Adding protein, does it really help?

RobbJA
RobbJA Posts: 1
in Health and Weight Loss
I have a friend that started drinking protein shakes (myoplex lean shakes) and has lost about 100lbs. I personally don't agree with not eating and only drinking shakes twice a day, but she has been checking with her Doctor and says she is doing fine. Does increasing your protein make a difference? Anybody?

Replies

  • adam1885282
    adam1885282 Posts: 135 Member
    I think this might be spam. First post from a new user plugging a specific product. Forgive me if I'm wrong.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    You can increase your protein without drinking a shake.
  • justaspoonfulofsugar
    justaspoonfulofsugar Posts: 587 Member
    Protein will help to keep you fuller longer but better in the form of a steak rather than a shake..eat real food!
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    Adding things will only benefit you if you are deficient in those things.
  • hendinerik
    hendinerik Posts: 287 Member
    Yes on the protein but if you can eat real food, I say eat real food!

    Sometimes also you can do a yogurt based shake (greek yogurt) with protein powder and some fruit and nuts - if you have the calories to spare, that can pack a punch! And it's not necessary a meal replacement either..
  • erinsueburns
    erinsueburns Posts: 865 Member
    Does it help what? And is that ALL she is eating? Or just all you see her eating. People at my work might think something similar about me, because I'm typically just not hungry during my working hours. But I eat TWO real food dinners. One when I get home from work and one at around 8 pm.
  • 66MaryTatum
    66MaryTatum Posts: 12
    I have found a couple ounces of protein helps control hunger, especially after exercise. But, I get all the protein I need in whole wheat pasta/breads, dairy and cheese. So, don't think you need to go for quarter pound Angus burgers or buffalo (unless you plan to enter the next Olympics).
  • Kellervdb
    Kellervdb Posts: 6
    It has no effect UNLESS you are trying to build muscle. Adding protein can help you feel fuller as well, and for the people saying that protein from whole foods is better than protein from powders, you are wrong. Protein is protein. In fact, whey protein is quicker and easier for your body to digest and in most cases is lower in calories and fats as well.
    You protein sources really do not matter that much, as long as you are getting enough. I get 200+ grams of protein every single day and I have been doing this for about a year now and have seen no ill effects. In extremely high doses, yes, unused protein will be stored as fat, but there is nothing else that is really bad about it.
    Also, if you want to say that getting too much protein is bad for your kidneys, that is also incorrect. That is a myth stemming from the fact that many patients that have had kidney failure are put on low protein diets. This does not, however, lead to the conclusion that protein is bad for your kidneys. If your kidneys are healthy, high amounts of protein are not going to cause your kidneys to shut down.
    Overall, protein is protein is protein. It's pointless to take high amounts of it if you aren't utilizing it by working out with heavy weights but it probably won't have too many ill effects. Keep in mind that women need much less protein than men though, so it is a double standard.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Regardless of whether of not it has any harmful effects, a diet that contains excess protein is unbalanced. Protein is also a relatively expensive nutrient. For the average person trying to lose weight, the main role that protein plays is to help conserve lean mass with a calorie deficit and to promote satiety. Other than that it has no magic power. In this context, 1.0 to 1.5 g per kg of body weight (or a minimum of 100g per day) is sufficient--while it may not be harmful, more than that is not necessary.

    Someone who is using protein shakes as a meal replacement is likely following a very low calorie diet (e.g. 800 calories per day). A number of doctors still support this approach. If you can stick to the plan, you will lose weight, no question. However, that approach tends to have a very high long-term failure rate--something like 90% regain all the weight lost within two years. For someone who is morbidly obese, some doctors feel it's worth taking a shot with a VLCD. .
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Help with what? Adding protein won't help you lose weight. It will help you with hitting your protein goal if you're having trouble.

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