Whey protein..does it help you lose weight?

krislshoe

So I was wondering does drinking whey protein help you lose weight????

jacksonpt

Not exactly.

You lose weight by maintaining a healthy caloric deficit. If you do that (assuming a reasonably healthy/balanced diet), you'll lose weight.

Whey protein can help balance out an otherwise unbalanced diet (increase protein intake while reducing fat and/or carbs to keep overall cals the same). It can also boost your protein intake for body composition goals.

krislshoe

thanks Jackson.....that helps:)

Cindym82

Higher protein diet is the only way I can lose weight

SilentRenegade

Higher protein diet is the only way I can lose weight

Me too.

I use protein shakes as a way to curb sweet and hunger pangs. 1 scoop of protein powder, one cup of almond coconut milk (unsweetened), 2-3 tbsp of Walden Farm's 0 cal, 0 carb chocolate syrup, put it in a blender MILKSHAKE.

Sp1nGoddess

I lose more weight when I have a whey protein shake daily - probably because I'm replacing other not so healthy snacks and I usually have one after a workout. But I do feel that a higher protein diet results in greater weight loss because it takes longer to digest and does not spike your blood sugar.

readingk1

I haven't been meeting my protein intake goals; therefore I have started adding it to shakes and it seems to be helping in keeping me fuller longer.

radradradradrad

to the ladies above:
do you replace a meal with the whey protein shake or is it just a supplement?

LaurenMichelle004

I agree with everyone. Plus, I find that it helps keep me full longer to help prevent overeating.

Emili03

I've been wondering the very same thing...i was wonderiing,if I am only doing cardio and no strength training, would it still be a good idea to take whey protein. Also, what is the lowest cal version?

Cindym82

to the ladies above:
do you replace a meal with the whey protein shake or is it just a supplement?

I do it as a snack inbetween meals

DixiedoesMFP

If you can get adequate protein from "real" food, then whey protein isn't necessary. I'm not overly fond of it, so I eat a lot of chicken, eggs, turkey, and lean beef, as well as Greek yogurt to reach my protein goals. If you like drinking shakes, however, they are an excellent way to get a large protein intake for relatively few calories. Buying the bulk cans is cheaper and you get more protein than a lot of the prepackaged drinks.

thepetiterunner

to the ladies above:
do you replace a meal with the whey protein shake or is it just a supplement?

I use them as a recovery drink after a workout. I'm not a fan of replacing entire meals with shakes, as I like to eat my calories, not drink them, but that's entirely personal preference.

jacksonpt

to the ladies above:
do you replace a meal with the whey protein shake or is it just a supplement?

Whey protein by itself does not make a healthy meal replacement. It is simply protein, and a meal replacement should have additional vitamins and minerals. It should probably also have some fat and carbs too, but that depends on the rest of your diet.

Most people will mix protein with things like yogurt, peanut butter, fruit, etc when using it as a meal replacement.

radiva1

i replace one meal with a protein shake daily; i also have an extra shake on days i work out hard to keep those calories burning! and yes, i add a fruit with it to complete the meal

jacksonpt

I've been wondering the very same thing...i was wonderiing,if I am only doing cardio and no strength training, would it still be a good idea to take whey protein. Also, what is the lowest cal version?

Whey Isolate is going to be the lowest cal. Which one you go with is up to you.

RNmomto4

I dont necessarily replace my breakfast with a protein shake, or at least I dont feel its a meal replacement

Mainly because I add a lot of different things to mine:
2 cups spinach or kale
whey protein powder
almond milk
frozen fruit or 1 banana
blueberries
flaxseed meal

Blend, and enjoy

So while I use this as my breakfast after a workout, its very filling, healthy, and I get fruits and veggies as well...

kerriBB37

I drink 1-2 protein shakes a day.. I often will have a smoothie for breakfast (ie. today's breakfast = 1c unsweetened almond milk which is 35 cals, 3 fat, 1 carb, 1 scoop vanilla powder, 1/2 banana, a few strawberries and a cup of spinach)

I ALWAYS drink a shake after I lift weights, within the first 30 minutes if I can! the muscles absorb the nutrients much better in this window.

I've decided to try and shake these up a bit.. I've got a vanilla and a chocolate protein powder at home. Sometimes I will add fruit to them, sometimes PB2 peanut butter, sometimes peppermint extract to the vanilla, ice, and a product that helps thicken it! I have become such a fan of these shakes/smoothies.
Best of luck!
My favorite website to purchase stuff off of is www.netrition.com

SilentRenegade

to the ladies above:
do you replace a meal with the whey protein shake or is it just a supplement?

The only time I use it as a meal replacement is if I wake up late and have no time to make a good breakfast. So I'll throw some in a shaker and mix it up and drink it on the way to work. It keeps me full until I can go to lunch. I prefer, though, to have them as a snack in between meals and definitely after a workout. Nothing beats real food for a meal.

MrsLVF

to the ladies above:
do you replace a meal with the whey protein shake or is it just a supplement?

Whey protein by itself does not make a healthy meal replacement. It is simply protein, and a meal replacement should have additional vitamins and minerals. It should probably also have some fat and carbs too, but that depends on the rest of your diet.

Most people will mix protein with things like yogurt, peanut butter, fruit, etc when using it as a meal replacement.

I agree, my after lifting shake is typically whey protein + yogurt + frozen fruit

jacksonpt

I ALWAYS drink a shake after I lift weights, within the first 30 minutes if I can! the muscles absorb the nutrients much better in this window.

Studies show this to not be true. It can have other benefits, but the absorption window idea is a myth.