Are Protein Shakes Necessary?

N

NurseLRT

Cathlete
I know this question has probably been asked before. I didn't do a search.

Can I eat three meals a day with some protein and add in a couple of healthy snacks like a handful of nuts, and still get a toned appearance? Of course watching the calories, eating clean, and working out. :) I am not lifting heavy. I have been doing full body workouts like ME, HSC, MM, and LowMax, along with power walking and jogging.

I am guessing most do protein shakes because it's an easy way to fill your requirement, and are working hard. But for someone like me who is trying to drop pounds, are they necessary?

Thanks,

Lori
 
I agree, they aren't necessary. And sometimes, they're a waste of money, because your body can only use so much protein, especially at one time, and it will either store the extra (as fat) or get rid of it. I've seen some writers refer to protein shakes and some supplements as ways of making very expensive pee!

One protein shake a day can be a way of making sure to get your requirements in a quick way, and a post workout beverage that replenishes both carbohydrates and protein can be useful when you are working out hard (I would use a soy beverage meal replacment after doing P90X weight workouts for this reason).
 
I agree that protein shakes are not necessary, but I use it because I don't get enough protein in my food. maybe one day I will eat enough protein without a supplement.

kim
 
As Kathryn said our bodies can only use so much protein, then it turns into fat or gets toss out the back door. The only true way I know how to check to see if we are geting enough protein besides some odd high priced test. Is not so nice, basically to see if your poo floats or sinks. You want it to float, if it sinks your got too much protein and it's currently being thrown out of the body, so increasing it then, you'll just be adding some fat onto the body. This only works for those with clean eatting habits, if you advoid veggies then it doesn't work.

Kit
 
I never use them and can build muscle and definition when I train with heavy weights. You can get all the protein you need from three squares and some healthy snacks.

If you need a post-workout pick-you-up, well a glass of milk and a banana will do the job, is easy to obtain and costs a lot less than expensive shakes, most of which also taste bad.

Clare
 
Well I disagree. I have tried Probolic SR and I am seeing results quickly from drinking the shakes. I have increased my weights again and developed more muscle. That stuff works and I am sticking with it!

Charlotte~~
 
Protein powder is not necessary but I view mine as a treat and a very good way to get lots of protein without the fat. Because, even a cup of chicken breast without skin contains 5 grams of fat.

According to Tom Venuto in BFFM, protein cannot be stored in the body as fat. It is the only macronutrient that has this property. If it is not used, it is eliminated through waste pretty quickly. That's why it's important to get the appropriate amount for your goals. It's recommended at least 1 gram per lb of body weight per day.

The "Poop Theory" is incorrect, IMHO. You cannot use it as a reading on proper protein consumption.
 
I use my chocolate protein powder in my coffee for the drive to work. It adds a little choco flavor and I get in the extra protein, too. Try it! :)

~Marcia~
 
>Hmmm, not to get into a "poop" discussion, but.. I thought it
>floated if you were getting a lot of fiber.... Marnie

The floaters vs. sinkers depends on a lot of things, including fibe and fat. According to my acu/chiropractor (who is also interested in colon heath), it's best that it float for a while before slowly sinking.

If anybody wants the definitive answer on this, we could contact a colon specialist (there are schools that award diplomas in colon health, and their graduates are certified to give colonics).
 
>According to Tom Venuto in BFFM, protein cannot be stored in
>the body as fat. It is the only macronutrient that has this
>property. If it is not used, it is eliminated through waste
>pretty quickly. That's why it's important to get the
>appropriate amount for your goals. It's recommended at least
>1 gram per lb of body weight per day.
>
What kind of degree does Tom Venuto have? I've read books by MD/PHD types who state that ALL excess macronutrients are stored in the body as fat. Though it takes more energy to convert either carbohydrates or protein in to body fat(I forget the percentage, but only a certain percent of it 20? actually gets converted into fat), while excess fat is pretty readily converted into body fat and doesn't lose much in the conversion process.
 
You can get all the protein you need from the food you eat, but if you're like me, shuttling a kid to a lot of places during the week and don't have all that time to cook and sit down to eat, protein shakes are a fast and convenient way to fill your protein requirements.

A shake doesn't fill me up as well as real food, so between that and a shake, I'd rather eat. Between a power bar and a shake, I'd choose a shake because a power bar (the ones I CAN eat anyway) has way more sugar. I guess it's all a matter of making choices that work for you.

Pinky
 
Well, I do apologize. What Venuto states is that protein has a high thermal effect and burns off readily whereas fat and carbs tend to store to be used as fuel later. Therefore, I suppose if one ate more protein than one burned, it would be stored as fat. I misinterpreted what I read in the book, I'm afraid.

I can tell you this from personal experience. If I don't have glycogen stores and all I've eaten is protein....I sure am tired. To me this is the equivalent of my body having used up the protein and I don't have anything left.


P.S. But...I still refuse to use my poop as a thermometer of whether I'm eating too much protein or not, LOL! If I started doing that, then I know I'm obsessed.
 
Charlotte, I believe you. Your arms are showing it! I am planning on getting the Probolic SR, after seeing your arms. Perhaps it's all about bodytype and goals. Those of us interested in growing serious muscle and training for that purpose, may benefit of the extra protein. Specially ecto's.
 
I agree with the others. They are not necessary, but I know that I do not eat enough protein in my day, especially now that I do Cathe workouts.
We did have a discussion while ago on what protein does for your body....that it is readily available to your muscles and why protein is important. Here is a link to that discussion:

http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=182377&mesg_id=182377&page=11

Also, I would love a discussion into the sinker/floater debate. I always heard you want floaters, but I 'rarely' have this. I have very good intestinal health (from all the fiber and all), but I never heard a definate answer to the sinker floater debate! Maybe we should do a poll! LOL!!! :)
 
Kathryn, Tom's educational background includes a B.Sc. degree in exercise science and he is also a "Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist" (CSCS) from the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Also, besides his formal education, he is an avid reader and self teacher, which says even more about his intelligence and dedication than just having a title, by the way.

In the book, BFFM, he clearly states in early chapters that too much of *anything* will be stored as fat. He explains, in the protein chapter, that protein is not stored in the muscles like carbohydrates are, in the form of glycogen, so we need to eat protein often. That doesn't mean that excess will not be stored as fat, but I understand how it can be easily misinterpreted.

Mariela
 
Thank you, Mariela.

He also states that due to protein's high thermal effect, we burn off 30% of protein just in eating and digestion which calculates as a net of 70% left for the body to use as fuel. That's pretty amazing!
 
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