Protein shakes?!?!

Most protien shakes (whey) are designed to be digested quickly which is the reason it popular around workouts or for people that have a hard time meeting their protein goal by the foods they eat. It's easier to digest and it doesn't fill you up to the extent as protein rich whole foods with same amount of protein.

Casein powder is slower digesting protein if you're looking for more satiety.

I've been really happy with Quest Multi-Purpose Protein Powder: 100 cals, 24g pro, 0 fat, 1 carb per serving. It's completely plain so easy to "doctor up" and make whatever flavor you feel like, add good fats etc... It makes fantastic low carb/high protein pancakes etc... too.

princesstessa18 wrote: »

I mean help stop the cravings and fill you up.

Why not just eat food?

Protein powder is not filling. Almost no liquid is going to be filling.

If you want something that holds you over, pair a protein shake with a pound of steamed broccoli or other fiberous veggie. Kimchi (spicy korean cabbage) is like 100cals for almost a full pound, full of fiber and biotics.

Echoing what others have said and adding, what people find satiating will vary from individual to individual. Some feel full longer with protein, others prefer carbs, other fats. I find fats more satiating that protein or carbs so I tend to spend more calories on fat than someone who finds potatoes or lean protein, for example, satisfying. Luckily, I'm not a volume eater!

i use a tasty sugar-free, fat-free protein drink, but i mostly use it for muscle building on and after workout days.

i do eat quest bars because some flavors are insanely tasty, and they satisfy me enough with my chocolate cravings that i don't binge on chocolate. but everyone doesn't love every flavor, so it takes some experimenting. i love double chocolate chunk and also chocolate chip cookie dough the most. also oh yeah! one bars birthday cake flavor. i eat them instead of other protein foods, sometimes with brussel sprouts or asparagus or something like that with a low cal dressing.

The best advise I read regarding Protein Shakes and ANY supplement: "you must deserve to use a supplement".

Being said that, IMO people should start using ANY suplements when the goal is close to be reached.

I started using supplements (recommended by PT) when I have left 2 or 3 kilos to my goal (from 99 to 78, goal 75, 171 cms tall). That's when I stopped counting ONLY calories and started taking care of macros.

So, and again IMO, only start thinking on suplements when you are close to reach your final goal. Until then, cardio and calorie count.

yogoson wrote: »

try to find a protein bar, less sugar and usually 20-25g of protein and imo, taste better

I have no particular love for protein powder (it's fine if you need more protein, I had some yesterday in a delicious smoothie* that made up much of my lunch -- not all because I do like to eat something too) and enjoy the occasional Quest bar, and would even say that for me the Quest bar is more likely to be filling than a plain protein shake with nothing else in it. BUT, protein shakes can have less sugar if sugar is the concern. I normally get Biochem, which has none in the kind I get, and I know it's not hard to find other brands where that is so. (The reason I get the Biochem is that from sampling so far it tastes the best to me).

*My new obsession, unsweetened coconut milk (the 45 cal stuff), half an avocado, a bunch of spinach, and vanilla protein powder. Super delicious and creamy. Not low cal, though. ;-)

Protein bars are infinitely better at making me feel full than protein shakes are. I like the Kirkland (Costco) Signature Protein Bars. They pack in a good amount of fiber, too. I add shake powder to my green smoothies or to "overnight oats", but just shake powder by itself feels completely unfulfilling.

TimothyFish wrote: »

a glass of chocolate milk is the way to go.

The easiest and very economical alternative to fancy "recovery drinks".



By the way, on a separate note, protein powder is food. And I make a strawberry protein shake about 3 times per week for breakfast. Since I eat 5 times per day, it's a perfectly filling 350-400 calories (depending on how everything weighs out).

[ETA - I also use greek yogurt in the shake (more like a smoothie), which give casein protein - another reason it fills me up well].

If you want protein that fills you up, why not go the chicken/cod route rather than liquid shakes?

Protein shakes are greatly convenient for bumping my protein over 100g a day when I have the goal of gaining weight, but I drop them completely when cutting (despite upping my protein intake considerably when I do).