Protein shakes to help loose weight?

StephanieRosenbaum23
StephanieRosenbaum23 Posts: 9 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone. I recently started my diet about a month ago. I hate exercise, but i know it is necessary to get me to my goal weight. I try riding my bike on the trail, or doing the exercise bike if I can't get outside. I know it isn't intense cardio..but it's something. I have heard so many yes's and no's about drinking protein shakes to promote weight loss. My brother in law suggested I try CytoSport 100% whey. I drank a shake last night and thought it was actually pretty tastey! So here is my question... do I buy the protein? I read somewhere you can drink them as a mid morning or afternoon snack to get you to your next meal. What are your thoughts? I only know of drinking them either before or after your workout. I need some direction! I'm new to this whole weightloss thing.

I also have a second question.-If you are on a 1,200 calorie diet and you burn 400 calories working out, do you technically eat 1,600 calories for the day?? I know MFP says yes, but other sites say no... any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Replies

  • KSofiak
    KSofiak Posts: 18
    I can't answer your first question but I can help with your second one. If you are only eating 1200 calories a day you should definetly be eating any calories you burn during exercise. I don't believe in eating below BMR though.
    Definition: Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the number of calories your body burns at rest to maintain normal body functions. It is the amount of calories per day your body burns, regardless of exercise. It changes with age, weight, height, gender, diet and exercise habits.
    Here's a link to a calculator a lot of people use, it will tell you your BMR if your interested.

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Hi everyone. I recently started my diet about a month ago. I hate exercise, but i know it is necessary to get me to my goal weight. I try riding my bike on the trail, or doing the exercise bike if I can't get outside. I know it isn't intense cardio..but it's something. I have heard so many yes's and no's about drinking protein shakes to promote weight loss. My brother in law suggested I try CytoSport 100% whey. I drank a shake last night and thought it was actually pretty tastey! So here is my question... do I buy the protein? I read somewhere you can drink them as a mid morning or afternoon snack to get you to your next meal. What are your thoughts? I only know of drinking them either before or after your workout. I need some direction! I'm new to this whole weightloss thing.

    I also have a second question.-If you are on a 1,200 calorie diet and you burn 400 calories working out, do you technically eat 1,600 calories for the day?? I know MFP says yes, but other sites say no... any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

    While higher protein diets have been shown to have a slight metabolic advantage over lower protein diets, you don't need shakes. Generally people find better satiety through eating whole foods vs drinking shakes, but if you have trouble getting in adequate protein and/or the convenience of the shakes are appealing to you, go ahead and get them
  • StephanieRosenbaum23
    StephanieRosenbaum23 Posts: 9 Member
    So if I like the convenience of the shakes, do I drink them as meal replacements or more for snacks?
  • dsmpunk
    dsmpunk Posts: 262 Member
    I drink a protein shake for lunch every day. I recommend getting vanilla flavored as you can mix stuff in like fruit, yogurt or peanut butter. Of course you can mix it in with any flavor, but vanilla seems to be the most versatile.

    There is nothing magical about them, but the protein keeps me full until dinner time.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    So if I like the convenience of the shakes, do I drink them as meal replacements or more for snacks?

    Whatever you want to do. It's protein in a powdered form, that's all. They are generally used to supplement protein intake if your intake from normal food is not high enough. There are no limitations on when you can consume them or what you can use them for.
  • StephanieRosenbaum23
    StephanieRosenbaum23 Posts: 9 Member
    So if I like the convenience of the shakes, do I drink them as meal replacements or more for snacks?

    Whatever you want to do. It's protein in a powdered form, that's all. They are generally used to supplement protein intake if your intake from normal food is not high enough. There are no limitations on when you can consume them or what you can use them for.

    What is a good amount of protein to have? I was always told protein helps build muscle, but then read somewhere that it can promote weight loss. There are so many things out there that can be so confusing!!
  • IveLanded
    IveLanded Posts: 797 Member


    What is a good amount of protein to have? I was always told protein helps build muscle, but then read somewhere that it can promote weight loss. There are so many things out there that can be so confusing!!

    Well, you need protein to build and repair muscle. And when you have more muscle, you burn more fat. So.......as a by product of building muscle, you burn fat. So both are true, in a way.

    I use them as snacks, most often after my more intense work outs.

    I look for the most protein with the least calories. There is a shake I drink called Pure Protein that is 100 calories but 21 grams of protein. I don't drink anything that has under 15 grams of protein in it. There are shakes, though, that have 300 or more calories and at that point if you were in a pinch, you could use it as a meal replacement I guess. That's all personal preference and for me, using them as my "snack" is more of a mental thing probably.
  • iAMsmiling
    iAMsmiling Posts: 2,394 Member
    If you do decide on a protein shake, I can recommend "Worldwide Pure Protein" 32 grams of protein and 2-4 grams of carbs, 160-170 calories (depending on flavor).

    It's not desert, but it's a pleasure to drink instead of nasty. And 32 grams for 160 calories is amazingly good.

    http://tinyurl.com/9js7nfw

    Edited to add link.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    So if I like the convenience of the shakes, do I drink them as meal replacements or more for snacks?

    Whatever you want to do. It's protein in a powdered form, that's all. They are generally used to supplement protein intake if your intake from normal food is not high enough. There are no limitations on when you can consume them or what you can use them for.


    What is a good amount of protein to have? I was always told protein helps build muscle, but then read somewhere that it can promote weight loss. There are so many things out there that can be so confusing!!

    You didn't list any of your stats so it's impossible to say. But for an average-sized woman probably around 100g of protein a day total would be the minimum.
  • StephanieRosenbaum23
    StephanieRosenbaum23 Posts: 9 Member
    I have a friend who works with personal trainer. He said I need to have a 500 calorie deficit to lose 1 lb per week. So on the days I don't work out I should only eat 1,100 calories becasue my resting metabolic rate is 1,600. I don't know how I feel about that, I almost feel like I will be starving. Can anyone put their thoughts in on this??
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    I have a friend who works with personal trainer. He said I need to have a 500 calorie deficit to lose 1 lb per week. So on the days I don't work out I should only eat 1,100 calories becasue my resting metabolic rate is 1,600. I don't know how I feel about that, I almost feel like I will be starving. Can anyone put their thoughts in on this??

    Your RMR does not factor in expenditure from activity (NEAT/EAT) or diet induced thermogenesis (DIT/TEF). Consequently, creating a 500 calorie deficit below your RMR is essentially creating a much larger calorie deficit.

    You should figure out what TDEE stands for, and create your deficit based on this. Then monitor your real-world results and adjust from there.

    Here's a starting point: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703981
  • moreORless50
    moreORless50 Posts: 261 Member
    i walk as my exercise i try not to eat back my exercise cals but it allows me to have the odd treat :devil: i dont use protein shakes i just try to eat right to gain the protien that way , prob more need for these shakes if you work out hard but i dont realy know
  • Sweetsugar0424
    Sweetsugar0424 Posts: 451 Member
    I drink 2 protein shakes every day, for my morning and afternoon snacks along with some fruit and or whatever else I want for my snack. I don't think it would ever be filling enough on it's own to be a meal replacement, but there's nothing wrong with adding it for a supplement and because I LOVE chocolate, I find it a lot easier to not have chocolate when I'm drinking shakes.
  • capnrus789
    capnrus789 Posts: 2,736 Member
    Shakes give me the most painful toots imaginable. I stick to chicken, port, steak, fish, all lean. Oh, and bacon. You either like bacon, or you're wrong.

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