Protein shakes... to have or not to have, that is the questi

caroline_g
caroline_g Posts: 201 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
So it's probably an age old question that gets asked a lot but I'm hoping that people here will help me. I've got about another 65lbs to lose which I'm doing through counting calories (1500 a day) and exercising. I try and get protein into my diet as much as I can and when I'm at home all day it's easier but when I'm at university or teaching in school then I find it harder as I don't have as long to do breakfast and stuff like that. At the moment I'm working out pretty hard, on average about 45 minutes a day and burning 600ish calories. Though some days I'll do less if I'm busy or like today, I'll do 70 minutes and burn 1100. I know that when you're cutting calories, you've got a risk of losing lean muscle mass as well as fat. So, my question is, is it worth me buying a protein powder to have as a shake on the days that I work pretty hard so that I can up my protein intake? I just want to conserve the muscle that I've got rather than bulk up actually. Also, how much protein should I be aiming for? I've set my diary to 20% fat, 30% protein and 50% carbs. That gives me 130g of protein a day, which I can't get in through food. Most I get to is about 105, usually between 60-80 on a usual day though. Any thoughts?

Replies

  • UpToTheChallenge
    UpToTheChallenge Posts: 247
    I'm interested to see replies as well...
  • Jenene88
    Jenene88 Posts: 281 Member
    They only problem your going to have with protein shakes is the fact that you are getting way more then what you probably want. Also you only get protein and a few other I things. Protein shakes are suppose to be used as a way to build muscle and you would drink it after a hard workout. It's not a meal replacement shake like you seem like you would want. I you want a meal replacement shake with protein in it then the cheapest way is to get slim fast. But another great way to get everything your body needs and the amount I protein your looking for in a meal replacement shake is to get shakeology. It was a good amount of protein and other vitiams and minerals and everything else that you can't really get from food now a days. And if your on the run it a easy shake to make and only takes about 10secs to a min to make. The shake is a complete vitiam and a replacement meal all in one. With the protein shakes as I said you need to have that if your building muscle nd not looking for a replacement meal. Cuz you are going to te hungry later since its not ment to be use as a replacement meal. It all depends on what you are looking for cuz to me it sounds like you are looking to use it as a meal replacement since your busy
  • caroline_g
    caroline_g Posts: 201 Member
    I didn't say that I wanted it as a meal replacement, I don't. What I said was that I want it to get in extra protein, on top of what I already have. And having had a look, the one I'm thinking of getting is 24g of protein in a serving, surely that's not more than what I want in a day when I'm not even hitting the 30% mark? And I thought that it wasn't just to build muscle but also preserve muscle... maybe I got that wrong. What I said about being busy is that I do slightly less exercise and I have less time for breakfast, so I can't do something like poached/scrambled eggs and do end up having something that's quicker but less protein.
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