Protein Shake Concerns

mlawilm

I use Spiru-teen. Its a tri part plant based protein powder. It tastes pretty good. It comes in different flavors and then I add 1 cup frozen fruit, 1 cup sugar free juice or almond milk along with 1tbspn walnut oil, 2 tbspns chia seeds and 2tbspn ground flaxseed. It tastes great and keeps me full for a long time. But, I am working more on weight loss than muscle building so not sure if this would help you any.

Jeff92se

Getting enough protein via whole foods is possible. Doing that while staying at a calorie deficit isn't that easy though.

_GlaDOS_

I think it's a legitimate concern, but you don't have to use whey protein powder. There are protein powders made from pea, soy, brown rice, and hemp. I use one called Sunwarrior, which is a vegan brown rice protein powder. There is probably some argument out there that whey or casein protein is better in terms of bioavailability, but I think if you are having a hard time meeting your protein needs, there are still other good choices besides whey.

onefitdiva

www.nutrabio.com

I love their unflavored whey protein isolate, it is pharmaceutical grade, had nothing artificial added to it, no fillers, and can be used for more that just a shake. I have added it to fruit smoothies, pasta sauces, oatmeal and baking mixes to increase protein.
To make a workout shake here is what I use:

1 scoop NutraBio 100% Pure Whey Protein Isolate
1 Tbsp Hershey's all natural cocoa
2 Tbsp PB2 (this is really optional)
2 pkts. Truvia
8 oz. Horizon organic fat free milk.

Hope this helped!

TONYAGOOCH

I use Dymatize ISO-100 protein powder. The chocolate is very good and it's only 106 calories with 24g of protein per scoop.

morkiemama

Hi there, I just went to my nutritionist and she said if I was needing protein, that I could use a protein shake. She stated I could use a whey protein powder, add greek yogurt, and do fruit or even avocado (mild taste). She stated no more than 25 grams of protein though per serving (? forgot to ask why). She also said to add flax seed to it. I'm curious to try this concoction.

I think I read somewhere (don't quote me on this because I am new to this whole thing and have read A LOT of conflicting information from various sources @_@) that you should limit your amount of protein per serving because any more than xxx amount does not absorb efficiently. I am unsure if this is true or has any backing whatsoever LOL. I'd be interested to know what she says if you do end up asking her why.

GetFitE

I use a protein shake as a post-workout drink just to give me some quick energy back. I'm always on the go and sometimes it makes for a good breakfast or grab-n-go snack. I use Pure Protein which I bought from publix. It's Vanilla Creme flavor. I blend it with 8oz water or a low-calorie 100% juice (like Good Belly) and add fruit to it for better taste. Because of the vanilla creme flavor my drink usually tastes like peaches and cream or strawberries and creme. It's really good. I also use Amino Vital Pro. it's really good to spice up your water. I try not to drink it outside of it being a post-workout drink. I usually just try to get my protein in through lean meats (chicken, turkey), or a 3oz portion of beef.

Lynniebinee

Thanks for all the responses! I really do appreciate them!

I thought about trying to hit the protein I need through foods first and see if I can manage it. However, I'm sure a lot of the processed junk I eat does the same, if not more, harm as a shake would. >.<

My issue is that I have officially started semester and I commute. I literally spend ALL DAY and then some on campus (we're talking 18+ hours on campus) between classes, teaching (I am a TA), office hours, group meetings, studying, etc. There is no way I can (practically) bring a lot of food with me to campus and I am limited in what I can eat since I don't have access to things like a fridge or many cooking devices.

I have trouble fitting in my current not so specific macro meals and my workouts as it is, so I thought a shake might be a good option for me. Then I read things like consumer reports, etc. that made me wary of just charging forward on my own (limited) knowledge.

morkiemama

I can see the arguments that (in an ideal world) you can get your protein requirements from food rather than a supplement. This is something that I attempt in my daily life. But sometimes I mess up with the planning and I don't have (or can't be bothered to make) a real food protein hit.

In this instance I fall back on a Protein shake or two and I don't feel guilty about it.

As for the amount of protein to consume I've seen a few different calculations from 1g per LB of Lean Mass to 1.5-2g per total mass. As you can imagine the Protein values vary considerably depending on these calculations. To make matters worse there is a mass of conflicting data about when to load up on Protein. Some advocate spreading it through the day, some prefer the end of the day and others say that it depends upon your work out times!

My advice: Get your cals right and an exercise regime that you love and works for you first. Then work towards getting your macros right with about 1g - 1.5g of protein per lean mass LB, if doing this means that you need to use protein shakes so-be-it. Only when you have those two things in place should you worry about dropping the shakes in favour of "real" food. Finally tweak the Cals and exercise to maintain progress, if you feel you are putting on fat, drop the cals. If you feel that you are getting burnt out raise them (note: don't skimp on the fat or sleep when trying to increase strength).

Best wishes

Thank you so much for this advice. It really is confusing (and somewhat overwhelming) for a beginner like myself. I know the look I want and I know I have to life heavy to get it. I have a lot of work to do in regards to learning to lift (let's face it... I'm not knowledgeable and naturally prone to hurting myself :P), but I'm working on that too.

Then I started to do reading and gathered that all my lifting while in a deficit wasn't going to achieve what I was looking for because my body didn't have the things it needed to put on the muscle. I'm now trying to figure out how to adjust my diet without having to do a complete overhaul.

Too many changes at once will most likely lead to failure (at least for me), so I thought a protein shake might be a convenient compromise for me until I get better at everything. That includes cooking because, if I'm going to be honest, I suck at it and have made completely inedible things more than a few times... : and that is WITH the proper equipment at home!

morkiemama

Heard that Jay Robb's whey protein powder doesnt have all the harmful ingredients that you see in normal protein powders and is one of the cleanest protein powders out there. I havent tried it yet because I dont like the protein powders I have tried and the Jay Robb's powder is a bag which is around 25 bucks. Not sure if I should buy it only to dislike the taste

Thanks! I've also read about this particular brand. I'm hoping that I'll be able to obtain individual trial packets of a few brands and try them before having to purchase a full size of anything. I know that there are local stores that sell things like that.

slsmoot123

Nutrilite!!!!!!!! The whey protein shakes are naturally sweetened and comes in 3 different flavors, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry. I get it in convienent powder form which is good for on-the-go (just add water) or for smoothies. OR I can get it pre-made in convienent bottles-also good for tucking in my gym bag or purse. 3rd option is protein bars in chocolate peanut or cookies and cream. I think they taste as good if not better than any of the other shakes and they help me make a better food choice when I'm hungry and there is no food around. Best of all, I get them delivered to my doorstep without having to lug any heavy cases from the store to the kitchen. I have to admit I'm a distributor for Nutrilite but they really have good sports nutrition products that have been helping me. If anyone wants to know more dont hesitate to message me Good luck with your weightloss endeavors.

ShannonMarie81

Bump

Lynniebinee

Go Organic - with Proteins + calcuim drink - Check out "Lorna Vanderhaeghe" she a nutrtionalist and well known for her research and books.....
Pack your lunch with lots of veggies and protien !!!!

trybefan

thanks for sharing....out of all of those, I think Myoplex and Muscletech have the best taste....with Myo winning

DMB14896

If you're worried about choking it down, get a Blender Bottle. It gets rid of all the yucky lumps in your protein drink.

fitnessyeoja

bump

rockrosie

Hi there, I just went to my nutritionist and she said if I was needing protein, that I could use a protein shake. She stated I could use a whey protein powder, add greek yogurt, and do fruit or even avocado (mild taste). She stated no more than 25 grams of protein though per serving (? forgot to ask why). She also said to add flax seed to it. I'm curious to try this concoction.

If you use flax seed, make sure to grind it just before- if you grind it too soon, it becomes worthless, and if you don't grind it at all, there's no benefit as it goes right through you!

josery1630

We use Biochem protein powder here in our home since we don't like to use anything with sucralose or other chemical sweeteners. I use it only after a hard workout to supplement my protein intake as I eat primarily a vegetarian diet. I originally purchased it at Whole Foods but found it much cheaper on Amazon with free shipping. We've used the vanilla and chocolate 100% whey formula.

^^This, except I buy the Berries and Whey formula. Good stuff.

You can also make your own protein bars. That way you can control the sugar and you'll have something handy to snack on.

natalieg0307

bump

Lynniebinee

"Genuine Health" from Organic ile; Proteins + calcuim with natural sweet berry - its also support weight loss !!!

morkiemama

If you're worried about choking it down, get a Blender Bottle. It gets rid of all the yucky lumps in your protein drink.

Thanks for the tip!

Lynniebinee

Ok I'm new here ... what the heck is bump? What does it mean ? sorry :embarassed:

TeamRipped4Life

Shakeology.

Shakeology is the best product on the market for helping you lose weight, increase your energy, reduce health risks, and helps you get in the best shape of your life. I've been using Shakeology for two months and have seen amazing results.

Shakeology is a multivitamin, your daily serving of vegetables & fruits, protein, meal replacement - shake. There is nothing else like it on the market and is the healthiest product for you.

Lynniebinee

Put it in yogout or Juice .....

fteale

I think the protein limits per serving are because protein can be hard on the liver to process. :-)

I think it's the kidneys it's hard on.

josery1630

Ok I'm new here ... what the heck is bump? What does it mean ? sorry :embarassed:

It adds it to your "My Topics" so you can find it easier when you want to go back and look for it.

thenance007

I just started using Robb's Whey Protein, Chocolate and it tastes great--I use 1 scoop in 1 cup fat free Lactaid. The Spike Diet book recommends that you drink one immediately after weight training to keep your body from using it's muscle. I think we need to realize that they are not adding these heavy metals to their products, merely concentrating what is already in the milk, eggs, etc. and that we are getting those things from pretty much everything we eat. It's in the ground, in the air, in the water, IN US. And we store it in our fat, so the best thing we can do is LOSE THE FAT!

jmehere

I don't have any advise on how much, accept to say that I think that we are a little obsessed with it. It's funny, my husband brought home a newspaper from 1976ish (can't remember the exact year) and in the meat section of the ads it said something like this, "If you're trying to loose weight, eat meat with every meal." I wonder if it has something to do with the industrialization of meat production. I'm not sure exactly when corn subisdies started, but it would make sense if all those things came together at the same time. If your feed is super cheap, then you can produce more animals, right?
Anyway, I know that has nothing to do with protein shakes, accept that it might have instigated our obsession with protein.
I, myself, do have days when I do low carb, high protein days. Although, my high protein days are probably nothing compared to the average consumption of most people. I eat a flexitarian diet (only eat meat about once a week).
I do make myself a protein shake. I just use Bob's Red mill Concentrated Whey, which you'll find with all the other Bob's Red Mill stuff. I warm up about 1/4th cup of water and pour it over 1 t cocoa powder, 1 t sugar, 1/2 t instant coffee (and or instant dandelion coffee substitute). When that's dissolved, I add my scoop of protein, mix it, then add about 1 cup of milk. It's pretty yummy. And you can add a drop or 2 of whatever flavor you like (just peppermint oil, vanilla extract, almond oil, etc.)

Debbe2

Protein powders (and bars) make it possible to get in protein without adding saturated fats from animal protein. Also, they are convenient, filling and taste great mixed with water, milk, almond milk, yogurt or other foods and recipes.

morkiemama

I just started using Robb's Whey Protein, Chocolate and it tastes great--I use 1 scoop in 1 cup fat free Lactaid. The Spike Diet book recommends that you drink one immediately after weight training to keep your body from using it's muscle. I think we need to realize that they are not adding these heavy metals to their products, merely concentrating what is already in the milk, eggs, etc. and that we are getting those things from pretty much everything we eat. It's in the ground, in the air, in the water, IN US. And we store it in our fat, so the best thing we can do is LOSE THE FAT!

Hmmm that is an interesting point that makes logical sense. In all honesty, I don't research everything I put in my mouth and yet I decided to research this... Not really sure WHY, probably because it is such a foreign concept to me.