whats the deal w/ protien shakes?

[Fach]

Why drink a protien powder when you can eat a balanced diet and take a mutivitamin? I like to eat as close to nature as possible and the powder thing throws me. I thought Americans ate too much protien?

 

[mommacody]

i think it's a matter of personal preference, so i can only answer for myself here. but i like to have a protein shake after a workout because that is the optimum time for the muscles to receive the protein. the shake just manages to deliver it faster than food does. i do it because it has helped me gain definition in a way that eating well/multivitamin use didn't.

i can see why people would not want to use the shakes, though, since it isn't getting your protein strictly through eating naturally. but like i said, i think it's all a matter of personal preference.

 

[Fach]

That makes sense. Thanks.

 

[dss62467]

I'm not sure about this one either. I did it for a little while, but then realized it was very expensive and I could get the protein I needed by drinking a couple more glasses of skim milk. I didn't notice any difference in the size of my muscles anyway. I'm just too much of a little girl.

 

[kathryn]

I think part of it is good advertising and PR by companies that make protein powder.}(

I also like to eat as close to nature as possible, but I do like a hemp-protein smoothie as a meal replacement or after a workout (trying to get near a 4-to-1 carb-to-protein ratio).

Aside from being convenient (and a good nutritous meal for someone like me who's feeling lazy!), it puts less stress on the digestive system and is more quickly assimilated.

 

[slimmingmom]

I have a real hard time eating breakfast. And if I do, I make less than steller choices. I don't have the energy or time to make a good breakfast. So I opt for a protine shake with skim milk, banana and strawberry. It is the only way I can get a "meal" in first thing in the morning. And it works for me. If I don't have it, I find I make very poor food choices the rest of the day.