Protein Powder

shanice_22
shanice_22 Posts: 202 Member
edited September 29 in Food and Nutrition
Hi guys

So basically, I'm thinking about buying protein powder to use (still unsure as to whether to or not) but I've heard different things about it and how much protein you need per day. I've heard that protein supplements are not necessary and that you should just continue eating whole foods. I've also heard that liquid foods digest quicker so protein shakes are handy for that. And I've heard different amounts for daily protein intake ranging from 50-60g a day to as much as 1g-1.5g per 1lb of body weight a day.

How much protein do you consume daily? What is your opinion of protein supplements? Do you believe they are necessary? Do you take protein supplements? How do you get on with them? When and how often do you take them? Anything else I should know?

I've manually set my nutritional goals (only a few days ago though) on MFP to 50/25/25 for carbs/protein/fats - does this seem like an ok/appropriate balance? My protein goal is set to 98g a day, is this too little/too much? Looking back over a few days of my diary my protein intake has varied from anything as high as 120g to anything as low as 62g - would it be benificial for me to start using protein supplements to keep my intake at the higher end? I want to aim to do weight training (using weight machines at the moment) 3 times per week, so would a protein supplement be beneficial for this? My main reason for wanting to take protein supplements is to encourage my body to not lose muscle mass after exercise/workouts.

Any advice and help/opinions would be appreciated. :-)

Replies

  • jp09m
    jp09m Posts: 89
    They are called SUPPLEMENTS for a reason. They will help, but aren't necessary. Sure it will help if you take the right type of protein to assist with your goals, but even after using protein for 8 years I will never be convinced that it's better for your body than eating your protein.
  • vjones717
    vjones717 Posts: 1
    My husband sells Met-Rx and its the best by far. I use the vanilla powder form and love it. I usually have one right away in the morning and always as a post workout shake.
  • ESVABelle
    ESVABelle Posts: 1,264 Member
    My ratio is 45% protein/30% carb/25% fat. I consume between 1-1.5g/lb of my body weight. I have a whey protein shake in the morning and a casein shake at night. Whey is a rapid-digesting protein, so it's good for just after work-outs as a recovery. Casein is slow-digesting so it's better at night.

    If you're working out and building lean muscle mass, there's nothing wrong with protein. There is such a thing as too much, but judging from your intake, you won't be getting there.

    For whey, I use IsoPure, it's delicious and 0 carbs. (Try chocolate or cookies 'n' cream...I'm partial to the cookies, though!)
    IsoPure tends to be a bit pricey (especially if you use GNC, don't go there unless you have to. I hate those guys). There's another kind called Iso-100, very similar profile but a little bit cheaper. Check out www.supplementgiant.com or www.bodybuilding.com
  • roobles
    roobles Posts: 10
    Hi,

    I used to work at Fitmess First (on reception) but got a lot of advice from the personal trainers I worked with. I used to have a protein shake after my workouts, it helps your muscles to recover and stops that aching feeling u normally get.

    I was reccommeded to the website My Protein. Is the best quality stuff around as I had previously tried Sculptress by Maximuscle (as we sold it in the gym) and Holland and Barratts own brand.

    I would reccommend My Protein though. A large variety of flavours and quantities to choose from. If for recovery after a work out a simple whey protein would be fine. They come with instructions as to how much to use per shake, etc.

    I was doing a low carb high protein diet from Aug 2010 to Dec 2010 and lost about a stone and found that protein shakes help to keep you feeling fuller for longer and aid recovery after hitting the gym.

    I hope this helps!

    Roo xx
  • thkelly
    thkelly Posts: 466 Member
    My husband sells Met-Rx and its the best by far. I use the vanilla powder form and love it. I usually have one right away in the morning and always as a post workout shake.

    LOL....totally non biased opinion there

    Met-Rx is good if you like the taste of chalk
  • thkelly
    thkelly Posts: 466 Member
    They are called SUPPLEMENTS for a reason. They will help, but aren't necessary. Sure it will help if you take the right type of protein to assist with your goals, but even after using protein for 8 years I will never be convinced that it's better for your body than eating your protein.

    i wish people would stfu with these kinds of posts. there's nothing wrong with taking a protein supplement and it's a hell of a lot easier to drink a protein shake on the bus, at your desk, in the car, etc. than eating a boneless skinless chicken breast.
  • shanice_22
    shanice_22 Posts: 202 Member
    They are called SUPPLEMENTS for a reason. They will help, but aren't necessary. Sure it will help if you take the right type of protein to assist with your goals, but even after using protein for 8 years I will never be convinced that it's better for your body than eating your protein.


    I know they're called supplements for a reason, that's why I wanted to get some advice and opinions. No need for the slight patronization at the start of your point now was there.

    I'm not looking to use them to replace food, just wondered if I would benefit from using them.


    Everyone else, thank you for your helpful comments :-)
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