After workout protein. Why haven't I thought of this before?

hottamolly00
hottamolly00 Posts: 334 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Duh! BEEF JERKY! The Jack Link's sticks are 50 calories and 10 grams of protein. Most shakes and/or bars are only about 14 grams of protein and triple that in calories.

Can anyone argue my point with why shakes would be a better choice? I'd like to know if my choice to skip the extra calories can be backed up.

Vegans/Vegetarians: Don't just tell me not to eat meat. ;)
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Replies

  • Smallgainz
    Smallgainz Posts: 3 Member
    price & convenience.
  • brandileah111
    brandileah111 Posts: 399 Member
    I'd watch the sodium in them...
  • bcf7683
    bcf7683 Posts: 1,653 Member
    Sodium. And fat/type of fat content depending on your goals.

    Most proteins I've used have around 25g, also...
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    cost and sodium for sure
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Duh! BEEF JERKY! The Jack Link's sticks are 50 calories and 10 grams of protein. Most shakes and/or bars are only about 14 grams of protein and triple that in calories.

    Can anyone argue my point with why shakes would be a better choice? I'd like to know if my choice to skip the extra calories can be backed up.

    Vegans/Vegetarians: Don't just tell me not to eat meat. ;)

    Personal preference, but if you're using a shake that has 14g pro and 100kcal, I'd argue that's not a very good source of whey (at least, that pro/kcal ratio isn't as user-friendly.

    Several quality brands will have 120g and 22-24g pro.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    yeah, the lowest i've seen a protein shake was 18 g at 100 calories.

    Other then the sodium its not a bad choice. Although it may have more sugar in it then you realize, but fortunately that is something you want right after exercise.

    If your looking for a cheap and effective post workout nutrition, drink low fat chocolate milk. You can find REAL research articles on the net stating that a 4:1 carb to protien ratio is optimal for post exercise and has been scientifically proven to be more beneficial then carbs or protein alone. THese are real, peer reviewed articles based on emperical experiments, not some fitness yutz saying its true in his experince.

    THe study i read used chocolate milk as there test beverage. its got a 3:1 carb to protien ratio. has to be low or non fat though.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    you can also make your own jerky for cheaper and use little or no salt.
  • lacurandera1
    lacurandera1 Posts: 8,083 Member
    Sodium. Plus I can pretend chocolate whey in milk is actually something I would like to drink. Like a milk shake. So I'm getting 30 grams AND calcium AND next to no sodium.

    Although, it is a good idea, especially in a pinch!
  • jasonp_ritzert
    jasonp_ritzert Posts: 357 Member
    Shakes can offer a good source of carbohydrates after a workout too. If you work hard, your bodies glucose levels will be low and the carbs you take in during that time can help begin the muscle re-building phase of working out. Don't knock carbs since they are a good thing when eaten properly. I shoot for a 2:1 ratio of protein to carbs after a workout.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    I don't know what protein bars and powders you are looking at - maybe ones "marketed" to women or the general population - but most will provide over 20 grams per serving and will be nearly 100% protein, thus very low in calories. Just avoid lower quality stuff and those that are more or less meal replacements.

    Supplementing with protein powder in particular, is an inexpensive, convenient and creative way to up your protein numbers without adding the other macros. You can add protein powder to nearly any recipe, especially snacks and deserts such as instant cheese cakes, brownies, and puddings. I eat three whole food meals and three to four treats such as the above a day.

    I get unflavored Milk Protein Isolate to use in my deserts, and each serving is 61 cents when factoring in shipping. 115 calories; 1 g fat; 1 g carb; 40 mg sodium; 24 g protein.
  • BellaFe
    BellaFe Posts: 323
    My protein powder has 150 cals and 35g of protein
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    I'd watch the sodium in them...

    AKA MFP Kryptonite
  • EmilyOfTheSun
    EmilyOfTheSun Posts: 1,548 Member
    can of tuna fish is also great. 100 cals and 26 grams of protein.
  • Built_Strong
    Built_Strong Posts: 114 Member
    I like my Quest bars. Easy to throw in my bag and eat on the bus. They range from 160-190cals, 20g protein, 17g fiber and 2-3g sugars.

    I dont really like jerky much but if you like it...enjoy!
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    plus anything that is liquid will digest that much faster and thats important in post exercise nutrition.

    i bought dextrose and maltodextrin from a baking supply site online. two fifty pound bags were like less then 50 bucks i think. I've been using between 40-80 grams of the two a day and its maybe half gone a year later. I"ve saved 100s over buying ready made post exercise drinks.

    I use a scale to get the proper ratio of grams of my protien powder to grams of carbs. Its a huge pain in the *kitten* at first but you get used to it and its worth it.
  • Tw1zzler
    Tw1zzler Posts: 583
    Meat is good. I have a friend who makes homemade jerky and it's way better than anything in the store. But there are lots of high quality protein powders with lower cals.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    Duh! BEEF JERKY! The Jack Link's sticks are 50 calories and 10 grams of protein. Most shakes and/or bars are only about 14 grams of protein and triple that in calories.

    Can anyone argue my point with why shakes would be a better choice? I'd like to know if my choice to skip the extra calories can be backed up.

    Vegans/Vegetarians: Don't just tell me not to eat meat. ;)

    I'll argue this point, post workout protein doesn't do much.

    carbs are more important but supposedly a little bit of protein somehow helps the muscles absorb the blood sugar.

    you have to eat/drink something as soon as you are done. if you workout and then don't eat some would argue you're better off just skipping the work out.
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    Shakes are for cost and convenience. As long as you eat within -24 hours- of your workout, you're fine.

    This MUST EAT IMMEDIATELY nonsense came from supplement companies.
  • atynk
    atynk Posts: 400 Member
    I actually keep packs of beef jerky in my car.. lots of protein and ZERO fat.. low cals... I normally don't eat any other proceed foods or add salt, so the salt content in the beef jerky doesn't really concern me...

    I lost 50lbs eating beef jerky as a snack lol
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Duh! BEEF JERKY! The Jack Link's sticks are 50 calories and 10 grams of protein. Most shakes and/or bars are only about 14 grams of protein and triple that in calories.

    Can anyone argue my point with why shakes would be a better choice? I'd like to know if my choice to skip the extra calories can be backed up.

    Vegans/Vegetarians: Don't just tell me not to eat meat. ;)

    I'll argue this point, post workout protein doesn't do much.

    carbs are more important but supposedly a little bit of protein somehow helps the muscles absorb the blood sugar.

    you have to eat/drink something as soon as you are done. if you workout and then don't eat some would argue you're better off just skipping the work out.

    Post workout nutrition is far less important than most people claim it to be.
    Glycogen recompensation happens on it's own through the foods you eat and unless you're in need of fast replenishment for performing another training bout very soon, you can just rely on your next meal to replenish gylcogen.

    EDIT: If you're an edurance athlete then I could see merit to your maltodextrin/etc. If you're a once-per-day lifter like most of us, you'd likely get better satiety by removing those empty calories from your PWO and replacing it with a food source. That being said I don't see harm in keeping it.

    And if you're worried about maintaining insulin levels, whey protein alone will likely keep insulin elevated sufficiently.
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
    Beef Jerky is an excellent choice for any occasion. I consider it the national food of these United States.
  • Rum_Runner
    Rum_Runner Posts: 617 Member
    Fat and sodium much higher

    There are plenty of shakes that are 110-130 cal and 25-30g of protein. AND.....cost!!!!

    Those seem more like mid-day snacks than an after workout food!! JMO
  • Sheila_Ann
    Sheila_Ann Posts: 365 Member
    bumping...
  • chickentunashake
    chickentunashake Posts: 164 Member
    fat. Beef jerky's if you eat it too much are high on cholesterol ( don't get me wronk, I love them), shakes usually are not, plus have some other vitamins and minerals in it. Esp if you take whey protein which has all the Lcreatine, lglutamin, etc in it to build lean muscle. Other wise, enjoy your jerky. LOL
  • jonwv
    jonwv Posts: 362 Member
    The protein I take has 270 calories and 60g of protein per serving.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    can of tuna fish is also great. 100 cals and 26 grams of protein.
    Interesting math to get there.
  • morielia
    morielia Posts: 169 Member
    My protein powder has 50g protein in it and doesn't have all the sodium, fat, and other BS that jerky has in it. Jerky is more expensive gram for gram of protein.
  • ashquin
    ashquin Posts: 248 Member
    i love the beef jerky if im on the go. so satisfying
  • Jkmumma
    Jkmumma Posts: 254
    lulz. This one didn't make if past page one before it started..
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    carbs are more important but supposedly a little bit of protein somehow helps the muscles absorb the blood sugar.

    you have to eat/drink something as soon as you are done. if you workout and then don't eat some would argue you're better off just skipping the work out.

    You do have to eat eventually but as far as eating the instant you're done working out, "some" would be wrong.

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