Why drink your calories away?

_SABOTEUR_
_SABOTEUR_ Posts: 6,833 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I'm curious why some people have such a large portion of their daily cals in liquid form?

No matter how many calories the milk/protein powder/shake may be they never satisfy me. Only food satisfies me.

Food is delicious and it is not the enemy.
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Replies

  • DenyseMarieL
    DenyseMarieL Posts: 673 Member
    I am in constant awe of the women around me who are trying to lose weight, and their go-to drink is pop. Sugar in a can. No nutritional value whatsoever. If they would only cut that out, they would lose weight and fast.

    I will have a protein shake if I'm in a hurry.

    But I agree. I'd rather have FOOD!
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    Are they "drinking their calories away" or are they simply having a protein shake post-workout?
  • palmerar
    palmerar Posts: 489 Member
    I thought this was going to be a post about alcohol ha ha...another source of liquid calories.
  • Ashi69
    Ashi69 Posts: 2
    I guess it's just easier. I personally prefer my nutritional shake in the morning for breakfast - blend up some Shakeo with banana and almond milk and that keeps me going for hours until my mid-mornig snack time. I don't think it's bad to consumer nutrition this way, but I defo dont think we should get all our meals that way! :)
  • DenyseMarieL
    DenyseMarieL Posts: 673 Member
    I thought this was going to be a post about alcohol ha ha...another source of liquid calories.


    But the calories don't count as long as you're having a good time.... ; )
  • lacurandera1
    lacurandera1 Posts: 8,083 Member
    My protein intake is a little higher than what most people have theirs set at, and it's really hard for me to eat as much protein laden food as I would need to get 160-180 grams a day. (read: eating that much meat makes me feel like I'm going to vomit. Additionally, meat is expensive. Supplement is much cheaper per gram). But I can totally drink 16 ozs. As far as "wasting calories..." I eat back my exercise calories. It's a rare day when I'm not eating between 2300 and 2800. I can totally spare 400 for 2 scoops of protein and 2 cups of milk.
  • RobfromLakewood
    RobfromLakewood Posts: 684
    100% agreement, I have a V-8 fruit/veggie drink or a 'weight-loss shake' in reserve for days when I've got no time to eat, but don't want to get ina rage and kill someone...but otherwise...FOOD!!!
  • da_bears10089
    da_bears10089 Posts: 1,791 Member
    My protein intake is a little higher than what most people have theirs set at, and it's really hard for me to eat as much protein laden food as I would need to get 160-180 grams a day. (read: eating that much meat makes me feel like I'm going to vomit. Additionally, meat is expensive. Supplement is much cheaper per gram). But I can totally drink 16 ozs. As far as "wasting calories..." I eat back my exercise calories. It's a rare day when I'm not eating between 2300 and 2800. I can totally spare 400 for 2 scoops of protein and 2 cups of milk.

    I'm right there with you. My shake is 45g of protein when it's mixed with water, and when i make it, i use milk so even more from that. Not only does it help me reach my protein goals, but it's fast and easy. Yes, I'm the type that refuses to wake up any earlier than necessary to go to work. No cooking breakfast before i head out the door for me.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I've tried a lot of protein shakes and it never filled me up, until I tried shakeology. I mix that with almond milk and a few ice cubes and it keeps me full for 2-3 hours and reduces my craving for sweets (it takes like a milk shake). It's win/win.

    Otherwise, I only drink water or plain tea.
  • Meg_78
    Meg_78 Posts: 998 Member
    Whether I'm on a bulk, or simply maintaining, my calories are almost always between 2000-2500, and I have a small appetite so drinking my calories is sort of a necessity, and yes sometimes I do drink empty juice calories (to fill my calorie goal), but never soda, its usually milk, shakes or juice.
  • _SABOTEUR_
    _SABOTEUR_ Posts: 6,833 Member
    My protein intake is a little higher than what most people have theirs set at, and it's really hard for me to eat as much protein laden food as I would need to get 160-180 grams a day. (read: eating that much meat makes me feel like I'm going to vomit. Additionally, meat is expensive. Supplement is much cheaper per gram). But I can totally drink 16 ozs. As far as "wasting calories..." I eat back my exercise calories. It's a rare day when I'm not eating between 2300 and 2800. I can totally spare 400 for 2 scoops of protein and 2 cups of milk.

    Point taken. I usually have, at least, one glass of milk a day. But, when somone is getting 50%+ of their cals from drinks, it makes me sad.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I drink some of my calories away because:

    I can't seem to get adequate calcium from food alone
    I can't seem to get adequate protein from food alone without eating more meat than I enjoy
    V8 is a low calorie, nutrient dense, drink just filling enough to get me through to lunch.
    Wine tastes really good and makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    My protein intake is a little higher than what most people have theirs set at, and it's really hard for me to eat as much protein laden food as I would need to get 160-180 grams a day. (read: eating that much meat makes me feel like I'm going to vomit. Additionally, meat is expensive. Supplement is much cheaper per gram). But I can totally drink 16 ozs. As far as "wasting calories..." I eat back my exercise calories. It's a rare day when I'm not eating between 2300 and 2800. I can totally spare 400 for 2 scoops of protein and 2 cups of milk.

    Point taken. I usually have, at least, one glass of milk a day. But, when somone is getting 50%+ of their cals from drinks, it makes me sad.

    Why does it make you sad? Just because you like to eat a lot of food doesn't mean that everyone will. Live and let live.
  • _SABOTEUR_
    _SABOTEUR_ Posts: 6,833 Member
    Are they "drinking their calories away" or are they simply having a protein shake post-workout?

    By 'large portion of their cals' I mean over 50%. I'm not referring to one post-workout shake.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    Are they "drinking their calories away" or are they simply having a protein shake post-workout?

    By 'large portion of their cals' I mean over 50%. I'm not referring to one post-workout shake.

    My smoothie that I make post workout can be 500 calories and that's a good chunk of my calories for the day.

    ETA: I'm not being snarky either.
  • MeeshyBW
    MeeshyBW Posts: 382 Member
    I think some MFP's need to realise that a post work -out shake is not a meal replacement.

    I am not bothered about using protein shakes, I have them every now and again when I am in a rush but prefer to get my protein from real food.

    What I really cannot understand are the amount of people who eat barely anything all day and drink coffee drinks with 70-200 calories a time. I am so glad I have never been a coffee junkie. :)
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    I think some MFP's need to realise that a post work -out shake is not a meal replacement.

    But I think it depends on what the shake is. My smoothies have yogurt, peanut butter, bananas, blueberries, milk, and protein and they're really good and fill me up until lunch.
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    The only calories I drink are my coffee, any wine I drink and my protein shakes. I don't drink shakes as a meal replacement... I use protein shakes to help me meet my protein goals. I also drink a protein shake if I want something sweet or something chocolate (my protein, mixed with milk/almond milk tastes just like chocoalte milk). It is much better than reaching for a chocolate bar as it gives better nutrients.
  • zooles
    zooles Posts: 93 Member
    I thought this was going to be a post about alcohol ha ha...another source of liquid calories.


    But the calories don't count as long as you're having a good time.... ; )

    Aaahhh I knew all of my weekend debauchery wasn't in vain. :drinker: Carry on!!
  • Camille0502
    Camille0502 Posts: 311 Member
    I am probably a freak of nature because I've never consumed a slim-fast or any other weight loss drink. I've also never had a protein shake. Like the OP, I love food. I don't feel satisfied unless I am chewing! I would die on an all liquid diet!
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    I'm not wasting my calories on my protein shake AT ALL. I feel so much better after a work out having it-it's a quick simple way to get not only more protein but water after my workout. I can easily finish my 16 oz shake in 5 minutes. For me it's not about being satisfied (although if I've done cardio then yeah, I don't need anything else til breakfast when I get to work) it's about getting more protein and water.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    Convenience.



    Thought this was going to be about alcohol. :grumble:
  • pwnderosa
    pwnderosa Posts: 280 Member
    I drink mine away cuz I get really grumpy if I don't have my post-workout beer...

    (though I admit when I started this journey I discovered that I was drinking a LOT of my calories in orange juice and have switched to only drinking that a couple times a week out of a teeny 4oz glass)
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I eat around 3700 calories a day so I tend to eat calorie dense foods but also drink my fair share of 1% chocolate milk (atleast 2 gallons a week) normally pour into ice cube trays and freeze and then mix in the vitamix blender with some peanut butter and ON protein powder... makes a killer Chocolate/peanut butter shake... So even though not close to 50% of my daily intake it does help me make up some calories.
  • nicruns
    nicruns Posts: 201 Member
    I do love a glass of wine (or two!) at night!

    But typically, I "drink" my calories (as a form of meal replacement) when I can't leave my office to actually eat lunch!
    (sadly.... we can't eat at our desks)
    so I wind up having a green smoothie in a coffee cup to make up for it (& get SOME sort of nutrition in!)

    luckily, I'm not a fan of pop
    (so no problem there)
  • lbesaw
    lbesaw Posts: 267 Member
    Me too. The first thing out for me was caloric beverages. I'd rather have my calories in food. And you are right food is NOT our enemy....as long as we have MFP to keep us in check and informed about what we're consuming daily. :heart:
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    I would happily substitute if I knew a food that would get me deliciously tipsy.
  • BlackStarDeceiver
    BlackStarDeceiver Posts: 590 Member
    I would happily substitute if I knew a food that would get me deliciously tipsy.

    http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/
  • SoViLicious
    SoViLicious Posts: 2,633 Member
    Convenience.



    Thought this was going to be about alcohol. :grumble:


    Me too! I was all like.... maybe they have some new cool recipes for my vodka.
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    I would happily substitute if I knew a food that would get me deliciously tipsy.

    http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/

    Stop stalking me and offering me drugs.

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