Protein powders?? Flax seed??

MRSchultz

Cathlete
I have been reading so much about protein powders and flaxseed oil or something like that?!?!? :) Is this a good idea to add to eating regime? What does it do for you? I know that I want to add more protein to my diet, is this a good way to do that?

Thanks, Marcia :)
 
Hi Marcia, I haven't tried flaxseed oil but I do use protein powder. I take it after my weight workouts (especially on heavy lifting days) to replenish the protein my body broke down during exercise. I use whey instead of soy because it has less carbs and more protein per serving. Using protein powder makes it easier and faster for me to add more protein to my diet. Instead of filling up on more meat -- which means I'd have to prepare it and cook it, I simply mix my whey protein into my soy milk and sip it while I'm puttering around the house. It's convenient especially when I'm chasing a toddler around.:)

Pinky
 
I like to have about a tablespoon of flax seed (freshly ground) on my oatmeal. I buy something called "golden flax" (Now foods has it for a good price), which is a nuttier tasting flax than the regular brown stuff. I just picked up some flax oil on sale to try it. It's pretty wretched by itself (kind of motor oil tasting, though I don't know how I know what motor oil would taste like!), but the icky taste (IMO) disappears somewhat when you add maple syrup to the mix!

Flax is high in omega 3's, while many other oily foods Americans eat are high in omega 6's (like "wesson" type oils, corn oil, etc.). Omega 3's act somewhat like antioxidants, while too many omega 6's act like oxidants. It's a good idea to make sure to get good sources of omega 3 in the diet (like flax, canola oil, olive oil, some fish) to help correct an imbalance of 3s vs 6s (it's best to have a balance of around 4-6:1 omega 6's to 3's, but many people eat closer to 16:1 (exact ratios may be off a bit, as I'm going from memory).
 
Flaxseed and walnuts have that good oil Kathryn describes, but the whole ground seed also has high quality fiber. I don't think it tastes bad at all. I also sprinkle it over cold cereal before adding the soy milk. It's the same sort of oil as in fish, but without the toxins involved in eating fish and no fishy taste, of course. Much cheaper too.
 
I use protein powders and it has taken me forever to find one that doesn't taste like pain! I use Grow! By Biotest. Low Carb. You can mix it with water and it tastes really nice. Lovely in fact. I Love it.
 
I put whole flax seeds in my protein shake - the blender grinds them up pretty good. I have read only excellent things about flax seeds and I use the shake to supplement my protein intake.

I use NutriBiotic's Vegan Rice Protein chocolate shake mix - non-gmo and non-soy. plus it's low carb, if you're watching those.

good luck!
 
I use Dave Draper's Bomber's Blend protein powder with splenda because it is low carb, tastes great (I get chocolate), and I can mix it with a tuperware shaker for lunch or a quick snack. I also add ground flaxseed (coffee grinder first) every morning to it (the protein shake). Since incorporating flaxseed, I have noticed improvements in my nails. The fiber that flaxseed provides has also been advantageous. The other thing that I have added to my program is Soy Nuts which also has protein and fiber in it.

Sheila C.
 
Pinky, you mentioned that the whey has less carbs than the soy. My soy protein has 0 carbs, 25 grams protein and the whey stuff has 2-3 carbs. Not a big deal, but pointed it out to say that the soy protein powder you looked at probably has some kind of sweetener added to it. I like plain soy or soy free veggie protein powder and I mix in V-8 tropical diet drink in which is low carb along with ground flaxseed. I have this almost every morning, it's wonderful. Oh I also add a frozen banana which has some carbs, but other than that I stick to lo carb most of the day. The frozen banana gives it that shake texture. You don't need to use flax oil at all if you just ground your flax seed in a coffee grinder and add it to your shakes or anything else you can think of....I think it tastes great. Also, if you are adding whey protein powder to your soy milk...keep in mind that most soy milks have about 7-8 carbs per serving and some sugars as well. I just found Westbrae (I think) soy cappucino, vanilla and chocolate that is sugar free and locarb at the grocery store and it is EXCELLENT!!!! Try adding this instead.

Briee
 
Hi Marcia,

I take the flaxseed meal everyday in my oatmeal. It has a nutty flavor. I had high cholastrol,<forgive me but i don't know how to spell it> but anyway it went way down from 275 to 150 in 6 monthes. So it did wonders there.
 
Love that low carb protein powder. when ots cold out, I mix it and then heat it in the microwave. tried heating the water first, but it wouldn't mix well.
 

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