Protein shake as a snack (not following exercise)

GuybrushThreepw00d

Hi everyone,

I currently take a 38g Protein shake every morning immediately after exercise (intensive cardio/lifting weights).
I've never really taken one as a meal replacement or snack.

Just wondering on everyone's opinions on using them as an afternoon snack. If you look at my food diary for today, you might see what i mean.

Cheers
Gordon

Crayvn

sure you can! as long as you stay within your net calories as usual ive even used one to replace a meal before. comes in handy when you are on the go all day. They sell them at some gas stations at most quick convenience stores/gas stations

iluxoxo211

I have protein shakes as snacks all the time!! nothing wrong with it at all in my opinion!!:bigsmile:

carlayyy2308

i haven't used protein shake as a snack but i always have them after my workout (either before breakfast or before dinner) so in a way they're snacks anyhow as they stabalise your hunger x

MsBaby117

I have had them as a snack when I have a lot of calories left but I'm not really hungry...:drinker:

erickirb

It is just protein. Would you eat chicken not following exercise? Is so this is no different, it is just a way to get more protein.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I never use them as an "after exercise" blah, blah, blah. I generally have my shake in the afternoon as a snack (or with my snack). I'm not a big proponent or you must eat between x and y, not after z, on every other day between the half moon rising but not on days of an eclipse. Food isn't that complicated, you exercise when you need to, you eat what you need to when you want it, you track your macros and try to get as close as possible . . . timing makes negligable impact.

jensfitpal2012

I have them as a snack,after a workout,in the evening when I need more calories,but am not hungry.....I think they are good anytime,as long as you are not going over your calorie intake.

mom2handh1975

I never use them as an "after exercise" blah, blah, blah. I generally have my shake in the afternoon as a snack (or with my snack). I'm not a big proponent or you must eat between x and y, not after z, on every other day between the half moon rising but not on days of an eclipse. Food isn't that complicated, you exercise when you need to, you eat what you need to when you want it, you track your macros and try to get as close as possible . . . timing makes negligable impact.

^^^ this! Why do we make everything so complicated???

ilovedeadlifts

you're fine having it as a snack during the day......

zombie_porno

I use them as meal replacement. But why anyone would want a 200-300 calorie snack when trying to lose weight is beyond me...

deadliftfan

I wouldn't take wpi/hydrolised without working out. Whey gets absorbed way too quickly.

mhouston2011

I even have one before bed sometimes...keeps me from waking up hungry in the morning

mhouston2011

I use them as meal replacement. But why anyone would want a 200-300 calorie snack when trying to lose weight is beyond me...

They all aren't 200 - 300 calories...I drink ones that have 160 calories with 35 grams of protein

Dave198lbs

I wouldn't take wpi/hydrolised without working out. Whey gets absorbed way too quickly.

so what

fishgutzy

I use them as meal replacement. But why anyone would want a 200-300 calorie snack when trying to lose weight is beyond me...

2 oz of peanuts is over 300 cal. But I do it all the time. But then I have a hard time making up exercise calories anyway.

I alternate days with eggs, sausage and cheese for breakfast and a shake for breakfast.
I have never had a shake after exercise. But I have nuts because I need to keep the content shift toward fat calories. Too much protein is not healthy for me and leads to *kitten* breath. :devil:

Going4Lean

I take mine all the time. My protein is 110 calories and 25g of protein.

DavPul

I wouldn't take wpi/hydrolised without working out. Whey gets absorbed way too quickly.

OH NOES! My body has absorbed all of my protein in record time? What does I do now? Huh, what?!?!?!

To the OP, have protein whenever you want. After workout, as a snack, for breakfast, before bedtime, whatever. If you need to up your protein intake, your body really doesn't care when you get it....nor does it care how long it takes to absorb.

GuybrushThreepw00d

I use them as meal replacement. But why anyone would want a 200-300 calorie snack when trying to lose weight is beyond me...

Check this thread; http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/744720-opinions-on-my-diet
General (sensible) consensus was that i need to eat a bit more.
If i have 2 scoops of my protein shake in 300ml of water it's 224 calories.... but you can always just have 1 scoop.

lynz4589

I just started on protein shakes at the end of last week, getting it at the weekend was easy because I was in the house and able to just make one when I remembered / needed it. Weekdays Im restricted to having it after work and gym, so Im taking it just before dinner. Most important thing for me is upping protein as apposed to when / how I get it. I dont use it as a replacement just as an addition and make sure Im still within cals.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I use them as meal replacement. But why anyone would want a 200-300 calorie snack when trying to lose weight is beyond me...

Some of my "snack" meals contain more calories than my "breakfast, lunch, dinner." For me, "snacks" aren't just about a bag of chips, nuts, 100 calorie pre portioned cookies, "snacks" are meals just like any other and I try to approach them as thoughtfully as the rest. What am I trying to accomplish with this? How do I want to split up my daily calories into my 6 meals? How much wine am I planning on drinking tonight? Generally the focus of my snacks is to boost my daily protein (generally in the mid morning I have 8 oz of greek yogurt and mix in protein powder, in the afternoon 12 oz of almond milk with 2 scoops of protein powder) and then plan my dinner accordingly to try to get my macros. And honestly, why does it matter what you call the time in which you eat your calories as long as you're eating them to reach your goals?

Sarge516

I have protein shakes as a snack sometimes, but IMO (and I don't claim to be an expert) they are also well utilized before bed and after a strenuous workout.

jenshoeee

I have had them as a snack when I have a lot of calories left but I'm not really hungry...:drinker:

I also do this. If I know I need to eat (while trying to loose weight you should eat every 3-4 hours) but I am not hungry, I will have half a protein shake. My favorite is Bolthouse Farms Protein Plus Chocolate.

mdpkelley

(this is way old but commenting anyways)

I have a whey protein smoothie 2-3 times a day, if I have 3 then its because I drank one for breakfast but when I have them as snacks its under 200 calories. this afternoon I had triple chocolate (1 scoop whey), 1/2 banana and 1/4 cup of greek yogurt, total 187 calories. if you are only at 1200 calories a day then that might not fit in your needs but I am at 1500 and I find that these shakes make the perfect snack.

JJeMitchell

I have one at 3 pm as a snack all the time. It helped me stop eating like crazy mid-afternoon. If I eat lunch at 12 or 1, there's no way I cam make it to 6 p.m. without getting hungry. Especially on days when I do double workouts for 2 hours total. I always add ice- something about freezing ice mixed with milk and a little protein powder really curbs cravings. I say go for it!

cyberlucy

(this is way old but commenting anyways)

I have a whey protein smoothie 2-3 times a day, if I have 3 then its because I drank one for breakfast but when I have them as snacks its under 200 calories. this afternoon I had triple chocolate (1 scoop whey), 1/2 banana and 1/4 cup of greek yogurt, total 187 calories. if you are only at 1200 calories a day then that might not fit in your needs but I am at 1500 and I find that these shakes make the perfect snack.

Thanks for bringing it back up. It was something I was considering today