Do protein shakes count as meals?

Meal frequency doesn't matter so don't worry about it.

I would say if eating 6 times a day works for you then keep it up. Some people it does help with metabolism some it doesn't. You can check the forums and they will tell you 800 different ways, doesn't mean they will all work for you. I personally eat 3 meals a day with small snacks in between which is like your 6 meals a day. Where it may not help speed up your metabolism it helps keep you feeling full so you don't eat as much or over eat at meal time.

I eat a cup of yogurt for breakfast (100 cal) then a couple hours later I eat a protein bar (200 cal). Then I eat a regular size meal for lunch. Later I usually have a small snack of 100 cal or less (that just works best for me). Then dinner when I get home.

So personally I would look at the amount of calories a regular meal is for you. If the shake has a lot less I would count it as a snack...if it's about the same I would count it as a meal. But seriously if 6 meals a day works for you don't change just because someone says so. Some people only eat twice a day and it works for them but it sure doesn't work for me.

I would say if eating 6 times a day works for you then keep it up. Some people it does help with metabolism some it doesn't. You can check the forums and they will tell you 800 different ways, doesn't mean they will all work for you. I personally eat 3 meals a day with small snacks in between which is like your 6 meals a day. Where it may not help speed up your metabolism it helps keep you feeling full so you don't eat as much or over eat at meal time.

I eat a cup of yogurt for breakfast (100 cal) then a couple hours later I eat a protein bar (200 cal). Then I eat a regular size meal for lunch. Later I usually have a small snack of 100 cal or less (that just works best for me). Then dinner when I get home.

So personally I would look at the amount of calories a regular meal is for you. If the shake has a lot less I would count it as a snack...if it's about the same I would count it as a meal. But seriously if 6 meals a day works for you don't change just because someone says so. Some people only eat twice a day and it works for them but it sure doesn't work for me.

It's been scientifically proven that it has zero impact on your metabolism.
And if by "someone" you mean me, I never suggested for her to stop eating six meals a day. All I've done is let her know it's not mandatory. What's best would depend on the individual and his/her goal.

I would count it as one of those 6 meals, my protein shakes are almost 200 cals, thats a meal to me

I eat 3 meals and 3 snacks and use them as either a breakfast with added stuff or snack.

I sometimes count mine as a snack, and sometimes as a meal. If it's just protein powder + liquid, I call it a snack.

My NORMAL protein shake has berries, cottage cheese, protein powder, etc.. for 400-550/600 calories, so I call it a meal.

do wht works for you. for me, i count my shakes as breakfast and lunch, then i have dinner... if im too under calories for the day.. i have another shake and add it under "snacks" It really doesnt matter if you call everything you eat "meals" or "snacks". At the end of the day, it matters that you maintain the proper calories. Calories in VS calories out.

Meal frequency doesn't matter so don't worry about it.

What do you mean by "meal frequency"? I thought the best way to lose weight was to eat six small meals throughout the day to keep your metabolism up?

The six meals a day thing came about as an aid to weight loss because it is a disciplinary act, basically look at it as all day snacking. You are less likely to overeat if you are not "hungry" in between meals. Now I put hungry in quotes because most people don't know how to distinguish true hunger from just a desire to munch on something; and are all experts at self diagnosing hypoglycemia to boot.

It came about from rat studies. Because in rats, it actually matters - skipping a meal can affect metabolic rate.

I don't understand why people are getting into the whole "meal frequency" issue. Yes, it doesn't matter how many meals you eat, as long as it suits your lifestyle and keeps you from overeating. But that wasn't the question.

If you are eating 6 meals a day, I don't see any problem counting it as a meal. As long as you are still eating a good variety of real food, you should be fine.

Read the OP's second post in this thread.

Because you picked at that for no reason, so she asked you about it? Oh, okay. :flowerforyou:

I don't understand why people are getting into the whole "meal frequency" issue. Yes, it doesn't matter how many meals you eat, as long as it suits your lifestyle and keeps you from overeating. But that wasn't the question.

If you are eating 6 meals a day, I don't see any problem counting it as a meal. As long as you are still eating a good variety of real food, you should be fine.

Read the OP's second post in this thread.

Because you picked at that for no reason, so she asked you about it? Oh, okay. :flowerforyou:

I agree, her original question didn't ask about meal frequency. But her question was based on a false premise that would have zero impact on her goals, and I'm willing to bet most people in her shoes would want to know that it's not mandatory to eat six meals a day. Because for many, it's just an unnecessary hassle.
Now she (hopefully) knows not to focus so much on the number of meals and rather the total calories/macronutrients for the day.