Do you need to drink protein shakes? (to diet)

Question

My mom is trying to lose weight and she has been working out and eating less but she also has gotten all these protein shakes to drink. Don't you onlyto drink protein shakes to try to gain weight (muscle)? And if you don't work out enough doesn't it just turn to fat and become counter productive if you are trying to lose weight. She isn't drinking them as a meal substitute but a supplement.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I'm on a weight/muscle gain diet, but the same 'rule' for me is the same for weight loss diets: stay as natural as possible. Natural is best, man-made is questionable.

I take supplements before and after my workouts, and sometimes throughout the day (like drinking a protein shake). But if you have the time, keep your meals as natural as you can. Supplements are just that- they're meant to be SUPPLEMENTAL to your primary intake. They aren't meant to replace or be the majority of your intake. And drinking protein shakes doesn't make your body just do what you want it to do, they only add specific nutrients into your body to help YOU do the work necessary to achieve whatever goal you're after.

I had a co-worker once who would do the typical "diet noob" thing and eat less while taking dieting pills to curb her appetite. When there is so much information out there on how to properly diet and exercise to achieve a body goal, it astounds me that people still are ignorant to how to do it properly.

Your mom needs to read up on dieting techniques that will fit her body type, metabolism, lifestyle, and any other factors that are important in her routine. You say she is eating less, which is what made me think she just isn't aware of proper dieting. When trying to lose weight, you don't want to eat less. On top of knowing what you're eating (which is where the research comes in), you want to eat at a calorie deficit, but in small meals spread throughout the day. I'll explain why this is.

Basically, your body's metabolism can be thought of as a little man or women living inside a dark room with no contact to the outside, besides what you throw into the room for him/her to eat. When you eat less or eat smaller portions, you're basically telling that little person that you don't know when/how much it will eat next, so don't burn through what I'm giving you now. So that little person stores it away (in the form of body fat). Your metabolism is pretty quick to respond, so changes in your eating habits are reflected by your appetite in the future. What you need to do is feed that little person small but consistent meals so it doesn't store the nutrients away for later energy use. That little person needs to realize that you will feed it regularly, so there is no reason to worry about when you might eat next.

When you eat small but consistent meals, your metabolism actually goes UP causing you to burn through the nutrients you feed your body and keeping body fat from accumulating.

beastman88 · Accepted Answer

you don't need to but it helps id say. most people probably don't get enough protein in their diets or too much entirely. I have protein powder but I usually put plain yogurt in my smoothies and there's enough protein in the milk and yogurt I put in it. if I don't have yogurt ill use protein powder and I use it regularly. a person can only digest around 25grams of protein a sitting so protein shakes are a quick way to get shots of protein here and there.

I buy protein powder with no carbs. a lot of powders out there have the same amount of carb to protein ratio which is bs. don't put carbs in my protein powder. I feel like my body heals quicker and I have been making gains in strength size and endurance. occasionally ill get gassy but that's not unheard of. smoothies are awesome for slimming down and can be used for meal replacements and they taste awesome, vege smoothies, fruit smoothies, vege/fruit smoothies, with some protein powder, flax seed powder, maybe some honey if you want some sweetness, if its too thick add a bit of water. I've been messing around with smoothie recipes of my own for a while now.

there is such a thing as too much protein which is something iam worried a lot of people overload on. too much protein is hard on the kidneys. funny that people on here say "protein powder is shit" but have no argument to back up their claims. just useless blank statements. obviously protein supplements must be doing something good if athletes and body builders use them. I'm sure people would be up in arms if powders were bad for you, but theyre not. theyre completely safe, do some research if youd all like I don't feel like explaining everything to ignoramus's.

iluvchewbucca · Accepted Answer

To lose weight you'd have to substitute a meal with a shake and not have a meal along side it.

If you're working out, you have to drink a protein shake 45 minutes or sooner after your workout to fuel muscle growth. & if you want to get bigger, you'd incorporate a high protein meal right after, so you wouldn't do that if you're trying to lose weight.

The only way to gain weight from protein shakes is if you're not exercising and you're drinking this as a side drink alongside your dinner plate or lunch. Especially muscle milk.

If she is substituting an entire meal for a shake, and moderate exercise, she could possibly lose weight, because it's protein and it's liquid! as oppose to a solid unhealthy meal. But she shouldn't be eating a meal along side it if her goal is to lose weight.

On a side note, you have to also take into consideration if the protein shake you're taking is actually good for you and or if it has tooo much sugar or enough protein to keep you full as would a meal, and such.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

If she is having a well balanced diet, protein shakes are not necessary. people often like them because they taste good. too much protein shakes can be bad as well, especially people with sensitive gutts, old people, or irritible bowls because they sugar substitutes actually slow your metabolism down, plus the FAKE soy they put in them leads to hormonal imbalances with makes it harder to lose weight. You need to be careful when pciking a protein ESPECIALLY if she is having it a lot. ultimately you mum should just get her protein from food, I think its unecessary she have these shakes. I think they are mainly designed for men who are bulking who need to get in extra protein straight after a gym session etc.

523206720 · Accepted Answer

My uncle is a doctor. He has two patients in their 60s that were formerly models when they were younger and they took lots of protein shakes and nutritional supplements and now they can't process natural food anymore. He says it's mostly all a scam. I'm not saying protein shakes are bad - they probably do deliver what is promised but you are much better off eating real food. If you want a low calorie food - grab a salad. There is need to drink 200 calories of chemically processed sucralose or flavoured grain powder etc...

confugirl · Answer

No. Drinking them when you're trying to lose weight just means you're taking in extra calories that you don't need. Even if you're trying to gain muscle, drinking protein shakes won't help you much. The average person already takes in more protein than they need. So unless you're doing some hardcore lifting, you won't need it.

summiter · Answer

Make sure she reads the labels... While most protein shakes have some good protein benefit...some have a bunch of other items...sodium and most of all calories. Everything (except sex) should be in moderation.

martyfellow · Answer

No, unless you're doing serious weight work regularly, you don't need extra protein. It will cause you to gain weight and also may cause gastric and renal problems.

Concentrate on following a healthy diet and don't rely on additives, chemical, etc. unless you have a diagnosed medical condition that requires them.

THE_Godfather · Answer

I'd rather see her get protein from food, smaller portions several times a day.

Remember most of those supplements are made by places like EAS (engineered & applied science) or MP (Med pharm) they know if you drink this "A" will happen. I don't believe they look to see what effects may happen beyond that.

whattothink · Answer

Depends. I use them for a meal replacement and it helps to cut down on calories while not leaving me hungry. Or occasionally before the gym (most likely a protein bar) for energy and muscle growth and repair. But just taking them to take them doesn't do much.

sarmac · Answer

no, protein shakes don't make you gain weight/muscle.

working out= muscle.

surplus of calories=weight.

she doesn't NEED to drink protein shakes if she get's enough protein in her diet. if she doesn't get the protein she needs, sure go for a protein shake.

but in all seriousness.. exercise and have a clean diet and you'll see results.

novemberbaby · Answer

I LOVE em. they're so yummy... ^_^ I don't really drink em for nutritional benfit, or meal replacement, mostly if I want something chocolately or sweet so I don't eat a whole bag of chocolate chips or a cake or something. plus I eat when I'm bored, so its good for that too :) theyre so good :)

Phoenix98 · Answer

I body build so I use protein powder along with BCAA pills to gain muscle quicker, to repair muscles faster and require a shorter recovering time. You don't need to diet to lose weight just eat healthy make good choices and train and workout.

Prof_Don · Answer

A is the best answer.   Higher protein diets are proven to increase metabolism.  Fueling your muscles and feeding your muscles to aid recovery are vital and critical elements for healthy exercise.

Kelly34 · Answer

NO! People have been dieting, to gain or lose body weight, for a lot longer than the supplement industry has existed. You do not need supplements for anything. They are basically just snake oil.

BigRed64 · Answer

do you "need" to drink them to diet? no. but I mean the can be very helpful when it comes to muscle growth, but they are not absolutely necessary

Jsonason · Answer

They're completely redundant. Just eat well and you're way better off, might even pick up a few kitchen skills.

JamielovesKU · Answer

I personally dont, but I like protein shakes  tho

Tabra · Answer

Not really, I used to every once in a while

Marduk2244 · Answer

Protein powder is shit

Anonymous · Answer

Protein drinks are for building muscle

Honda350 · Answer

I'm not sure.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't know. Just don't eat fat and carbs.

Do you need to drink protein shakes? (to diet)

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Should I drink my protein shakes before or after the gym?

Do you need to drink protein shakes? (to diet)

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Should I drink my protein shakes before or after the gym?

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