Should i be drinking protein shakes?

Duster · 10-29-2009, 11:49 PM

Stats
6' 1"
283 lbs
31% BF

I have been working out steady for 5 months now and i started at 270 lbs and 35% BF. While i want to both maintain and increase my lean body mass my main goal is to cut my BF. I eat pretty clean keeping my protein high. No fast food or soda try to stay at 3000 or less calories a day. My question is would i be better served at this point with such a high BF% to stop drinking protein shakes and just stick to a clean diet high in protein? would this hinder my strength gains? am i better off letting my body turn the mass that i have into muscle or do i need to add protein from the shakes?

m11 · 10-30-2009, 12:00 AM

For all intents and purposes, the protein in food is the same as the protein in the shakes.

Supplementation with protein shakes is not contingent on what your goals are, but more so on whether or not you require the convenience of protein shakes.

BlueCorsair · 10-30-2009, 01:21 AM

Shakes are a great way to meet your requirements without having to have "bigger" foods, or bringing along a host of other calories or things you don't neccessarily want along for the ride; I'd cite cottage cheese as an example. Cottage cheese is an awesome source of protein, don't get me wrong, but it is absolutely loaded with salt, and carries a slight carb load as well - at least more than a shake does. I try to limit myself to no more than one cup per day of the stuff, as the salt content in particular is just crazy.

Balance is truly the key, but there are definitely days that I get most of what I need protein-wise from shakes! In bulk, it's often cheaper than chicken!

bodyforum1 · 11-11-2009, 01:04 PM

Protein juice is good alternative to protein shakes.

Choosing the juice over the shake is that the juice doesn't make your stomach hurt, while the protein shake can sometimes do.

T_man · 11-11-2009, 02:44 PM

Protein shakes are good but I wouldn't overdo them because there's a whole host of nutrients you need from other protein sources.

danzik17 · 11-11-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duster

Stats
6' 1"
283 lbs
31% BF

I have been working out steady for 5 months now and i started at 270 lbs and 35% BF. While i want to both maintain and increase my lean body mass my main goal is to cut my BF. I eat pretty clean keeping my protein high. No fast food or soda try to stay at 3000 or less calories a day. My question is would i be better served at this point with such a high BF% to stop drinking protein shakes and just stick to a clean diet high in protein? would this hinder my strength gains? am i better off letting my body turn the mass that i have into muscle or do i need to add protein from the shakes?

I think you sound a bit confused about the process. Your mass isn't "turned" into muscle, muscle is built from excess calories and muscle stimulus. Fat is lost via a calorie deficit meaning that you need to eat less than you burn.

Except for a magical newbie period of maybe 1-2 months, you aren't going to be doing both.

You should post up your diet for review (total calories and the macronutrient breakdown - go to fitday.com if you need help figuring that out).

Triple Threat · 11-12-2009, 06:40 AM

Of course you should be drinking protein shakes. Once I tried eating one, but it took me forever because the stuff kept falling off the fork.

njc · 11-14-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

Of course you should be drinking protein shakes. Once I tried eating one, but it took me forever because the stuff kept falling off the fork.

lol

awesome

10-29-2009, 11:49 PM	#1
Duster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: california Posts: 2	Should i be drinking protein shakes? Stats 6' 1" 283 lbs 31% BF I have been working out steady for 5 months now and i started at 270 lbs and 35% BF. While i want to both maintain and increase my lean body mass my main goal is to cut my BF. I eat pretty clean keeping my protein high. No fast food or soda try to stay at 3000 or less calories a day. My question is would i be better served at this point with such a high BF% to stop drinking protein shakes and just stick to a clean diet high in protein? would this hinder my strength gains? am i better off letting my body turn the mass that i have into muscle or do i need to add protein from the shakes?

10-30-2009, 12:00 AM	#2
m11 www.liftstrong.com Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: FL Posts: 857	For all intents and purposes, the protein in food is the same as the protein in the shakes. Supplementation with protein shakes is not contingent on what your goals are, but more so on whether or not you require the convenience of protein shakes. Getting Started by Built LG Sciences Board Representative These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, do not constitute medical advice, and are not official or authorized comments by LG Sciences, LLC.

10-30-2009, 01:21 AM	#3
BlueCorsair The Blue Corsair Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 308 Photos: 4	Shakes are a great way to meet your requirements without having to have "bigger" foods, or bringing along a host of other calories or things you don't neccessarily want along for the ride; I'd cite cottage cheese as an example. Cottage cheese is an awesome source of protein, don't get me wrong, but it is absolutely loaded with salt, and carries a slight carb load as well - at least more than a shake does. I try to limit myself to no more than one cup per day of the stuff, as the salt content in particular is just crazy. Balance is truly the key, but there are definitely days that I get most of what I need protein-wise from shakes! In bulk, it's often cheaper than chicken! "Associate yourself with men of good character, if you esteem your own reputation. For 'tis better to be alone, than in bad company." - George Washington Last edited by BlueCorsair : 10-30-2009 at 01:42 AM.

11-11-2009, 02:44 PM	#5
T_man Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 1,249 Photos: 1	Protein shakes are good but I wouldn't overdo them because there's a whole host of nutrients you need from other protein sources. Cheat on your girlfriend, not on your meal.

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11-11-2009, 01:04 PM	#4
bodyforum1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: india Posts: 14	Protein juice is good alternative to protein shakes. Choosing the juice over the shake is that the juice doesn't make your stomach hurt, while the protein shake can sometimes do.

11-12-2009, 06:40 AM	#7
Triple Threat End of the world Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lost Posts: 10,444 Photos: 6	Of course you should be drinking protein shakes. Once I tried eating one, but it took me forever because the stuff kept falling off the fork.