Protein shake as 3 of the six meals a day?

[MeatBoy]

Hello, I've been reading these forums for a while and find it brilliantly helpful, so thanks.
This is my first post, and I'm asking:
Is it okay to use a protein shake as 3 of the six small meals a day I need to help lose fat?

Basically at the minute I wake up, have some fruit, then a protein shake, then lunch, then a protein shake, then dinner, and then finally another protein shake in a day.

My ultimate aim is to lose bodyfat (currently 21% want to be around 12/13) but gain muscle at the same time (I've started weight training).

Thanks a lot, any help would be much appreciated.

[SanDantos]

It's basically what I did from Jan-March and lost about 20lbs and kept it off. Slowly I began adding more varieties of food and snacks to my diet, but initially it was def. shakes in between 'regular' meals.

It's a good starting point if you don't know much more about nutrition, you can't really go wrong.

[Ugly2Sexy]

It's basically what I did from Jan-March and lost about 20lbs and kept it off. Slowly I began adding more varieties of food and snacks to my diet, but initially it was def. shakes in between 'regular' meals.

It's a good starting point if you don't know much more about nutrition, you can't really go wrong.

what protein shake do you recommend? I also want to try this to catch up on my calories. i feel I am eating to little calories and the protien shakes should help.

i will also start lifting weights.

[SanDantos]

I'm in a very small town, there's one Walmart and one Shoppers Drug Mart that sells stuff. Since selection is VERY limited, I either order it online or stock up on whatever they have on sale. I usually get one thats lower in carbs, calories and sugar. Some more geared towards building muscle have double the calories and carbs. Most are like 100-200cals per scoop I've noticed. Again, my knowledge is very limited.

If you wanna add calories, I toss things like yogurt, fruit, oats, etc. into the shakes. Peanutbutter goes well, egg whites, flax, cottage cheese, milk, anything really. Depending on what taste or goals your after. I'd start by keeping track of how much protein you're putting into it, since thats probably what you'd be most interested in.

I was trying to lose weight, so I didn't really add too much to mine, also I'd usually make enough to split into 2 drinks for the day. I'm guessing I'd consume something in the neighborhood of 150-200 calories and 20-30g of protein per drink.

[jonathan02us]

A protein shake for breakfast? I guess that's okay, oatmeal and eggs would be a better choice because it gives you some fiber and complex carbs that will give you longer lasting energy. Plus it doesn't take to much time to make, 1.5 mins in the microwave and your done.

As far as protien shake recommendations, i like using BSN Sytha-6 because it has a few different types of protien, quick absorbing and slow absorbing, which will help you during the day. And if you need more calories, just an extra scoop or two depending on what your need. They also have different flavors that in my opinion are the best tasting aside from muscle milk. Hope this help, and good luck with everything!

[Il_Dago]

Subbing shakes for added meals was exactly how I started out. I don't believe in the whole 6 vs 3 vs 1 meal debate anymore (if it works for you, do it, there's no magic equation nutrient timing) but breaking up my meals really helped me to organize my food and get a good look at exactly how much I was eating and where my calories were coming from.

I started with the EAS protein from Target, but that gave me stomach cramps, so I moved on to the Optimum Nutrition. The taste is nothing to get excited over, but it's not bad.

[pmpimbura]

I eat 7 meals a day but 3 of them are protein shakes.

I don't take a plain shake for breakfast because it doesn't have much carbs. I drink a protein shake made with 100% whey protein milk and 2 tbsp oats with a few blueberries or strawberries. This is my post workout shake too.

At night I just take casein protein mixed with water.

no problems yet. Feeling stronger every day and the weight is dropping.

[khuseman]

I have been taking whey as 3 meals out of my day for about a month now. Seems to work great. I haven't noticed any side effects. My lifts seem to be better too.

[mike_az_21]

My recipe for a shake is working out pretty well - Muscle Milk, generic protein, spoon of cottage cheese, 3 spoons of plain yogurt, banana, a few frozen strawberries, ice, 1/4 cup of OJ, 1/2 cup of skim milk. . . .Sometimes I also add 2 spoons of peanut butter.

This is a real good way to add protein to your diet. But, the problem is your body gets use to this fairly quickly, that's why I only have one a day. As for the rest, I try to eat protein rich foods like beef jerky, tuna and other lower fat foods.

[hotonice20]

what protein shake do you recommend? I also want to try this to catch up on my calories. i feel I am eating to little calories and the protien shakes should help.

i will also start lifting weights.

EAS carb control - i take 3 a day.

Fiber 1 Bar/Coffee - 8:30 AM (Before drive to work...)
Oatmeal - 930 AM
EAS Shake 10 AM
Workout 11 AM
Gatorage Recovery Shake Post Workout
Lunch (Turkey Sandwich, vegetables) 1 PM
Small snack 3 PM
EAS Shake 4 PM
Dinner (Turkey or Chicken or Fish with veggies) with Muscle Armor 6 PM
Fruit/Fat free ice cream 7 PM
Cardio (Tennis/Hockey/Run) 8 PM
EAS Shake 10 PM
*** The problem is I get kind of hungry from 10-12 PM and not sure what to eat, so I eat some fruit but not sure if that's good for me....suggestions? Thanks.

Currently Im at 9% body fat...6'1 - 170...Goal is to get to 6/7...but it's proving to be VERY difficult. Will probably need to add more cardio to my program!

[vipergq]

Hello, I've been reading these forums for a while and find it brilliantly helpful, so thanks.
This is my first post, and I'm asking:
Is it okay to use a protein shake as 3 of the six small meals a day I need to help lose fat?

Basically at the minute I wake up, have some fruit, then a protein shake, then lunch, then a protein shake, then dinner, and then finally another protein shake in a day.

My ultimate aim is to lose bodyfat (currently 21% want to be around 12/13) but gain muscle at the same time (I've started weight training).

Thanks a lot, any help would be much appreciated.

During a cut I generally adhere to 2 meals and 3 shakes in between.

keep your calories in check and you'll be fine.

Make sure you are getting enough fiber and take your vitamins as well.