Confused about Protein Powder for weight loss

Weightloss is all about calorie deficits so if your still within a deficit you'll lose weight. Protein powder is just a supplement. If you're getting sufficient protein via your normal diet there is no real need. Some people use it for the convenience of getting protein in easily post exercise or just because they struggle with protein in their normal diet. Protein powders do not miraculously make people build muscle or lose weight and the calories need to be accounted for as with any other food

I'd like to start making more smoothies for meals but want to know about adding protein to the smoothie. I was thinking of going with greek yogurt but not sure if that will be enough protein to cover a meal. Is it worth adding protein powder to smoothies if I'm not weight training? The last thing I want is to create a situation where I'm gaining weight instead of losing it.

Have a meal instead of making a smoothie, smoothies are like a snack ... not meant to replace your breakfast, lunch or dinner.

your body needs enough protein, so the point of using protein powder or greek yogurt would be to help you meet your daily protein goal. if you log all your food, you can figure out whether you get enough and go from there.

I use protein powder in shakes once in a while for a quick breakfast to keep me full until lunch time without consuming a lot of calories.

Is it worth adding protein powder to smoothies if I'm not weight training? The last thing I want is to create a situation where I'm gaining weight instead of losing it.

Protein is important only when you are trying to build muscle mass and strength. In which case you will need more that average person. But if it's not the case then you will get all the protein you need for basic health from normal foods.

Protein is very low in calories so adding it will very unlikely make you gain weight. But it will just be used as energy for calories just like any other food, cos you will not use it to build muscle. Waste of money and time for you.

Protein is irrelevant for weight loss. It's not a magic pill. It's just food in form of powder. They make it from milk, eggs, beans, rice, etc. Good if you are in hurry and don't have time to ate a normal meal or need a lot of protein and eating normal foods makes you feel too full. But if that's not the case might as well enjoy your food instead of taking bland powder.

:grumble: :grumble:

As others have said, ignore this poster. They do not know what they are talking about.

Protein is very important for satiety and for retaining lean muscle mass. Now, you don't need protein powder to get there but there are some days it is nice to have it as a supplement when you may be running low on protein.

I'm sorry but you couldn't have been more wrong.

Protein is not only important when building muscle. Protein is vital for overall health.

I never said it isn't. It is, and like I said above, she could get that all from normal foods. Even without counting it. Even if she would be vegan and not ate super high protein foods such as meat or dairy. For good health you need very little and all that can be met from just a few veggies and grains super easily. Nobody needs to count it for health, assuming they get majority of cals from healthy foods and don't get majority of their calories from table sugar or something.

Protein is in no way irrelevant for weight loss. Protein is not directly responsible for weight loss but having adequate levels of protein and resistance training while in a caloric deficit will help preserve as much lbm as possible.

When "building muscle" or a bulk you can actually get away with less protein than when you are cutting but protein is always import.

It is irrelevant for weight loss, I still disagree on that. Having adequate levels of protein and resistance training while in a caloric deficit will help preserve as much lbm as possible, indeed. But like OP said, she does not weight train and I assumed does not care about preserving strength or muscle mass. Neither you have to, people can look great and healthy, and be very healthy, even with very little muscle, assuming that your body weight and everything still stay in healthy range. If you want to preserve as much muscle as possible while dieting it's your choice, go for it, not everybody cares about it tho. Some people just wanna look and be healthy, that's all.

My nutritionist said that if you're losing weight and eating less calories, a lot of your calories that your are eating should be from protein. But your body can only absorb about 30 grams of protein at a time. So space out your protein intake. Also the best powder protein is Whey.

I put protein powder in my smoothies occasionally, mainly because it keeps me full longer. I was doing Spinach and berries blended together for a smoothie and that didn't keep me full long enough and I ended up snacking all morning. If I added some protein powder, I didn't need to snack. I don't do this every morning, but sometimes I need quick and on the go. Today was even quicker...protein shake with protein powder, PB2 and almond milk and shake.

I use protein shakes for my breakfast most days so I can get to classes early - a cup of coconut milk, a scoop of protein powder, and whatever flavorings I feel like, usually some cocoa powder and sweetener. Keeps me full until lunch, and good macros, so I say it's good enough.