Protein - Supplements Vs Food when losing weight

24

Replies

  • j_wilson2012
    j_wilson2012 Posts: 293
    Dont worry bout it. Fat people lose weight quicker than slim people! :laugh:
  • LauraThirty
    LauraThirty Posts: 74
    Question - why are you eating so few calories?

    That's what MFP suggests. Plus exercise of course which comes in at around 300 average for me. Nice muscles :wink:

    What is your height and weight? How much do train per week? Cardio and weights?

    So I'm 5"11 and I weigh 168lbs. Virtually NO muscle mass at all. No fat on my arms hardly or chest/ back but a big old wobbly bottom and even wobblier tummy :)
    I'm doing cardio around 5 times a week for 40 minutes, sometimes more. and a weights circuit every other day then alternate stomach based workout/ leg based and arms/chest based workout. I use a bench and dumbells - tell me, is it true that I shoulddo heavier weights, less reps than loads of reps of lower weights? I do 15 reps at the moment and can't do anymore, it literally kills me. But it feels amazing afterwards, better htan lifting cans of beans 100 times over like cosmo would have me beleive I should!
  • LauraThirty
    LauraThirty Posts: 74
    Dont worry bout it. Fat people lose weight quicker than slim people! :laugh:

    Tee hee, and faster than old ladies
  • LauraThirty
    LauraThirty Posts: 74
    Dude, I prep women for comps ;)

    Pageants, or weightlifting?

    Bikini, figure and fitness.

    Ooh, really? How long would you expect a flabby mummy to take to transform in to a bikini model then?
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I use hemp protein powder daily. I do it because it's less expensive than meat or nuts, which would be my preferred method. I am on 1700 calories a day, so I don't have any problems with going over my calories. But hemp protein powder is 11g protein for 80 calories. I usually mix it in some plain, non-fat yogurt and add some fruit and/or honey for flavor, so my protein shakes can sometimes get up to 300 calories with about 20-25g protein.

    I just want to make sure that I have enough protein each day so that I don't lose lean mass during weight loss and because I am doing regular strength training. I don't give a hoot what others think. I know that I am putting more nutrition in my body and that I am seeing success through both the scale and the measuring tape. AND, I feel great, every day. That's what's really important.
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
    Sorry whats your age too?
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Dude, I prep women for comps ;)

    Pageants, or weightlifting?

    :laugh:
  • LauraThirty
    LauraThirty Posts: 74
    I use hemp protein powder daily. I do it because it's less expensive than meat or nuts, which would be my preferred method. I am on 1700 calories a day, so I don't have any problems with going over my calories. But hemp protein powder is 11g protein for 80 calories. I usually mix it in some plain, non-fat yogurt and add some fruit and/or honey for flavor, so my protein shakes can sometimes get up to 300 calories with about 20-25g protein.

    I just want to make sure that I have enough protein each day so that I don't lose lean mass during weight loss and because I am doing regular strength training. I don't give a hoot what others think. I know that I am putting more nutrition in my body and that I am seeing success through both the scale and the measuring tape. AND, I feel great, every day. That's what's really important.

    Thanks, and well done on the weightloss!!!
  • LauraThirty
    LauraThirty Posts: 74
    Sorry whats your age too?

    28
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I use hemp protein powder daily. I do it because it's less expensive than meat or nuts, which would be my preferred method. I am on 1700 calories a day, so I don't have any problems with going over my calories. But hemp protein powder is 11g protein for 80 calories. I usually mix it in some plain, non-fat yogurt and add some fruit and/or honey for flavor, so my protein shakes can sometimes get up to 300 calories with about 20-25g protein.

    I just want to make sure that I have enough protein each day so that I don't lose lean mass during weight loss and because I am doing regular strength training. I don't give a hoot what others think. I know that I am putting more nutrition in my body and that I am seeing success through both the scale and the measuring tape. AND, I feel great, every day. That's what's really important.

    Thanks, and well done on the weightloss!!!

    Thanks

    This is your journey. Make it fit you and then you'll be able to make it a lifelong habit. That's my motto. While there are certain science facts that can't be ignored, each of us are individuals, so no one way is the right way.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Protein from food = 4cal/g.
    Protein from supplements = 4cal/g.

    Not sure why one source of protein is doable on a calorie restriction while the other isn't, when it's the same calories either way.

    That said, whole foods are always preferable, but there's nothing wrong with supplementing if necessary.
  • bulbadoof
    bulbadoof Posts: 1,058 Member
    I do my best to get a good deal of my protein from food, but I just couldn't get 110g a day from 1400 calories. Of course it's better to get it from food, but if you need supplements to reach your goal without going over calories, then that's what you need. Do what works for you.
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    Protein from food = 4cal/g.
    Protein from supplements = 4cal/g.

    Not sure why one source of protein is doable on a calorie restriction while the other isn't, when it's the same calories either way.

    That said, whole foods are always preferable, but there's nothing wrong with supplementing if necessary.
    Because food is rarely 100% of something. Except sugar and oils I guess.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Protein supplements are very rarely 100% of anything also. The average protein bar has just as much sugar as it does protein.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Protein from food = 4cal/g.
    Protein from supplements = 4cal/g.

    Not sure why one source of protein is doable on a calorie restriction while the other isn't, when it's the same calories either way.

    That said, whole foods are always preferable, but there's nothing wrong with supplementing if necessary.

    That depends on the protein source.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    No it doesn't. Protein is always 4 calories per gram, no matter the source.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Protein from food = 4cal/g.
    Protein from supplements = 4cal/g.

    Not sure why one source of protein is doable on a calorie restriction while the other isn't, when it's the same calories either way.

    That said, whole foods are always preferable, but there's nothing wrong with supplementing if necessary.
    Because food is rarely 100% of something. Except sugar and oils I guess.

    Exactly. I can't think of any food that has *only* protein in it and nothing else.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    No it doesn't. Protein is always 4 calories per gram, no matter the source.

    Look at turkey as an example.

    http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-turkey-all-classes-meat-only-i5168

    238 calories for 41 grams
    One cup of meat
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    In any case, it's your journey, no one else's.

    This^^

    I personally use whey protein, greek yogurt, and really lean meat for my sources of protein. There are many protein powders that have low calorie, low to 0 cholesterol and sugar. I eat lots of lean meat but it helps me get in lots of protein if I have met my daily limit for cholesterol.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Meanwhile, my hemp protein powder, as I stated earlier is 11g for only 80 calories. By your theory, it ought to be 30 calories more for the powder and almost 80 calories less for the serving of turkey.

    There goes your hard-and-fast rule all shot to hell.
  • j_wilson2012
    j_wilson2012 Posts: 293
    I think that with supplements (and keep in mind I have never taken powders) you are just getting the nutrient, and it is a quick fix. I am figuring out that If I want to get natural proteins from food, calories are going to come with it. But the difference is that those calories are jam-packed with stuff, as opposed to empty calories.
    I would rather eat the food though. I love food too much.

    28, and you consider that old? I am 26. Screaming lack of confidence. Phelps just won about 6 gold medals, and he is approaching 30. Favre played with gray hairs. Mark Martin is in his 50's.

    *Corrected for Phelps' age.
  • j_wilson2012
    j_wilson2012 Posts: 293
    Protein supplements are very rarely 100% of anything also. The average protein bar has just as much sugar as it does protein.

    But it has fiber, potassium, sodium, and other vitamins that are important for your body to process it correctly. BTW, when having a protein energy bar on a workout, it doesn't matter about the sugar, as it will never have the time to settle. The body uses the sugar first.
  • Lunasash
    Lunasash Posts: 41 Member
    Protein supplements can be very bad for your body. They are very hard on your kidneys and liver. If you continue to use them you need to drink more then the standard 64 oz of water a day. Have you considered talking to a registered dietician?
  • Dyetcoke1
    Dyetcoke1 Posts: 54 Member
    In America we would call him a douche :-)
  • pixelsurgeon88
    pixelsurgeon88 Posts: 39 Member
    If you eat all your burnt calories you will just remain at a constant weight. By not eating them or too many of them you will lose weight.
  • LauraThirty
    LauraThirty Posts: 74
    I think that with supplements (and keep in mind I have never taken powders) you are just getting the nutrient, and it is a quick fix. I am figuring out that If I want to get natural proteins from food, calories are going to come with it. But the difference is that those calories are jam-packed with stuff, as opposed to empty calories.
    I would rather eat the food though. I love food too much.

    28, and you consider that old? I am 26. Screaming lack of confidence. Phelps just won about 6 gold medals, and he is approaching 30. Favre played with gray hairs. Mark Martin is in his 50's.

    *Corrected for Phelps' age.

    Sorry - I assumed you were younger as you said you were at college. In the UK you do college from 16 - 18 and uni from 18 - 21. I am being humourous, I know I'm not an old lady. But I do feel that my body has aged about 20 years since I had my daughter at 22.
  • LauraThirty
    LauraThirty Posts: 74
    In America we would call him a douche :-)

    Ha! I don't know what that is but sounds good!
  • LauraThirty
    LauraThirty Posts: 74
    If you eat all your burnt calories you will just remain at a constant weight. By not eating them or too many of them you will lose weight.

    Sorry, I'm not with you...
  • LauraThirty
    LauraThirty Posts: 74
    Protein supplements can be very bad for your body. They are very hard on your kidneys and liver. If you continue to use them you need to drink more then the standard 64 oz of water a day. Have you considered talking to a registered dietician?

    I have been more thirsty... but thought it was the exercise. Dieticians are too expensive I'm afraid.
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
    Protein supplements can be very bad for your body. They are very hard on your kidneys and liver. If you continue to use them you need to drink more then the standard 64 oz of water a day. Have you considered talking to a registered dietician?

    Absolute JUNK. What an utter pile of tosh.

    Would you like to explain this medically?

    Ignore this rubbish.

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