Protein Powders- please explain

pspetralia

I have noticed a lot of my MFP friends use protein powders on a daily basis. Can anyone explain why? Why not eat real food if you need more protein? I'm a bit confused about it. Thanks!!

bbbgamer

i dont like meat or any other item you suggest to get protein.....

kmeekhof

I use them every now and then added to breakfast smoothies or oatmeal- it helps me reach my protein levels.

taso42

Why use a microwave if you have an oven?

It's a convenience factor. Also easily portable.

Dave198lbs

I have noticed a lot of my MFP friends use protein powders on a daily basis. Can anyone explain why? Why not eat real food if you need more protein? I'm a bit confused about it. Thanks!!

convenience

calories

and other things like that there

eolivero

You're going to get a thousand answers.

Because someone said "If you exercise a lot you need more protein. I use (insert brand/type). You should try it because look at how great I am."

I think it's a waste of money. Most of it literally gets "pissed" down the drain. But what do I know. My degree was in Human Performances and Health Sciences (with an emphasis in Sports Medicine). I spent several years as a L.A.T. So I'm sure someone else will come along and debunk me before the night is over.

Spend your money on something else, like new clothes.

dport7

I use it between meals. Also pre and post work out. I don't use it every day though'

I also use it to flavor some foods, like yogurt. I like Dutch Chocolate whey protein, no soy.

I am one who wants more protein but am restricted on sodium, so it helps me that way.

Hope this helps.

shivaslives

I'm vegetarian and can't hit my protein goals without these supplements. Who can eat 3.5 blocks of tofu a day?

Dave198lbs

You're going to get a thousand answers.

Because someone said "If you exercise a lot you need more protein. I use (insert brand/type). You should try it because look at how great I am."

I think it's a waste of money. Most of it literally gets "pissed" down the drain. But what do I know. My degree was in Human Performances and Health Sciences (with an emphasis in Sports Medicine). I spent several years as a L.A.T. So I'm sure someone else will come along and debunk me before the night is over.

Spend your money on something else, like new clothes.

pretty much...uh... wrong!

LastSixtySix

I'm a pesco-vegetarian who also is allergic to soy AND needs to lose excess pounds. I won't eat fish every day due to the mercury content and won't eat nuts until the excess weight is off due to the fat content. So, several times a week in order to keep the vital protein intake up to snuff, I'll drink a sugar-free protein shake. My body loves me for it. Often, too, when something comes up and disrupts my schedule and there's little time to prepare anything healthier to eat, I can whip up the shake and it will keep me from hunger for a few hours.

-Debra

Dave198lbs

I'm vegetarian and can't hit my protein goals without these supplements. Who can eat 3.5 blocks of tofu a day?

men should avoid soy. women too for that matter

maru84

I get 25 g of protein for 100 calories from protein powder- no way you're going to find a food that packs a punch like that for so few calories. It helps me stay full and meet my protein goal. I'm only using it right now though, because I've just started jogging and lifting, as extra protein is necessary at the beginning of a new routine.

Here's a good read from a reliable source (webmd) about protein powders: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/protein-powder?page=1 and who can benefit from them and when.

Here's another article from Georgetown University explaining that excess protein is stored as fat (not excreted in the urine, as was claimed in an earlier post) and a way to calculate how much protein you need: http://www3.georgetown.edu/admin/auxiliarysrv/dining/nutrition/protein.html

Artemis_Acorn

I use it because it's a fast, delicious, easy way to meet my macro goals. It fills me up, keeps me going and I trust the makers of the brands I use.

dport7

You're going to get a thousand answers.

Because someone said "If you exercise a lot you need more protein. I use (insert brand/type). You should try it because look at how great I am."

I think it's a waste of money. Most of it literally gets "pissed" down the drain. But what do I know. My degree was in Human Performances and Health Sciences (with an emphasis in Sports Medicine). I spent several years as a L.A.T. So I'm sure someone else will come along and debunk me before the night is over.

Spend your money on something else, like new clothes.

pretty much...uh... wrong!

Agree 100%

laddyboy

It's a supplement to supplement for real food. The best meal of the day is post workout and the best protein is in powder form for fast absorbtion. The whey powders are faster delivery to your muscle then real food. Other than that you would use it to get your protein numbers up when you can't get to real food. I agree with eolivero that real food would be better but that's not always possible...at least for me.

laddyboy

I'm vegetarian and can't hit my protein goals without these supplements. Who can eat 3.5 blocks of tofu a day?

men should avoid soy. women too for that matter

Yeah, not a big fan of soy.

engineman312

You're going to get a thousand answers.

Because someone said "If you exercise a lot you need more protein. I use (insert brand/type). You should try it because look at how great I am."

I think it's a waste of money. Most of it literally gets "pissed" down the drain. But what do I know. My degree was in Human Performances and Health Sciences (with an emphasis in Sports Medicine). I spent several years as a L.A.T. So I'm sure someone else will come along and debunk me before the night is over.

Spend your money on something else, like new clothes.

putting that degree to good use noob!

blondejillie

For me personally, I need protein to balance out the sugar and carbs in things like fruit smoothies so I stay full longer.

fiberartist219

I try to choose a lot of foods that are higher in protein, but what it really comes down to is convenience, like it was said before.

When I wake up in the morning, I get my workout in before anything else happens in the day so I know it got done. At 7am, I'm not going to have the where with all to cook a steak or find someone to cook it for me. I just want to grab whatever can be assembled in 30 seconds and eat that. Sometimes that's a greek yogurt and sometimes that's a protein shake. I like the shake because it doesn't spoil.

No one says you have to buy it or drink it. In fact, I think they are expensive and taste like crap. However, the extra protein helps keep me from getting sore, and it's just plain easy.

taso42

You're going to get a thousand answers.

Because someone said "If you exercise a lot you need more protein. I use (insert brand/type). You should try it because look at how great I am."

I think it's a waste of money. Most of it literally gets "pissed" down the drain. But what do I know. My degree was in Human Performances and Health Sciences (with an emphasis in Sports Medicine). I spent several years as a L.A.T. So I'm sure someone else will come along and debunk me before the night is over.

Spend your money on something else, like new clothes.

kimtpa1417

I drink them on lifting days for faster muscle recovery and to reach my protein goals and to add calories for a surplus. They are not necessary if you can get all the protein from whole foods

eolivero

To those of you that have NEVER read up on anything regarding protein supplements. From the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (26 Sep 2007). Obviously there have been more studies before and after, but the data hasn't changed nor has the opinion of most PROFESSIONALS. All the bloggers can disagree - since they are the experts.

CONCLUSION: It is the position of the International Society of Sports Nutrition that exercising individuals need approximately 1.4 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight per day. The amount is dependent upon the mode and intensity of the exercise, the quality of the protein ingested, and the status of the energy and carbohydrate intake of the individual. Concerns that protein intake within this range is unhealthy are unfounded in healthy, exercising individuals. An attempt should be made to obtain protein requirements from whole foods, but supplemental protein is a safe and convenient method of ingesting high quality dietary protein. The timing of protein intake in the time period encompassing the exercise session has several benefits including improved recovery and greater gains in fat free mass. Protein residues such as branched chain amino acids have been shown to be beneficial for the exercising individual, including increasing the rates of protein synthesis, decreasing the rate of protein degradation, and possibly aiding in recovery from exercise. In summary, exercising individuals need more dietary protein than their sedentary counterparts, which can be obtained from whole foods as well as from high quality supplemental protein sources such as whey and casein protein.

In a nut shell - don't take protein supplements unless you have a medical need. You can get all the protein you need from whole foods. Do yourself a favor (I've typed this a few times) SEE A DOCTOR. Get blood work and determine if you really need to spend money on protein supplements. What you LEARN may surprise you.

CoderGal

It's nicer to have fresh real unprocessed food of course. Personally though, I like the taste of the chocolate stuff and put it in pancakes (delicious).

eolivero

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Nice.

taso42

To those of you that have NEVER read up on anything regarding protein supplements. From the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (26 Sep 2007). Obviously there have been more studies before and after, but the data hasn't changed nor has the opinion of most PROFESSIONALS. All the bloggers can disagree - since they are the experts.

CONCLUSION: It is the position of the International Society of Sports Nutrition that exercising individuals need approximately 1.4 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight per day. The amount is dependent upon the mode and intensity of the exercise, the quality of the protein ingested, and the status of the energy and carbohydrate intake of the individual. Concerns that protein intake within this range is unhealthy are unfounded in healthy, exercising individuals. An attempt should be made to obtain protein requirements from whole foods, but supplemental protein is a safe and convenient method of ingesting high quality dietary protein. The timing of protein intake in the time period encompassing the exercise session has several benefits including improved recovery and greater gains in fat free mass. Protein residues such as branched chain amino acids have been shown to be beneficial for the exercising individual, including increasing the rates of protein synthesis, decreasing the rate of protein degradation, and possibly aiding in recovery from exercise. In summary, exercising individuals need more dietary protein than their sedentary counterparts, which can be obtained from whole foods as well as from high quality supplemental protein sources such as whey and casein protein.

In a nut shell - don't take protein supplements unless you have a medical need. You can get all the protein you need from whole foods. Do yourself a favor (I've typed this a few times) SEE A DOCTOR. Get blood work and determine if you really need to spend money on protein supplements. What you LEARN may surprise you.

Your nutshell doesn't match the conclusion you posted.

You can get all the protein you need from whole foods. No one is debating that.

Protein supplements are a CHEAP and convenient way to get protein.

No one said they are REQUIRED.

The conclusion from the study you linked does not advise against supplementation. Only you are advising against supplementation.

rileysowner

I simply use it because it is less expensive and convenient. Quality lean protein is expensive. Quality whey protein is not. Frankly it is simple the whey by product of making other milk products that is then filtered to become more pure.

Justjoshin

Edit- Taso Beat me to it.

In a nut shell - don't take protein supplements unless you have a medical need. You can get all the protein you need from whole foods. Do yourself a favor (I've typed this a few times) SEE A DOCTOR. Get blood work and determine if you really need to spend money on protein supplements. What you LEARN may surprise you.

I'm so confused by your superior intelligence. Your article (which is 5 years old, but fine) says that I should eat 190grams of protein per day, either by whole food or whey/casein. Yet, your "In a nut shell" tells me not to eat protein powder? What if my whole foods only equate to 120grams..?

rileysowner

To those of you that have NEVER read up on anything regarding protein supplements. From the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (26 Sep 2007). Obviously there have been more studies before and after, but the data hasn't changed nor has the opinion of most PROFESSIONALS. All the bloggers can disagree - since they are the experts.

CONCLUSION: It is the position of the International Society of Sports Nutrition that exercising individuals need approximately 1.4 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight per day. The amount is dependent upon the mode and intensity of the exercise, the quality of the protein ingested, and the status of the energy and carbohydrate intake of the individual. Concerns that protein intake within this range is unhealthy are unfounded in healthy, exercising individuals. An attempt should be made to obtain protein requirements from whole foods, but supplemental protein is a safe and convenient method of ingesting high quality dietary protein. The timing of protein intake in the time period encompassing the exercise session has several benefits including improved recovery and greater gains in fat free mass. Protein residues such as branched chain amino acids have been shown to be beneficial for the exercising individual, including increasing the rates of protein synthesis, decreasing the rate of protein degradation, and possibly aiding in recovery from exercise. In summary, exercising individuals need more dietary protein than their sedentary counterparts, which can be obtained from whole foods as well as from high quality supplemental protein sources such as whey and casein protein.

In a nut shell - don't take protein supplements unless you have a medical need. You can get all the protein you need from whole foods. Do yourself a favor (I've typed this a few times) SEE A DOCTOR. Get blood work and determine if you really need to spend money on protein supplements. What you LEARN may surprise you.

Based on this the amount of protein I am taking it falls right in the middle of that range, and frankly, I would have a difficult time getting to that with whole foods. Could I do it? Yes. Would it be inconvenient and costly with whole food? You bet.

Dave198lbs

. In summary, exercising individuals need more dietary protein than their sedentary counterparts, which can be obtained from whole foods as well as from high quality supplemental protein sources such as whey and casein protein.

.

whey to go bro

leojsivad

It's mainly pure protein without added carbs/fat.

Easier to reach protein levels than without.

IronmanPanda

supplemental protein is a safe and convenient method of ingesting high quality dietary protein.

Your nutshell doesn't match the conclusion you posted.

You can get all the protein you need from whole foods. No one is debating that.

Protein supplements are a CHEAP and convenient way to get protein.

No one said they are REQUIRED.

The conclusion from the study you linked does not advise against supplementation. Only you are advising against supplementation.