What is the real purpose for Whey Protein?
alexacb92
Posts: 9 Member
Hey guys! 
Just wanted to know what the purpose of whey protein is? That way I can know if I should be taking it. I am trying to drop 20-25lbs by no specific date.
Is it a weight loss aid or is it to bulk? Every time I ask someone they give me either or answers. I would love to know what you guys think!
P.s. I haven't started weight training yet, just doing some cardio. I don't know if that matters or not lol.
Just wanted to know what the purpose of whey protein is? That way I can know if I should be taking it. I am trying to drop 20-25lbs by no specific date.
Is it a weight loss aid or is it to bulk? Every time I ask someone they give me either or answers. I would love to know what you guys think!
P.s. I haven't started weight training yet, just doing some cardio. I don't know if that matters or not lol.
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It helps you meet your protein goals. Many people find that meeting these goals improves satiety. Protein is also required to build/repair muscle.
But you don't need whey protein to meet your protein goals. You can meet this goal with other foods containing protein. It's just a food.0 -
It is simply a supplement to help you reach your protein goal. Some people prefer to eat food. Some people have a hard time eating enough protein, so a shake is quick, easy and often cheaper.
Protein can help make you feel full and keep you full which can help you when you are cutting calories. Some people use protein shakes for this. Or you can go for whole food.
Protein intake is important during bulking which is why you often see people who are bulking use it. It is not necessary for bulking either.
TLDR - if you like it, and it helps you reach your protein and/or calorie goals, go for it. It is not necessary.0 -
Hey guys!
Just wanted to know what the purpose of whey protein is? That way I can know if I should be taking it. I am trying to drop 20-25lbs by no specific date.
Is it a weight loss aid or is it to bulk? Every time I ask someone they give me either or answers. I would love to know what you guys think!
P.s. I haven't started weight training yet, just doing some cardio. I don't know if that matters or not lol.
That's because it's just a supplement and has nothing to do with your weight control goals. You can use it while cutting...you can use it while bulking...it's just a way to supplement your protein if you don't hit your targets with food.0 -
I think its the best protein on the market in suppliment form0
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Protein. I like to add it to my fruit smoothies to supplement my daily protein.0
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UltimateRBF wrote: »Has whey protein been in the news lately? I've seen so many posts about it and a lot of people have the idea it's some kind of weight loss aid. Which it isn't, it's just a type of protein supplement.
Probably from the protein world thing. That's the only thing I can think of that would have brought this much attention to protein powder.
To the OP - I use it to help me get enough protein in. I think that's the main point of it anyway.0 -
Well, the purpose of a protein supplement (which is what whey protein is) is to supplement your protein intake. It will not make you lose or gain weight. It's protein, not magic.
Perhaps your actual question is, "what is the real purpose of protein?"0 -
asflatasapancake wrote: »Helps you meet protein goals.
This0 -
One of the commons reasons is to maximize protein intake while minimizing intake of the other macros.
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Basically what everyone has said about it just being a protein supplement. I like it for that reason, and because I've found it makes me feel satisfied and full for a little longer than without. Other than that, *shrug*. It sure as hell isn't gonna make you lose weight for the mere fact that you've added it to your diet. You still have to work out and eat a deficit.0
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THIS.ceoverturf wrote: »
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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It is a byproduct of manufacturing cheese and yogurt. The popularity of Greek yogurt in particular has created a huge excess of it, so it's become very important to convince people they need it. Don't fall for the hype. You get plenty of protein from real food.0
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LadyFencer wrote: »It is a byproduct of manufacturing cheese and yogurt. The popularity of Greek yogurt in particular has created a huge excess of it, so it's become very important to convince people they need it. Don't fall for the hype. You get plenty of protein from real food.
I can remember protein powder being around long before I ever heard of Greek yogurt.0 -
Good! I'm the first person who gets to say this. Whey protein is the mamma cow's way of providing nourishing protein to her calf. That's it's purpose.
We've re-purposed of course.0 -
LadyFencer wrote: »It is a byproduct of manufacturing cheese and yogurt. The popularity of Greek yogurt in particular has created a huge excess of it, so it's become very important to convince people they need it. Don't fall for the hype. You get plenty of protein from real food.
Unless you dont0 -
That's a pretty generalized statement there. Without looking at a person's food choices how on earth can you know if they are getting "plenty of protein from real food."LadyFencer wrote: »It is a byproduct of manufacturing cheese and yogurt. The popularity of Greek yogurt in particular has created a huge excess of it, so it's become very important to convince people they need it. Don't fall for the hype. You get plenty of protein from real food.
Maybe you meant to say that " You CAN get plenty of protein from real food."
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shadow2soul wrote: »
That's a pretty generalized statement there. Without looking at a person's food choices how on earth can you know if they are getting "plenty of protein from real food."LadyFencer wrote: »It is a byproduct of manufacturing cheese and yogurt. The popularity of Greek yogurt in particular has created a huge excess of it, so it's become very important to convince people they need it. Don't fall for the hype. You get plenty of protein from real food.
Maybe you meant to say that " You CAN get plenty of protein from real food."
I'll adjust slightly to clarify. If you are eating real food and not junk and you are getting enough calories, it is virtually impossible to be getting too little protein. That is a fact.0 -
3dogsrunning wrote: »LadyFencer wrote: »It is a byproduct of manufacturing cheese and yogurt. The popularity of Greek yogurt in particular has created a huge excess of it, so it's become very important to convince people they need it. Don't fall for the hype. You get plenty of protein from real food.
I can remember protein powder being around long before I ever heard of Greek yogurt.
Never said it didn't exist before- just that there's an even bigger need to unload it now.0 -
LadyFencer wrote: »shadow2soul wrote: »
That's a pretty generalized statement there. Without looking at a person's food choices how on earth can you know if they are getting "plenty of protein from real food."LadyFencer wrote: »It is a byproduct of manufacturing cheese and yogurt. The popularity of Greek yogurt in particular has created a huge excess of it, so it's become very important to convince people they need it. Don't fall for the hype. You get plenty of protein from real food.
Maybe you meant to say that " You CAN get plenty of protein from real food."
I'll adjust slightly to clarify. If you are eating real food and not junk and you are getting enough calories, it is virtually impossible to be getting too little protein. That is a fact.
Define what too little is.
I would argue it depends on your goal.
If you are aiming for bare minimum, sure. Not everyone is.
I competed in a bodybuilding competition and was aiming for between 30-40% of my calories in protein. I also was not eating "junk". Every meal had a protein source. I still used protein powder to help me reach my goal at times. It could be difficult to hit the amounts I needed with just food. It was also a lot of food.
Even now I still have to focus on hitting my protein.0 -
Sure. If you set some arbitrary goal you might not reach it. I was referring only to the dietary needs of human beings. Body builder or not, nobody needs that much. Some body builders achieve their goals with steroids. That doesn't mean they need them. Do you really think God or evolution designed you to need a highly processed product like that?
Anyway, arguing about protein on a forum like this is like arguing about religion. I'm sure lots of people will vehemently disagree. I stand by what I said but I'm not going to put more time into this discussion. Just to avoid accusations of ideology, I should probably add that I'm not a vegetarian or vegan.-1 -
LadyFencer wrote: »Sure. If you set some arbitrary goal you might not reach it. I was referring only to the dietary needs of human beings. Body builder or not, nobody needs that much. Some body builders achieve their goals with steroids. That doesn't mean they need them. Do you really think God or evolution designed you to need a highly processed product like that?
Anyway, arguing about protein on a forum like this is like arguing about religion. I'm sure lots of people will vehemently disagree. I stand by what I said but I'm not going to put more time into this discussion. Just to avoid accusations of ideology, I should probably add that I'm not a vegetarian or vegan.
You are referring to the minimum dietary needs. Not everyone has the same needs. Even the recommendations are a range and specify the minimum for non-active people.
I never said you need protein powder, I'm fairly certain I made it quite clear you don't. But it can be useful. There are a lot of things we use that we weren't designed to need.0 -
I take it after working out along with a banana , it's whats for breakfast.0
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LadyFencer wrote: »It is a byproduct of manufacturing cheese and yogurt. The popularity of Greek yogurt in particular has created a huge excess of it, so it's become very important to convince people they need it. Don't fall for the hype. You get plenty of protein from real food.
Unless you don't always have much of an appetite. Contrary to being overweight, the past few years, I managed to consume a lot of calories without consuming a huge volume of food due to chronic low-level nausea. I was eating calorie dense food and maintaining a high weight as a result.
Anyway, my point is? I don't always have the appetite or the desire to eat regular food. Sometimes a protein smoothie is the perfect thing for me.
Edit: I should add that I'm a vegetarian who firmly believes man evolved enough to invent things. "Processing" is a bugbear I don't fear.
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LadyFencer wrote: »shadow2soul wrote: »
That's a pretty generalized statement there. Without looking at a person's food choices how on earth can you know if they are getting "plenty of protein from real food."LadyFencer wrote: »It is a byproduct of manufacturing cheese and yogurt. The popularity of Greek yogurt in particular has created a huge excess of it, so it's become very important to convince people they need it. Don't fall for the hype. You get plenty of protein from real food.
Maybe you meant to say that " You CAN get plenty of protein from real food."
I'll adjust slightly to clarify. If you are eating real food and not junk and you are getting enough calories, it is virtually impossible to be getting too little protein. That is a fact.
Just saying, I struggle to get enough protein in my diet, and I eat "real food". Gah, except this week. Don't look at this week lmao.
It takes a concerted effort on my part to get enough protein in my diet. Just saying that it might not be as easy for others as it is for you.
Edited to add: my protein goal is 25-30%, or around 100g per day. I don't see that as excessive at all. And yet it's still difficult to meet.0 -
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LadyFencer wrote: »If you are eating real food and not junk and you are getting enough calories, it is virtually impossible to be getting too little protein. That is a fact.
Declaring your dubious opinions to be a fact, doesn't make it so.LadyFencer wrote: »Sure. If you set some arbitrary goal you might not reach it. I was referring only to the dietary needs of human beings. Body builder or not, nobody needs that much. Some body builders achieve their goals with steroids. That doesn't mean they need them. Do you really think God or evolution designed you to need a highly processed product like that?
Anyway, arguing about protein on a forum like this is like arguing about religion. I'm sure lots of people will vehemently disagree. I stand by what I said but I'm not going to put more time into this discussion. Just to avoid accusations of ideology, I should probably add that I'm not a vegetarian or vegan.
So.. you stand by your dubious opinions. That's nice. That still doesn't make your opinions facts.
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LadyFencer wrote: »shadow2soul wrote: »
That's a pretty generalized statement there. Without looking at a person's food choices how on earth can you know if they are getting "plenty of protein from real food."LadyFencer wrote: »It is a byproduct of manufacturing cheese and yogurt. The popularity of Greek yogurt in particular has created a huge excess of it, so it's become very important to convince people they need it. Don't fall for the hype. You get plenty of protein from real food.
Maybe you meant to say that " You CAN get plenty of protein from real food."
I'll adjust slightly to clarify. If you are eating real food and not junk and you are getting enough calories, it is virtually impossible to be getting too little protein. That is a fact.
Nope, still your opinion, not a fact. The world is full of misguided people who think if they live on quinoa and kale, they have all they need to survive, at least until their first doctor's appt.0 -
Think of it at as a more versatile chicken breast, only that it is cheaper per serving. All it is, is another dietary source of protein whether you choose to consume is up to you. Technically it can be used while you are losing weight, maintaining weight or gaining. But that is up to the consumer of the latter.0
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