protein powders

leopard_barbie

people who use these, what would you say the benefits are?

are they just beneficial if you're doing a lot of weight training or just a good way to up your protein intake?

don't know a lot about them & figured you guys are the experts =D

Scorpiotwinkle

I use a shake after each workout because I read that it helps repair your body (and my Personal Trainer told me to ha!). In the past I have found I ached for days after working out, now I still ache if I have pushed myself, but recover overnight ready to go again! I checked the "diet" and "non diet" whey protein and as they didn't really seem much different in nutrition/cals etc I have used both and found that the diet one was much sweeter but can't say the results are better or worse than each other. Its a good way of getting quck protein into your body and start the repair process straight away.

alice4991

i am not an expert on protein shakes but have been doing a bit of research in to them. i bought some online to up my protein when doing weight training a while ago (not body building! just wanting to get toned up). I did some research into how much protein i should be having and it was around 100g!! which is way more than my fitnesspal suggests but i think that figure is more if you are weight training every day. it is quite hard to eat that much protein and they are high in protein and are an easy way to get more protein for less calories. I used the PHD DIET powder. its not high in calories like some protein shake.It tasted ok but not great and tasted very processed.

This brings me on to my next concern. I am currently trying to follow a great book called clean and lean by james duigan. i have used it before to loose weight and think its great! although it does promote organic food which is not going to happen. His main argument is to try and eat as clean and possible - which means no processed food, food in its most natural form and low sugar. It is not a fad diet at all and it makes a lot of sense and is very inspiring - i highly recommend it! it has completely put me off the protein shakes as they are full of crap and taste like they are. since then i have looked into it a bit more and a lot of people agree that they probably aren't the best things to be putting in your body.

i dont know what others think but i definitely won't be drinking them any more - it is much better to get your nutrients from real food in my opinion!

Steph7x

I drink one after i work out which does help with the repair process i would normally be sore for days after a hard workout and it does seem to cut it down to me being ok the next day.. i am not expert only been taking one everyday for about a week. I drink the Hemp shake and it does taste vile but i think its ok with water and a banana (or whatever fruit) blended in

hawki100

The True Whey range from My Protein is excellent (especially Strawberry and Chocolate flavours). I have one mid morning, one mid afternoon and straight after a work out as a supplement and wouldnt be without them. Absolutely love them

Just be sure to use them as a supplement and not a meal replacement.

They are excellent if you are on a diet by the way. They are not just for body builders! I went through a few DVDs when I lost my weight and they all recommended a shake as part of your daily diet

Matt_Wild

Well, protein is used for the production of muscles. Proteins are also used to manufacture hormones, enzymes, cellular messengers, nucleic acids, and immune-system components.

Without adequate protein, our bodies can't put together the structures that make up every cell, tissue, and organ, nor can it generate the biochemical substances needed for cardiovascular function, muscle contraction, growth, and healing

leopard_barbie

Thanks guys that all sounds great! I'm not heavy lifting but doing body weight stuff and using small (though fairly big for me haha) weights mixed with cardio and noticing muscles for the first time in my life!

debzeeU2

I drink protein shakes for post workouts but also as a meal replacement. Ignore the scale if you decide to raise your protein levels, I would concentrate on measurements instead.

leopard_barbie

I drink protein shakes for post workouts but also as a meal replacement. Ignore the scale if you decide to raise your protein levels, I would concentrate on measurements instead.

Does it make a big difference to weight?

HunterKiller_wechange

I use protein shakes as i am trying build up muscle but struggle to eat enough protein during the day. Can be used as the odd meal replacement if in a rush and normaly have one post workout. I use Syntha 6 chocolate at the mo which is really nice and packed full of good carbs, fats and 22g of protein per serving.

debzeeU2

I drink protein shakes for post workouts but also as a meal replacement. Ignore the scale if you decide to raise your protein levels, I would concentrate on measurements instead.

Does it make a big difference to weight?

it helps to increase muscle mass- muscle weighs more than fat so that is why you shouldn't pay attention to the scale. You may gain a pound or two or flucuate with your weigh but you can be losing inches. Pretty much how strength training transforms your body adding muscle/losing inches...think of protein shakes the same way.Of course, you still have to work out along with drinking the shakes. The shakes on its own won't do this for ya

leopard_barbie

I drink protein shakes for post workouts but also as a meal replacement. Ignore the scale if you decide to raise your protein levels, I would concentrate on measurements instead.

Does it make a big difference to weight?

it helps to increase muscle mass- muscle weighs more than fat so that is why you shouldn't pay attention to the scale. You may gain a pound or two or flucuate with your weigh but you can be losing inches. Pretty much how strength training transforms your body adding muscle/losing inches...think of protein shakes the same way.Of course, you still have to work out along with drinking the shakes. The shakes on its own won't do this for ya

Of course haha, never gonna stop working out! Just wondered what the benefits were as a lot of people seem to be having them.

debzeeU2

the main benefit for me is just getting the protein. Depending on the brand and type of protein powder- you can get a lot in one scoop. Most of the time it's low carb, zero sugar, and reasonable amount of calories. If you are just trying to add protein to your diet, it's easy with shakes. I think the main benefit for fitness competitors and bodybuilders is it helps with their muscle mass. I have a lot of friends that are in the fitness competitions- they do what is called the "bodybuilder diet" chicken, egg whites, oatmeal, protein shakes, carb loading days. etc.

jademh

I do Insanity in the mornings. I wake up super early because I work at 7am, so I don't eat anything before the workouts.

After I workout I have a wheybolic protein shake from GNC (1 scoop cuz i'm a girl :P) & I've been doing this for a whole year now
i add other foods with it, each day differs . . . maybe a banana, pb toast, greek yogurt, etc.

Honestly the protein shake is good (tastes like chocolate milk) and using this as part of my breakfast i noticed a huge change in my energy levels and i feel full SO much longer!!

you won't gain weight from a higher protein diet either, or get bigger. i got smaller and lost over 25lbs and my muscles became more "firm" and toned.

debzeeU2

I do Insanity in the mornings. I wake up super early because I work at 7am, so I don't eat anything before the workouts.

After I workout I have a wheybolic protein shake from GNC (1 scoop cuz i'm a girl :P) & I've been doing this for a whole year now
i add other foods with it, each day differs . . . maybe a banana, pb toast, greek yogurt, etc.

Honestly the protein shake is good (tastes like chocolate milk) and using this as part of my breakfast i noticed a huge change in my energy levels and i feel full SO much longer!!

you won't gain weight from a higher protein diet either, or get bigger. i got smaller and lost over 25lbs and my muscles became more "firm" and toned.

if you use it wisely such as you are doing with 1 scoop only which most protein supplements suggest 1 scoop on container for meal replacements.so yes you can control your weightloss. But, it can cause weight gain aka getting bigger aka muscle building for those that bodybuild. And a lot of people that are bone skinny that are wanting to gain weight- use protein shakes for their number 1 source to help put on weight.

Hard gainers report that mixing whey protein with milk and peanut butter two to three times a day can actually increase the weight by 1 pound a week. If you are trying to gain muscle and not fat, you must make sure that the rest of your diet complies with muscle gaining protein foods and low fat sources.

Women who are concerned about gaining weight while drinking whey protein can rest assured. Unless you combine the whey with fatty foods, you should not be concerned about unwanted weight gain. A healthy and low-cal means of mixing whey protein is to add a scoop to some 40-cal almond milk or even mix it up with water.
Drinking it in whole milk can have adverse effects on a weight loss plan.