Protein Shakes For Weight Loss...Not Muscle Gain

GoodBye_Fatty
GoodBye_Fatty Posts: 40 Member
edited September 22 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been trying to find a shake that helps WEIGHT LOSS. Only thing I could find was Slim Fast. I began searching again because I wanted something with less sugar and carbs and more protein.

So I began looking at Pure Protein. Tried their bar today and it was a little too thick for my taste. I would really like to try the shakes. I told my co-worker about it but he said I shouldnt have tooo much protein (Shakes. And he mentioned Muscle Milk as well) because I then will have to work out more to get the protein off (If this makes any sense). Which I am working out 6 days a week.

Basically, Im not trying to gain any muscle at this point. I want to lose 80lbs and once thats gone I can think about gaining muscle (Im sure I would gain some by working out but thats not my GOAL...WEIGHT LOSS IS. If I gain in the process...great!)

What Im confused about is what is a GREAT shake for a MEAL REPLACEMENT that will help weight loss. Slim Fast has been doing it for me and I am losing weight and I would love to stick with it if I cant find anything else better.

Are the protein shakes for only gaining muscle mass?

I know there is a HUGE controversy with SF but if you look at my food dairies I have 2 meal bars for B & L...my 3 snacks and my 500 (Or less) cal dinner. And still stay under my 1200/day.

I just want to make sure Im doing everything I can do correct with losing weight and if there is something better out there I def want to try it...

Thanks MFP Fam

Replies

  • Amarillo_NDN
    Amarillo_NDN Posts: 1,018 Member
    I just use whey powder and add it to food and drinks. great way to add that extra protien.
  • outlanderlg
    outlanderlg Posts: 1 Member
    Whey Sensation is a good option - very low carb and high in protein. They don't taste too bad either!
  • BrendaKayS
    BrendaKayS Posts: 38
    I lost 100 lbs using the slim fast plan before having my son, I was keeping it off easily too (with 1-2 shakes a day, 3 snacks, sensible dinner and about 20 minutes of exercise a day) until I got pregnant and threw everything I'd learned out the window (which I think I would have done with any plan as I was in the whole bad mindset of "eating for 2" -- 2 elephants lol). So, just wanted to share that slim fast isn't exactly evil :)

    There are a few that I love - I like chocolate protein -- it's sugar free and 150 calories for 2 scoops. I mix it with water, frozen fruit and spinach. I also like most chocolate whey powders and some mix with just a spoon which is handy. I usually go by whichever is on sale because I'm a very tight food budget (another reason why slim fast always seemed to work well for me, it was the cheapest).
  • smitty328
    smitty328 Posts: 164 Member
    Whey is what I have...not to bad in taste either!! Cheers.
  • GoodBye_Fatty
    GoodBye_Fatty Posts: 40 Member
    Thank You, Brenda. Are you still doing the SF Plan?
  • GoodBye_Fatty
    GoodBye_Fatty Posts: 40 Member
    LOL Before anyone else reply I am basically asking does PROTEIN DRINKS help with WEIGHT LOSS or just MUSCLE GAIN??

    If it doesnt help with weight loss, I will just stick with Slim Fast....

    I see people are giving me tips on the drinks they like and not really answeing my question...lol
  • ames925del
    ames925del Posts: 3
    I use Shakeology it's wonderful. If you're interested I can tell you more.
  • 4lafz
    4lafz Posts: 1,078 Member
    A friend used Delicious Dream Protein powder and gave me a little in the container to try. It is 86 calories; less than one sugar, low sodium, 20 g of protein. It says Doctors for Nutrition on it - no artifical sweeteners too. She gave me Creamy French Vanilla and I tried once - it's good! I get tons of protein from my meals - always over - so I do not really need a protein shake but for once in awhile. Not sure where she got it but I just did a search and found at Amazon and :

    http://www.pureprescriptions.com/products/product_details.asp?ProductsID=813

    Just read your new post and it does if you are not getting enough protein!
  • toberlili
    toberlili Posts: 78
    sent you a message about 10 minutes ago about the shakeology, it really is the healthiest option
  • GoodBye_Fatty
    GoodBye_Fatty Posts: 40 Member
    4lafz , I am ALWAYS over my protein everyday...so thats good...as long as Im over Im getting all the protein I need?
  • jb_sweet_99
    jb_sweet_99 Posts: 856 Member
    I take Visalus. A shake for breakfast and lunch, it's full of protein and vitamins, it's really good for you. Check out the video, it explains how nutritious it is in more detail :bigsmile: http://470935.bodybyvi.com/
    And yes, protein does help with weight loss, it makes a huge difference. Hope this helps.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Why am I getting the impression that this site is becoming overrun by beachbody spam?
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Protein has some specific benefits for weight loss--it promotes satiety, it can help conserve lean mass during weight loss, and it has a mild thermogenic effect.

    It is not magic, it can come from a variety of sources, and it needs to be kept in proportion.

    Most of the research I have read suggests that a modest increase over the RDA for protein has a beneficial effect, roughly 1g per kilogram of body weight. It doesn't really have to be precise. I also read a study that suggested that females who ingested 100g of protein, regardless of body weight, lost more weight that others eating less.

    In my personal journey, I lost 60lbs and never ate more than .8-.9g per kg of my target body weight per day (actually, it was more like .7g of my actual weight when losing), and never went above 20% of total calories from protein (I also had no problems conserving lean mass or increasing strength levels).

    You can get your protein from food sources. Some people prefer shakes or bars because they provide a convenient and concentrated form of protein. They also are usually more expensive. I personally think that they have a placebo effect for most people (the shakes and bars, as opposed to just eating food), but that's just an opinion.

    As others have said, watch out for shakes or bars that contain a lot of sugar or fat as well. And keep in mind that, for most people, it is the amount of protein that's important, not necessarily the source.
  • catcrazy
    catcrazy Posts: 1,740 Member
    Why am I getting the impression that this site is becoming overrun by beachbody spam?

    hmmm, beachbody spam sure sounds nicer than the beachbody green shake looks!

    Back to OP, if slimfast is working for you and you tend to go over on proteins anyway I would avoid protein shakes and stick with slimfast or try some of the pharmacy own brands to mix it up a little. Of course there is shakeology but it comes in pretty expensive, according to their site its $4 a day based on one shake a day...youch!
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    Why am I getting the impression that this site is becoming overrun by beachbody spam?

    Was thinking the same.

    To lose weight, calories consumed must be less than total energy expenditure. Simple as that. If you want to get all your energy from shakes only then you could. Remember, there are other things to factor in to creating a healthy diet like the micronutrients (not just the macronutrients) which is why it is better to consume real food.

    In saying that, whey protein has it's place (post workout) but living off these drinks is not a good idea IMO.
  • ❤B☩❤
    ❤B☩❤ Posts: 634
    **Why am I getting the impression that this site is becoming overrun by beachbody spam? **

    I'm another one who wonders this, too.
  • CakeFit21
    CakeFit21 Posts: 2,521 Member
    I have a friend that lost 40 pounds using Naturaid Total Soy Meal Replacement. I was using it for a while in my weight loss plan until I ran out. They were DELICIOUS!!! Very affordable and I just mixed with water and sometimes added fruit or peanut butter.
  • Jennyzfit
    Jennyzfit Posts: 175 Member
    You shouldn't beat yourself up over this one. Just eat the amount of calories MFP suggests and if your at a stand still just change up the cardio a bit. This actually does work.
    cheers and good luck :drinker:
  • vaughny
    vaughny Posts: 145
    protein drinks will aide in weight loss if you are using them as a meal replacement and not going over your daily calories, they will also help build muscle, You will want to build some muscle as you lose weight. SF does have about 10-15 g of protein depending on what type you get, I have used these before just to supplement extra protein in my day as my snack. You are not going to turn into a muscle head unless you start drinking monster milk and lifting heavy everyday. = )
  • HIzara
    HIzara Posts: 187
    If you do cardio 6 days a week (or at least 5x a week), protein drinks won't bulk you up. It's not possible, it's just too much cardio to bulk you up.

    I was working out 8-10x a week, with 5-6x jogging, 1-2x strength (circuit training) and 1x "purely" weight lifting and i made it a rule to drink a protein shake after every 60 min workout. It was my dinner meal replacement. (Did not eat dinner as my workouts were after work.) As a result, I lost 20 lbs in 3 1/2 months.

    Protein does not bulk you up unless you are lifting 4x or more a week. I take in my weight in pounds to protein in grams. So 105 lbs = 105 g protein.

    Protein, esp whey protein, helps in muscle repair, which reduces soreness and pain the following day. I believe in protein, whether you can consume it or have to drink it.
  • turbojanem
    turbojanem Posts: 285
    i love my Shakeology. i too can give you more info. and it comes in a chocolate flavor if you are a chocolate nut like me.
  • championnfl
    championnfl Posts: 324 Member
    google....Are the protein shakes for only gaining muscle mass?
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    LOL Before anyone else reply I am basically asking does PROTEIN DRINKS help with WEIGHT LOSS or just MUSCLE GAIN??

    They helped me with weight loss. When I lost a great deal of weight I had protein shakes nearly everyday for breakfast. This was back in the day when I was working on first shift, and I didn't really want to wake up any earlier to cook something. Using the blender was much easier.

    I made protein shakes using my own recipes starting with skim milk and either vanilla or chocolate flavor protein powder (cause those seem to be the easiest flavors to add to without making it taste really weird).

    While I did gain lean muscle seen in my strength gains, I did not bulk up at all (which is not really possible for women unless you are training strictly as a bodybuilder or taking steroids) and I went from a size 18 down to a size 6.

    I have gained some back recently, but I am adding the shakes back into my daily plan because what worked before surely will work again.
  • atynk
    atynk Posts: 400 Member
    Here is my question.... why the heck would you not want to gain any muscle??? I know you said you will by exercising, but do you realize that the more muscle you have the more calories you burn just doing NOTHING!!! Thats right, when you have more muscle, when you are sitting or sleeping or whatever you can more calories and you don't even have to do anything! Sooo more calories burned = weight loss! And also, you need to strength train or else you are not going to have very nice or tight skin when you drop those 80lbs :( Don't think you will bulk up- I strength trained during my weight loss of 47 lbs and it kept my tummy and skin tight.
    To answer your question- protein drinks don't really "help" with weight loss, you use it as a replacement for protein if you can't get it in... its the healthy diet and exercise that will help you, but you can use protein shakes in your diet as well.
    Pls reconsider gaining some muscle... you will look fit .
  • FemininGuns
    FemininGuns Posts: 605 Member
    I think you may have to let go of the number factor for weight loss...

    Having muscle with help with burning fat... You need to have a balanced nutrition that supports your exercise routine. Just like some have mentionned on here - you firstly won't "bulk up" with more protein because women do not produce enough testosterone to do this... If you are only concerned with numbers, you may be robbing yourself of some milestones in losing fat. Try measuring yourself and you'll get a better picture of how your body is transforming.:bigsmile:
  • sunnysashka
    sunnysashka Posts: 296
    You will be loosing weight due to calorie deficit. Shakes would not speef it or slow it. SO, just choose any pure protein and watch the calories.
  • nicoleg98
    nicoleg98 Posts: 9
    Myroplex low carb protien shakes are good :)
  • GoodBye_Fatty
    GoodBye_Fatty Posts: 40 Member
    thanks everyone! I got my question answered!!! :)
  • SonyaVelonis
    SonyaVelonis Posts: 14
    You have to try Shakeology. It's amazing! I had tried Slim Fast many times before and it doesn't even come close to it. I have lost 30 lbs using it. It has 20 grams of protein, probiotics, and only fructose. Nothing artificial at all. Also, there is a 30 day bottom of the bag guarantee if you don't end up liking it too. That is what helped me to try it out at the beginning. I just figured I'd send it back. Message me if you have more questions because I could go on and on and also, there is a way to save 25% off the price if you want.

    www.myshakeology.com/sav31
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