The Point of Protein Shakes

I use them to up my protein without having to eat a lot of meat, which I am not good at doing. Not a vegetarian or anything like that. It's just not my favorite thing. I have been known to eat my cereal in the morning with a scoop of protein powder mixed in the milk. Yum. I usually drink one shake a day (as part of a meal or not, I don't really pay attention to 'breakfast, lunch and dinner' thinking.)

Having said that, I think I would be better served to eat actual meat, as I am no doubt missing out on great nutrients that you can't get any other way.

I rarely eat meat and have a difficult time getting enough protein without going over my calories without shakes or bars or other things I bake with protein powder. I usually have a shake as a snack or part of a meal. If I'm having fish (usually once or twice per week) or eating other meat (happens once in a blue moon) I usually don't need a shake and will skip it.

I thought the point of protein shakes was to increase ones protein.

I use them to get more protein in my diet.

-I am on a high protein diet to help with my hypoglycemia and migraines. I can't often reach my protein goal (130grams) without them.
-when I am having bad migraines or yet another bronchitis-like-cold, I do use them as meals, because I don't feel well enough to cook/make/eat "real food"

I use protien shakes and powder in my breakfast smootie if I am working in the office. Hard to scramble eggs and cook bacon at work.

So for me it's just to supplement my protien when /if I know I can't get it the old fashion way.

They are a supplement, not a meal replacement. I for example try to get in around 145 - 150 grams of protein per day which I find difficult without supplementing with a protein shake...sometimes two per day.

Protein is a pretty important macro and not just for bulking up...without adequate protein during a cut or dieting, you will lose more muscle mass than you otherwise would. Protein helps protect your muscle in every way.

I use them as a meal replacement but also to get extra protein in my vegetarian diet.

I drink a protein shake after every workout. It helps your body build and maintain muscle. I prefer to have a lot of protein in my diet also. If I don't I start feeling all sick and moody.

I prefer protein bars. But I use protein powders on oatmeal (or make protein pancakes).

I use it to supplement my protein intake. I'm a flexetarian so I don't like preparing and eating meat every single day.

I thought the point of protein shakes was to increase ones protein.

You seemed to have missed the part where I said "Besides the obvious".

What I am wondering, which most of you have answered, was whether or not people take them to bulk up (more protein), or because they are lacking it in other areas.

Thanks, everyone!

The obvious answer is the only answer - to help those meet their protein macro. If you want to "bulk up" that'd require you to eat at a calorie surplus.

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this. Most of the time Protein is find in poly something I forgot the name of it, but it's to help you with your amino acids that your body would naturally digest in things such as meats, eggs, fish etc. things high in protein.

Another huge thing which a lot of people (myself included) use protein shakes for is to help repair damaged tissue in athletes. If I have a bad day and believe something is sore, i take some protein and also some glutamine as well to help with the recovery. Most of the time people use it when their carbs are a little low so they can help build muscle quicker. You've heard of a low carb diet, this is a supplement which people use for that as well.

This is only a small bit of what I know. I was like you and said "Look at those people drinking that gross powdered stuff, I wonder why they do it" so then I learned why.

I don't normally drink them unless I'm repairing or cutting in my diet. I rarely cut though it's mostly for repairing torn tissue etc.

I hope this helps.

For me, they are an easy, quick, filling breakfast.

If I make my smoothie minus the protein it just isn't nearly as filling.