Protein shakes

Msldy76
Msldy76 Posts: 15 Member
edited November 15 in Health and Weight Loss
Does anybody know of any great protein shakes or powders that can be used as meal replacements?

Replies

  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    None of them are great for meal replacements. Is there some reason you don't want to or can't eat food?
  • EttaMaeMartin
    EttaMaeMartin Posts: 303 Member
    Msldy76 wrote: »
    Does anybody know of any great protein shakes or powders that can be used as meal replacements?

    i love Quest salted caramel, coco water as mix, add 1/2 BANANA and 2 ounces of pineapple and a handful of spinach. so good. i think 260 ish calories, 20 grams protein. and no fat, carbs around high 30's. i also like gnc..lean shake burn. it is vanilla, 30 grams protein, 11 carbs mix w/ some berries and half a banana. i use all frozen fruit and put shakes in freezer. like eating ice cream! i love it. the one with 30 grams of protein i only use when doing a big workout day as meal replacement. GNC has many to choose from depending on what you are trying to accomplish. i think they are great when i am on the run. take it frozen, eat with pleasure!
  • neogramps
    neogramps Posts: 79 Member
    I have some Myprotein Chocolate Whey + half milk/half water for breakfast most days as it's quick and easy. Keeps me going til mid-morning banana. If you still find you are hungry, add some instant oats.
  • EttaMaeMartin
    EttaMaeMartin Posts: 303 Member
    GauchoMark wrote: »
    None of them are great for meal replacements. Is there some reason you don't want to or can't eat food?

    i don't think that is what the op asked.
    food is great, some of us like shakes as a replacement. i being one! not for everyone. jmo
  • ZephieC
    ZephieC Posts: 162 Member
    The naturopath I saw recommended Vega. It can be pricey (not sure if that is normal or not, I don't know a lot) but I was able to get it at Costco. I like the vanilla one, I found the berry one disgusting. Oh, and FYI...if you blend a frozen banana with a tbsp. of cocoa powder, a tbsp. of natural nut/peanut butter and a little almond milk it tastes like ice cream...just sayin' :)
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    EttaMaeMartin wrote: »
    GauchoMark wrote: »
    None of them are great for meal replacements. Is there some reason you don't want to or can't eat food?

    i don't think that is what the op asked.
    food is great, some of us like shakes as a replacement. i being one! not for everyone. jmo

    I took it to mean that a protein shake doesn't replace a meal as it has very little of anything other than protein - to me, a meal would incorporate carbs and/or fat, and nutrients from those things...
  • EttaMaeMartin
    EttaMaeMartin Posts: 303 Member
    StephanieCovey wrote: »
    The naturopath I saw recommended Vega. It can be pricey (not sure if that is normal or not, I don't know a lot) but I was able to get it at Costco. I like the vanilla one, I found the berry one disgusting. Oh, and FYI...if you blend a frozen banana with a tbsp. of cocoa powder, a tbsp. of natural nut/peanut butter and a little almond milk it tastes like ice cream...just sayin' :)

    this!!!!!!
  • rks581
    rks581 Posts: 99 Member
    For a meal replacement just get Ensure or Boost, they're widely available and they contain everything your body needs.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    StephanieCovey wrote: »
    The naturopath I saw recommended Vega. It can be pricey (not sure if that is normal or not, I don't know a lot) but I was able to get it at Costco. I like the vanilla one, I found the berry one disgusting. Oh, and FYI...if you blend a frozen banana with a tbsp. of cocoa powder, a tbsp. of natural nut/peanut butter and a little almond milk it tastes like ice cream...just sayin' :)

    And has as many calories as an actual meal?

    OP why do you need to replace meals?
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    GauchoMark wrote: »
    None of them are great for meal replacements. Is there some reason you don't want to or can't eat food?


    I agree with this. Even if they provide you with all the nutrients you need, it is a bad idea to get your calories solely from liquids.
  • Emily3907
    Emily3907 Posts: 1,461 Member
    I use protein shakes as a meal replacement occasionally. But, technically they are not intended to be a meal replacement.

    The two I rely on are the ON Gold Standard Whey Protein and Trutein. I have found the Trutein keeps me fuller for longer than the Gold Standard whey. I am pretty sure it is because of Trutein's protein "blend" of whey and casein.

    Like a PP said, I mix mine with almond milk, a couple of ice cubes and different mix ins, like fruit or instant espresso. Sometimes I also add a little bit of Jello sugar free pudding powder (like 7 grams) to thicken it up like a milkshake or change the flavor. Generally, I only use it in the mornings when I am in a hurry and need something quick.
  • Msldy76
    Msldy76 Posts: 15 Member
    @GauchoMark , I can eat food. I'm looking for basic meal replacements for breakfast and maybe lunch. I'm having a terrible time with my weight. I can't leave the 270 range for nothing and when I do... it goes back up. My calories are reduced. My intake of protein and carbs are reduced. So I'm hoping meal replacements will help. I even exercise, maybe not every day...but I do exercise
  • Msldy76
    Msldy76 Posts: 15 Member
    @EttaMaeMartin Thank you. I'll look into it. My work schedule is pretty hectic. I'm at work all day and vending machines are deadly. I'm looking forward to a quick pick me up as a meal. My last meal of the day is at 5 or 6 because I'm still at work till 7 or 8. Any suggestions. Thank you
  • Msldy76
    Msldy76 Posts: 15 Member
    @Emily3907 do you have any suggestions that may help as to when to do the meal replacement. I work all day 9-7pm.. my cut of meals at 5 or 6. I'm not a breakfast person or a heavy eater. I'm just looking for something with weight loss and control
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    Calories are the driver for weight loss, whether it comes from a drink or food. First, I would recommend increasing protein and fiber. Not only are they thermogenic (burn more calories in the digestion process - albeit small), they increase satiety (fullness). There is nothing wrong if you want to incorporate a protein shake (or breakfast shake) but you still need to eat adequate nutrition and address energy balance (get calories under control).


    If you don't like breakfast, skip it. Just have a bigger lunch/dinner and maybe a protein drink as a snack. There is no need for breakfast, outside of personal preference. I would also recommend getting a food scale to ensure accuracy and logging daily. Accuracy and consistency are the largest reasons for why people don't success in calorie counting, IMO.

    You can get some quest protein. And then use their website for some shake ideas.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    edited January 2017
    For Breakfast I normally have 2 scoops of either Pure Protein or ON in a 24 oz shaker ball bottle. And a Scoop of Amazing grass green superfood in a 12 oz water bottle(with a scoop of ON BCAA for flavor/Caffeine)... The greens are a little rough on the palate otherwise.

    Quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive.
  • Spartan_Gingi
    Spartan_Gingi Posts: 194 Member
    I like Vega, the chocolate one. I supplement with it because I just can't get enough protein!
  • Emily3907
    Emily3907 Posts: 1,461 Member
    Msldy76 wrote: »
    @Emily3907 do you have any suggestions that may help as to when to do the meal replacement. I work all day 9-7pm.. my cut of meals at 5 or 6. I'm not a breakfast person or a heavy eater. I'm just looking for something with weight loss and control

    I would suggest doing it whenever you feel hungry. There is no special time or schedule. I get up at 6:15 every morning, don't usually eat a "traditional" breakfast and on the days I use shakes as a replacement, I usually drink them around 10:30 AM or 11:00 AM. Then, I don't eat again until about 4:00 PM (I eat most of my calories in the evening).
  • questionfear
    questionfear Posts: 527 Member
    I think protein shakes by themselves don't make great filling meals, but as others said you can pair them with something. My breakfast almost every day is protein powder+almond milk+coffee (or sometimes i blend it with 1/2 a frozen banana), plus 2-3 hard boiled eggs. 400ish calories, 47g protein, 12g carbs, 18g fat based on this morning's breakfast.

    Very filling, and if I need something else mid-morning I just chow on an apple or an orange. But I've found this can easily carry me from 9am-1pm (I get up around 5-6am but don't eat until 9).
  • lady_ghost
    lady_ghost Posts: 175 Member
    Msldy76 wrote: »
    Does anybody know of any great protein shakes or powders that can be used as meal replacements?

    Vega protien is my favorite. I have them cus of the added nutrients and protien.
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    Msldy76 wrote: »
    @GauchoMark , I can eat food. I'm looking for basic meal replacements for breakfast and maybe lunch. I'm having a terrible time with my weight. I can't leave the 270 range for nothing and when I do... it goes back up. My calories are reduced. My intake of protein and carbs are reduced. So I'm hoping meal replacements will help. I even exercise, maybe not every day...but I do exercise

    Busy week. I just saw this, so sorry for the late response.

    Drinking protein shakes isn't going to help you lose weight. Period. If you are at 270 lbs and can't lose weight it is simply because you are eating too many calories. I suspect that your logging is inaccurate and that you are possibly inconsistent in your diet plan. At 270 lbs, the weight should come off pretty easy as you can create a fairly large deficit.

    If you truly are logging accurately (weighing food and logging EVERYTHING you eat) and sticking with it for months at a time and still not losing, you probably want to see a doctor.
  • lucyluvhandles
    lucyluvhandles Posts: 138 Member
    Premier protein shakes from Costco have helped me lose weight. I don't use them to replace every meal just breakfast and sometimes lunch but I always blend them with a piece of fruit or veggies and have a healthy dinner. They definitely help curb my appetite . They taste great and have 30g of protein. Chocolate and banana shakes are my favorite.
  • AriaLace
    AriaLace Posts: 59 Member
    I love celebrity slim shakes. They're so tasty and creamy and are made with water. They're very filling and I don't get hungry or crave anything really! They've been working for me to keep me under my calories.
  • DietVanillaCoke
    DietVanillaCoke Posts: 259 Member
    If you wanted to replace all meals, it's not worth it. Just eat the calories worth.

    If you wanted to add it to your meals to get more protein, that can work well. I don't always get enough protein in my diet so i usually have a protein shake in the morning blended with almond milk, a banana and blue berries. If i know I've got a really long busy day i add a wheatbix.

    When i had anemia and a few other problems i also added Sustagen Hospital Formula which was recommended to me by my GP. But it wasn't to replace all food, it was just to have a nice breakfast on the go i could drink in the car.
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