protein shakes?

I got this off of webmd so I hope it Helps you a little.

What are the benefits of protein shakes?

Safe for people who are healthy and fit, protein shakes are used mainly by athletes who need nourishment right after their workouts, says Jose Antonio, chief executive officer and co-founder of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). 'Most people can't make a meal immediately post-workout', he says. 'So these ready-to-drink shakes are really your best alternative'.

According to the ISSN, protein shakes are a safe way to ensure enough protein, when used as part of a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. This counters the view that protein shakes can be harmful to kidneys or bones.

Although research hasn't proven their role in sports performance and muscle strength, protein shakes may offer certain benefits.
An endurance athlete may find it easier to train with the help of protein shakes, says Antonio. That's because they help the body recover from intense exercise. Protein shakes do this mainly by restoring muscle glycogen, a fuel source for exercise, which gets used up during workouts.
For the strength athlete, protein shakes can also help repair damage to muscles that can occur with serious bodybuilding.
The general fitness enthusiast who works out hard but doesn't want to be a marathon runner or bodybuilder may also benefit, says Antonio. This is the kind of person who might run twice a week and lift weights twice a week.
Some research shows other benefits as well. For example, a study of 130 U.S. Marines looked at intense exercisers who supplemented their diet with 10 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates, and 3 g of fat. They had fewer infections, less heat exhaustion, and less muscle soreness. Some protein shakes may help with weight management, as well. But more research is needed to confirm this.

Check out Unjury.com. They explain a lot!

The protein shakes that most people talk about here are simple Whey Protein and are fairly low calorie. They are a good way to supplement protein intake when your whole food sources are not allowing you to hit your goals.

This is definitely true. Obviously, if possible you should get your protein from natural food sources. But I routinely have one after a workout too - its just whey protein and water (rarely milk), and its usually <200 calories and plenty of protein. They do fill me up, but bulk is much more about how you lift (though diet does play a role).

Also, regarding what your friend said: SOME over-the-counter shakes (like slimfast) are designed to be meal REPLACEMENTS. i personally try to steer clear of them because I like to have real food at meal times, but that's just me. They also tend to be very high in sugar...

Calories from protein are unlike calories from fat or carbohydrates. Because, yes, they can all be converted into energy to fuel your body. But protein is also the main building block for your muscles, hair, fingernails etc. So if you are doing anything that strains your muscles, like strength training or exercising a lot, you should eat extra protein so your body can repair damages. And if you're trying to gain more muscle, again, more protein will help.

Also, the chemical reaction that burns fatty acids in your body also requires amino acids (protein). It's like a fire, you need both fuel and oxygen in order to create a fire, right? Well, this chemical reaction requires roughly three parts fat to one part protein. So if you're trying to burn fat, it is very helpful to make sure you're eating a lot of protein.

If you're maintaining your body weight & composition, you can just go by MFP's guidelines and you probably don't need any supplemental protein.

If you're strength training, exercising a lot, or trying to build muscles, doctors recommend eating 1g protein per every lb of lean body mass. A 150-lb person might have 120 lb lean body mass, so if they're trying to bulk up they'd eat at least 120g protein per day.

If you're trying to lose weight, doctors recommend eating 1g protein per every lb of your total body weight. A 180 lb person would try to eat 180g protein per day.

You can get all your protein exclusively from eating real food, especially if you eat meat and dairy. But vegans and vegetarians often find that they need a protein supplement in order to get enough protein. And people who are more obese and trying to lose weight may have the same issue. I started out weighing over 300 lb, so eating over 300g protein per day would have been impossible if I hadn't used protein shakes.

Hope this helps you make your decision. Good luck to you!

If you're strength training, exercising a lot, or trying to build muscles, doctors recommend eating 1g protein per every lb of lean body mass. A 150-lb person might have 120 lb lean body mass, so if they're trying to bulk up they'd eat at least 120g protein per day.

If you're trying to lose weight, doctors recommend eating 1g protein per every lb of your total body weight. A 180 lb person would try to eat 180g protein per day.

Can you explain to me why someone who is trying to build muscle would need notably less protein than someone trying to lose weight?

I dunno, I'm just repeating what my doctor told me. But I would imagine that building muscle takes less protein than burning fat does. The chemical reaction that burns fat takes a LOT of protein, so if you're trying to burn a LOT of fat, well... makes sense to me.