The truths about protein?

amybg1 · July 2012

My mother's been on me about my weight for the past 2 days, and she just wrapped up one of her rants. She would like for me to lose 10 pounds by late August since that's when we're going to Nationals and well...Who doesn't want a faster time, right?

She claims there are a lot of calories in mine but she also claims the smoothie she bought from Oasis is also high-cal. Honestly, no wonder she's losing a few pounds a week with only a bit of walking! Those high-cal smoothies which I'm not sure I'd drink? 120 calories! Likewise my protein, depending on the flavor is between 110-121 calories. Obviously if you're over your calorie goal and take in protein you're more likely to gain but...I don't get where she gets her info from? She talked to other paddlers yesterday, they don't take in any protein but they aren't training for other sports as well. Plus I take in the extra protein because it's helped me with hunger pangs. I haven't taken a shake in weeks...And I've gained about 5 pounds give or take as it yo yos, she also says to not listen to the web as its full of lies and the people who take in protein shakes are those who workout 6+ hours/day?

I was like "Whoa! Lady, do your research! And how is my protein high-cal?" My brotehr uses Bodylogix and his protein is about 256 calories - THAT is a high-calorie shake!

So...I've lost weight while taking protein, I've gained a few with my cycle and not taking in as much protein....But is she right and there's like...A few hundred more calories hidden in there somewhere?

amybg1 · July 2012

bump

EvanKeel · July 2012

err..Pardon? I'm sorry I'm having trouble following the question because I feel like there important bits of information left out.

If i understand correctly, my answer is:

Increasing protein intake, while in a deficit, will not cause you to magically gain fat. Increasing carb intake might make you retain some water...so would sodium for that matter. Increasing strength training, or starting a new program would also probably cause you to retain more water.

I hope that helps.

amybg1 · July 2012

Yeah that's what I knew the whole time, but I don't understand the "Protein has a ton of calories" reasoning? When my protein intake was up over 100g I lost weight and retained muscle, I stopped taking the protein for a few weeks and have gained a few pounds back.

My protein powder has between 110-121 calories/scoop all depending on the flavor you buy, so then if protein supposedly has a high calorie count...How many calories would be in a gram of protein?

EvanKeel · July 2012

Carbs: 4 cal/g
Protein: 4 cal/g
Fats: 9 cal/g

Alcohol is wonky: generally 7 cal/ g

amybg1 · July 2012

Yeah so then...explain to me how 120 calories is high-cal please? My mother (I'm stuck living with her, if I didn't I'd be very happy) considers my protein high-calorie. But then again she considers the smoothie she bought, which is 120 cals/cup also high-calorie?

Note that she's on Weight Watchers if that makes a difference, and yeah I've gained a few pounds but that happened after I stopped consuming higher amounts of protein after my workouts or on the days that I've had a workout, while I was taking the protein (not every day) I actually lost?

Just please...Somebody tell me why her reasoning is correct if at all? Because to me, the protein I have is just fine and I don't see how consuming it has affected my weight negatively unless I was over my daily goal

Hendrix7 · July 2012

err..Pardon? I'm sorry I'm having trouble following the question because I feel like there important bits of information left out.

If i understand correctly, my answer is:

Increasing protein intake, while in a deficit, will not cause you to magically gain fat. Increasing carb intake might make you retain some water...so would sodium for that matter. Increasing strength training, or starting a new program would also probably cause you to retain more water.

I hope that helps.

This guy covered it all really.

To be honest I'm not sure what you are even asking.

mcarter99 · July 2012

Maybe she's saying your protein is high cost, not high calorie? :happy: I don't know. I'm glad I don't have to buy protein shakes for my kids, though.

Good luck with it. Having parents is tough.

IronPlayground · July 2012

I guess the question is how many grams of protein are you getting for 120 cals?

Hendrix7 · July 2012

I guess the question is how many grams of protein are you getting for 120 cals?

30, well assuming that there is no carb/fat content

lizziebeth1028 · July 2012

Tell Mom you are a grown women who can make her own food choices. Really....what Mother is on her kids' back about losing 10 pounds?!??! Sorry that's just wrong. I see that you're an athlete with some impairments but your Mother still thinks she has the right to boss you around. Tell Mom to but out!

ArroganceInStep · July 2012

Many protein powders tend to be very calorically dense. For example, I have a protein shake that I make sometimes that is >900 calories (it keeps me full from 5AM until dinner though, so it works out well).

If a shake is 120 calories, it doesn't matter what protein or carbs or fat are in it, it's only 'high calorie' if you consider 120 calories to be high calorie. It will always be lower calorie than a 220 calories shake, since 120<220.

yarwell · July 2012

Maybe she is comparing a 120 calorie protein drink to a 40 cal low fat chocolate drink or something, or to black coffee. Seen like that it may be "high calorie" but seen as a meal or part of one it doesn't make sense.

amybg1 · July 2012

lizzie, you're correct but she's too stubborn to butt out. She wants what's good for me which means getting into my business, and the protein is good-quality so about 45$ for a 2-lb tub which lasts me quite a while. I only take in the protein when I have a more training-intensive week than others

The question really is: what should be considered high-cal? 120 calories I find isn't but is that just me? And if that's not that bad at all, how is what I consume considered high-calorie in her brain?

IronPlayground · July 2012

I guess the question is how many grams of protein are you getting for 120 cals?

30

Ok, I guess I should rephrase my question. If the protein shake is 120 cals, how many grams of protein are in the shake?

LadyIntrepid · July 2012

I would suggest focusing on being within your daily calorie allowances and making sure you're getting ample protein every day as well. As long as you're within both, it shouldn't matter if any particular drink/food item is high protein/low protein-high calorie/low calorie or not. It's about the bigger daily picture.

ArroganceInStep · July 2012

The question really is: what should be considered high-cal? 120 calories I find isn't but is that just me? And if that's not that bad at all, how is what I consume considered high-calorie in her brain?

It's all relative. For me high cal is >3000 calories (my daily allotment). I have no problem eating all my daily calories in a single meal and then not eating again that day. Sometimes I do this and sometimes I don't, but I only consider it high cal if it'll put me over my calorie limit. Another way to look at it is to look at the percentage of your total intake.

A slice of cheesecake is delicious, but at 900 cals a slice, is it really worth 30% of your daily intake (the answer, for me at least, is it depends on the cheesecake!)

Good luck

toysbigkid · July 2012

bumping for info...thanks

amybg1 · July 2012

Thanks folks, I'm usually under my calorie goals for the day and 120 calories per serving is pretty standard for me in terms of snacks, etc. as for protein content its 27g per 30g scoop and I usually just mix in with water as it tastes just fine like that.

IronPlayground · July 2012

Thanks folks, I'm usually under my calorie goals for the day and 120 calories per serving is pretty standard for me in terms of snacks, etc. as for protein content its 27g per 30g scoop and I usually just mix in with water as it tastes just fine like that.

I would not consider that a high calorie protein shake for 27g of protein.

EDesq · July 2012

My mother's been on me about my weight for the past 2 days, and she just wrapped up one of her rants. She would like for me to lose 10 pounds by late August since that's when we're going to Nationals and well...Who doesn't want a faster time, right?

She claims there are a lot of calories in mine but she also claims the smoothie she bought from Oasis is also high-cal. Honestly, no wonder she's losing a few pounds a week with only a bit of walking! Those high-cal smoothies which I'm not sure I'd drink? 120 calories! Likewise my protein, depending on the flavor is between 110-121 calories. Obviously if you're over your calorie goal and take in protein you're more likely to gain but...I don't get where she gets her info from? She talked to other paddlers yesterday, they don't take in any protein but they aren't training for other sports as well. Plus I take in the extra protein because it's helped me with hunger pangs. I haven't taken a shake in weeks...And I've gained about 5 pounds give or take as it yo yos, she also says to not listen to the web as its full of lies and the people who take in protein shakes are those who workout 6+ hours/day?

I was like "Whoa! Lady, do your research! And how is my protein high-cal?" My brotehr uses Bodylogix and his protein is about 256 calories - THAT is a high-calorie shake!

So...I've lost weight while taking protein, I've gained a few with my cycle and not taking in as much protein....But is she right and there's like...A few hundred more calories hidden in there somewhere?

What???! :explode:

dittmarml · July 2012

Thanks folks, I'm usually under my calorie goals for the day and 120 calories per serving is pretty standard for me in terms of snacks, etc. as for protein content its 27g per 30g scoop and I usually just mix in with water as it tastes just fine like that.

I would not consider that a high calorie protein shake for 27g of protein.

Me neither.

And you might want to remind Mom that health is about balance and about eating across a spectrum of good-for-you foods - you could be sucking down 3 protein shakes/day at 300 calories each and that could still represent a relatively "low cal" part of your total regimen depending on the rest. Sounds to me like she's wrapped around the axle on a very insignificant detail.

MrsLVF · July 2012

err..Pardon? I'm sorry I'm having trouble following the question because I feel like there important bits of information left out.

If i understand correctly, my answer is:

Increasing protein intake, while in a deficit, will not cause you to magically gain fat. Increasing carb intake might make you retain some water...so would sodium for that matter. Increasing strength training, or starting a new program would also probably cause you to retain more water.

I hope that helps.

This guy covered it all really.

To be honest I'm not sure what you are even asking.

Agreed!

SierraElegance · July 2012

I don't know if this helps, but when I consume very high protein and low carbs, I have a much easier time losing weight and looking lean! And I usually have around 5 meals a day with 300 calories each, so I would make a protein shake that would end up being 300 calories. That would be by using my Shakeology along with 1/2 scoop protein powder and a teaspoon or more of peanut butter mixed with almond milk, water, and ice. 120 calories is a snack and not a meal!

faefaith · July 2012

Sounds to me that you need to put a boundary down with your mom.

iWaffle · July 2012

Thanks folks, I'm usually under my calorie goals for the day and 120 calories per serving is pretty standard for me in terms of snacks, etc. as for protein content its 27g per 30g scoop and I usually just mix in with water as it tastes just fine like that.

If you take it with water then the calorie content is just as listed on the container. I always just use water with mine too and log it just as it states. I normally take 2 protein shakes a day at 40 g and they're 240 calories. I'm not getting any mysterious weight gain from them. If you're gaining weight too fast then look elsewhere. I have a daily intake of around 220 g of protein and I was losing about 1 pound a week.

I wouldn't even say mine was a high calorie shake.
Muscletech Premium Whey Protein Vanilla - Protein Powder, 2 scoop 240(calories) 18(carb) 2(fat) 40(protein)

EDIT: I do not work out 6 hours a day.

The truths about protein?

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