What's the point of a protein shake?

purplepollypops
purplepollypops Posts: 323 Member
edited September 28 in Food and Nutrition
Excuse my ignorance here! I've never had a protein shake before, I don't really know what one is! But I notice that lots of people have them and I wonder what the point of them is?

I'm always over my protein allowance for the day without even trying so why would I need extra protein in the form of a shake if I'm getting enough through my normal diet?

Confused.com! lol :huh:

Replies

  • laddyboy
    laddyboy Posts: 1,565 Member
    Actually, you're probably not. The default setting for MFP is very low and really needs to be adjusted higher.
    Now, protein shakes are a supplement and are use for people as an easy way to get those protein number up there.
    Protein is essential for building muscle. It also help keep you fuller longer. I try to get to at least 200 grams of protein per day
    and that can be hard without something to help. Shakes / Basr are always their to help.
    Also, when we hit 40 we lose an average of 1/2 lb of muscle per year. These supplements help by keeping our protein
    intake high.
    Hope this helps.
  • Fattack
    Fattack Posts: 666 Member
    MFP protein is set low in the default settings and quite a few people do up this. As some of us here are actively trying to build muscle, we need a high intake of protein, which can be difficult (and expensive) to attain through natural foods, whereas a protein shake can be lots of bang for your buck, especially when paired with milk, so they're a great supplement for days when you're not at your protein goal. Plus, they're pretty filling.

    If you're at a good level of protein without a shake (the RDA for women is 0.8g per kg of body weight, I personally follow the advice of Tony Venuto and go for 1g per lb of my goal weight - so much more than the RDA as I'm trying to actively build and maintain muscle), then no, you don't need one.
  • WarriorWomanMaxine
    WarriorWomanMaxine Posts: 162 Member
    bump
  • purplepollypops
    purplepollypops Posts: 323 Member
    MFP protein is set low in the default settings and quite a few people do up this. As some of us here are actively trying to build muscle, we need a high intake of protein, which can be difficult (and expensive) to attain through natural foods, whereas a protein shake can be lots of bang for your buck, especially when paired with milk, so they're a great supplement for days when you're not at your protein goal. Plus, they're pretty filling.

    If you're at a good level of protein without a shake, then no, you don't need one.


    What is a good level of protein, what should I be aiming for? And why is the setting on mfp too low? They must know about this, I can't be the only one to have mentioned it! lol


    My daily goal is 49 which I'm guessing is far too low. What should I raise it to?
  • Fattack
    Fattack Posts: 666 Member
    I edited my post to include that information :) It really depends on your weight and goals, anything upwards of 0.8 per kg of what you currently weigh is fine.
  • Mins_NoteBook
    Mins_NoteBook Posts: 1
    I set mine to 40%, and it's damn hard to get to most days without some help!
  • purplepollypops
    purplepollypops Posts: 323 Member
    Thanks. I think I'll redo my settings :smile:



    Hee hee, just reset my goal and did the fat column by mistake instead! Whoops :laugh:
    Got it right now though. :smile:
  • flimflamfloz
    flimflamfloz Posts: 1,980 Member
    You don't need it in theory, as you could eat a tuna instead (for example)... But Tuna gets old quickly (well, at least if you need to eat it 8 times a day!!!), so yeah, a protein shake helps if you're trying to go "high protein".
    Just put two scoops, add a tiny bit of milk, water... and there you have it.

    They also come in "chocolate/strawberry flavor", etc (so trust me this is better than "fish flavor" all the time).
  • purplepollypops
    purplepollypops Posts: 323 Member
    So now to my obvious next question.........................................................................what if I'm getting too much protein?
  • flimflamfloz
    flimflamfloz Posts: 1,980 Member
    It goes down the drain...
  • jillwm
    jillwm Posts: 21
    If you ask the low carb-people, too much protein aren't possible :glasses: If your body uses the proteins to work it breaks down the fat in your body, carbs breaks down their own carbs and gives you quick energy.

    I use 40% of my total food intake, I'm sure that's too little but then again - I don't lift weights.
  • jillwm
    jillwm Posts: 21
    *
  • laddyboy
    laddyboy Posts: 1,565 Member
    So now to my obvious next question.........................................................................what if I'm getting too much protein?

    To much protein can give you gas, be stored as fat or just plain go to waste. The best method is to split your daily amount between all your meals. Men should shoot for 35-50 per meal and woment 20-25...something like that. Can't fully remember the number for women but you can google that.
  • laddyboy
    laddyboy Posts: 1,565 Member
    If you ask the low carb-people, too much protein aren't possible :glasses: If your body uses the proteins to work it breaks down the fat in your body, carbs breaks down their own carbs and gives you quick energy.

    I use 40% of my total food intake, I'm sure that's too little but then again - I don't lift weights.

    You don't have to lift weight to utilize protein. It's essential to prevent muscle loss which slow your metalobism. If you're doing all cardio chance are your buring muscle.
    When you stop exercising (let's hope you don't), you will gain all that weight back and more. That's the cycle most people go thru.
    You must build lean muscle to maintain your results.
  • jillwm
    jillwm Posts: 21
    Ok, thanks for the heads up, I'll watch my protin intake! :flowerforyou:
  • NewVonnie
    NewVonnie Posts: 683 Member
    I never knew how important protein was either. I should probably check what mine's set to. Then to figure out how much I need. 40 years old and 213 pds..almost 100 over what I should be..ugh..long journey ahead and I just started. Thanks for asking the question. I wondered too about the shakes.
  • GalaxyDuck
    GalaxyDuck Posts: 406 Member
    Bump for later :)
  • stormieweather
    stormieweather Posts: 2,549 Member
    I think the recommended quantity is .8 to 1g of protein per pound of LEAN body weight. So, if my BMI is 32% and I weigh 155, my fat would be about 50 pounds and my non-fat body weight is 105. So I'd need about 84-105g of protein a day. Those are my stats, and my goal is 92g per day (40% of my daily goal).

    It's hard to get enough protein, so a shake is sometimes helpful to meet my goal.
  • RMinVA
    RMinVA Posts: 1,085 Member
    I eat several vegetarian meals per week, and they are a great way for me to get in my protein. I personally love them for breakfast in the summer and for post workout anytime of year. Just had a chocolate peanut butter protein smoothie this morning. A lot of people say they don't keep them "full." I do not have that problem, and I think it's because I make mine from scratch and don't go near the pre-made/canned stuff.

    My basic recipe for 2 is;

    1 cup milk (%/soy/almond/whatever)
    2 scoops protein powder
    2 tsps flax seed
    1 medium frozen banana
    1/2 cup plain non-fat yogurt
    6 cubes of ice (more or less to desired consistency)

    To that you can add pretty much anything. Add the following to the "base" recipe above:
    - Peanut Butter coffee - 2 tbsp peanut butter (or almond butter) and tsp ground coffee. If you really want to punch up the coffee flavor, sub a half cup of chilled brewed coffee for half cup of the milk.
    - Fruit smoothie - 1/2 c frozen strawberries (or any berries for that matter). If you want to go really fruity, sub juice or nectar (whatever flavor) for half of the "milk" (I LOVE mango!)
    - Pumpkin Pie - add 1/4 c of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice (this is great in the fall)
    - Key Lime or Lemon Pie - add the juice of 2 limes or lemons. This is my FAVORITE recovery smoothie in the summer! Very light and refreshing.

    Play around with them!!
  • bbygrl5
    bbygrl5 Posts: 964 Member
    I second what everyone else said. Once you change your default setting, you see just how hard it can be to hit your protein level. I would have a much harder time if it weren't for the convenience of a protein shake. It gives me the most protein for the fewest calories.
  • BigDaddyRonnie
    BigDaddyRonnie Posts: 506 Member
    Read this article

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/protein-types-best-for-you.htm
This discussion has been closed.

Categories