why waste calories on protein powder?

I don't understand protein powder because I always go over in my protein - every day. Maybe because I eat Greek yogurt and make Greek yogurt smoothies with fruit, and I like lean protein and egg whites. I try not to eat things that have artificial sweetners in them - and I think most protein powders do. Stevia in the Raw is my exception because it comes from the Stevia plant that has been used by people in South America for 100s of years, and I add it to my smoothies. I do know protein fills you up and is good for people who work out a lot, but I like to eat, so I usually choose to eat rather than drink my calories.

I also prefer to chew food however, it's a great quick snack after the gym when I would otherwise have to drive 20 minutes, then cook or an easy snack that i find light on my stomach pre-workput. And with 6 meals a day, I don't always feel like eating.

Milk.... has SO MUCH SUGAR per serving.... way too much server for me. I only drink the unsweetened almond milk stuff now. As for my post workout protein, i drink vanilla protein shakes... 24g of protein for 100 calories... can't beat that!

Is it just me or does it seem like a perfectly good waste of 100-150kcal (more if you add milk) to drink protein powder. Not only that but most taste like a** in a bag. I've got a 5lb bag of whey powder in my desk and I only drink it if I'm desperate. Wouldn't it be better to spend your calories on a nice hard boiled egg, a glass of cold milk, or a handful of nuts? Please someone explain the logic of protein powder.

For ME: I have a sensory disoder which includes 'oral defensiveness' (hypersensitiviies to textures) and most mornings I just can't handle even the thought of chewing or solid foods. but I NEED protein and glucose when I first wake- Proien Shakes work. (I use almond or rice or soy with my protein powder)

Um...off topic. They have cake batter?

I wish more people would list the brands they use that are SO delicious! I really want to use protein powder, but so far haven't found one I like very well.

Dymatize rich chocolate with 3/4 cup of water, 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter and ice.

I hear the fudge one is good too, will try it next!

I love my protein shake. It's not a waste for me. Sometimes I don't want to eat, but need to feed myself especially after training hard. Protein shakes are perfect for that. I use BSN Syntha-6 Protein Powder in chocolate milkshake. I mix with either almond milk or coconut water.

Sigh......this thread again.


What if to hit my macros i want protein without the Fat or carbs that would come with the other foods you mentioned? What of I need another 30 grams protein that day and can't stomach another chicken breast?

My protein shake tastes amazing Because I buy a quality product, shop more wisely!!

Why would a protein shake be wasted calories and milk not a waste....whey is made from milk?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^!!!!!!

The brand I use and quite like is Weider's Daily Protein and Fibre Powder (Chocolate flavour, naturally - WHY NOT?!) and it's sweetened with Stevia. quite good on the cals and carbs too. only like 100 cals per scoop, 13 g carbs and 14g protein. not bad at all! and really...it gives me that sweet, chocolate kick

protein powder with FIBER?? I need to check into that.

Buy psyllium husk/powdered and add to Your drink if You want fiber.

There is definitely not as much protein in a handful of nuts or an egg as there is in protein powder.

Some people are allergic to nuts. Some people don't eat eggs. Some people don't drink milk. And I know it's hard to believe, but some people out there don't even eat meat! So for these folks, myself included, protein powder is not a waste of calories. 24g of protein for 120 calories is a pretty damn good deal in my world.

yup, what she said. i dont drink milk, or eat meat. so i really can use the protien. and my vanilla cream protein powder tastes amazing btw.

I couldn't meet my protein macros for the day without it so for me it isn't wasted calories. I can understand how someone might think as the OP does but it is tough to get the 20g of protein I get from a scoop of the protein powder I use without eating more meat etc and I feel like I already eat too much meat. The 2 scoops (40g) I use in water in the morning helps me meet my macros and allows me to focus a little less on protein throughout the rest of the day. Use to do it with milk but that IS wasted calories IMO

This. I eat meat, but not nearly enough to get me all the protein I need.

Well the way you worded the question already indicates that you don't LIKE protein powder. So it seems to me that you don't even really want to know the answer. I mean I hate meat loaf, but I would never ask "Why would ANYONE ever eat meatloaf?" Number one, I don't even really care about the answer to that. Number two, because there are more people in the world than me, and I know people can like what they want to like and that doesn't concern me lol.

But I'm sure people who do like protein powder use it partly because they like it and partly because it has benefits. You don't have to waste your calories on it, but to someone who enjoys it, it is not a waste of calories.

I don't drink them all the time but I LOVE the taste of protein shakes!

I'm currently looking into what protein powder is suitable for me... as a vegan (so no eggsmilk/meat) and as someone who's severely allergic to almost every nut out there, sometimes it's hard to get enough protein.

Vegan protein powders are usually made from Soy, Pea, Hemp, Rice, Cranberry, Avocado, ect. If you look at the health food stores the containers will clearly be labeled Vegan, but it still doesn't hurt to check the ingredient list to make sure.

I use Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Natural 100% Whey Protein in Chocolate flavor. Its not cheap but it is delicious. Its 130 calories, 24g of protein, 5g of carb and 1g of fat.

I had this, liked that it's sweetened with stevia instead of aspartame. hated the aftertaste. they could have used half the stevia that they put in.

Sigh......this thread again.


What if to hit my macros i want protein without the Fat or carbs that would come with the other foods you mentioned? What of I need another 30 grams protein that day and can't stomach another chicken breast?

My protein shake tastes amazing Because I buy a quality product, shop more wisely!!

Why would a protein shake be wasted calories and milk not a waste....whey is made from milk?

AGREED