Protein shakes - Bad for weight loss?

SnowWhite824

My husband was making me one of his protein shakes after each of my workouts for me, but has stopped, because he said that the packages says its not to be used if you are trying to lose weight.

Is this true? You can't have a protein shake if your trying to lose weight?? Either way, it doesn't really bother me - I've made my own shake with flax seed, greek yogurt, frozen OJ and frozen berries. Just curious!

Microfiber_wechange

Can't say I've noticed a weight gain. I take a protein shake everyday after my Insanity workout. I've almost finished the tub so perhaps won't bother to buy another one

Lesa_Sass

How many calories is it? My protein shake only has 140 calories. If it is a body builder type of shake, it may have a crazy amount of calories in it. Read the label and see what it says.

TKHappy

I don't know if its scientifically correct, but i personally have one for breakfast with oatmeal after my morning workout and I'm not gaining...I am including them in my calorie count for the day!

mmapags

So many variables missing to be able to answer you. What kind of workouts are you doing? Strength or cardio? What protein shake is it he was using? What are your goals. Are you jsut trying to lose weight or wanting to maintain lean mass? If you want to share that info, a more informed opinion can be offered.

SnowWhite824

I don't remember the exact amount of calories, but the powder, plus some peanut butter and skim milk was around 150 calories. Its around the same as the yougurt / oj that I'm making now. So I don't think its a matter of the calories... I was thinking it was more an issue with what is inside... But then that doesn't make sence because then I wouldn't be able to eat a piece of chicken, because that has protein in it..... Maybe he just doesn't want to share his protein shake with me!!!! lol

Microfiber_wechange

Mine's 118 calories and I add it to my food log on here.

SnowWhite824

So many variables missing to be able to answer you. What kind of workouts are you doing? Strength or cardio? What protein shake is it he was using? What are your goals. Are you jsut trying to lose weight or wanting to maintain lean mass? If you want to share that info, a more informed opinion can be offered.

I do the elliptical and treadmill for 60 minutes each day, and then do a kettlebell routine thats about 20-30 minutes. I don't know what type of shake it is exactly, just that its protein. My goals are to lose weight (about 20 lbs), but to tone up too. No more "skinny fat" for me!!!!

chickentunashake

If you mix it with a water for a smaller calorie intake, is fine. I'm drinking protein shakes at least 2x a day,, but i'm also working out a lot and I'm losing weight, not gaining. It comes down to carbs, how many you take a day, if you lose our gain, not on protein. Protein is important to maintain your muscle mass

Microfiber_wechange

I agree. I get my highest protein from the protein shakes I drink. It's worth 24. Maybe I will be buying another tub afterall. LOL

dieseljay74

That is put on the label do people don't substitute it for meals all the time. Protein will only help in the process. Don't forget people need a reminder of what they should and shouldn't do.... Like the warnings on a bleach bottle not to drink .. Lol

neanderthin

It's excess calories not protein shakes that cause weight gain. If any shake fits into your allotted calories, then your gold.

earlyxer

I don't remember the exact amount of calories, but the powder, plus some peanut butter and skim milk was around 150 calories. Its around the same as the yougurt / oj that I'm making now. So I don't think its a matter of the calories... I was thinking it was more an issue with what is inside... But then that doesn't make sence because then I wouldn't be able to eat a piece of chicken, because that has protein in it..... Maybe he just doesn't want to share his protein shake with me!!!! lol

Highly unlikely you came in at 150 calories.... most powders are about 140 a scoop, 1 tbsp of peanut butter is 100, 8 ounces of skim milk is 90... so you're well over 300 right there, assuming those amounts.

There is nothing intrinsically wrong with protein shakes - I usually have one a day, a single scoop with soy milk as a snack. Maybe once a week I will make a breakfast from it, with two scoops and a banana and some peanut butter (love those personal blenders!), which is a touch above 500 calories but it's the entire meal.

The only thing to be careful regarding them is to not over-do them. There is a heck of a lot more in there than protein (creatine, arganine, glutamine, blablablabla....) and no one has really studied what happens to your body if you start consistently maxing out the intake of those supplements. Oh, and too much protein can also bring on gout, though that may be too much information!..

So have your shake-a-day but be realistic about how many calories you are truly consuming.

mmapags

So many variables missing to be able to answer you. What kind of workouts are you doing? Strength or cardio? What protein shake is it he was using? What are your goals. Are you jsut trying to lose weight or wanting to maintain lean mass? If you want to share that info, a more informed opinion can be offered.

I do the elliptical and treadmill for 60 minutes each day, and then do a kettlebell routine thats about 20-30 minutes. I don't know what type of shake it is exactly, just that its protein. My goals are to lose weight (about 20 lbs), but to tone up too. No more "skinny fat" for me!!!!

So, a couple of observations that may be helpful. You are very heavy cardio with a little strength. You might lean down faster if you backed off about 25% on the cardio and did more strength training specifically with weights. There are a couple of beginer strength programs you can find that will help you if interested. One is Stronglifts 5X5 and the other is Starting Strength. The Stronglifts guy is very verbose. Don't let that put you off. The program is great and has a simple easy to use iPhone app that's free I think (?) You won't lose weight as fast. But you will maintain more lean muscle and lose fat and inches.

Which protein shake makes somewhat of a difference. The key things you want to look for are how many grams of protien and how grams of carbs. You want the highest protein and the lowest carbs. A couple that I have used are Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard and Myofusion. Both have about 24 grams of protein per scoop, less than 10 grams of carbs and about 130 or 140 calories. There are some that have higher carbs and higher calories and are for people who are trying to build mass with lifting.

Truthfully, unless you are having trouble hitting your protein goals for the day, the protein shake supplement probably is unessary for you. However, if you do more strength training, they can be very helpful in helping your muscles recover from that training. Best of success meeting your goals!

Scorpioangel

I have drank protein shakes for a while and never had weight gain issues but some protein powders do have a lot of calories and fat in them.

em9371

i would say it would affect weight loss if you take them in addition to what you were eating already, as extra calories are extra calories regardless of where they come from. its worth looking into the nutrition content of different brands, some have just protein and pretty much zero fat / carbs / sugar, some have added carbs as they are intended for people trying to gain.

the lowest calorie way to make them is with water (around 100 cals per 25g scoop), but i make mine with milk for the extra calcium so they come out around 200 cals. I would have drunk the milk anyway so i might as well use it to make my shakes tastier lol

if you work them into your calorie allowance, i cant see a problem. I have them a few times a week on days i dont get enough protein from my meals, or as a breakfast when im in a rush, and this hasnt affected my loss at all.

snacker127

Hey, has anyone tried "Garden of Life, RAW Protein, Beyond Organic Protein Formula"? It seems to have less calories than most protein powders and 17 grams of protein. Does it taste gross?
Thanks

Silver_Star

i love my protein shake. I drink it after cardio. also helps me with my protein intake for the day....and i see inches lost!!!!

usernamekelly1

Hey, has anyone tried "Garden of Life, RAW Protein, Beyond Organic Protein Formula"? It seems to have less calories than most protein powders and 17 grams of protein. Does it taste gross?
Thanks

I've not tried it but I'm on reading an ebook on becoming lean and the author recommends this brand.

To the OP I think your hubby is trying to hog the good stuff

Kap10

Surely it does not mastter how many calories are in it as long as it is taken within your daily targets.

joymarino

Maybe it was something specific about that type of shake? I personally do not take protein shakes, but meal replacement shakes and always come in low on the calories...but of course it depends on what you add to it as well. Maybe he can enlighten you as to what he learned that taught him that? If you are getting results with what you were doing, why stop?

Lesa_Sass

I don't remember the exact amount of calories, but the powder, plus some peanut butter and skim milk was around 150 calories. Its around the same as the yougurt / oj that I'm making now. So I don't think its a matter of the calories... I was thinking it was more an issue with what is inside... But then that doesn't make sence because then I wouldn't be able to eat a piece of chicken, because that has protein in it..... Maybe he just doesn't want to share his protein shake with me!!!! lol

Wow, my shake, with a half cup of berries and a cup of almond milk is 230 calories. So no dear, it will not make you gain weight. I wonder if the manufacturer puts that on there so people will not try to use it as a diet food? I wonder if there are different stipulations for supplements vs weight loss products?

I know for me, having that protein shake is very important to my protein intake.

BrayneZ

It really boils down to your daily macros and net calories. In addition to 4 meals a day, I take a scoop of whey protein with skim milk as soon as I wake up (body in fasted state), and a post-workout shake which consists of 300ml milk, 1.5 scoops of whey, 1tbspn peanut butter and a banana (adding up to a whopping 430 cals).

Oh and I'm cutting (i.e daily deficit of upto 500 calories).


These shakes are to be used as a means to straighten out your figures. If used properly, they actually help in LOSING weight (read: cutting fat). The benefits of having whey/casein protein in your cupboard is that they contain virtually no fats/carbs. YOU are in total control of how much of those to add depending on YOUR daily needs.

kippifer

I have used Garden of LIfe Raw Chocolate Protein Powder--so far I haven't seen too much of a difference in figure. The taste isn't the best. It's a bit like saw dust and you can't really cover that texture. I like that it's raw...I've never tried whey isolate, but I'm interested in trying it since I hear the amino acids are quickly absorbed by the body.

Angelikajohnston

Every one wants to live healthy. You should keep an eye on what you eat and that iis going to give result for you according to your need. In addition, you can decide about which and how much fitness supplements you are going to use for maximum result.

drefaw

Oh, and too much protein can also bring on gout, though that may be too much information!..

So have your shake-a-day but be realistic about how many calories you are truly consuming.

That 1st statement is not completely accurate, It is the type of protein you intake that matters when you have gout. And just eating too much protein does not give you, or bring on gout. If you do not already have it.
Gout is the bodies inability to process uric acid, which is a by-product of purines. Which certain types of protein sources have more of than others.

100% Whey protein does not cause or bring on gout attacks. As a matter of FACT, It is the best kind of protein for people with gout. I know, I have it. I have had it for the last 10-11 yrs. Soy proteins will bring on a gout attack though.(ie...herbalife, ect .... cheap powders that are soy based) I get most of my protein from dairy(which is good for gout sufferers), chicken(white meat only), fish, turkey(white meat only), some lean pork, and very little red meat(BAD for gout), and 100% whey protein powder and MRS's.

To the OP, I use a 100% whey protein mix almost daily, and have no issues. And I am losing BF% weekly, the scale is not moving much, but I am losing inches and BF%, and gaining strength constantly. And that is what matters..... I would not worry too much about it.

JenMc14

I think they put that label no there because they don't want people using the shake as a meal replacement. so many people think protein shake = meal replacement, and it's not true, they aren't formulated that way.

pinkraynedropjacki

I don't remember the exact amount of calories, but the powder, plus some peanut butter and skim milk was around 150 calories. Its around the same as the yougurt / oj that I'm making now. So I don't think its a matter of the calories... I was thinking it was more an issue with what is inside... But then that doesn't make sence because then I wouldn't be able to eat a piece of chicken, because that has protein in it..... Maybe he just doesn't want to share his protein shake with me!!!! lol

Highly unlikely you came in at 150 calories.... most powders are about 140 a scoop, 1 tbsp of peanut butter is 100, 8 ounces of skim milk is 90... so you're well over 300 right there, assuming those amounts.

Mine is 98 cals a scoop & that's made up totally. Not all of them HAVE milk added to them & even then I can add almond milk to it for an extra 40cals. Still under 150

MsEmmy

You just need to know how many cals are in your shake and include it when you log your food. I started taking Optimum Nutrition Gold last week when I started tracking my macros and realised I was well under on protein (I'm vegetarian) I do 30 Day Shred each day and a lot of walking (I have three dogs). I also want to start New Rules of Weightlifting for Women soon. I was getting ravenously hungry in the afternoons and eating all kinds of carb/ fatty junk. Since I started the shakes (only one a day, mixed with semi skimmed milk) I feel I have loads of energy, I don't want to snack in the afternoons and I need much less sleep. I've lost another 2 pounds since I started on the protein shake so it isn't stopping weight loss.

kimmianne89

I wouldn't say they are bad for weightloss but I don't know which one you were having. Some are very high calorie with added things, I wouldnt have my boyfriends one as his is more for gaining and wouldn't fit my macros easily. Mine is just whey protein with only green tea added, I have one every day with unsweetened almond milk. I have trouble hitting 100g (ish) of protein without it as theres only so much high protein foods I can afford, I'd end up eating it all within first few days just to hit my protein goal! Also my favourite food/drink are milkshakes, so having the protein shake stops me craving the sugar loaded ones, so it all works out for the best with me

Shr3dded

Try to purchase an Isolate over a compound protein, Isolates contain less carbs.