How many of you substitute a meal with a protein shake? It's good or no?

kmaldonadowmh
kmaldonadowmh Posts: 2 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Need advice
«1

Replies

  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    I don't, drinking my calories leaves me OTT famished.
  • browneyes1520
    browneyes1520 Posts: 94 Member
    I'd rather eat my calories.
  • Mistraal1981
    Mistraal1981 Posts: 453 Member
    It depends on whether you are struggling to hit your protein goal. I have a shake a day, because I enjoy it and because it helps me hit my protein goal. I lift heavy so its important for me to make sure I hit it.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Have done that for periods of time. Provides a measured amount of protein and other nutrition that can help managing a day's intake. Quick and easy, portable too.
  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    I also do for small periods of time. It helps me up my protein intake. I have a protein shake made up with semi skimmed milk, but also have a banana for breakfast.
  • steph2strong
    steph2strong Posts: 426 Member
    I eat protein bars and shakes as snacks, they aren't enough to replace a whole meal for me. There are lots of people on here though who follow 1200 cal a day diets who eat protein shakes or bars for breakfast or lunch. Pro's are that they are convenient, portion controlled, you can pick ones to fit your macro's, they can be more dessert-y then eating an egg or chicken. Cons are that they might not be filling, depending on the brand you choose they might be full of artificial ingredients or sugar, some taste gross.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited February 2016
    I prefer more balanced meals (with fat and carbs, including vegetables), and don't find calories I drink particularly filling. I try to meet my protein goal without supplementing, but don't see anything wrong with protein shakes and think they can be a reasonable addition (and do tend to add protein powder to oatmeal). But if you prefer to have 2 bigger meals and just want something light when not especially hungry and see that as a pattern you prefer in general, I think it's fine. Also, if I'm on the go and don't have time for a real meal I will sometimes use protein bars.
  • kjm3579
    kjm3579 Posts: 3,974 Member
    I use protein shakes for some breakfasts mainly because my diet is usually low in protein and I also want something quick in my stomach before commuting to work -- I prefer to eat my calories but it works for the time being.
  • mean_and_lean
    mean_and_lean Posts: 164 Member
    I'll do a shake for breakfast some times or make up some juice and have that. There's nothing wrong with doing that.
  • blueiii31062
    blueiii31062 Posts: 22 Member
    In 2007 I lost 35 pounds by doing Slim-Fast for about 9 months. The problem (for me) with shakes is that they don't teach you how to change your eating for overall success and maintenance. It's an easy, quick fix but didn't help me in the long run. (Yes, I gained that weight back.) I don't do packaged shakes anymore - too much sugar and other stuff in them. Instead, I might have a smoothie for breakfast that I make myself - almond milk, protein powder (I like Spiru-tein vanilla because you can always use unsweetened cocoa powder if you want chocolate and there's not a ridiculous amount of sugar in it), a banana or other fruit, and maybe a little peanut butter powder. The protein keeps me feeling satisfied until just before lunch and the calorie count is much lower than pre-packaged shakes. I sometimes use protein bars for snacks or meals but that depends on my calorie count and schedule on any given day. (I like to make my own protein packed bars or cookies too.)

    Good luck!
  • trisH_7183
    trisH_7183 Posts: 1,486 Member
    My shakes are usually for breakfast because if don't have something.....tend to get a sick feeling. Am never hungry early on,so shake works for me. Just skim or unsweetened almond milk with whatever flavoring fruit & yogurt. I keep protein bars for a snack,but seldom use them.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    I'm sure it's good for some and not good for others. I prefer to eat so I do not substitute shakes for solid food.
  • luluinca
    luluinca Posts: 2,899 Member
    The only time I drink a protein shake is before an early morning workout. I can't seem to exercise on an empty stomach but at 4:30 in the morning I'm not ready for real food. About 250 calories gets me through my workout and then I come home and eat breakfast and all the other great meals and snacks.

    Everyone is so different and you just have to find what works for you.
  • lorib642
    lorib642 Posts: 1,942 Member
    I have a shake sometimes. I don't really think of it as a meal replacement, but I log the calories and eat accordingly. For me, it is an easy way to get more protein. My son likes them, also, so I make enough for 2. Depending on what you put in the calories can add up.

    You could try. They sell single packets. And, see what you think.

    Your question about whether or not it is a good choice depends on you.
  • WishfulThinking0
    WishfulThinking0 Posts: 54 Member
    Don't drink a protein shake unless you're gonna use those proteins in exercise. They just go to fat
  • mean_and_lean
    mean_and_lean Posts: 164 Member
    WishfulThinking0 wrote: »
    Don't drink a protein shake unless you're gonna use those proteins in exercise. They just go to fat

    LOL. So by your "logic" one shouldn't eat ANY protein because it "just turns to fat". You do realize that anything eaten in excess will make you fat, right?
  • lorib642
    lorib642 Posts: 1,942 Member
    WishfulThinking0 wrote: »
    Don't drink a protein shake unless you're gonna use those proteins calories in exercise will keep you in a deficit. They just go to fat to lose weight

    FTFY
  • upoffthemat
    upoffthemat Posts: 679 Member
    On rare occasions I will when I don't have anything else handy or really am not hungry. It is a new thing not feeling hungry, but I actually experience it at times and I want to get some food value in.
  • Verdenal
    Verdenal Posts: 625 Member
    edited February 2016
    I occasionally go on a high-protein diet. Having a protein shake helps me to reach my protein goal. I weigh the powder as I do with other food and note the calories. I like the Isopure brand.

    As another member said, I don't think of it as a meal replacement -- there are products that are real meal replacements and have other nutrients -- I eat other food during the day and take supplements.
  • shinycrazy
    shinycrazy Posts: 1,081 Member
    I use them on occasion when I've had a big lunch. I don't want to skip dinner, but a regular meal is too much. I try not to do it every day though.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    WishfulThinking0 wrote: »
    Don't drink a protein shake unless you're gonna use those proteins in exercise. They just go to fat

    Your body needs protein whether you exercise or not though . . . it's not like our need for protein is zero if we're sedentary.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    A protein shake really isn't meant to be a meal replacement as it is lacking in nutrition for that purpose...it is a dietary supplement to help you hit your protein targets. An actual meal replacement shake is going to have other nutrients, not just protein.
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    WishfulThinking0 wrote: »
    Don't drink a protein shake unless you're gonna use those proteins in exercise. They just go to fat

    No...
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    A protein shake really isn't meant to be a meal replacement as it is lacking in nutrition for that purpose...it is a dietary supplement to help you hit your protein targets. An actual meal replacement shake is going to have other nutrients, not just protein.

    Yes
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I usually try not to. Sometimes I'll have a lower calorie one in addition to my meal. Sometimes (oddly enough) I DON'T feel like eating and want something sweet. There is no "does it work?". I suggest getting the majority of your calories from nutrient dense, whole foods. Protein powder is a supplement that can help you meet your protein goal.
  • tonyrosen
    tonyrosen Posts: 5 Member
    If your protein shake has over 180-ish calories, I wouldn't drink it at all. I don't replace any meal -- eatable proteins are better for you anyway. I do use protein shakes to increase my protein intake though. Raw food protein is best - but, the shakes keep my protein goals up.
  • fishshark
    fishshark Posts: 1,886 Member
    i drink a nutrional powder 22 grams of protein, half my day of vitamins, half my day of fiber ect... its 150 calories. i drink it with whatever "real food" im eating.. usually a donut.
  • PearBlossom9
    PearBlossom9 Posts: 136 Member
    People say they would rather eat the calories but its not that much of a difference. 1 scoop of the powder I use is 130 calories and 25g of protein. 3 ounces of chicken breast is 140 calories and 26 grams of protein. It really just comes down to preference. Do you want chicken again or a chocolate shake? Sometimes I pick the later.
  • AmyLynnGagliano
    AmyLynnGagliano Posts: 1 Member
    I use them for breakfast! I'm in college and we have two LOs, 2 & 1. I'm not cooking for us in the morning lol.
  • mandiegold941
    mandiegold941 Posts: 67 Member
    How else do people use protein powder besides a shake? I want to supplement my protein intake with it, rather than as a meal replacement.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    mandiegold941 wrote: »
    How else do people use protein powder besides a shake? I want to supplement my protein intake with it, rather than as a meal replacement.

    I put it in my yogurt, ice cream, and bake with it.

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