Confused About Protein Shakes?

blondejillie

I like Jay Robb. A little pricey, but it is my one "guilty" pleasure. I can't stand the smell of some of the others. This one is smooth and taste good. I don't have to chug it down holding my nose. It doesn't have any sugars and is sweetened with Stevia. I like it. 25 grams of protein. If you have a Whole Foods or GNC nearby you can buy a sample pack of one serving to try. I did that before I jumped in and bought a whole tub. I was tired of buying nasty ones and then throwing it out because I couldn't stomach the taste. I think ALL protein powders should have sample packs.

AGREE. I find the Jay Robb Egg White Protein at Drugstore.com.
Tastes great by itself or blended with other ingredients. Also stir it into cereal.

rebecca0101

Bump - for later

killagb

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the body by Vi shakes really have all that much protein in them? Most whey powders that come in a tub or a bag have 25+ protein per serving, and if you add them to skim milk, that adds another 8 grams or so.

This is an oversimplification, but eating a high protein diet helps you retain lean muscle while burning fat which will help your end result look lean and strong and tight versus "skinny fat" where there is poor skin tone and elasticity.

They contain a tri-blend protein that your body actually uses and absorbs, as apposed to these other protein powders, that you end up peeing out quite a bit of the protein.

It uses soy protein which is much less effective than whey protein(and the other protein sources it uses ...are whey)....not to mention the really LOW amount of protein it contains. Protein powders are a much better choice, depending on the brand you choose(hint...don't pick Shakeology). I personally use Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard Whey Protein. 24g of protein per scoop...where Body by Vi? 12g.

rjbrowne

I've started adding them on my hard workout days. It really helps me avoid sore muscles. I tend to have a hard time reaching my protein goals with food alone. I definitely make sure I get there, when I've worked hard though. Good luck!

NKF92879

In all honesty, I use protein shakes as a meal replacement most of the time. I don't want to get up any earlier than I have to, so I have a shake for breakfast most days. I also add the powder to smoothies (for flavor and added protein), and sometimes have a shake as a snack.

athensguy

Chemicals? Proteins are made of chemicals, so I'd hope there's something other than a vacuum in that container.

You don't excrete significant amounts of protein in your urine unless you're very ill.

Lib_B

i use a protein shake for my breakfast and i've been shedding weight. i love mine. i use chocolate whey. I like the EAS lean protein one. it's tasty and affordable and you can find it at target. i used to use an organic rice one but it was very pricey. anyway, the chocolate whey keeps my sweet tooth satisfied too. i blend it with 1 c. almond milk, 5 frozen whole strawberries, 1/2 of a banana and 4 or 5 ice cubes. it's like having a chocolate shake for breakfast. also helps me get a couple of servings of fruit in for the day and gets my metabolism revving with the carbs.

laddyboy

Whey Protein Powder is classified as a supplement. You use it to supplement for protein you're not getting in your diet that you should be. Whether it's because you're to busy to cook, just can't eat all that lean meat or you just want a short cut. I find that I can get a good clean protein without all the fat and sugar to help reach my macros. I'm a fan or Pure Protein and Optimum Nutrition. I've also recently just added Detour Protein bars to my diet as they are a good source of protein and low in fat and sugar.

I will however say, if you can reach your protein requirements (about 1 gm per lb of body weight) with real food then just do that.

staceyb2003

About a month ago before I started lifting heavy I found this website off an older thread. Not sure how accurate it is, but it did explain to me why people use these supplements. I see a big change in my body. I can't give the supplements all the credit, my hard work has to account for 99% of it I don't take all of these supplements because it's expensive. Just the whey, creatine, and vitamins.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/girls-guide-to-supplements.html?mcid=facenutrition

heidirn2003

I started using body fortress about two months ago post workout and for breakfast supplement. I chose BF whey proten because it was high protein low cal and low carb but here I am heavier and bulkier. Have you experienced any weight gain? I'm 5'3" and I was 115 now I'm teetering 125!! I'm freaking out! I look thick and feel like the incredible hulk!!! I workout 6-7 days/week and I lift *cybex machines. I'm also retaining water and can't shake it!!! Can that be related to the whey protein? Some say if you take in too much whey protein the body stores it as fat and others say you cant take in too much protein because the body will just excrete it. So what the heck is happening to me then??

atjays

For me it serves two purposes. It's nearly the perfect post workout "meal" , your body is starving for those nutrients at that point, and it is also a very fast meal with no mess or clean up. I have a shaker cup, pour in milk and 2 scoops and done. Its also nice because its a bit lighter of a meal on the stomach, I already feel like I'm forcing food down to meet my daily goals, so to get that meal as a refreshing drink is nice.

On the flip side, as others have said, it really yields no benefits to those wanting to lose weight and is totally unnecessary if you are getting good sources of proteins elsewhere.

spinqueen72

I love my protein shakes. I buy Maxpro from Max Muscle chocolate and vanilla. I mix them with unsweetened vanilla almond milk. I take protein to increase my protein count for the day as my nutritionist has me eating 175 grams of protein a day. I get 60 of that through my shakes. (1 in the morning & 1 right before bed). Don't laugh at the bed time one....it keeps your metabolism working through the night. When I lost weight 2 years ago, that was my secret. If you are exercising, your body needs lots of protein to repair.

I also do a protein shake before bed! I use Dymatize Elite Gourmet Whey Protein.

cheyniemama

To calculate your protein needs:

Take body weight in pounds, divide by 2.2

This is your weight in Kilograms

Multiply by 0.8

This is how many grams of protein you need (but if you are overweight, this is actually TOO MUCH, because a higher percentage of your body is fat, and not muscle. Better to calculate by what your healthy weight should be.

Food experts recommend not going over double your needed amount...it puts stress on your kidneys.

Most people losing weight, working out (not bodybuilder style) don't need extra protein.

I am NO expert, this is just what I studied in my nutrition class this week, and that's where my info is coming from

That said, I usually am at about 1.5 times my recommended protein because I happen to like it!

katiew00t

i LOVE my protein shakes. I am lactose intolerant, so I use GNC ProPerformance Chocolate Soy Protein Powder. 1 scoop powder, 1 cup water, 1 banana, 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 tablespoon ground flax seed. DELICIOUS! I drink it 1 hour after my workout. I also eat soy yogurt with fresh fruit at that time, and that's what makes my lunch.

Becca_007

bump

JanieJack

Two BIG things protein shakes do for me:

1. My body recovers faster after a long run or weight workout. This is the reason I started drinking them.
2. For the first time in my LIFE I have nice long nails. Before I started taking protein after my workouts, my nails used to always break off halfway down my nailbed (ouch!). Now they're strong and pretty.

People say you can get the same effect by eating more meat (which my body can't tolerate) or by making homemade soup with bones, which is time consuming but yummy (boil it long enough so the broth gels upon cooling), or by simply eating real gelatin.

IHeartNewMe

I love them to help meet my protein quota. I think that most of them are high in carbs, at least for me. I have found some that are very low in carbs and fat and high in protein. I drink EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control - http://eas.com/
and when I can find them EAS MyoPlex Carb Control (25 gr. quality protein, 2 net carbs, 3.5 g. fat), both of these are very filling. I have also used Pure Protein shakes - http://www.pureprotein.net/pages/products.aspx?sku=031699
I find these are very filling and tasty snacks when served ice cold.

Elibasia

I take a protein shake 3 times a week when I don't have time for breakfast. I bought al Costco Premier Nutrition high protein shakes it has 160 calories, 30g of protein, 1 gram of sugar, 3 gram of fat and is ready to go.

littlepinkhearts

I consume whey protein not only for the protein but also for the other nutrients in it. It gives added energy and just makes me feel better over-all. I work shift work and a lot of weekends and i've found that since using it, i've had a quicker and more energized turn around between shifts and just don't feel so crappy all the time. Adding it to a fruit smoothie just makes it all the better tasting

megsmom2

I bought some of the protein shake mix mostly to use in some recipes (cookies, etc.) and its good for that, but I found it makes a really delicious smoothie. Its nice to have something that I really enjoy and tastes indulgent...but it still good for me and easy to fit into a day's food requirements. You don't need protein shakes, but they are a nice option.

ChristineDB

I personally don't like the shakes with powders and want to focus on healthy weight loss and not on building muscle. I have shakes with Greek yogurt! It's very good for you and full of protein!

This is my recipe:

1 cup of natural liberty Greek yogurt
1 cup of frozen fruit (your choice)
1 medium banana
1\3 cup of cranberry or orange juice

Blend and voila!
325 calories
21 g of protein
0 fat

CoderGal

Keep in mind that these are processed powders and real food is better. Apparently we do not absorb them as well (I was reading up about this yesterday). But great if you are working out and feel you need more in your diet

Fit_Canuck

I love my GNC Pro Performance Whey ISO Burst (Double Chocolate Royale) it really mixes well with water and tastes delicious!

katiew00t

I love my GNC Pro Performance Whey ISO Burst (Double Chocolate Royale) it really mixes well with water and tastes delicious!

yum!

chachita7

I strive for at least 100 g of protein a day... usually don't need the shake to meet it - but on the days I lift or the day after I make sure I get plenty of it and put a scoop of chocolate protein in to my coffee (oh so good)

At least for me it helps with keeping me getting too sore after weight lifting - I don't lift like a girl though, lol

killagb

I personally don't like the shakes with powders and want to focus on healthy weight loss and not on building muscle. I have shakes with Greek yogurt! It's very good for you and full of protein!

This is my recipe:

1 cup of natural liberty Greek yogurt
1 cup of frozen fruit (your choice)
1 medium banana
1\3 cup of cranberry or orange juice

Blend and voila!
325 calories
21 g of protein
0 fat

Drinking a powder form of protein is not going to make you bulk up with muscle. You do have to actually work at such a thing. It's only going to help you from LOSING lean muscle.

Acg67

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the body by Vi shakes really have all that much protein in them? Most whey powders that come in a tub or a bag have 25+ protein per serving, and if you add them to skim milk, that adds another 8 grams or so.

This is an oversimplification, but eating a high protein diet helps you retain lean muscle while burning fat which will help your end result look lean and strong and tight versus "skinny fat" where there is poor skin tone and elasticity.

They contain a tri-blend protein that your body actually uses and absorbs, as apposed to these other protein powders, that you end up peeing out quite a bit of the protein.

Way to make things up

vypeters

Protein shakes are great, make great smoothies, easy, bio-available. I use them every day.

BUT, and this is a big but: if they don't satisfy you, you're still hungry and therefore pushing the envelope on calories, maybe go with solid protein foods to get your protein in. Depends on the person. Me, they work great. Others, not so much.

gp79

I'm not quite sure of the thought process behind this but...it's as if a protein powder falls between a diet pill and whole food.

It is a supplement.

According to the dictionary, a supplement is something added to complete a thing, supply a deficiency, or reinforce or extend a whole.

It's used in most modern diets because a typical persons nutrition is deficient in protein. As others have mentioned it helps you retain lean body tissue, which is important during weight loss. It's marketed in shakes alot of times and pushed to you as some magical substance that's going to make the weight fall off of you. Not the case.

Night_hawker5000

I started using body fortress about two months ago post workout and for breakfast supplement. I chose BF whey proten because it was high protein low cal and low carb but here I am heavier and bulkier. Have you experienced any weight gain? I'm 5'3" and I was 115 now I'm teetering 125!! I'm freaking out! I look thick and feel like the incredible hulk!!! I workout 6-7 days/week and I lift *cybex machines. I'm also retaining water and can't shake it!!! Can that be related to the whey protein? Some say if you take in too much whey protein the body stores it as fat and others say you cant take in too much protein because the body will just excrete it. So what the heck is happening to me then??

I've heard that if you consume over 40 grams of protein in each shake you piss it out because your kidneys (body) can't process that much....if you stay under your calorie intake, excess protein won't be stored as fat, but burned since your in calorie deficit...I'm sure your just fine if you just start under you goal