WHY do people on mfp use protein shakes??

MaggiePuccini

Isn't there protein in food? :-p when I get to the end of the day logging calories, mfp never tells me that I need more protein.

Is it extremely low in calories? Does it fill you? where do you get it? I haven't seen it in the supermarket. I wouldn't know what to do with it.

AislingRA

My hubby uses it after he does weights. He is a big fecker so he is! It helps repair the muscle fast I think but I am not 100%

laineylynnfit

I drink 1 scoop (140 cals) of Body Fortress Whey Protein with 8 oz. of water after I leave the gym to help with muscle recovery. However, it is true that it is better to get protein from natural sources (like lean meat, etc.) I buy Whey at Wal Mart and it doesn't really fill me up and I never use it as a meal replacement as some people choose to do. Nothing is better then actual food

BIGJIMMYU

My hubby uses it after he does weights. He is a big fecker so he is! It helps repair the muscle fast I think but I am not 100%

tTHIS IS EXACTLY RIGHT!

Becky_Boodle

I have 1 scoop whey protein isolate powder blended with frozen mixed berries and water after my workout to help with muscle recovery...I never use it as a meal replacement...and the rest of the day I get my protein from lean meats

MaggiePuccini

I'd be morto going into a health food shop looking for some. have you tried it Aisling? you wouldn't need it after 30ds would you!?
does it keep you full for hours? lots of people who aren't trying to build up muscle use it. I just want to look toned as in not wobbly.

MaggiePuccini

Bekcy Boodle, that sounds nice. That's the kind of thing I'd like to try.

hesn92

People who are really into lifting weights/strength training need more protein. But for me, I only do a little bit of strength and mostly cardio so I can get a decent amount of protein just through my diet.

I also know someone who is on a high protein diet (not sure why, she saw a nutritionist and that's what was recommended) and she's also a vegetarian... she drinks protein shakes for an easy way to get some extra protein.

AislingRA

Haven't used it Mags but it smells delish, like a vanilla milkshake! I prefare to eat like a horse personally, which is probably why I am on this site :bigsmile:

Bakkasan

When I put loss on hold and go into building mode I eat 5000 cals a day for about 3 weeks and I can't do that with just food so I have to toss in 3 shakes a day.

Right now I am in Orthodox lent and I use them to get my protein in while still keeping at 1800 cals.

sjohnny

I try to get at least 175 to 200 grams of protein a day. It's just easier to use a scoop or two to help get me to where I want to be. I don't find it filling unless I mix it with a bunch of other stuff.

BrianSharpe

Some people swear by it as a recovery aid after a hard workout. Personally I'll stick with chocolate milk and/or clif bars, that way I know I'm staying pretty close to the desired 4:1 bar to protein ratio.

withervein

I drink a protein shake because:
it's versatile,
it's quick,
It can be as tasty as I want to make it
I don't feel like eating chicken breast for breakfast
It helps me get an extra serving or two of fruit in the morning
It keeps me full.

It makes a good breakfast for me as I'm quite lazy and like to lie in bed until the last minute, especially after kickboxing classes the evening before.

That's just me, though, no one's forcing anyone else's hand.

ETA:
Mine aren't particularly low calorie as I start with a shake and add berries, some honey, greek yogurt, a scoop of wheat germ, a banana, in some combination depending on what I remember to toss in. Mine average between 200-350 calories.

I edited MFP's protein goals to get about 25/25/50 with protein, fat and carbs. I try to keep the protein as a minimum goal and the carbs as a max goal.

MaggiePuccini

no, I wouldn't feel like chicken in the morning either! i am going to go and have a browse in the health food shop.

withervein

no, I wouldn't feel like chicken in the morning either! i am going to go and have a browse in the health food shop.

You certainly don't need them if you are happy with the protein you are getting in your regular diet. I just find that to reach my custom goal, I need something thats FAST because I sleep late and have to drive 40 miles to work.

trelm249

protein is naturally more thermogenic than carbs or fat, particularly whey protein. This promotes fat burning. Protein is a basic building block of muscle recovery following exercise. That would be any exercise.

The USDA daily ratios is what MFP defaults to on the macro nutrient proportions. These are woefully out of date and favor grain based agricultural economies (what?! politics influences the USDA?!), rather than active poeple trying to get fit.

Many people use protein supplements to get extra protein for convenience. Certainly it is available in food, and that should be the primary source. I just don't normally have an 8 oz chicken breast in my gym bag for after my workout, where a protein bar or shake is.

cindy4mica

Isn't there protein in food? :-p when I get to the end of the day logging calories, mfp never tells me that I need more protein.

Is it extremely low in calories? Does it fill you? where do you get it? I haven't seen it in the supermarket. I wouldn't know what to do with it.

I've found it at my local grocery store, Walmart & Target. I'm sure they have it at GNC's or other vitamin shops. It's kinda pricey ($20 for a 16 oz. container), but I guess if you work out religiously, you need it.

muddyventures

I've actually been wanting to start using protein shakes, because I do better with protein in the morning and I really hate breakfast. Breakfast has been my biggest obstacle. I'm trying to set an example for my four daughters by eating, and yet sometimes the morning are so busy a shake would be nice.

Hurricane_C

I use one scoop of Muscletech - 100% Premium Whey Protein Plus (I get a 5lb bag at Sam's Club for like $35-40) after a workout. I mix it with soy milk, cocoa powder, peanut butter and ice. It tastes just like a chocolate peanut butter milkshake (only healthier, I'm sure). I use it for muscle recovery and also to help get in my protein since I'm a vegetarian.

Devlyn_P

I drink protein shakes to fit macros/calories into my daily intake. I don't always have time to prepare adequate meals during the week due to a demanding work schedule.

LaurenAOK

As a vegetarian I sometimes struggle with protein, so that's why I try to drink them pretty often. They're really tasty, pretty low-calorie, and they keep me full for a while (though I don't use them as a complete meal replacement).

And I too always drink them after workouts for muscle recovery.

SmallerBecky

I drink 1 scoop (140 cals) of Body Fortress Whey Protein with 8 oz. of water after I leave the gym to help with muscle recovery. However, it is true that it is better to get protein from natural sources (like lean meat, etc.) I buy Whey at Wal Mart and it doesn't really fill me up and I never use it as a meal replacement as some people choose to do. Nothing is better then actual food

^^Exactly this (down to the kind of protein powder I use!).

thankyou4thevenom

mfp never tells me that I need more protein.

MFP's setting for protein is very low.

taso42

My hubby uses it after he does weights. He is a big fecker so he is! It helps repair the muscle fast I think but I am not 100%

tTHIS IS EXACTLY RIGHT!

Nah. It's simply a quick and easy way to get more protein. Nothing more, nothing less. For the people who aim for 150g/day, it's a handy tool to use to supplement protein from whole foods.

foremant86

I'd venture to bet that your protein settings are low, like what MFP sets when you sign up.

Most of us are aiming for a higher amount of protein and sure I could sit and chew on meat all day but i'd rather not so I drink a protein shake.

I eat quite a bit of meat, eggs, yogurt, etc. but a protein shake still helps.

jackpotclown

I use it to get closer to the 140-150g daily protein goal, I mix one scoop with a cup of skim milk.....and to those of you mixing with water, my hats of to ya cause at least with skim ya get some flavor lol

CoryIda

Nah. It's simply a quick and easy way to get more protein. Nothing more, nothing less. For the people who aim for 150g/day, it's a handy tool to use to supplement protein from whole foods.

Is Taso ever NOT right?

hiker282

It's just to spite you and make you wonder, "WTF." It's purely personal, I promise!

spinqueen72

I use protein shakes every day!
It DOES fill you up.
Benefits include:
1. repairs/rebuilds muscle damage from working out
2. has non-essential & essential amino acids
3. helps digestion
4. helps liver with waste

I do whey protein shakes, because I want to be careful of the cholesterol in animal fats. Plus...I'm not a big meat eater.
Whey protein actually digests better and faster than animal protein...so you get better benefits, faster!

I use Dymatize Elite Gourmet Whey/Casein Protein Blend in Rich Vanilla Creme (so I can add it to baking, oatmeal, etc)
here's the link to order: www.dymatize.com
There are a ton of different flavors...ALL GLUTEN FREE...and taste EXACTLY like what they are called.
Chocolate Mint is really good..especially in the hot weather. I blend it with ice to make a milkshake.
Anyways..I could go on and on about protein...but I can't.
Try it..you won't be disappointed!

CharityEaton

Why I use protein powder:
Mfp protein numbers are set too low
When I increased my protein I noticed I was not as sore from day to day workouts and I had far more energy to "bring it" during workouts
I could run longer without massive shin splints
It is a GREAT way to get the amount of protein I am aiming for each day (a girl can only eat so much chicken in a day)

I do agree that if you are not trying to reach a certain protein goal then getting your protein from food is preferable but if you are really wanting to increase your workouts as well as your results, protein shakes/powder etc... are the easiest way to add a big amount of protein while cutting back on fat.
Another reason, it's just easy to dump some powder, fruit, milk or water, spinach and whatever in the blender and know that it is a perfectly balanced meal if you chose to use it as breakfast.
Mine are NOT low cal at all. This is what I had this morning:
1 cup nonfat milk
1 scoop vanilla whey protein
1/2 a large banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup spinach
(I added some strawberry syrup for a boost of sugar since this shake was my recovery drink/breakfast smoothie this morning)
It was over 400 cals but after sleeping in and gettin my workout in I didn't eat until 1000 am so I'll probably skip lunch and eat a BIG early dinner. It's the weekend and my schedule gets all kinds of crazy so the protein powder helps me relax about what I eat on the weekend.
It's whatever works for you and YOUR fitness goals but there are plenty of people on MFP tat can give you pointers and ideas on how to get started!
If you have a Wal-Mart you can find protein powder for a decent price and just start experimenting with it.

kennethmgreen

Ideally, I'd get all my protein from food. But if I'm going for a set amount of protein, it's not always so easy. So I use shakes and supplements to get me there.

I think it's a matter of convenience.