Protein Powders-yay or nay?

Mopar88
Mopar88 Posts: 54 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I've recently changed my macros up and am focusing on getting more protein but am having a hard time hitting that macro every day. It's currently at 116 grams per day but I'm averaging roughly 70 each day with some being lower. I've done research into different protein powders and cannot seem to make a decision if A) I should be using them and B) What kind/brand is best.

My primary goal for being on here is weight loss. I've currently lost about 41 pounds (currently 210) and am aiming for at least another 65 pounds. I exercise 4 times per week and and doing both cardio and lifting.

Any advice or tips would be great!

Replies

  • Staniel_2013
    Staniel_2013 Posts: 120 Member
    A decent powder could help you make your goal each day without having your ingest to many extra calories.

    As far as brand. Protein in protein as long as it's not the cheap body fortress crap from walmart. Expect to pay somewhere around $0.75 per scoop to be honest. I use the MusclePharm Combat Cookies and Cream. Why? I got it from Costco and it's $0.66 cents a serving and acutally tastes pretty darn good. I can't stand the chocolate and some of those really rich flavors.

    Recently tried the Orange Creamscicle and I thought I was eating an awesome dessert it tasted so good.

    Having a shake right after your workout would be very good too. I always thought it was just the broscience bs of suppliments saying you MUST have it right after a workout. After really cleaning up my diet but also doing this, I can run my fat *kitten* to the ground at the gym and feel perfectly fine the next day. Hardly get sore.

    As far as eating habits, I know it sounds horrible. Chicken, Chicken and more Chicken. I have probablys slaughtered an entire chicken farm signle handedly in the past few weeks but for me it's cheap, simple to cook ( I don't get all that burned out on it as long as I spice it up differently) and for a 200g chicken breast (which isn't all that big to be honest, just a normal sized piece or at least it is for me) you get about 45 grams of protein and just over 200 calories.

    There are plenty of other ways to get protein, would be a little more helpful to know what you are eating like now.
  • Sarah4fitness
    Sarah4fitness Posts: 437 Member
    The key is what kind of protein you're looking for. I go for a combination of whey protein isolate and casein.
  • imranpardhan
    imranpardhan Posts: 3
    its a bit more complex than it seems if youre an intermediate lifter or some kind of serious athlete. if youre just starting out, walmart/budget brand protein of any variety will do you just fine. the key is to look for one with relatively low calories and low carbs- thats the challenge. a lot of cheaper brands will have like 8g of carbs for 30g of protein and a few hundred calories- sugar is also a huge killer for cheap brands.
    it largely depends on your body and your goals, but if youre upping your protein to the new standard of 1g per lb on your body, youre definitely going to be eating almost exclusively meat or youre going to need shakes. check out bodybuilding.com, theres a bunch of REALLY cheap protein powder on sale
  • Mopar88
    Mopar88 Posts: 54 Member
    Staniel_2013, some staples for me are Greek yogurt, turkey sandwiches, lots of fruits and veggies occasionally with peanut butter, whole grain/high protein cereal w/almond milk, hummus, baked or grilled chicken, and some occasional red meat when it's a night out with friends/family.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    Does it count as water?
  • Mopar88
    Mopar88 Posts: 54 Member
    The key is what kind of protein you're looking for. I go for a combination of whey protein isolate and casein.

    That was also another thing I wasn't sure on. Why do you prefer those?
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,976 Member
    If you're just trying to ingest more protein, go for a whey isolate. Since most companies use a 3rd manufacturer, they are all pretty much the same. Taste will ultimately be the biggest difference, so see if you can get some sample packs to try.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    Nay, get your nutrients from whole food, the way nature intended.
  • mschicagocubs
    mschicagocubs Posts: 774 Member
    Mine is 170 calories a scoop for 30g.

    Are there less calorie supplements? By the time I mix it with milk & peanut butter ... it's a pretty high calorie snack. I dont like using it as a meal replacement.

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