Diet Shakes

annziexo
annziexo Posts: 90 Member
edited November 9 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey! I'm looking to get back on the roll of losing weight now Christmas is over and I've come across PhD Diet Whey Shakes.

My question is, are they worth the money and good at upping daily protein intakes?

What else is good at upping protein easily? I struggle to cook food with plenty of protein so I never meet the target.

Replies

  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    edited January 2015
    Calorie deficit is all you need.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    edited January 2015
    I've never heard of them, but if they're meal replacements, skip them. Look to eat at a deficit and for adding more lean meats, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, fish, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds in proper portions to your diet.

    Editing to add that if they're lower in calories, adding them in as snacks to supplement your protein intake as part of an overall meal plan can be a good way to sneak in more protein. Sometimes something that's convenient to grab is a good idea.
  • sheldonklein
    sheldonklein Posts: 854 Member
    I don't know the product, but I think there is tremendous and unwarranted hostility to meal replacements on MFP. I used them very successfully at the start of my weight loss. I have since stopped because I was confident that I had gained enough control over my eating to do so. They aren't magic, but they can be a source of very nutrient dense calories. That obviously depends on the nutrient profile of the particular product. Also, meal replacement s and protein supplements are not the same thing.
  • Pootler74
    Pootler74 Posts: 223 Member
    I use protein shakes and bars, and I see nothing wrong in having them as part of a diet that is otherwise balanced.

    I was finding it hard to eat protein at breakfast, and high carb breakfasts left me ravenous by 10am. They're the perfect solution for me. Great also after a work out when I'm too hungry to wait for something else and would otherwise reach for something highly calorific and rubbish. I don't use them as low calorie meal replacements. I use them to boost protein levels, and they've helped me enormously.
  • annziexo
    annziexo Posts: 90 Member
    I don't plan them for replacement meals, I need to up my protein and I struggle to eat enough in daily foods which is why I have enquired to see if they do help and are worth the money to fit into my daily meals. Maybe even as a snack.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    I'm a vegetarian, and I supplement my diet with protein bars to up my protein intake. If you can afford them and the macros and calories look good, go for it.
  • pkw58
    pkw58 Posts: 2,038 Member
    I didn't use protein bars or shakes to aid in my weight loss, I have used them on maintenance frequently. My husband has used protein bars and shakes along with a nutrition plan and has done very well. They do help many people to get and stay healthy, it is another tool that is effective (or not so much) for many people.
  • lewispwest
    lewispwest Posts: 498 Member
    I've been drinking diet whey protein shakes virtually the entire time I've been dieting to supplement my exercise and fill up my calories without destroying my macros and it's been very successful.
  • Velum_cado
    Velum_cado Posts: 1,608 Member
    I'm currently using PhD Pharma Whey HT + protein powder and after a very cursory comparison of the nutritional information, I don't see much difference between that and the Diet Whey. (There must be a difference, but I don't really care enough to do more comparing. :P)

    I use protein shakes and bars now that I'm more or less maintaining my weight and focusing on strength and fitness. For me, they're a good way of ensuring I get enough protein. I didn't use them during weight loss. Obviously they're not necessary for that. The protein powder can be a bit spendy, so if your only concern is weight loss, I'd recommend just eating normal food at a calorie deficit.
  • Dee00006
    Dee00006 Posts: 7
    edited January 2015
    I have used them and find they are convenient and a good source for additional supplements. They augment a diet which, if you don't like to cook or prep much, can be useful.
  • sheldonklein
    sheldonklein Posts: 854 Member
    Answering your initial question, dairy, fish, lean poultry, eggs and legumes are the usual protein suggestions. I just had 2 baked eggs in a spinach nest with some Parmesan for breakfast. Delicious.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    sheldonklein wrote: »
    Answering your initial question, dairy, fish, lean poultry, eggs and legumes are the usual protein suggestions. I just had 2 baked eggs in a spinach nest with some Parmesan for breakfast. Delicious.

    Ooooh, I have scrambled eggs with spinach almost every day for breakfast. I think you've inspired me to add some Parmesan. It's only 20 calories for a tablespoon, and will add so much flavor. Thanks!

  • Pootler74
    Pootler74 Posts: 223 Member
    The best bar I've found, macro wise, btw, is the Peak Body Pro Lite 25. 25g of protein for just 177 calories and they really are quite yummy. I just got a box for about £1 each, which is also really cheap for protein bars in the UK.
  • imabizzybee
    imabizzybee Posts: 123 Member
    Nothing wrong with a shake if you find it satisfying. I drink one every morning for breakfast because it is easy, balanced, and holds me until lunch. I'm currently drinking Isagenix, and love that it is a) portable (little packets, and I travel a lot) and b) made with whey from grass-fed NZ cows and c) tastes good. I don't like that it has a fair amount of fructose. I guess that is better than artificial sweeteners, but still...

    However, with these shakes I still need fat in the morning, so either have a fat bomb or a tablespoon of almond butter. My dog prefers when I have the almond butter ;)

    I am very happy with Quest bars (don't know if they're in the UK). I am hoping to try the new ones from Julian Bakery, because their ingredient list is great! They are brand new and don't appear to have made it to stores yet.
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    Good for protein, good for convenience. I prefer powder to ready made shakes so I can control how the shake is made--can add other nutrients, control consistency.

    I found this post from Adam Bernstein (born fitness.com) really helpful in learning about protein powders. He's got some great pieces and some awesome higher-protein recipe tweaks.

    http://www.bornfitness.com/what-is-the-difference-between-protein-powders/
  • lewispwest
    lewispwest Posts: 498 Member
    Pootler74 wrote: »
    The best bar I've found, macro wise, btw, is the Peak Body Pro Lite 25. 25g of protein for just 177 calories and they really are quite yummy. I just got a box for about £1 each, which is also really cheap for protein bars in the UK.

    The Protein Works Diet Whey Isolate 97 is 26g of Protein for 116 calories but is quite a bit more expensive.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    I like to eat my calories.
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