Are protein shakes right for me?
Discussion
I'm thinking of adding protein shakes to my weekly diet however I don't really understand them (hence asking here first and not just buying some!).
I go to the gym 4-5 times a week and eat fairly healthily however my diet could improve...
In terms of my gym routine, it's mainly cardio on the bike and rowing machine however this is only till I get to my target weight of 14 stone. I'm currently 15 stone 12 and have lost just under a stone and a half in around 6 weeks.
So my question is, are protein shakes right for me?
I go to the gym 4-5 times a week and eat fairly healthily however my diet could improve...
In terms of my gym routine, it's mainly cardio on the bike and rowing machine however this is only till I get to my target weight of 14 stone. I'm currently 15 stone 12 and have lost just under a stone and a half in around 6 weeks.
So my question is, are protein shakes right for me?
It is my understanding that protein shakes are to be used primarily to aid the building/repair of muscle post workout (usually weight training).
If I wanted to loose weight, I don't think I would be using them, I would just make sure that I had enough sources of protein throughout my diet to keep my muscles happy.
Also, I was told that it is very important to eat enough carbs when doing prolonged periods of cardio, as well as having a form of carbs after the workout... I can't see a low carb/high protein diet and lots of cardio going down particularly well.
However, I am no expert so please don't take this as 100% truth
. You are better off asking someone like balders (?) who seems to know what he is talking about.
He had a thread answering giving advice/workout plans etc. to people on here a little way back, give it a search... send him a PM or something.
If I wanted to loose weight, I don't think I would be using them, I would just make sure that I had enough sources of protein throughout my diet to keep my muscles happy.
Also, I was told that it is very important to eat enough carbs when doing prolonged periods of cardio, as well as having a form of carbs after the workout... I can't see a low carb/high protein diet and lots of cardio going down particularly well.
However, I am no expert so please don't take this as 100% truth
. You are better off asking someone like balders (?) who seems to know what he is talking about.He had a thread answering giving advice/workout plans etc. to people on here a little way back, give it a search... send him a PM or something.
Edited by doodles19 on Wednesday 17th November 03:47
supplements are just that, a supplement to your diet. they should not be a replacement.
So, you say your diet could improve - improve it.
Work out the macros of your diet (protein/carbs/fat) and see if you need more protein. If you do work it into your diet.
Where shakes come in handy is when you want the cost reduction (whey in bulk works out VERY cheap) or you need something speedy to take in, the other time is when you need more protein than a normal diet could provide without it becoming a burden on carbs / fat in your diet.
So, you say your diet could improve - improve it.
Work out the macros of your diet (protein/carbs/fat) and see if you need more protein. If you do work it into your diet.
Where shakes come in handy is when you want the cost reduction (whey in bulk works out VERY cheap) or you need something speedy to take in, the other time is when you need more protein than a normal diet could provide without it becoming a burden on carbs / fat in your diet.
LordGrover said:
They are typically calorie dense and high protein so are best used as part of a well thought out diet. Just adding them to what you already eat will likely cause a calorie surplus.
1g of protein is 4kcal, so a shake doesn't really add that many kcals to your daily intake. If you go and buy sweetened and ones with carbs in then the protein content goes down (but kcal generally stays the same). A typical serving is c. 100 kcals. Assuming just one serving per day that's 700 kcals or equivalent to two McDonalds cheeseburgers* a week. As I said, if that's in addition to your usual maintenance requirement that's an appreciable surplus which over time will be noticeable.
I use shakes - but when I'm cutting I take them into account and eat less of other foods so I do not exceed my daily requirement to either maintain or lose fat.
I use shakes - but when I'm cutting I take them into account and eat less of other foods so I do not exceed my daily requirement to either maintain or lose fat.
* I know the quality is different but the kcals are the same.
LordGrover said:
Fillet steak = 150 kcals / 100g
Protein shake = 400 kcals / 100g
What do you think?
That's hardly a fair comparison as you are comparing meat (with juice and everything) to powder :PProtein shake = 400 kcals / 100g
What do you think?
-
Calories in 100g of fillet steak:
Calories - 191.3kcal
Protein - 28.6g
Fat - 8.5g
Carbs - 0g
-
Edited by Morba on Thursday 18th November 13:15
If you have a generally good diet, adding two small protein shakes a day could well be a benefit. Not only are they low carb and low calorie (the good ones), but protein is necessary for good general health, and most people dont get enough from their diet.
There are protein shakes out there specifically to help with weight loss, and as you're relatively active you'd definitely benefit from taking these IMO.
They arent just for muscle building, read up on the benefits of protein for your general health, and also how much you should, be getting a day as an active person, then add up your current daily intake and use shakes to make up the deficit.
Id guess you'd be looking at 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight/day.
There are protein shakes out there specifically to help with weight loss, and as you're relatively active you'd definitely benefit from taking these IMO.
They arent just for muscle building, read up on the benefits of protein for your general health, and also how much you should, be getting a day as an active person, then add up your current daily intake and use shakes to make up the deficit.
Id guess you'd be looking at 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight/day.
Davie_GLA said:
Protein Shakes are the work of the devil. I do quite a bit of weight training and my stomach hates them! I don't think i've spent as much time in the loo since starting to take them.
They are now deleted from my life and protein is controlled through diet.
Evil, evil things....
My only thought is that maybe you were using one of those all in one powders that included other stuff such as caffeine. They are now deleted from my life and protein is controlled through diet.
Evil, evil things....
If it was bog standard whey then it seems a bit odd.
Results vary, I guess.
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