Protein

I know a lot of people are not fans of weight loss supplements. I still have 20 pounds to go to reach my goal. My plan was to get to my goal then start building muscle. but now I'm thinking I'm gonna start working on my muscles now. SO I want to take a protein supplement but I cant afford the stuff. While at the store looking I seen slimfast has a shank mix with 10g protein that I can afford. I'm wanting see what people think about this before I buy or give it a shot. Thanks for your time. I'm still earning about fitness..

Replies

  • Escape_Artist
    Escape_Artist Posts: 1,155 Member
    10g of protein is really nothing, when you think about how much a real protein powder mix has (roughly 25g)

    I don't think anyone needs supplements, they are handy but no one should rely on them.

    Why not go with whole food instead of shakes, especially stuff like Slim Fast?
  • 1BigMidge
    1BigMidge Posts: 17 Member
    Have a can of tuna instead? 20grams of Protein

    Or try some turkey, egg whites, white fish, cottage cheese, greek 0 fat yoghurt etc etc ... You can get more than enough protein for building muscle from good clean food

    The protein will keep you feeling fuller longer :-)
  • StrongAtLast
    StrongAtLast Posts: 137 Member
    I wouldn't go w/slimfast as it has a lot of other crap in it. Actually, I bought Kroger's unflavored gelatin...it's 7G of protein. I mix it with whatever (and drink fast) before it gets all jello like. NOt sure if it's cheaper..I actually bought it for my nails :-)
    But you can find protein powders on line a whole lot cheaper than the store.
  • shirleygirl910
    shirleygirl910 Posts: 503 Member
    I'm off work and my husband hasn't worked in 5 years. We can't afford supplements.

    There are plenty of foods that give you portein naturally, and it's not just meat. There are some threads that mention foods that naturally have protein. I can only think of Quinoa, and beans right now. But do your research. You don't need supplements.
  • Lady_Bane
    Lady_Bane Posts: 720 Member
    I AM big on supplements. Egg white are a cheap easy way to go. 10g is very little, but if its how you need to get full and get some protein in...do it.
  • 1BigMidge
    1BigMidge Posts: 17 Member
    Just had a look at my food diary for yesterday and I did 260g of protein ... without a supplement ;-)
    Don't get me wrong I do use them post work outs however in the main I get my nutrients from food
  • Lady_Bane
    Lady_Bane Posts: 720 Member
    Have a can of tuna instead? 20grams of Protein

    Or try some turkey, egg whites, white fish, cottage cheese, greek 0 fat yoghurt etc etc ... You can get more than enough protein for building muscle from good clean food

    The protein will keep you feeling fuller longer :-)

    ^^^this....Pretty much my main foods for protein.
  • getting_fit86
    getting_fit86 Posts: 128 Member
    Nevermind.
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    Why get it in supplement form? Why not eat a chicken breast?

    Also, considering my protein powder has 30grams a scoop, and your shake is 10g...why don't you just buy the protein powder and add 1/3rd the scoop to save money?

    Also I have a recommendation:

    Don't try to lose weight, hit goal, lose all your lean body mass, and then have to gain weight again to build muscle. It...takes long. It's a lot quicker if you concentrate on preserving LBM currently, getting adequate protein, and doing progressive strength training. I lost weight, had no muscle at all, and had to gain weight back to put some on. I was just skin and bone and squish. Highly recommend getting leaner sooner then later
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    You don't need protein supplements. Those can be really hard on your kidneys (talked to a Registered Nurse about that). Canned tuna is cheap, eggs, cottage cheese etc. like others have said.

    Completely untrue. Why would protein supplements be any harder on your kidneys than protein from meat, eggs, etc?
  • tmpecus78
    tmpecus78 Posts: 1,206 Member
    You don't need protein supplements. Those can be really hard on your kidneys (talked to a Registered Nurse about that). Canned tuna is cheap, eggs, cottage cheese etc. like others have said.

    false, that RN is clueless.
  • tmpecus78
    tmpecus78 Posts: 1,206 Member
    10g of protein is nothing. You should be getting about a gram per pound you weigh, especially if you're trying to build muscle.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Weight loss supplements are bogus.
    Nutritional supplements like protein are valid and can be useful tools.

    A big ole tub of quality protein costs less per serving than many junk foods such as slim fast.

    But again, if you think it will help you lose weight, then your motivations for supplementation are misguided
  • towens00
    towens00 Posts: 1,033 Member
    I like "Body Fortress - Super Advanced Whey Protein - Chocolate". One scoop, 140 Calories, 26g protein, 9g carbs. Only way I can hit my protein goals somedays. Cheapest I've found, without being total junk, IMO.
  • walterm852
    walterm852 Posts: 409 Member
    Lots of great suggestions here with real food.

    I use Protein supplements when I travel or in the office for lunch. Its way cheaper and healthier to lunch then to buy lunch.
  • MightyDomo
    MightyDomo Posts: 1,265 Member
    I would only suggest using a protein powder if it's needed to balance your macros. You can get most if not all your protein from food alone by eating lean meats (eggs, egg whites, tuna, trimmed pork, trimmed beef, chicken, turkey, oil fish - though they are higher in fat they have essential Omegas and such!)

    I have a high cal diet to balance and I just cannot eat enough meat to get my 220g of protein so I have to use a single protein shake in the day to hit my macros, my cal intake and my protein goal. If it were about 500 cals less to meet I wouldn't need the protein shake...
  • Alphastate
    Alphastate Posts: 295 Member
    You should think of protein powder as part of your food bill. Online, you can find good protein for around $10 a lb. Average jugs are 2-3 lbs. That's around 20 bucks for a month supply of protein.
  • drojen
    drojen Posts: 203 Member
    At Wal-mart they sell protein powder called ISOFEMME

    It's about 15-20 dollars. Creamy Vanilla is the best flavour in my opinion & it has 25g protein :)

    I use this one as well because I do find it difficult to eat enough protein. I am not a fan of meat so I supplement at least some of my intake with a protein shake. but it only counts for maybe 25% of my daily intake. the rest is from food.

    I would also take a look at cost per serving. While Slimfast may only be $10.00, how may servings are in one can? If you only get 10 servings @ $10.00 compared to 30 servings @ $20.00, your better bet is the one that appears to be more expensive. The cheaper option isn't always about the price tag. You could also use 1/2 the recommended amount - that way, it lasts twice as long and you'd still get more tham 10g of protein out of it. I sometimes use 2/3 of the serving size - depending on what else I'm eating that day.
  • Teardrop81
    Teardrop81 Posts: 132 Member
    Also I have a recommendation:

    Don't try to lose weight, hit goal, lose all your lean body mass, and then have to gain weight again to build muscle. It...takes long. It's a lot quicker if you concentrate on preserving LBM currently, getting adequate protein, and doing progressive strength training. I lost weight, had no muscle at all, and had to gain weight back to put some on. I was just skin and bone and squish. Highly recommend getting leaner sooner then later

    This. I'm losing weight very slowly but I don't want to be skinny flabby either. I'd rather wait for awesome results and enjoy my journey more. I don't like starving anyway. I use Super Fortress whey Prortein Powder - Chocolate for days that I exercise A LOT and just can't meet my protein with food. :smile:

    Edited to add that they sell it at Walmart for about $15 a jug. Since I don't need it every day it lasts me a long time.