Protein Powder, yes or no?
abb117
Posts: 81 Member
The title says it all. I am debating buying protein powder because I would rather have that then protein bars and just make my own protein shakes or protein balls. I am currently looking to get toned. I have heard a lot of negative and positive things, so what are your thoughts?
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Replies
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You have to include protein powder in your diet, there's no way around it unless you're insanely disciplined with food in which case you probably wouldn't be on MFP. Plain and simple it's a staple if you're serious about eating healthy. Powder is 10x better than 99% off bars out there because the highly rated ones have next to nothing for sugar and lots of BCAAs.0
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Yes I would add it to your diet, especially if you're not getting enough through your diet like me. I definitely noticed a difference in body composition when I introduced protein to my diet. I would personally choose a tried and tested quality protein.
Gluck0 -
Here's my issue, I'd rather have a steak. I made roast beef today. Had 3.8 ounces of it, cut the rest into chunks that I'll work through for a few days. That 3.8 ounces had 29 grams of protein. I had a whole egg and two egg whites for another 14 grams. I'm trying to hit around 100 grams of protein, so a 12 ounce serving of roast beef spread throughout the day would've done the trick.
I don't think it's a bad idea to have whey protein onhand for when you're behind on protein, you just didn't go grocery shopping, you just don't feel like cooking and so on. I just got grossed out by it really fast trying to use it as a staple in my diet. Don't mind it occasionally though.
Shrimp is low in calories, and loaded with protein too. Chicken is awesome. You can have a whole mug full of eggbeaters. Greek yogurt can be mixed with any fruit you want and double as protein source and dessert. Sometimes I mix it with cocoa and honey and have 'chocolate dinner'.
I guess all I'm saying is that there are a whole bunch of protein options out there. You don't HAVE to use protein powder, but it can be a useful aid at times.0 -
Been doing a bit of research because I'm in the same boat as you, I'm looking to trim but not lose my muscle mass. Hit up a protein powder with minimal carbs to tone, use a carb protein powder to bulk. My issue is that trying to maximise my protein intake makes for insanely boring food (plain chicken breast and spinach leaves...) whereas with a supplement I can have a bit more freedom.0
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Thanks for all of the input. This was definitely helpful. And I still plan on doing research. I read somewhere that it can harm kidneys, so that part kind of scared me0
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Since our bodies are so unique and not all protein is similarly bioavailable, it's best to experiment and see which works best for your body.
Soy protein is not very bioavailable, but it's cheap, so you'll see it in everything- including many protein bars and shakes. Isolated soy protein is highly processed and undergoes high heat which decreases bioavailability. There are controversial studies on soy's relationship with cancer risk. Some say it can lead to increased risk, a few say it has a protective factor.
If there's any doubt, no thank you-I'll go without!
Pea protein upsets my GI system, (wanted to try this product because of sustainability issues, but no go). Brown rice protein- arsenic concentrations are much higher and not all people do well with grains.
A good choice for some is organic, grass-fed, cold-filtered whey protein isolate. It's bioavailability is high and is delicious in all kinds of green smoothies. It's hard to eat as many veggies in one sitting that I can put into a green smoothie and enjoy for breakfast. Absorption and bioavailability is higher due to texture and consistency. If you get an extractor, it will break down the individual cell walls in the veggies and fruits, releasing more antioxidants that may not get absorbed when chewing food. Yes, it's great to chew, but I like not having to chew at every meal!
Veggies help in the digestion process of protein and fat.
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I say do it. I use lean1 which is also a meal replacement. They are delicious. And I have to say as a diabetic my sugar levels are now under control. Protein powder is a great idea.0
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01rwoodward wrote: »Been doing a bit of research because I'm in the same boat as you, I'm looking to trim but not lose my muscle mass. Hit up a protein powder with minimal carbs to tone, use a carb protein powder to bulk. My issue is that trying to maximise my protein intake makes for insanely boring food (plain chicken breast and spinach leaves...) whereas with a supplement I can have a bit more freedom.
Or maybe look up some healthy recipes to have nice tasty marinated chicken, takes pre planning and I'm sure herbs and spices can't be too detrimental,
However I always do like to have protein powder around. I just haven't found one protein powder I can enjoy in any way
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What on earth have you heard about protein that's negative?0
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Protein shakes are an excellent idea if your not getting enough protein in your diet but some of those shakes taste like chalk. Anyone know a good one that doesn't taste like chalk?0
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clipartghost wrote: »What on earth have you heard about protein that's negative?
I haven't heard anything negative about protein; I have heard negative things about protein powder. I read somewhere that it can cause damage to the kidneys0 -
I tried some protein powders as samples, and they were delicious! And I have read some recipes for homemade protein balls rather than buying protein bars that are processed in the store. I just wanted to see if there were any affects to my health in the future0
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I vote: Do it. There are very few other sources of protein that provide as much bang for the buck. That is grams of protein at low calories. Egg whites and shrimp (without sauce) are a few of the sources I've found that get close. Have you ever compared protein bar calories vs a protein shake? Thanks but no thanks.0
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I mix a scoop of Jarrow protein powder into about 8 ounces of almond milk after a heavy lifting session and I find it helps with aches and muscle cramping later.0
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I do. I actually use perfect fit protein and low calorie almond milk lots of ice. I then freeze it and eat it like ice cream almost every night. Its only 130 cals for a huge cup0
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clipartghost wrote: »What on earth have you heard about protein that's negative?
I haven't heard anything negative about protein; I have heard negative things about protein powder. I read somewhere that it can cause damage to the kidneys
Only if you're already in renal failure. Normal functioning kidneys handle it just fine.0 -
All the protein powder in the world won't make you "toned". Resistance training and caloric deficit will get you there, along with adequate protein intake. If you can hit your protein goals from whole foods, there is no need for protein powder.0
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dieselbyte wrote: »All the protein powder in the world won't make you "toned". Resistance training and caloric deficit will get you there, along with adequate protein intake. If you can hit your protein goals from whole foods, there is no need for protein powder.
This.0 -
You need resistance training as above. I get my protein levels through food quite easily, but soemtimes supplement if im running low for some reason. Just a backup for me.0
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Depends...Do you hit your protein goals with food? If yes...then no, you don't need protein powder. If no...yes, get some protein powder.
Nothing magical about the powder itself.0 -
dieselbyte wrote: »All the protein powder in the world won't make you "toned". Resistance training and caloric deficit will get you there, along with adequate protein intake. If you can hit your protein goals from whole foods, there is no need for protein powder.
^^^^^ This
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Protein powder is just protein. If you have a kidney disease or something you should discuss it with your doctor, but getting your protein from protein powder is no different from getting it from any other source. If you don't have a medical condition and you can eat chicken just fine then you don't need to worry.clipartghost wrote: »What on earth have you heard about protein that's negative?
I haven't heard anything negative about protein; I have heard negative things about protein powder. I read somewhere that it can cause damage to the kidneys
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dieselbyte wrote: »All the protein powder in the world won't make you "toned". Resistance training and caloric deficit will get you there, along with adequate protein intake. If you can hit your protein goals from whole foods, there is no need for protein powder.
I do resistance training 3-4 days a week along with cardio 6-7 days a week. I'm not trying to use protein powder instead of working out just as an addition to my daily routine. And I have been on a calorie deficit eating healthy for 2 months now, so it's not that I am looking for a quick fix. I just want to take things to the next step0 -
Depends...Do you hit your protein goals with food? If yes...then no, you don't need protein powder. If no...yes, get some protein powder.
Nothing magical about the powder itself.
If I eat meat, then I am pretty okay with hitting protein goals, but if I go a single day without meat then I don't even come close0 -
dieselbyte wrote: »All the protein powder in the world won't make you "toned". Resistance training and caloric deficit will get you there, along with adequate protein intake. If you can hit your protein goals from whole foods, there is no need for protein powder.
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Depends...Do you hit your protein goals with food? If yes...then no, you don't need protein powder. If no...yes, get some protein powder.
Nothing magical about the powder itself.
If I eat meat, then I am pretty okay with hitting protein goals, but if I go a single day without meat then I don't even come close
So supplement on the days you don't hit your goals. Don't on the days you do hit your goals.
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Protein power is helpful if you have problems getting sufficient protein from whole food sources. I use it 2-3 times a week when I haven't hit my protein goal, and I either don't have enough calories left for whole food protein, or if I am just not that hungry.
*edited because I used "enough" 3 times in one sentence :P0 -
dieselbyte wrote: »All the protein powder in the world won't make you "toned". Resistance training and caloric deficit will get you there, along with adequate protein intake. If you can hit your protein goals from whole foods, there is no need for protein powder.
This.
I'm on the "THIS" train. I don't believe it took half a page for THIS to be said.
In summation... THIS.
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dieselbyte wrote: »All the protein powder in the world won't make you "toned". Resistance training and caloric deficit will get you there, along with adequate protein intake. If you can hit your protein goals from whole foods, there is no need for protein powder.
What's wrong with the forums today? It took way too long for this to be said.
OP, please take the word "toned" out of your vocabulary. Muscles do not "tone," and therefore the word is meaningless. What you want is decreased body fat. You get that through a calorie deficit. To retain muscle, you lift weights while eating at that deficit. Protein powder is perfectly fine, and getting enough protein in your diet is important, but the powder itself isn't going to "tone" anything.0 -
dieselbyte wrote: »All the protein powder in the world won't make you "toned". Resistance training and caloric deficit will get you there, along with adequate protein intake. If you can hit your protein goals from whole foods, there is no need for protein powder.
I do resistance training 3-4 days a week along with cardio 6-7 days a week. I'm not trying to use protein powder instead of working out just as an addition to my daily routine. And I have been on a calorie deficit eating healthy for 2 months now, so it's not that I am looking for a quick fix. I just want to take things to the next step
I would just like to repeat the fact that I do have a calorie deficit and work out a bunch during the week. All I wanted was a recommendation on what people thought about protein powder. Simple0
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