Women and protein shakes

sarah5893
sarah5893 Posts: 106 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hello, just curious about womens experiences with protein and protein shakes...

Why do you take protein shakes?
If i'm trying to lose weight should I have less than my RDA of protein?
Will having protein shakes prevent me from losing weight?
I'm not doing crazy lifting at the gym although I do use the strength/resistance machines, would i benefit from protein shakes?
'm 150lbs aprox, an average day is 80g protein, is this too little?

And just in general whatever you can tell me about protein would be great :)

Replies

  • sarrah_n
    sarrah_n Posts: 192 Member
    I started increasing my protein when I was always SORE! Working out 3-4 days per week I was always sore; my muscles never seemed the heal from the previous workout (running, aerobics, or weights). When I increased my protein, I was healing much faster, noticed an increase the speed of my weight loss and incraese in muscle tone.
  • toiletski
    toiletski Posts: 126 Member
    Protein helps keep you fuller longer. I've been told to shoot for 1g of protein per pound of body weight. If you're getting enough protein in the food you eat then the shakes aren't necessary. I lift too. But intaking the protein helps aid in weight loss, keeps you feeling satisfied longer and it builds and maintains lean muscle.
    I drink shakes in the morning usually because they're quick and I usually choose sleep over preparing something for breakfast to take with me to work.
  • cmstirp
    cmstirp Posts: 51 Member
    Protein helps keep you fuller longer. I've been told to shoot for 1g of protein per pound of body weight.

    It's actually 1g protein per kg of body weight. I'm also pretty sure I remember reading that anything over 1.8g/kg body weight won't make a difference in building muscle.
  • queenbea77
    queenbea77 Posts: 404 Member
    This
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    If i'm trying to lose weight should I have less than my RDA of protein?

    No. You want to keep your LBM. Aim for 0.8 g of protein per LBM, if possible.
    Will having protein shakes prevent me from losing weight?

    Only if doing so puts you so over your Caloric goal(s) such that you end up at maintenance or above.
    I'm not doing crazy lifting at the gym although I do use the strength/resistance machines, would i benefit from protein shakes?

    If you're having trouble reaching your daily protein goal, yes. Again, just make sure the shake doesn't put you over your daily Caloric goal.
    'm 150lbs aprox, an average day is 80g protein, is this too little?

    It's probably OK, even given the above recommendation of 0.8 g per lb of LBM. Going with 30% BF, the above recommendation would be 95 g of protein per day. 80 isn't unreasonable.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    I use protein powder because I often struggle to meet my protein target for the day. I don't have a shake every day, and try to get as much of my protein as possible from normal food. It's a good supplement though.

    Protein shakes won't stop you losing weight, unless the calories in them put them over your TDEE (Total daily energy expenditure). It's about energy balance.

    I'm no expert, but it's my understanding that if you're losing weight, you actually need more protein than if you are maintaining. It will help you to hold onto your lean mass as you lose weight.

    Protein won't magically make you lose weight, or gain weight, or gain muscle etc. It's just part of a much bigger picture. Your body needs protein to build and repair things. For dieters (as well as holding onto muscle mass) it's good because it can keep you fuller for longer than a diet that's low in protein. Protein is important, but so are fats and carbs (carbs being less essential than the other two, but still important.)

    ETA: as far as I'm aware all of the above applies equally to men and women.
  • sarah5893
    sarah5893 Posts: 106 Member
    this website tells me that a 150lb woman should have 50g of protein a day

    so is that totally wrong [sorry for 101 questions]

    http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/protein
  • toiletski
    toiletski Posts: 126 Member
    Protein helps keep you fuller longer. I've been told to shoot for 1g of protein per pound of body weight.

    It's actually 1g protein per kg of body weight. I'm also pretty sure I remember reading that anything over 1.8g/kg body weight won't make a difference in building muscle.

    thank you for this ^^
  • parkscs
    parkscs Posts: 1,639 Member
    Shakes are for when you a) just want a shake or b) don't have the time or don't feel like putting in the effort to get your protein from natural sources. There's nothing special about a protein shake and you will be just fine (if not better off) getting your protein from natural sources like chicken, prawns, etc.
  • delaney056
    delaney056 Posts: 475
    I will use protein shakes as a meal replacement from time to time. If I'm on the go, in the morning I'll have one, so that shake is my breakfast. Anything that takes you into a caloric surplus will cause you to gain weight, whether it's apples, hot dogs, or protein shakes. They're fine if you don't have time to make breakfast/any meal, have difficulty eating enough protein, and if you work them into your day.
  • sammniamii
    sammniamii Posts: 669 Member
    Why do you take protein shakes?

    *Protein fills me up, helps fight off my workday munchies and since I lift, helps repair/build muscle.

    If i'm trying to lose weight should I have less than my RDA of protein?

    *Probably not, less protein than RDA will probably leave you hungrier and less full feeling, which may lead to more snacking and such.

    Will having protein shakes prevent me from losing weight?

    *No, unless you go crazy with them - like doctor them up to 400+ calories per shakes then drink 3-4 a day.

    I'm not doing crazy lifting at the gym although I do use the strength/resistance machines, would i benefit from protein shakes?

    *Yeap

    They are a supplement or addition, if you can get your protein levels up without them, go for it. You don't "need: tons of extra protein unless you are "heavy lifting".
  • IronPlayground
    IronPlayground Posts: 1,594 Member
    this website tells me that a 150lb woman should have 50g of protein a day

    so is that totally wrong [sorry for 101 questions]

    http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/protein

    I would say that's low given you are active. Sedentary adult women might be able to get away with that low of a protein requirement. I would shoot for what others have recommended. 1g/lb of LBM.
  • schonkreuz
    schonkreuz Posts: 493 Member
    It is very easy for me to get to 100g+ of protein a day without any help, if I do drink one it's because I make it like a treat that I don't feel guild about. (I make mine with banana,peanut butter and chocolate so its super tasty and thick)
  • queenbea77
    queenbea77 Posts: 404 Member
    This
  • Wifey7891
    Wifey7891 Posts: 91
    i would aim a little higher for the protein consumption. and i think its actually 1g protein for every lean pound of body mass. so that would be about 110-120 grams of protein if you consider 20% body fat for a woman your size. if you know your actual composition just calculate it out.

    also, you can consider incorporating more natural foods and increase your protein that way, rather than protein powder. your body processes and accepts foods easier and more readily than whey. thats why its actually a suppliment for your diet. try adding more egg whites, greek yogurt, peanut butter or more ounces of lean chicken or fish to your diet. women should not be afraid to build their muscle a little bit, because it increases metabolism and helps you burn more at a rest state. increasing protein will help your muscles recover faster. muscles are made of protein :)

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