need to build up to that, my kidney results never come back good but the docs compare your results with normal people someone who is carring more muscle mass than the average person is not normal, also over training can cause kidney results to be out as your Creatinine levels will be elevated.

Rilke

d2footballJRC,

Maybe you missed the first time I asked, so I will post again:

I'm pretty surprised by the amount of protein people devour in MFP. I don't think you 'need' 150 grams but that's probably just me. At least please make sure you're not prone to kidney diseases before going all the way pro.

Depends what you are doing daily. If you are lifting and building muscles you most definitely need a high level of protein. Protein also makes you feel fuller longer than carbs and fats. Protein is the building block needed for growth in our bodies.

They say on average to take your weight times 1.5 for protein for ideal daily consumption while cutting, and 2.0-3.0 when bulking.

Who is "they"?

d2footballJRC

d2footballJRC,

Maybe you missed the first time I asked, so I will post again:

I'm pretty surprised by the amount of protein people devour in MFP. I don't think you 'need' 150 grams but that's probably just me. At least please make sure you're not prone to kidney diseases before going all the way pro.

Depends what you are doing daily. If you are lifting and building muscles you most definitely need a high level of protein. Protein also makes you feel fuller longer than carbs and fats. Protein is the building block needed for growth in our bodies.

They say on average to take your weight times 1.5 for protein for ideal daily consumption while cutting, and 2.0-3.0 when bulking.

Who is "they"?

I answered it a few posts later, It's a general number that gets thrown around, just like 3500 calories = 1 pound.. If you want specifics though... ADA, DOC and ACSM all have numbers that fall in line with those views. (The 1.5), the extra on high level bulking is a view from bb and am websites.

Position of the American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and athletic performance. http://exercise.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=exercise&cdn=health&tm=114&f=20&su=p1026.33.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&st=11&zu=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19278045

d2footballJRC

From a couple of websites:

1. Weight in pounds divided by 2.2 = weight in kg
2. Weight in kg x 0.8-1.8 gm/kg = protein gm.

Use a lower number if you are in good health and are sedentary (i.e., 0.8). Use a higher number (between 1 and 1.8) if you are under stress, are pregnant, are recovering from an illness, or if you are involved in consistent and intense weight or endurance training.

Example: 154 lb male who is a regular exerciser and lifts weights
154 lbs/2.2 = 70kg
70kg x 1.5 = 105 gm protein/day

When I do calipers and BF, and do the equation it comes out to me needing 259.09 grams a day. That is with me weighing at 280 at 26.2% body fat. I do usually shoot for around 300 though daily.

Rilke

Oops, apparently I'm the one missing things Thanks for replying.

d2footballJRC

I always recommend a well balanced shake like Trutein (Cinnabon is DELISH!) or Myofusion that is a balanced protein shake. That way you get the best of all worlds. Not all protein powders are created equal.

I'm really clueless about brands but will keep those in mind when I start working out in three weeks. I have days once in a while that I find it hard to feel hungry enough (namely, I eat too much sugar gah... I need a rehab!) so those should come handy.

Trutein is by TrueNutrition which is a great company in that they don't hide behind a proprietary blend. They tell you exactly 100% what is in there and what amounts. They just don't toss a bunch of stuff into a section called proprietary blend where you don't know how much X of an item is in that blend. Very few protein companies do that. It's very well formulated and tastes wonderful. Huge fan of it.

I'd rank the top protein powders as:
1.TrueNutrition
2. XF (Xtreme Formulations)
3. ON
4. Myofusion

iForce released a new protein blend that is suppose to be off the charts in flavor and quality of ingredients. It's suppose to be fairly cheap as well compared to Trutein and XF which are a bit on the high end cost wise.

lessac

Trutein is by TrueNutrition which is a great company in that they don't hide behind a proprietary blend. They tell you exactly 100% what is in there and what amounts. They just don't toss a bunch of stuff into a section called proprietary blend where you don't know how much X of an item is in that blend. Very few protein companies do that. It's very well formulated and tastes wonderful. Huge fan of it.

I'd rank the top protein powders as:
1.TrueNutrition
2. XF (Xtreme Formulations)
3. ON
4. Myofusion

iForce released a new protein blend that is suppose to be off the charts in flavor and quality of ingredients. It's suppose to be fairly cheap as well compared to Trutein and XF which are a bit on the high end cost wise.

Thank you! I'm not too much bothered by the taste, I drink and experiment pretty much everything but will check their availability in my country or in Spain since I guess it may be hard to find them out of NA. I love simple poached chicken breasts and tuna in water but the first is hard to carry around and the latter I don't want to consume more than 50g drained due to lovely heavy metals just in case.

rocketpants

I have at least two a day. But then again I have a pretty healthy libido

chrisdavey

Re the amount of protein consumption with a calorie deficit.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19927027

These results indicate that approximately 2.3 g x kg(-1) or approximately 35% protein was significantly superior to approximately 1.0 g x kg(-1) or approximately 15% energy protein for maintenance of lean body mass in young healthy athletes during short-term hypoenergetic weight loss.

lessac

Re the amount of protein consumption with a calorie deficit.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19927027

These results indicate that approximately 2.3 g x kg(-1) or approximately 35% protein was significantly superior to approximately 1.0 g x kg(-1) or approximately 15% energy protein for maintenance of lean body mass in young healthy athletes during short-term hypoenergetic weight loss.

Kg. Check. Athletes. Check. Lean body mass. Check.

Dustinryan24

ive heard from several sources to eat your goal weight in protein.
i want to be 190 pounds, so i try to get in at least 190g of protein a day.
drink lots of water.

its fine to have 2 shakes a day, but ty to spread out your protein through the day.. dont start drinking 80g worth of protein at night.. that wont work for you.

i changed my % intake in the settings on this website to 50% protein, 30% carbs, and 20% fat..

Sidesteal

dont start drinking 80g worth of protein at night.. that wont work for you.

^ Actually, it will work just fine.

AdAstra47

My doc has me eating my weight in protein per day. I started out at 300 lb, so ate at least 300g protein per day, and so on. Now I'm down to 250g per day. But that's pretty much impossible without supplemental protein powders. I have 4-6 per day; usually at least one scoop of protein powder in a drink at every meal and snack. It has worked great for me.

MDWilliams1857

I go for 1g per 1 pound of body weight as my general guideline. I will up that to 1.5-2g on days im going to lift. On weight lift days I consume 1 portein shake pre workout. I mix glutamine and creatine with it. I then consume 1 protein shake post workout mixed with glutamine. On days I do cardio I just consume 1 shake post workout.