must you eat those products to really buff up

[nesaby]

I was just wondering if you really want to buff up and look more muscular if you need all those products that come in the jars/like shakes and detoxifiers?
can you get there naturally- I mean by eating clean and just regular high protein diet

thanks

[TurbulentFluid]

Well you definitely don't need any detoxifiers... if you want to get "reasonably buff" you can also pass on protein and all that industry stuff; the thing is - it's so very handy. To get better results from your hard work at the gym, a high protein meal 30-50 mins after the beginning of the w/o would be ideal. If you want to actually HAVE one, protein powder simply comes as a "natural" solution, since most of us don't have a kitchen at the gym.

If you want to be less than "reasonably" buff, you'll need some extra help in the form of less-than-healthy hormone supplements and roids, and by what you write, I bet you don't want to use them (and shouldn't ).

[Mindi912]

Well you definitely don't need any detoxifiers... if you want to get "reasonably buff" you can also pass on protein and all that industry stuff; the thing is - it's so very handy. To get better results from your hard work at the gym, a high protein meal 30-50 mins after the beginning of the w/o would be ideal. If you want to actually HAVE one, protein powder simply comes as a "natural" solution, since most of us don't have a kitchen at the gym.

If you want to be less than "reasonably" buff, you'll need some extra help in the form of less-than-healthy hormone supplements and roids, and by what you write, I bet you don't want to use them (and shouldn't ).

I think you meant more than reasonably buffed chick.

[Mindi912]

OP - yes of course you can get everything you need from an extremely clean diet and do it that way. TF is correct though, it certainly helps to fill in the gaps.

I'm terrible at taking supps though so I know how you feel. I just try and keep my diet clean.

[me987]

With a balanced diet and proper training you can definitely bypass the need for supplements.

However when used properly, supplements can help a GREAT deal.

[MT-mtn_girl]

Nope, you don't NEED supplements. I would have a very hard time getting my protein intake in for the day without shakes though, so they help me immensely.

[Emoore]

No, you don't need those products and you don't even strictly need to eat "clean."

[swindled]

Nope, you don't NEED supplements. I would have a very hard time getting my protein intake in for the day without shakes though, so they help me immensely.

I'm the same. To OP, its really the convenience of the shakes that people like and rely on. Its a lot easier to bring a shake to the gym than a chicken breast.

[ives]

I'm the same. To OP, its really the convenience of the shakes that people like and rely on. Its a lot easier to bring a shake to the gym than a chicken breast.

This. Also easier to tweak your macro ratios when you have a source that is composed of basically 100% of one of the three (fat, carbs, protein). I can up my protein % with a shake more precisely than I could with, say, ground beef, because I don't have to take into account that the meat also ups my fat intake, etc.

[Amanda76]

Absolutely not. I don't even use protein supplements on a regular basis.

I do think some supplements can be helpful. As an example, sticking with the protein theme, if you don't naturally consume a lot of protein from natural sources a supplement can help until you figure out how to.

If you want to purchase supplements, I'd suggest you start with:

#1 You can't out-supplement a ****ty diet. So the most important thing is a good nutrition plan with lots of variety (including drinking plenty of water).
#2 Multi Vitamin
#3 Fat supplement depending on your habits
#4 Protein supplement depending on your habits