How do you use protein powder for muscle/weight gain?

[EdwinLivingston_]

I'm slim and workout 4 times a week. Trying to gain some weight and muscles. Thinking about purchasing a protein powder. But heard it helps in both reducing and gaining weight.

how to gain weight using protein powder and exercise?

[muscularbumblebee]

Here’s the thing.. protein powder itself specifically won’t help you gain or loose muscle.. it’s the protein itself which can also be found in most food that has the essential nutrients to gain muscle and to gain muscle you should be in a surplus, too loose fat in a deficit


Female bodybuilder here. Good thing about protein powder (besides amazing taste) is I find it useful when on a cut trying to loose fat as the protein for the calories is pretty high but same with chicken breast and cod tbf.


I usually add the powder to my oats in the morning or COR (cream of rice if you know) and I make it into a kind of paste with hot water first so when I add it to my oats I can sort of drizzle it with berries which is quite nice. If you’re trying or bulk just add some peanut butter or chocolate. But be sure to not go overboard with it. Hope that helps

[EdwinLivingston_]

Thanks a lot. My misconceptions about protein powder are almost cleared now.

[sheikalana]

I drink protein shakes but I consume protein to lose weight. I do intermittent fasting very often and protein shakes help me stay fool for longer.

[EdwinLivingston_]

So are you using protein shake as a substitute for other food?

[sheikalana]

To keep me fuller for long since I fast quite often.

[Guy__]

Yes it helps lose energy and helps build other tissues like muscle. Whole food is always better if possible, whey protein is 18% absorbable, steaks are about 32%, eggs over 40%, at least from the 2018 studies that I remember.
That means the types of amino acids are urinated away in whey for the most part, so it won't help building muscle as much, but it will help a little in staying lean.
Would be great if you find a farmer who sells raw milk or liquid whey and ferment it like kefir or something.
Or get cheap bones and make bone broth. Remember to balance out amino acids like glycine vs methionine because an imbalance is guaranteed to make disease.

If you really want to supplement, also look into essential amino acid complex.
Or if you workout fasted, try 2g HMB powder pre workout.

[EdwinLivingston_]

Thanks buddy. This is really helpful.

[byrdman89]

Body needs protein to build muscle - when you exercise or workout you're "breaking down" muscle - I'm not sure if that's the correct term but you get the idea - if you want to gain size do low reps of high weight - to get tone do high reps of low weight - good luck I was skinnier and I was younger and hated it until I realized a lot of women like thin tone guys :)

[EdwinLivingston_]

Thanks man. That was really helpful

[GreedGod]

How much calories you eat and burn determines you will lose weight or gain weight. Protein is one of the essential requirements of muscle building though. If you wanna meet your protein requirements then whey protein is good.

[EdwinLivingston_]

Thanks man.

[exitseven]

I always have a o protein shake after I workout. Two scoops of Whey Protein in orange juice. I have been adding oatmeal to it as well.

[EdwinLivingston_]

Great. Are you trying to gain muscles?

[exitseven]

@edwinlivingston_ I have been trying to gain muscles for 40 years.

[FakeNIK]

Take 200 more calories from your maintenance calories. Manage your macros & micros accordingly rule of thumb says while gaining muscle you should at least take 1.5 grams of protein*body weight in kg

[EdwinLivingston_]

Yes thanks

[serious_miss419]

Eat clean carbs like oatmeal and potatoes. Your body needs food to digest so you can go number 2 in a regular and healthy manner.

[EdwinLivingston_]

Thank you

[front2back]

Diet >> Supplements
That being said, quality protein powder goes a long way. I use two different kinds post-workouts.
I never use them as a meal replacement though. Quality meats and vegetables should be the primary source of protein.

[Iron_Man]

Take protein powder at least 40 g three times a day

[EdwinLivingston_]

Yes. Thank you.

[Iron_Man]

Sure 👍

[itsalyssaagain]

It mostly helps with teaching your calories and protein goal intake every day. It’s not a must but super helpful in getting to that goal.

[Crankor]

Powder just helps feed the muscle and reduced recovery time. Gaining muscle just depends on your workout

[emmajoyforever]

My cousins make healthy cupcakes with it

[EdwinLivingston_]

Great 😃

[peedy]

I prefer a nice juicy medium rare slab of grade A prime steak for my protein