Protein Supplement Question

[murphy12]

How much is too much, when supplementing your protein intake with Whey powder. Currently I am taking 4 shakes a day at about 35 grams per shake plus 3 protein bars at about 15 grams each, on top of meals. That brings me to about 220 -250 grams

Is this OK to do, or am I just spinning my wheels and wasting money? By increasing to this level, I have been able to start gaining weight again @ about 1 lbs per week.

[Fifty+]

How much is too much, when supplementing your protein intake with Whey powder. Currently I am taking 4 shakes a day at about 35 grams per shake plus 3 protein bars at about 15 grams each, on top of meals. That brings me to about 220 -250 grams

Is this OK to do, or am I just spinning my wheels and wasting money? By increasing to this level, I have been able to start gaining weight again @ about 1 lbs per week.



4 shakes and 3 bars isn't supplementation, it's instead of. If your total protein intake is 250 grams and you're getting 185 from powder and bars, that leaves 65 grams from whole foods. Nothing beats the benifits of healthy whole foods. Had you been eating meat and combining incomplete protein sources I'll bet your gains would have been better.

[murphy12]

4 shakes and 3 bars isn't supplementation, it's instead of. If your total protein intake is 250 grams and you're getting 185 from powder and bars, that leaves 65 grams from whole foods. Nothing beats the benifits of healthy whole foods. Had you been eating meat and combining incomplete protein sources I'll bet your gains would have been better.


I guess the real question is do you need that much protein? I upped it to that level because I wasn't gaining any weight / or mass. I have been eating extremely clean, and over the past year have managed to lose 60 lbs. My main goal now is to gain muscle, without gaining back the 60 lbs of fat.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

What do you weigh?

1-1.5 grams per lb of body weight is a general rule.

But you're getting way too much from supplements!

Eat some meat! :D

[murphy12]

What do you weigh?

1-1.5 grams per lb of body weight is a general rule.

But you're getting way too much from supplements!

Eat some meat! :D

Currently 161 lbs.

That just it, I do eat. Today alone, 2 chicken tenderlions with salad and tonight 2- 12 oz steaks with either wild rice and veggies?

[ironwill2008]

I'd suggest you ditch the bars, for sure, and at least 2 of the shakes. You need to get back to real food. Most "protein" bars are full of fillers and low quality protein.

Can you say, "red meat"?

[Fifty+]

I guess the real question is do you need that much protein? I upped it to that level because I wasn't gaining any weight / or mass. I have been eating extremely clean, and over the past year have managed to lose 60 lbs. My main goal now is to gain muscle, without gaining back the 60 lbs of fat.


Knowing exactly what your body responds best to will take time and experience to understand. As novices all we can do is try to understand some of the science behind the numbers and experiment. I use very simple multipliers for weight gain or loss. My weight X 10, 15 or 20. For yourself I would set up a diet for 40/40/20. @ 157 lbs. X 15 = 2355 total cals. Or 942 + 942 + 471. That would equate to 235 grams of protein. This is simply a place to start and why you should track everything in a log book. If you're on a 10 week cycle and you're 4 weeks into it and are unhappy with the results, you can modify it.

[boathead]

my experience is that you are wasting your money. at least for me, i reject the notion of a 1.5g per pound standard. heck, i reject .8g per pound.

i know i know, i am not huge, and some will say "AHA!", it's because i don't take enough protein. well, i've gone from 125 to 175, and i've done it with one 30g scoop of whey in a post workout drink.

eat balanced meals, and snack properly, and take a good post workout drink, and you're good to go.

[rpaul11]

I'd suggest you ditch the bars, for sure, and at least 2 of the shakes. You need to get back to real food. Most "protein" bars are full of fillers and low quality protein.
?
and very often sugar.

my opinion is the same as the others. way too much protein from shakes and bars.


also you said you ate 2 twelve oz steaks. that is about 185g protein right there....in one meal? :eek:

[BuckSpin]

Don't drink your meals. They are called "supplements" not replacements.

Shakes do have their place IMHO, but not at the expense of eating elsewise. Start substituting some lean proteins from a variety of sources & see.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

and very often sugar.

my opinion is the same as the others. way too much protein from shakes and bars.


also you said you ate 2 twelve oz steaks. that is about 185g protein right there....in one meal? :eek:

Don't forget the chicken that he ate too............. you're getting plenty of protein from the meat, but just don't sit down and eat 2 -12oz steaks in one sitting..... spread it out through the day.