Protein powder....do you need it?

hollyNhollywood

I'm vegetarian and protein powder is a good way to increase my servings. As I'm trying to intake 1g per 1 lb of lean mass.
I have a shake after my workouts.. just mix it w/ unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Super easy. And I also have been making protein powder pancakes. Truth be told, I'm kinda addicted to it. I make 'regular' flavor (w/ vanilla cream protein powder), I make pumpkin (by adding pumpkin and spices) and I've made banana pecan (with banana protein). I JUST bought some cinnamon bun Muscle Milk to try next for pancakes (I went in for 'cake batter' but GNC was out) And I also just bought unflavored to try making protein 'tortillas' (now I just need to find the recipe for that)
And just this morning I made rolled oats mixed with the banana protein powder. So there are more ways to use it than just in a shake.
I use Optimal Nutrition and Gold Standard 100% Whey. (As mentioned, I just bought Muscle Milk, haven't used it yet though)

do you know that whey is animal protein?

Whey is milk derived right? I'm vegetarian, not vegan. I eat/drink dairy

sobriquet84

Whey is milk derived right? I'm vegetarian, not vegan. I eat/drink dairy

yes, you're right, and i'm sorry, i must have been reading too fast

DenishaLang

I drink EAS protein shake from Walmart, it taste good and is inexpensive...I also eat foods that are higher in protein for muscle repair because I'm try to breakdown fat and build muscle, which has been working well for me thus far.

hollyNhollywood

Whey is milk derived right? I'm vegetarian, not vegan. I eat/drink dairy

yes, you're right, and i'm sorry, i must have been reading too fast

Ok, I got concerned! As I do avoid food made with animal by-products (such as rennet/enzymes in cheese). I just looked at all the ingredients on my proteins, and I don't see anything listed. But they all do have "natural flavorings", which there is no telling what that means! I'll have to do additional research on individual brands/flavorings.
They put animal by-products in so many things, you never know

skinnynerd

I use it for several reasons. Number one: I need something after I workout and for some reason I have trouble eating. Number two: The protein plus the milk I put it in, gives me 34 grams of protein. Which is 1/3 of what I need each day because the only way I can lose weight is 40% carb, 30% protein, 30% fat. I do use it as a meal replacement, I'm not sure if others do.

llayc013

wey is leftover waste from dairy....

Whey is milk derived right? I'm vegetarian, not vegan. I eat/drink dairy

yes, you're right, and i'm sorry, i must have been reading too fast

Ok, I got concerned! As I do avoid food made with animal by-products (such as rennet/enzymes in cheese). I just looked at all the ingredients on my proteins, and I don't see anything listed. But they all do have "natural flavorings", which there is no telling what that means! I'll have to do additional research on individual brands/flavorings.
They put animal by-products in so many things, you never know

sobriquet84

Whey is milk derived right? I'm vegetarian, not vegan. I eat/drink dairy

yes, you're right, and i'm sorry, i must have been reading too fast

Ok, I got concerned! As I do avoid food made with animal by-products (such as rennet/enzymes in cheese). I just looked at all the ingredients on my proteins, and I don't see anything listed. But they all do have "natural flavorings", which there is no telling what that means! I'll have to do additional research on individual brands/flavorings.
They put animal by-products in so many things, you never know

i am pretty sure whey can also come from cheese. its not just simply derived from milk, it comes from dairy in general. how the science breaks down though, i am not certain.

mmapags

I use protein powder, ON Gold Standard 100% Whey. If I didn't I would never hit my macronutrients. Yes I know I could eat more meat, but at a certain point I am full and drinking a shake is less filling and a quick option right out of the gym.

This, I use the same one and for exactly the same reasons, I find it's made a huge difference!

You're just saying that so Carl will take you back. Admit it.

Ha! Yes...I miss Carl. I can't live if living is without Carl!

Totally belly laughning here!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

takumaku

I use protein powder as another option for one of my lean protein source. Egg whites, greek yogurt, beans, soy, and bean flours are my usual protein sources. However protein powder is a very convenient source for me.

juliec33

I have a shake most mornings for breakfast - fast, easy, filling and helps with the protein quota for the day. I use Pure Protein 100% Whey in vanilla flavor, with 1 cup organic sugar free coconut milk and some orange flavoring mixed in. Tastes just like a creamsicle, yummy......

IronSmasher

No

skinnyitaliannn

You don't need protein powder! BUT I use it almost daily, especially if I wanna up my protein for the day. Natural sources of protein are the best but protein powder is still wonderful. I'd recommend whey isolate instead of whey concentrate, because isolate is more pure and contains more protein + less lactose. I was using egg white protein powder, which is good too, but the one I was purchasing was $20 more than what I'm using now. I buy mine now at publix and I haven't had any stomach upset or breakouts, which I'd experience with whey concentrate. There are so many though. besides isolate and egg white, I believe brown rice protein is good as well. just try it out and see what you think! I highly recommend protein powder!

curvykim78

i wonder if this is why I'm not losing any more weight...I stay under my calories, but usually under on my protein...hmmm..

breezedaze

I use it and it's made all the difference. For me, time is the issue..I just don't seem to be able to make time for making 3 meals a day...cleaning up from them...etc.

And I'm vegetarian so finding protein that isn't full of carb also is an issue.

I throw it in my shakes/smoothies which are chock full of real food..like avocado and banana and spinach.

I have 2 every day.

Sometimes they replace a meal. One is always after I work out.

I also created my own 200 cal protein cookie using the powder...for travel etc.

Is it necessary? Nope.

Is it convenient and good. Yep!

Carolyn

MrDude_1

i wonder if this is why I'm not losing any more weight...I stay under my calories, but usually under on my protein...hmmm..

WEIGHT is a function of calories in vs calories out....

This is more for body composition..... for weight.. you need to eat less or move more... also if you've been dieting for a prolonged period of time, you have to recognise that your BMR will not be the same as your calculated BMR, but less due to a reduced metabolism.. you have to re-calculate it to meet the real world.

neverstray

I think there is way too much focus on protein. Way way way way way way way too much. Unless you are a body builder, you don't need it. you should get plenty in a good diet. The body only absorbs so much protein, so most of it is a waste for most of you. You are basically flushing your money down the toilet. And, protein is in everything, rice, spinach...foods you don't even realize.

I read something too about this just yesterday where the PT was writing about how poeple are taking too much protein these days and that except in rare exceptions, it's usually overkill.

Keep it simple.