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6 Reasons to Stop Using Protein Powder
AliceNov2011
Posts: 471 Member
http://www.coachcalorie.com/stop-using-protein-powder/
6 Reasons You Should Stop Using Protein Powder
by Tony Schober
I’ve been wanting to write this article for the longest time. Protein powder use has been ingrained in my brain for my entire fitness life. Protein, protein, protein – you can’t reach your goals without it…or so I thought.
Up until about 3 months ago, I used protein powder on a daily basis to supplement my intake. It worked in the sense that I hit my protein requirement goals, but using it went against everything I believed in nutrition wise. The following are 10 reasons why I decided to give up using protein powder, and why you should consider it too.
Protein Powder is Processed
This was the main reason I decided to give it up. I’m a firm believer that processed food is the primary cause of bad health in this world, and as much as I’d like to admit it, protein powder is a processed food. More importantly though, it’s a refined food.
That means you are taking a whole food and purifying it down to just the parts you want. That also means you are leaving out many of the essential parts of the food that are beneficial to your health. In addition, most of the powder on the market is packed with artificial sweeteners and fillers.
It Spikes Insulin Levels
I was a user of whey protein, which comes from dairy. Whey is a quick digesting protein, and I used it for this property. It was used in my post-workout shake to jump start recovery and protein synthesis. I also used to in other foods to fortify its protein content.
I always knew this to be true, but I remained in denial – whey protein can quickly raise blood sugar and insulin levels, leaving you feeling like you just ingested sugar. I was always hungry shortly after a meal containing whey protein, and I believe it’s because the powder caused wild swings in blood sugar levels. Losing weight is about managing insulin levels, and protein powder didn’t help.
It Lacks Nutrients
This goes along with the fact that it’s processed. When you refine a product you leave behind much of the nutrition. Not only that, but we are still learning about nutrition, and I have a feeling that we are going to discover more about our food and about how all the parts of the food work together in harmony to assimilate its vitamins and minerals.
In the meantime, whole foods will always beat protein powder when it comes to providing a broad range of nutrients. We have to remember that being fit and healthy isn’t just about the macronutrients (protein, fat, carbs), it’s about the micronutrients (vitmains, minerals, antioxidants, etc) too.
I Don’t Need It to Reach My Goals
Coming from a bodybuilding background, I had it ingrained in my head that if I didn’t get 1 gram per pound of body weight in protein, I would be sacrificing muscle gains. Well, after removing protein powder from my diet, I experimented with this myself doing my own body fat and lean body mass measurements.
I ate between .8-1 gram per pound of LEAN body mass. This didn’t affect me negatively in any way, and in fact, I felt healthier as a result. I’m a firm believer that you shouldn’t sacrifice your health for fitness, and protein powder went against that belief.
It’s an Unneeded Expense
I actually spent a lot less than many people do on protein powder. I would buy it in bulk (10lbs), and the price for whey isolate was under $10/lb. Compare that to some other people that are spending $100-$200/month on protein supplementation, and it was a bargain.
However, it still wasn’t cheap, and the extra expense was unneeded. That extra money is going towards having fun or improving the quality of my nutrition by adding more veggies to my diet. Needless to say, the extra money in my pocket makes me happy.
People Were Building Quality Muscle Long Before Protein Powder
Protein powder wasn’t always as popular as it is today. In fact, many bodybuilders of old never used the stuff because it wasn’t even available. They were still able to build great physiques. Steak and eggs, and meat and potatoes were staples in their diets. Those meals provided them with protein, healthy fats, low-glycemic carbs, and nutrients needed to build all the muscle they wanted.
For people that are looking to push their physiques well beyond genetic limitations, protein powder may have its place, but for the average person looking to be healthy, fit, and build a great physique, protein powder may be doing more harm than good.
What do you think?
6 Reasons You Should Stop Using Protein Powder
by Tony Schober
I’ve been wanting to write this article for the longest time. Protein powder use has been ingrained in my brain for my entire fitness life. Protein, protein, protein – you can’t reach your goals without it…or so I thought.
Up until about 3 months ago, I used protein powder on a daily basis to supplement my intake. It worked in the sense that I hit my protein requirement goals, but using it went against everything I believed in nutrition wise. The following are 10 reasons why I decided to give up using protein powder, and why you should consider it too.
Protein Powder is Processed
This was the main reason I decided to give it up. I’m a firm believer that processed food is the primary cause of bad health in this world, and as much as I’d like to admit it, protein powder is a processed food. More importantly though, it’s a refined food.
That means you are taking a whole food and purifying it down to just the parts you want. That also means you are leaving out many of the essential parts of the food that are beneficial to your health. In addition, most of the powder on the market is packed with artificial sweeteners and fillers.
It Spikes Insulin Levels
I was a user of whey protein, which comes from dairy. Whey is a quick digesting protein, and I used it for this property. It was used in my post-workout shake to jump start recovery and protein synthesis. I also used to in other foods to fortify its protein content.
I always knew this to be true, but I remained in denial – whey protein can quickly raise blood sugar and insulin levels, leaving you feeling like you just ingested sugar. I was always hungry shortly after a meal containing whey protein, and I believe it’s because the powder caused wild swings in blood sugar levels. Losing weight is about managing insulin levels, and protein powder didn’t help.
It Lacks Nutrients
This goes along with the fact that it’s processed. When you refine a product you leave behind much of the nutrition. Not only that, but we are still learning about nutrition, and I have a feeling that we are going to discover more about our food and about how all the parts of the food work together in harmony to assimilate its vitamins and minerals.
In the meantime, whole foods will always beat protein powder when it comes to providing a broad range of nutrients. We have to remember that being fit and healthy isn’t just about the macronutrients (protein, fat, carbs), it’s about the micronutrients (vitmains, minerals, antioxidants, etc) too.
I Don’t Need It to Reach My Goals
Coming from a bodybuilding background, I had it ingrained in my head that if I didn’t get 1 gram per pound of body weight in protein, I would be sacrificing muscle gains. Well, after removing protein powder from my diet, I experimented with this myself doing my own body fat and lean body mass measurements.
I ate between .8-1 gram per pound of LEAN body mass. This didn’t affect me negatively in any way, and in fact, I felt healthier as a result. I’m a firm believer that you shouldn’t sacrifice your health for fitness, and protein powder went against that belief.
It’s an Unneeded Expense
I actually spent a lot less than many people do on protein powder. I would buy it in bulk (10lbs), and the price for whey isolate was under $10/lb. Compare that to some other people that are spending $100-$200/month on protein supplementation, and it was a bargain.
However, it still wasn’t cheap, and the extra expense was unneeded. That extra money is going towards having fun or improving the quality of my nutrition by adding more veggies to my diet. Needless to say, the extra money in my pocket makes me happy.
People Were Building Quality Muscle Long Before Protein Powder
Protein powder wasn’t always as popular as it is today. In fact, many bodybuilders of old never used the stuff because it wasn’t even available. They were still able to build great physiques. Steak and eggs, and meat and potatoes were staples in their diets. Those meals provided them with protein, healthy fats, low-glycemic carbs, and nutrients needed to build all the muscle they wanted.
For people that are looking to push their physiques well beyond genetic limitations, protein powder may have its place, but for the average person looking to be healthy, fit, and build a great physique, protein powder may be doing more harm than good.
What do you think?
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Replies
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Great article! Thank you for sharing
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I felt the same way until I fell back into old habits of laziness. Sometimes I don't want to cook or eat breakfast (usually) & I found Jay Robb as a newer source of protein mix b/c it was marketed to not have a bunch of the other crap that the other brands had. Maybe I'll consider giving it up altogether though after reading this post. Thanks for the info.0
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Great article and I have a bag half full but only use it on occasion. Will rethink about buying it again!0
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Most also contain GMO soy. That is a big red flag for women especially (due to the hormones).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/soy-health_b_1822466.html0 -
I use organic hemp protein powder in my morning "nutriblast". http://www.squidoo.com/health-benefits-of-hemp-protein0
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some of it is nonsense. "whey protein can quickly raise blood sugar and insulin levels," - it actually drops blood sugar levels because it does raise insulin levels. That's not a bad thing, especially if it is after weight training. And I'm usually rather full/content after my shake.
Also, I find it rather economical. I use 100% pure whey, with nothing added (I cannot stand the artificially sweetened ones). Costs me ~$10/lb which is about 15-16 servings I think. I can stretch it by using a bit less powder and using greek yogurt or cottage cheese to make up the protein. That's not bad pricewise. And it's convenient for when I don't have the time/resources/inclination to eat after lifting.
I don't use it every day, but I think his reasons are a bit suspect and they won't change my mind. 0 -
bump0
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We all have a right to our opinions and we know what works for ourselves. I have a severe hypoglycemic problem with my blood sugar crashing if I do not eat every 3 hrs. I must eat every 3 hrs or I suffer severe symptoms.
I use Jay Robb organic Whey Protein shakes sweetened with Stevia every day at least 1 time a day. Many times I will have this as Breakfast or a snack with added unsweetened almond milk and it has kept me from a low blood sugar crisis many times. I do not get hungry again for 3 hours. I find it a easy way to get 25 carbs at 110 calories a scoop and 1 carb if I do not add fruit. I love the assorted flavors.
I tried many Whey Protein Products but Jay Robb is the only one with a money back guarantee that it is the best tasting. Jay Robb is a body builder and if it was unhealthy for him he would not be using it. :drinker:0 -
Protein most definitely has its place, especially if recovering from illness or injury. I do think that there are a lot of people marketing to those of us that are trying to get our weights under control, or even just maintain, and I think that there are more companies out after our dollars that those that are interested in our health. Be cautious, and be informed.0
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bumping for later0
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I have some that was a gift that I keep around to use as a milkshake after particularly intense workouts, but I've used a container and about 1/4 in 6 months. I wouldn't buy it, but since it was free...0
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I use whey protein, mainly isolate 90%. As I lift, I wish to have 120g of protein in my diet every day and especially like to have protein within 30 minutes of my lifting workout.
I eat 95% healthy whole foods and find that using the protein powder is not only far cheaper than buying lean meats etc, but is also more convenient especially after the workout.0 -
I tried using protein powder a few times. Every time I had it in a shake, I would feel like munching. I think my body felt like I didn't eat real food or something. If I ate that much protein in real food I would be stuffed, but after the shakes I still wanted to eat.0
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Great article I was always wondering about protein powders. Thanks for sharing!!0
This discussion has been closed.