My Sabotaging Protein Shakes

I just wanted to share what I learned recently at my last nutritionist appointment. I was focusing on a high protein, low carb diet and found that I was stagnant for four weeks. Although I'd see minor decreases in my weight, I'd find that I was going up as well. I attributed it to weight lifting. Recently, I started incorporating lifting within my workout, and have become serious to the point of doing it 4-5x a week (alternating parts).

After my workouts, I purchased protein drinks already in a bottle, around 110 calories each. I figured it was a win/win because I'm repairing my muscles and staying true to low carb.

What I found was that too much protein will actually go against all I worked for. It can "bulk" (a light term because women technically cannot bulk like men can) my frame thus gaining weight. Even more, I'm eating what can be looked at as double meals - protein shakes and then going home to protein meals. The fat intake went against the goal of eating lean.

I tested her suggestion and for the past few days left the protein shake. I added a happy balance of carbs and protein with my veggies and saw a drop of a half of a pound! After my workout yesterday, I purchased a small carton of chocolate milk - as suggested by my nutritionist. Yes, it's 130 calories and less in quantity than my protein drink, but it's leaner and it does the trick to repair my muscles.

Now if you're a protein drinker and it works for you, I say go with it! I wanted to be like that. But for me, it didn't work. So for those who are puzzled and aren't sure what to revamp, I'm suggesting what I have learned. If it benefits you, awesome! If not, perhaps it might get the ball running for you :)

Good luck everyone!
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Replies

  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member

    What I found was that too much protein will actually go against all I worked for. It can "bulk" (a light term because women technically cannot bulk like men can) my frame thus gaining weight. Even more, I'm eating what can be looked at as double meals - protein shakes and then going home to protein meals. The fat intake went against the goal of eating lean.

    If your nutritionist told you this, get a new nutritionist
  • Crankstr
    Crankstr Posts: 3,958 Member

    What I found was that too much protein will actually go against all I worked for. It can "bulk" (a light term because women technically cannot bulk like men can) my frame thus gaining weight. Even more, I'm eating what can be looked at as double meals - protein shakes and then going home to protein meals. The fat intake went against the goal of eating lean.

    If your nutritionist told you this, get a new nutritionist

    yes
  • marypatmccue
    marypatmccue Posts: 521 Member

    What I found was that too much protein will actually go against all I worked for. It can "bulk" (a light term because women technically cannot bulk like men can) my frame thus gaining weight. Even more, I'm eating what can be looked at as double meals - protein shakes and then going home to protein meals. The fat intake went against the goal of eating lean.

    If your nutritionist told you this, get a new nutritionist

    Yep... that makes no sense at all....!
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    You can't "bulk" while eating in a calorie deficit. A bulk is gaining muscle (and fat) while eating at a surplus of calories so your body has the building blocks to create the muscle.

    Your nutritionist makes no sense.
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    I just wanted to share what I learned recently at my last nutritionist appointment. I was focusing on a high protein, low carb diet and found that I was stagnant for four weeks. Although I'd see minor decreases in my weight, I'd find that I was going up as well. I attributed it to weight lifting.

    Try excess calories. That's really the only thing that will make you gain weight. Science n stuff! Yo!
  • marypatmccue
    marypatmccue Posts: 521 Member
    I just wanted to share what I learned recently at my last nutritionist appointment. I was focusing on a high protein, low carb diet and found that I was stagnant for four weeks. Although I'd see minor decreases in my weight, I'd find that I was going up as well. I attributed it to weight lifting.

    Try excess calories. That's really the only thing that will make you gain weight. Science n stuff! Yo!

    Science, FTW!!!! :wink:
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    Are you sure you're not just intolerant to one of the ingredients of the shakes you were using?
  • jackpotclown
    jackpotclown Posts: 3,275 Member
    what they said ^^^^ \m/
  • queenbea77
    queenbea77 Posts: 404 Member

    What I found was that too much protein will actually go against all I worked for. It can "bulk" (a light term because women technically cannot bulk like men can) my frame thus gaining weight. Even more, I'm eating what can be looked at as double meals - protein shakes and then going home to protein meals. The fat intake went against the goal of eating lean.

    If your nutritionist told you this, get a new nutritionist

    Really, why? I get as much protein as I can with my "food" and if I fall short for the day sometimes I will have a protein shake just to narrow the gap. I do weights M, W & F but I'm just starting out. I do notice on the day's I get closer to my protein macro I feel better which is a good thing but I want to see weight loss too. Thanks for your input
  • Some protien shakes have TONS of Sugar!!! The premixed are the worst.. Try Visalus or GNC Lean, I love them both..
  • MsAnn07
    MsAnn07 Posts: 172 Member
    I understand completely!! I'm doing the same thing as you were, and having the same problem!!!!!! Not sure about the validity of your nutritionist statement, but it makes sense for 'me'. I think I'll try the chocolate milk for a few weeks. Hopefully that will help.

    Thanks for sharing the information!
  • Evachiquita
    Evachiquita Posts: 223 Member
    I think that bodies can only use a certain amount of protein at a time and consuming more than that does no good, and can be bad. A while ago while doing a brief internet search I found some source that said your body can only use about 30 grams of protein at once. The rest of the protein you consume will be broken down into sugars, then if your body doesn't use the sugar it gets stored as fat. Sorry I can't locate my sources, but a simple internet search will bring up all of this type of discussion...and if you think about it it makes total sense. And maybe it's a reason that a lot of people who lift weights are not necessarily lean, as in have low BF%. I see a lot of very muscular, fatty men at my gym.
  • bumblebums
    bumblebums Posts: 2,181 Member
    I am not a protein shake drinker, but nothing the OP has said is convincing me.

    A loss of .5 lb is within the margin of error for a regular household scale, weighing a woman of childbearing age. Even a loss of 2 lb or more is consistent with water weight fluctuations.

    And my understanding is that the body has a hard time converting protein into fat, and if you really are eating at a caloric deficit, it is damn near impossible to gain fat from protein shakes alone.
  • IronPlayground
    IronPlayground Posts: 1,594 Member
    The nutritionist is incorrect. If you are eating at a deficit, you can not create something out of nothing.
  • bumblebums
    bumblebums Posts: 2,181 Member
    I think that bodies can only use a certain amount of protein at a time and consuming more than that does no good, and can be bad. A while ago while doing a brief internet search I found some source that said your body can only use about 30 grams of protein at once. The rest of the protein you consume will be broken down into sugars, then if your body doesn't use the sugar it gets stored as fat. Sorry I can't locate my sources, but a simple internet search will bring up all of this type of discussion...and if you think about it it makes total sense. And maybe it's a reason that a lot of people who lift weights are not necessarily lean, as in have low BF%. I see a lot of very muscular, fatty men at my gym.

    Sorry but this is incorrect.
  • IronPlayground
    IronPlayground Posts: 1,594 Member
    I think that bodies can only use a certain amount of protein at a time and consuming more than that does no good, and can be bad. A while ago while doing a brief internet search I found some source that said your body can only use about 30 grams of protein at once. The rest of the protein you consume will be broken down into sugars, then if your body doesn't use the sugar it gets stored as fat. Sorry I can't locate my sources, but a simple internet search will bring up all of this type of discussion...and if you think about it it makes total sense. And maybe it's a reason that a lot of people who lift weights are not necessarily lean, as in have low BF%. I see a lot of very muscular, fatty men at my gym.

    Not true!

    http://dynamicduotraining.com/wordpress/15-nutrition-myths-you-want-to-knowallow-the-experts-to-tell/
  • writetomab
    writetomab Posts: 226
    I think you have been fed some bogus lies here... Firstly, in order to 'bulk' you need to eat well and lift big... So unless you are eating in excess of your daily calorie needs and lifting big, you will not bulk!

    Protein has a number of benefits which are probably too long to list but apart from the obvious in that it helps to repair and build muscle etc it also has the highest thermogenic effect of any macronutrient meaning your body burns more calories and in addition it helps with satiety, which is a good thing if you are on a calorie restricted diet.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    You aren't "bulking" on a measly 110 calorie protein shake. Secondly, I don't know what you're trying to accomplish by restricting both carbs and fats. Any dietician who tells you carbs and fats make you gain fat needs not be visited again. You may be intolerant to an ingredient which caused the bloating and artificial weight gain. Additionally, you mentioned you increased workout volume. Lastly, you provide no information on sodium or stress levels. All of these can result in temporary gains in weight.
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    I think that bodies can only use a certain amount of protein at a time and consuming more than that does no good, and can be bad. A while ago while doing a brief internet search I found some source that said your body can only use about 30 grams of protein at once. The rest of the protein you consume will be broken down into sugars, then if your body doesn't use the sugar it gets stored as fat. Sorry I can't locate my sources, but a simple internet search will bring up all of this type of discussion...and if you think about it it makes total sense. And maybe it's a reason that a lot of people who lift weights are not necessarily lean, as in have low BF%. I see a lot of very muscular, fatty men at my gym.

    A simple internet search is full of bull****. Proteins breaking down into sugars? The internet is bad at chemistry.
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    Did your nutritionist come out of the 70s?
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I just wanted to share what I learned recently at my last nutritionist appointment. I was focusing on a high protein, low carb diet and found that I was stagnant for four weeks. Although I'd see minor decreases in my weight, I'd find that I was going up as well. I attributed it to weight lifting. Recently, I started incorporating lifting within my workout, and have become serious to the point of doing it 4-5x a week (alternating parts).

    After my workouts, I purchased protein drinks already in a bottle, around 110 calories each. I figured it was a win/win because I'm repairing my muscles and staying true to low carb.

    What I found was that too much protein will actually go against all I worked for. It can "bulk" (a light term because women technically cannot bulk like men can) my frame thus gaining weight. Even more, I'm eating what can be looked at as double meals - protein shakes and then going home to protein meals. The fat intake went against the goal of eating lean.

    I tested her suggestion and for the past few days left the protein shake. I added a happy balance of carbs and protein with my veggies and saw a drop of a half of a pound! After my workout yesterday, I purchased a small carton of chocolate milk - as suggested by my nutritionist. Yes, it's 130 calories and less in quantity than my protein drink, but it's leaner and it does the trick to repair my muscles.

    Now if you're a protein drinker and it works for you, I say go with it! I wanted to be like that. But for me, it didn't work. So for those who are puzzled and aren't sure what to revamp, I'm suggesting what I have learned. If it benefits you, awesome! If not, perhaps it might get the ball running for you :)

    Good luck everyone!

    FYI, "nutritionist" is a meaningless term. There's no certification or standardization or education required to use that term. It's not regulated. "Dietitian" requires a degree and certification.

    Your nutritionist is an absolute quack and has no idea what he or she is talking about. He's literally completely wrong and giving you bad advice that is 100% counter to reality.

    Never go to this nutritionist again.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    I think that bodies can only use a certain amount of protein at a time and consuming more than that does no good, and can be bad. A while ago while doing a brief internet search I found some source that said your body can only use about 30 grams of protein at once. The rest of the protein you consume will be broken down into sugars, then if your body doesn't use the sugar it gets stored as fat. Sorry I can't locate my sources, but a simple internet search will bring up all of this type of discussion...and if you think about it it makes total sense. And maybe it's a reason that a lot of people who lift weights are not necessarily lean, as in have low BF%. I see a lot of very muscular, fatty men at my gym.
    A simple peer-review journal search would disprove otherwise. These elderly women were scarfing down, absorbing and utilizing far greater than 30 grams in their pulse feeding meal.

    http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/69/6/1202.long#T3
  • Brownsbacker4evr
    Brownsbacker4evr Posts: 365 Member
    Yep, excess protein will cause weight gain. I read if you are trying to build muscle for bodybuilding and whatnot you are supposed to get your body weight in protein along with quite a bit of lifting. But unless thats not the case you just need about half your body weight in protein for some pretty standard muscle gain.
  • IronPlayground
    IronPlayground Posts: 1,594 Member
    Yep, excess protein will cause weight gain. I read if you are trying to build muscle for bodybuilding and whatnot you are supposed to get your body weight in protein. But unless thats not the case you just need about half your body weight in protein for some pretty standard muscle gain.

    Excess calories cause weight gain not excess protein.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Are you sure you're not just intolerant to one of the ingredients of the shakes you were using?

    This seems quite likely
  • If you are weight training, do not step on the scale more than twice a month. You will gain muscle and lose fat...thus not much change on the scale. Instead, try using a pair of non stretch jeans or pants and use a measuring tape. I have added weights as well as low sugar protein shakes and have had amazing success. The key is creating a calorie deficit while still feeding your muscles! I agree with the others...get a new nutritionist!
  • Brownsbacker4evr
    Brownsbacker4evr Posts: 365 Member
    Yep, excess protein will cause weight gain. I read if you are trying to build muscle for bodybuilding and whatnot you are supposed to get your body weight in protein. But unless thats not the case you just need about half your body weight in protein for some pretty standard muscle gain.

    Excess calories cause weight gain not excess protein.

    True. But usually anything in excess isn't good.
  • IronPlayground
    IronPlayground Posts: 1,594 Member
    Yep, excess protein will cause weight gain. I read if you are trying to build muscle for bodybuilding and whatnot you are supposed to get your body weight in protein. But unless thats not the case you just need about half your body weight in protein for some pretty standard muscle gain.

    Excess calories cause weight gain not excess protein.

    True. But usually anything in excess isn't good.

    I posted a link in this thread a few posts above yours. The body will still use the protein. Take a look at what some of the experts are saying about that topic.
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    I think that bodies can only use a certain amount of protein at a time and consuming more than that does no good, and can be bad. A while ago while doing a brief internet search I found some source that said your body can only use about 30 grams of protein at once. The rest of the protein you consume will be broken down into sugars, then if your body doesn't use the sugar it gets stored as fat. Sorry I can't locate my sources, but a simple internet search will bring up all of this type of discussion...and if you think about it it makes total sense. And maybe it's a reason that a lot of people who lift weights are not necessarily lean, as in have low BF%. I see a lot of very muscular, fatty men at my gym.

    I genuinely wonder how the human race has survived so long with our bodies being so fragile and all.

    So I guess we must have hunted bison, taken a couple of bites and then had to wait a few more hours and hunt another one?

    Or maybe all cavemen were fat . . . ?
  • IrishChik
    IrishChik Posts: 465 Member

    What I found was that too much protein will actually go against all I worked for. It can "bulk" (a light term because women technically cannot bulk like men can) my frame thus gaining weight. Even more, I'm eating what can be looked at as double meals - protein shakes and then going home to protein meals. The fat intake went against the goal of eating lean.

    If your nutritionist told you this, get a new nutritionist

    Why? Are you one?

    You don't know anything about her medical back ground or what is going on with her body. For someone like me who has PCOS causing them to be insulin resistant, I have to watch carbs and other things.

    Everyone has a different body and they have different things going on with them. So maybe what her nutritionist told her is right for HER.