Whey Protein for Women?

MrsSummerM
MrsSummerM Posts: 26
in Health and Weight Loss
I am really getting in to gear more and more every day with my weight loss efforts and overall general health. I have toyed with the idea of adding when protein to my diet in the form of shakes in the morning since I am horrible at making time for breakfast before my 1.5 hour commute.

However, my husband has told me that it will make me bulk up cause it is a weight gainer supplement and it is not ideal for women. Is this true? I would love to hear from any women (or man) with experience and knowledge taking whey protein.

Thanks a bunch!
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Replies

  • dakotababy
    dakotababy Posts: 2,407 Member
    FALSE!
  • caseythirteen
    caseythirteen Posts: 956 Member
    It's only a weight gainer if you are eating a surplus. Many women use whey protein and fit it in to their diet like anything else. Taking protein is also not going to make you bulk up. Again, you need a calorie surplus for that. If you don't feel like you get enough protein through food, it's fine for men or women to supplement. I have both vanilla and chocolate powders and typically use one or the other every day in some form.
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    there are lots of REALLY hot females on this site that eat whey protein shakes and lift heavy and somehow they didn't "bulk up"...

    Seriously, it is really hard for a female to build a lot of muscle without manipulating hormones. However, the process of building muscle is very much the same for women and men - men's bodies just respond to it much quicker. Unless you are specifically trying to get big, you'll be fine.
  • SlvrBluGoddess
    SlvrBluGoddess Posts: 239 Member
    My typical breakfast includes whey protein powder. Either mixed with milk & fruit to make a smoothie or just mixed with almond milk to make a shake.

    No bulking up here... actually it's helping me lose weight. :)
  • corneredbycorn
    corneredbycorn Posts: 267 Member
    Weight gain and weight loss is a calories in, calories out equation. There is not a single item that will make you gain weight if you are in a calorie deficit, just like there is not a single item that will make you lose weight if you are in a calorie surplus.

    Protein shakes are great for getting in extra protein. Unless I am eating chicken twice a day, every day, I am not getting nearly enough protein so I supplement with a shake. Since I'm working out and trying to tone, getting that protein is even more important and I just can't eat that much chicken.
  • MrsSummerM
    MrsSummerM Posts: 26
    Thank you for the information, I really appreciate it. =)
    I know my husband meant well with what he was trying to tell me, but I also think perhaps he was speaking from his experience and intentions when he took the supplement years ago. I will definately give it a whirl and see how it works for me.
  • K_Serz
    K_Serz Posts: 1,299 Member
    FALSE!

    I 2nd this post.

    Saying whey protein isnt for women is like saying women shouldnt eat steak. They should only eat fish and chicken. ITS NONSENSE!!
  • Ge0rgiana
    Ge0rgiana Posts: 1,649 Member
    OY. The only thing that will make you bulky is going over on your calories. Even if you were lifting heavy and doing protein shakes, you wouldn't bulk.
  • etoiles_argentees
    etoiles_argentees Posts: 2,827 Member
    I prefer food.
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    FALSE!

    I 2nd this post.

    Saying whey protein isnt for women is like saying women shouldnt eat steak. They should only eat fish and chicken. ITS NONSENSE!!

    Third!
  • MrsHRogers
    MrsHRogers Posts: 24
    Maybe he is thinking of those supplements geared specifically for weight gain. But your average protein powders are just that, protein and a good supplement. I use them frequently for breakfast smoothies and after a good workout.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    FALSE!

    I 2nd this post.

    Saying whey protein isnt for women is like saying women shouldnt eat steak. They should only eat fish and chicken. ITS NONSENSE!!

    Unless it's a specific "weight gainer" shake. Those should be clearly labeled.
  • WTF7
    WTF7 Posts: 140 Member
    If Im running late in the morning and cant eat breakfast, I add it to my coffee ( the cholate flavored ). Its yummy and really tides me over until lunch time. :glasses:
  • MightyDomo
    MightyDomo Posts: 1,265 Member
    Hrm, I use protein powder and have for a while yet I have not bulked up at all.

    It's also not entirely impossible to get the protein you need without using a powder as well. I can get in between 100-160g of protein in a 1400 calorie day without it :)
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    Your husband probably meant well, but he has no idea what he is talking about.

    Besides protein not making you bulky, you will not get bulky AT ALL-- even with weight lifting--unless you are really trying to do so with steriods and other such supplements.

    I look my leanest and feel my best when I am eating about 50% of my diet in protein.
  • bethvandenberg
    bethvandenberg Posts: 1,496 Member
    I find they're a nice way to get some food into me in the am. I don't really like breakfast unless I've been up for awhile. It won't make you gain unless you're over on calories. :)
  • Trechechus
    Trechechus Posts: 2,819 Member
    Feel free to look through my pictures. That's what weight lifting and protein does to women.
  • Mexicanbigfoot
    Mexicanbigfoot Posts: 520 Member
    I make alot of smoothies in the morning and I always add 1-2 scoops of whey protein powder, I buy Aria brand (made specifically for women), it comes in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors and it's delish! I haven't bulked up and in fact, I'm losing weight :) good luck with your journey!!
  • jdholland5508
    jdholland5508 Posts: 162 Member
    Whey protein works different for women than men. Building muscle is extremely hard for men. They spend weeks trying to add a few lbs of muscle drinking as much protein as possible. However when a women takes just half a shake and uses dumbbells more than 6 lbs she instantly becomes overwhelmed with massive amounts of muscle and looks bulky.

    Whey protein for women... not even once!
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    yes your boyfriend is right, you will turn into she hulk
  • harric88
    harric88 Posts: 82 Member
    I swear by Whey Protein - I used Myprotein at the moment strawberry shortcake = YUMMY!!! :) morning snack & post workout AND I'm losing about 2lb a week wouldn't be without it!!!
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    There is no difference between women and men re protein powder

    You only need it if you are not getting enough protein from food sources

    With all due respect to your husband, he is talking nonsense.
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    While there are a fair few protein powders that are also weight gainers (basically high calorie protein powders) most of them are just protein, and don't have that many calories.

    If you eat more than you burn (a surplus) you will get bigger. If you are getting a surplus purely because of the protein then you will get bigger. Not because of that directly, but just because of the calories.

    Find a powder that fits in with your calorie goals, and enjoy the extra protein. I personally use ON gold standard whey. In particular I like the choc mint, and the double rich choc flavours. All of that brand's protein has around 110-130 calories per scoop and 23-25g protein. I have 1 a day on average. There shouldn't be a difference between that for men, and that for women.
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    I only drink male protein :drinker:

    As you can see by my profile pic, it gives me super powers.
  • Skeebee
    Skeebee Posts: 740 Member
    I only drink male protein :drinker:

    As you can see by my profile pic, it gives me super powers.

    LOL!!!!!!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    I only drink male protein :drinker:

    As you can see by my profile pic, it gives me super powers.

    I think I just blushed...
  • JossFit
    JossFit Posts: 588 Member
    I'm on a bikini competition diet program (so basically the epitome of cutting fat) and I have two whey protein shakes per day.

    In fact, some studies have shown that without changing calories burned or consumed or altering macronutrient ratios, participants who got some of their daily protein in the form of two whey protein shakes per day lost 5 pounds of FAT more than those who did not.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I recently added whey protein because I don't eat a lot meat and had trouble meeting the protein goal. I changed nothing else in my diet. Same calories, same exercise. I gained lbs. I thought maybe it was just water weight or something, but it's been over a month and not only are the 2 lbs are still there, but now I've gained another 1.3! I'm going to cut it out for awhile and see if it goes back down.

    Maybe I should just stick to food.
  • JossFit
    JossFit Posts: 588 Member
    I recently added whey protein because I don't eat a lot meat and had trouble meeting the protein goal. I changed nothing else in my diet. Same calories, same exercise. I gained lbs. I thought maybe it was just water weight or something, but it's been over a month and not only are the 2 lbs are still there, but now I've gained another 1.3! I'm going to cut it out for awhile and see if it goes back down.

    Maybe I should just stick to food.

    Unless you are lactose intolerant and are having digestive issues from the shakes causing you to retain water, it's something else.
  • mestacy010
    mestacy010 Posts: 577 Member
    Try it out... Nectar from super supplements.

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