do I really need a protein shake?

[scannon18]

I've been using myfitness pal for a few days and am finding that I am getting about 150g of protein every day, sometimes more. Do I really need a protein shake? Does it offer any benefits protein from food does not? Because it seems I need more help hitting my fat targets than protein targets.

and I searched for this question, search only brought up recommendations for protein shakes. . .

[daintysmile]

I've been using myfitness pal for a few days and am finding that I am getting about 150g of protein every day, sometimes more. Do I really need a protein shake? Does it offer any benefits protein from food does not? Because it seems I need more help hitting my fat targets than protein targets.

and I searched for this question, search only brought up recommendations for protein shakes. . .

If you are getting enough protein from whole food, probably not.
Protein shake is however, convenient and tasty.

[muffiinmatt]

I've been using myfitness pal for a few days and am finding that I am getting about 150g of protein every day, sometimes more. Do I really need a protein shake? Does it offer any benefits protein from food does not? Because it seems I need more help hitting my fat targets than protein targets.

and I searched for this question, search only brought up recommendations for protein shakes. . .

Protein powder is a suppment to help you reach UR protein goals you don't need it ....I like the easyness of it and some do have benefits like amino acid break downs and few have BCCA include which are use full but it's really up to you REALFOOD or protein pwd

[KashAli]

If you are getting enough protein from whole food, probably not.
Protein shake is however, convenient and tasty.

I have a problem about the taste of protein shakes... I just hate the smell.. I have used the following:

1) Whey Gold Standard Protein Powder
2) MusclePharm Combat Powder

Both were chocolate flavours and tasted too bad !! My taste buds could not accept their smell! I hope to find a a protein shake which could really taste good! Any fruitful advises are welcome !

[f]

I have a problem about the taste of protein shakes... I just hate the smell.. I have used the following:

1) Whey Gold Standard Protein Powder
2) MusclePharm Combat Powder

Both were chocolate flavours and tasted too bad !! My taste buds could not accept their smell! I hope to find a a protein shake which could really taste good! Any fruitful advises are welcome !

Try a strawberry shake instead, i too dont like chocolate Pshakes.

with regards to main post, if you're getting 150g a day from lean food sources great(altho i dont know your weight, i go for 2g protein per Kg of body mass) dont worry about adding a shake in there. need to make sure the rest of your diet is right not just protein intake, as already stated maybe BCCA's to help with protein synthesis.

[jetflyer01]

I have a problem about the taste of protein shakes... I just hate the smell.. I have used the following:

1) Whey Gold Standard Protein Powder
2) MusclePharm Combat Powder

Both were chocolate flavours and tasted too bad !! My taste buds could not accept their smell! I hope to find a a protein shake which could really taste good! Any fruitful advises are welcome !

Sounds like you like chocolate as you tried two different brands in that flav..If you like the tatste of a chocolate shake from McDonalds you'll like the Nitro Tech by Muscletech, milk chocolate flav cause that's what it taste like, mixed with water no less, srs.

[Bulkandshred]

I have a problem about the taste of protein shakes... I just hate the smell.. I have used the following:

1) Whey Gold Standard Protein Powder
2) MusclePharm Combat Powder

Both were chocolate flavours and tasted too bad !! My taste buds could not accept their smell! I hope to find a a protein shake which could really taste good! Any fruitful advises are welcome !

Try Ultra Whey from Universal (Cookies & Cream):

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/univ/uwp.html

I liked the taste. Some people here liked the mocha cappuccino, I've never tried.

[Terrenzz]

food is your number 1 priority ! you don't need shake but i will recommend it if you live far from your gym and it takes like 1 hour. because the best moment to take protein after training is in the 45 minutes after training and shakes are easy to be made and works fast. if you get gold whey 5 lbs you have like 75 servings or something so 75 training days.
And about fat you mean like losing weight or you getting to les fat in grams?

[OptimumBody]

Try Ultra Whey from Universal (Cookies & Cream):

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/univ/uwp.html

I liked the taste. Some people here liked the mocha cappuccino, I've never tried.

UN Whey Pro Mocha Capupuccino taste really good in milk. Make you want to drink more.

[scannon18]

food is your number 1 priority ! you don't need shake but i will recommend it if you live far from your gym and it takes like 1 hour. because the best moment to take protein after training is in the 45 minutes after training and shakes are easy to be made and works fast. if you get gold whey 5 lbs you have like 75 servings or something so 75 training days.
And about fat you mean like losing weight or you getting to les fat in grams?

IS the 45 min. rule true? I've heard so many conflicting opinions on this. I'm trying to grain weight, I weigh 156lbs. right now and am trying to add about a pound or two a week. Myfitness pal recommends I get 101g. of fat per day and so far i've been barely making that mark though I have no problem exceeding the mark for protein (they say 113g, I go for 150) and carbs (they recommend 415g). Sometimes at the end of the day I have to eat an avocado or something to get another 20g of fat.

Thanks to everyone for the advice

[FromSquare1]

I wouldn't go overboard to get the fat. 150g of protein is good for your weight. No idea about the 45 min rule.. I just drink a shake then anyway cause I'm usually hungry

[ceciceci]

IS the 45 min. rule true? I've heard so many conflicting opinions on this. I'm trying to grain weight, I weigh 156lbs. right now and am trying to add about a pound or two a week. Myfitness pal recommends I get 101g. of fat per day and so far i've been barely making that mark though I have no problem exceeding the mark for protein (they say 113g, I go for 150) and carbs (they recommend 415g). Sometimes at the end of the day I have to eat an avocado or something to get another 20g of fat.

Thanks to everyone for the advice

you should go for at least a gram of protein per pound if you are trying to gain weight, myfitnesspal will only recomend what you need to maintain, youm need to go into settings and change the goals

[badassidtrip]

If you're making your protein goal without the shake, then don't spend your money on the shake. That's why it's called a supplement- it fills a need that you're not getting from your diet. There's soooo much varying opinion and so little conclusive data on the concept of a post-workout window that you should probably just figure out what works for you and go with it. Personally, I make sure I get some protein pretty soon after my workouts just because it may help, and it definitely won't hurt.

[scannon18]

you should go for at least a gram of protein per pound if you are trying to gain weight, myfitnesspal will only recomend what you need to maintain, youm need to go into settings and change the goals

I did, the goal is set for one pound per week gain. that's why I'm going for my gram/pound of body weight. So i guess i'll shoot for 160, even that isn't difficult. the Myfitnesspal numbers seem pretty conservative so I take them with a grain of salt. Food today seems very protein rich, and its difficult to get a source of fat that also isn't a source of protein, at least for the food I eat.

[enexi0688]

A solid rule of thumb is 0.8g/lb of body weight per day.

As far as needing a protein drink, protein is a supplement. Not to be used to fulfill your daily requirements. You need to try and get most of your daily nutrients from food. Hence food is your number one supplement. It's not a bad thing though to have a protein drink a day, but don't consider it a requirement to fulfill your macros.

[dtox88]

Hi there,

I'm a 100% newbie on this shake stuff and all so would like some simple advise.
I have bought a big tub of the ON 100% Whey Gold Double chocolate and it seems fine to taste with milk.

I eat the 7 small meals a day which is recommended starting with Oats in the morning for a long period of protein.

The issue is I get home from work late, so I am getting home about 6:45pm - I take a shake at this time with water ( doesn't taste nice but I find if I have it with milk it effects me in the gym ) I wait 45 mins work out for 1-2 hours - have another shake post work-out and by the time I finish and settle down its 9:30 and time for tea.

now a couple of questions,

I mix 1 scoop Pre Work-Out with 5oz of water
and 2 scoops Post Work-Out with 12oz Milk,

But my shakes always seem to only fill 1/6 the bottle where I see others almost to the top. So I feel something is wrong here.

Also everything seems to contradicting on the internet some say do this some say don't do that.

Also I assume a shake doesn't count as a meal, if it does then I should - Pre workout shake - post workout shake then sleep or not

Thank you and sorry for being a n00b

[lucia316]

Hi there,

I'm a 100% newbie on this shake stuff and all so would like some simple advise.
I have bought a big tub of the ON 100% Whey Gold Double chocolate and it seems fine to taste with milk.

I eat the 7 small meals a day which is recommended starting with Oats in the morning for a long period of protein.

The issue is I get home from work late, so I am getting home about 6:45pm - I take a shake at this time with water ( doesn't taste nice but I find if I have it with milk it effects me in the gym ) I wait 45 mins work out for 1-2 hours - have another shake post work-out and by the time I finish and settle down its 9:30 and time for tea.

now a couple of questions,

I mix 1 scoop Pre Work-Out with 5oz of water
and 2 scoops Post Work-Out with 12oz Milk,

But my shakes always seem to only fill 1/6 the bottle where I see others almost to the top. So I feel something is wrong here.

Also everything seems to contradicting on the internet some say do this some say don't do that.

Also I assume a shake doesn't count as a meal, if it does then I should - Pre workout shake - post workout shake then sleep or not

Thank you and sorry for being a n00b

It's okay, but you're making this too complex. Protein powder helps to meet your macro. Timing of said powder or any protein isn't relevant. You should head to the nutrition forums and read the stickies as I think if you understood nutrition better you'd see the error of your ways.

[kenny85]

It's proven fact that one cannot gain any muscle without consuming at least 2 protein shakes per day out of a shaker cup































( not srs )

[joregorn]

Protein shakes are not supplements. It is a food source. Use that knowledge an to make a decision.

[LozFed]

I've been using myfitness pal for a few days and am finding that I am getting about 150g of protein every day, sometimes more. Do I really need a protein shake? Does it offer any benefits protein from food does not? Because it seems I need more help hitting my fat targets than protein targets.

and I searched for this question, search only brought up recommendations for protein shakes. . .

If you are hitting your daily macros then it should be fine, the only reason why you might want a protein shake is for post-workout because its a quick source of protein, but it doesn't change much unless you don't hit your macros or lift on an empty stomach. otherwise you're fine

[kneegaw0t]

Like others have said, you do not need it, but it is good to have a tub around incase of emergencies. I workout before work and if my workouts take a little bit longer and I do not have time to cook a breakfast, I just throw a few scoops into some milk and hit the road.

[scannon18]

these are all good points, thanks a lot guys (and possibly girls?)

I think i'll keep some protein shake around because well priced shake is well priced protein, I've been spending a lot more money on food since i've been aiming for 3400 calories a day. And a protein shake with fruit and whole milk is a good breakfast on the go. Breakfast is usually the hardest meal for me to get down

[jcusolito2016]

If you are reaching your calorie and protein goals, there really is no need for a protein shake.

[daintysmile]

I have a problem about the taste of protein shakes... I just hate the smell.. I have used the following:

1) Whey Gold Standard Protein Powder
2) MusclePharm Combat Powder

Both were chocolate flavours and tasted too bad !! My taste buds could not accept their smell! I hope to find a a protein shake which could really taste good! Any fruitful advises are welcome !

I'm currently using musclepharm combat powder banana cream. It's delicious

[mmafighterskiba]

If you are getting enough protein from whole food, probably not.
Protein shake is however, convenient and tasty.

Exactly, protein shakes just make it easier to get your daily amounts in. If you can get the extra 20-30 grams of protein from whole foods i would do that