Are protein shakes worth it?

wonderfulworldx
wonderfulworldx Posts: 20
in Food and Nutrition
Hi all,
Can anyone tell me their thoughts on whether protein powders/shakes are worth it? I'm using the EM2WL approach to weight loss having used the IPOARM to work out my TDEE. It's just I'm struggling to get my macro ratios correct with 40/30/30. I am currently doing the 30 day shred and running three times a week with the C25K programme.

I just thought it might be useful to perhaps incorporate a shake into my day to increase my protein.
What type of powder would you suggest? When would you take the shake? And most importantly is it actually worth it?

Thanks in advance

Replies

  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    NOPE, not a fan.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • 714rah714
    714rah714 Posts: 759 Member
    That's a lot of acronyms for one paragraph.
  • delonda1
    delonda1 Posts: 525 Member
    I have them and use when my protein is low

    of course real food is better but honestly it will not hurt you if you are trying to make your protein goals and constantly so low
  • twelfty
    twelfty Posts: 576 Member
    PHD synergy, their flavours taste nice and an all round clean product

    ETA: made with fat free milk you're talking 36g of protein for a 400ml serving, personally i have mine in the morning and i wouldn't make my protein goal without it
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    I try hard to meet my protein macro with food everyday, if I can't get over 100g on a workout day I will have a shake. I battled with the idea of using protein shakes for a while but as I thought and only do use it ocassionally I'm ok with it.
  • m4ttcheek
    m4ttcheek Posts: 229 Member
    If you genuinely struggle to get protein then go for it.
  • gerard54
    gerard54 Posts: 1,107 Member
    If you want gains you're gonna need the protein...
  • mich1902
    mich1902 Posts: 182
    I use whey protein but rarely as a shake. I currently use it to make microwave mug cakes and also add a scoop of my vanilla into total0% fat natural yoghurt, then add some fruit and/or nuts. I love chocolate but I don't like the powder, the vanilla is so much more varied and if I want chocolate I just add cocoa powder.
  • m4ttcheek
    m4ttcheek Posts: 229 Member
    I battled with the idea of using protein shakes for a while but as I thought and only do use it ocassionally I'm ok with it.

    Would you battle with the thought of a low fat yogurt? Both are just milk with fat/carbs filtered out.
  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    Hi all,
    Can anyone tell me their thoughts on whether protein powders/shakes are worth it? I'm using the EM2WL approach to weight loss having used the IPOARM to work out my TDEE. It's just I'm struggling to get my macro ratios correct with 40/30/30. I am currently doing the 30 day shred and running three times a week with the C25K programme.

    I just thought it might be useful to perhaps incorporate a shake into my day to increase my protein.
    What type of powder would you suggest? When would you take the shake? And most importantly is it actually worth it?

    Thanks in advance

    If you are having trouble meeting your protein with food, then it is a useful supplement, but do not treat it as a meal replacement.

    When I first thought the container of protein was expensive at £24, I worked out it had 40 servings of 17g (or 20 servings of 34g) of protein.

    So, just 60p for each serving of
    17g of protein.
    96 calories,
    3g carbs
    1g fat

    I prefer to eat real food to get my protein, tuna, salmon, turkey, greek yogurt, cottage cheese etc, but if I need extra, then I think the protein powder is a useful supplement.
  • demorelli
    demorelli Posts: 508 Member
    If you're not getting your protein I'd say go for it. I'm a fan of Body Fortress which is 26g protein and 140 calories per scoop.
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    Cheaper per gram of protein than anything else.. even cheaper than eggs... so yea.
  • Sqeekyjojo
    Sqeekyjojo Posts: 704 Member
    I really, really struggle with breakfasts. Not only is my day to day very variable for activity and hours, I take meds that completely knock out my appetite. Combined with the fact I have never actually liked eating in the mornings, it's something I know is just me.

    A shake means I'm going to have more than black coffee. Which has to be better for me.
  • SquidgySquidge
    SquidgySquidge Posts: 239 Member
    I have a protein shake every day as I like to aim for high protein and this helps me get there.

    I use one called Proform (chocolate flavour) it's yummy - I use 300ml Soya Milk, 100ml water and a teaspoon of Whole Earth peanut butter with mine and it is really tasty. I get 22g of Protein from the powder alone. I have mine after dinner and sometimes have it extra thick so it's more like a dessert.

    I have to say - I get very bad skin, always have, but in the past 2 weeks I've seen a real improvement.
    Also my hair is mega shiny, a few people have commented on how healthy it's looking.
    I was trying to think what I'd done differently and all I could think was I'd upped my protein.
    So I was researching it last night and apparently, protein is essential for good skin and hair.

    So that's a great and unexpected bonus for me - I also have more energy, when I have a shake for breakfast I notice that I don't seem to get that 'afternoon slump' around 3pm like I used to.

    If however you still feel you'd rather get the extra protein from a more natural food source, I've recently discovered Greek Yoghurt and I've fallen in love with it. Even the low fat versions are seriously creamy and I get 7g protein from one serving :smile:
  • kennie2
    kennie2 Posts: 1,170 Member
    try and get it with your food. and in all honesty you really dont need that much protein. I never get "enough" and im perfectly fine
  • jamiek917
    jamiek917 Posts: 610 Member
    im not a fan of drinking my food, and generally hate protein shakes and go for high quality bars instead. HOWEVER, i yesterday used the chocolate peanut butter TRUTEIN protein powder (1scoop with 8oz of water)- and its actually GOOD. seriously- best protein powder ive ever tried. 125 cals and 25g of protein-- amazing!
  • Delicate
    Delicate Posts: 625 Member
    They are useful when you cant be bothered eating large amounts of food to get your protein up.

    I like myprotein and phd diet whey, both seem to mix really easily with water.
  • m4ttcheek
    m4ttcheek Posts: 229 Member
    and generally hate protein shakes and go for high quality bars instead.

    lololol, what do you think they make the bars with?
  • Stogie40
    Stogie40 Posts: 164 Member
    Love them. Have 2 a day. I mix them with low fat yogurt.
  • jamiek917
    jamiek917 Posts: 610 Member
    and generally hate protein shakes and go for high quality bars instead.

    lololol, what do you think they make the bars with?

    some bars, like QUEST, are made with natural stuff.

    and i didnt say i was against ingredients, i just prefer to chew my food rather than drink it.
  • TC4IOWASTATE
    TC4IOWASTATE Posts: 64 Member
    I think it is a personal preference really. I don't think you need to go overboard on them as some of the diet shakes that people push. I am running a daycare here and sometimes I am so very busy I almost forget to eat breakfast. I try to make a green smoothie with protein powder, maybe one with peanut butter, Almond milk. Sometimes I mix it with Greek yogurt.

    It keeps me going and I don't slow down to snack on the kids snacks to much. I use if for a meal on the go. I have found myself really hungry after exercising if I don't eat something before the gym. Never used to happen but suddenly I need to eat. Why is that happening now? I have to have a bar in my car if I am so hungry I can eat. I hate all the fillers in the bars.
  • m4ttcheek
    m4ttcheek Posts: 229 Member
    some bars, like QUEST, are made with natural stuff.

    and i didnt say i was against ingredients, i just prefer to chew my food rather than drink it.

    They don't have quest bars where i live but looking at their website the main ingredient is whey. Which is a natural ingredient.
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    try and get it with your food. and in all honesty you really dont need that much protein. I never get "enough" and im perfectly fine
    You won't make gaiiinz with that attitude.
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    For me yes. I don't eat meat so they are a valuable source of protein for me. And gram for gram it is a relatively cheap source of protein. I buy 5kg for just under £50 which gives me 200 servings (of 25g each) at a cost of 25p per serving (which contains around 20 g of protein and under 98 cals).

    Compare this, for example with a 170g pot of Total 0% greek yoghurt which gives me 18g of protein for 97 calories (i.e. very similar nutritionally) but the yoghurt would cost me £1, four times as much.

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