Why do I need protein powder?

buffettgirl

buffettgirl

Cathlete
I've been reading the protein powder post and wondering if I'm missing something. I'm 52 years old. I try to eat clean.I consider myself an advanced exerciser and try to workout about a hour to 90 min. five or six days a week, doing both cardio and weight work. I'd love to lose about 10 pounds. Do I need to drink a protein shake? Why or why not? Do you use it as a meal substitute? Or as a supplement? Talk to me folks.
 
Hey Robin!

So, I usually drink a protein shake after a heavy weight workout. Reason is that you need a good amount of protein to begin the repair process for the muscles and drinking as opposed to eating a good source of protein will metabolize more quickly. Also, usually in two scoops of powder you get a real good dose of protein. It's lowfat, low carbs and lots of protein, also lots of vitamins/nutrients and other stuff. I stopped using it for a while and was eating an omelette or something else after my weight workouts, but believe it or not I tweaked some things and brought back my shakes and crazy as it sounds I felt like I was seeing better results with sculpting my muscles. Anyway, just my 2C.

Um, BTW, some of them are also kinda yummy! Like a treat. ( Okay, but not as good as cake :p) Who doesn't want a treat?
 
Robin,
Thanks for starting this thread. I have been wondering for a few days now if I should be using this too.
I am wondering how to incorporate it into my eating too.
Can I add a scoop to my oatmeal and still eat the same during the day? And should it be eaten/drunk right after a workout only to be effective?

TIA,
Deanie
 
Robin,
I have the same exact questions you do about protein powder. I have some and never use it! I don't want to use it as a meal replacement (um, I like solid food....;)) but it's too many calories to have as a snack. Plus, I don't think I lift heavy enough to justify needing the protein.

Allison
 
> I have the same exact questions you do about protein powder.
>I have some and never use it! I don't want to use it as a meal
>replacement (um, I like solid food....;)) but it's too many
>calories to have as a snack. Plus, I don't think I lift heavy
>enough to justify needing the protein.

Ditto for me. I just have no desire/need for protein powder. I prefer real food. If I was trying to get in shape for a bodybuilding/figure competition (haha - yeah right!), then perhaps I'd incorporate it into my diet.
 
I agree with all of you about real food, I actually feel pretty much the same. However, I do lift pretty heavy and because I lost alot of weight several years ago I have worked really hard to fill in the loose skin with muscle, so for me my goals may be a bit different than most people. I am kind of muscular now in my UB and I continue to try and maintain/increase that. So, for me it works but I also don't use it every day.

I also agree that having it as a snack is probably not a good idea, although calorie wise it could be equal to a "mini meal" if you do the 5-6 mini meals a day eating routine. But again, it's all personal choice.

Emily, I definitely do not plan on entering any bodybuilding contests any time soon despite the fact that I do use protein powder... but if you hear of any for ol' ladies with delusions of grandeur, lemme know okay??
 
>Ah yes, the Ol' Ladies with Delusions of Grandeur
>Bodybuilding Contest. Sign me up for that one too. LOL.

Sign me up too! ;)
 
Hi Robin,

I used to use protein powder in a shake as an after workout supplement. Did it for quite a while and found no improvement in results because of it. I don't use it anymore. They're expensive and I find that most of 'em just taste like crap.

Put me in the real food camp.
 
>Alright! Carrot cake after tonight's workout!

Um, I have that after EVERY night's workout....is that bad? ;)

Allison
 
I use protein powder as a supplement. Last year I increased my protein intake and decreased (just a little) of my complex carbs and lost 6.5 pounds without even trying. I'm don't have it every day but will have some especially after a heavy weight workout or if I feel that I haven't gotten enough protein for the day. I try to get enough protein with food but sometimes I don't. I'm not training to be a body builder but I like my muscles and I want to keep them. I'm 46 so I have to work extra hard to keep them!!
 
{Um, I have that after EVERY night's workout....is that bad?}

ROTFLMAO!!! Nice Allison! And noooo... not bad at all. Good, very good ( just keep believing and it shall be true)
 
Oh wait, wait! All the good threads are already started and gone by the time I get here:(

I too, swore off all protein powders until I found the Dessert one by BSN. For 15 bucks, its a great source of protein, helps with my sugar/fatty/creamy cravings and I use it only at breakfast.

I whip up a shake with skim milk or light soy, some ground flaxseed and drink up. I really hate oatmeal-have to force it down, and do not have the time to whip up my egg white omlettes, so this fits the bill just fine. you can make it even easier to clean up by getting one of those Magic Bullets, which I intend to do this morning.

So I guess I use it as a meal replacement. Protein also requires 30 percent more energy to digest than a carb or fat, and since we all are advanced exercisers, we need to eat our protein. I am not an animal protein lover-I will eat my chicken breast and tuna/salmon/turkey breast, but these shakes seem to quell my appetite and keep me full for hours and hours-unlike anything else I eat.

Allison, they have a banana bread that is supposed to be as good as your post-workout carrot cake!

;)
 
You don't need protein powder if you are eating a balanced diet. But it is a convenience for those who may be lazy about making breakfast or need to find a quick snack, and they are convenient ways to get in a post-workout feed (by making a 4-to-1 carb-to-protein smoothie).
 
>I am kind of
>muscular now in my UB and I continue to try and
>maintain/increase that.

She's so modest. Girls, this lady is RIPPED in her UB!!
 
I agree with what Kathryn said and others as well. It's really better to get your protein from a whole food source, you're body recognizes it much better. But if you aren't eating enough protein, less than 8 grams a day, than a supplement would help. But surprisingly enough you don't need as much protein as you might think. It's a building enzyme, it will help you repair your muscles, it does not build muscle, and it won't give you more energy if you are already getting enough in your diet.
But, yes it would be to your benefit to eat some form of protein after a weight bearing exercise, or any exercise. But make sure that you put in a healthy carb like a vegetable with it. You're body will need the vitamins and glucose that you'll get from it to help repair the muscles and restore energy.

Kathy
 
So far today my protein intake is 72 grams, that is without dinner. My average protein intake(without supplements) is about 88g/day, which is about 29 to 35 percent of my calorie intake. I shouldn't need a protein supplement then, right?
 
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