Thread: No more shakes!

Originally Posted by Bakerboy

My question is about protein shakes. Why use them?

My question is for you bodybuilders who don't believe in the "long term affects" of chugging back copious amounts of protein shakes and instead are able to gain weight/ muscle density by eating good old fashioned "FOOD". I mean am I the only person out there who wonders about what's inside those tubs?

Who doesn't believe in long term effects of drinking whey protein? You can reach your goals via eating food, however IMHO, you will more efficiently reach them with the use of whey protein...It's only protein derived from milk, or soy, or egg. Some tubs of protein (like weightgainers) have lots of carbs in them, but you can stick to a tub of pure protein derived from milk, soy, or egg.

Originally Posted by Bakerboy

Do people use them just because of the convenience?

In some senses, yes, however after training, your body is starved for protein. Whey protein is digested very fast, and thus hits your cells much faster than the protein you would get from eating chicken after you train. For that reason, it is ideal to be drinking whey (with water) after your workouts.

Originally Posted by Bakerboy

Eating several 6-7 small balanced meals seems a lot healthier (I know about the importance of protein and muscle repair, drinking loads of good clean water to flush out toxins, the importance of eating clean whole foods, getting your good fats etc. etc.) But what do shakes have that you can't get from food?

Since whey shakes are derived from 'food', they really hold nothing that isn't available in food. You can absorb the protein in the shakes faster though, as mentioned above.

Originally Posted by Bakerboy

I mean what about all the old school bodybuilders (the pre shake era) a lot of those guys had kick ass physiques. What did they do??

Does anyone know any natural bodybuilders that don't rely on protein shakes?

I can't say for sure, but I believe whey has been around for a long time.. so those oldschool bodybuilders were probably drinkin back whey as well.


Taken from www.greggavedon.com:

First of all...I love my whey protein! There's nothing that absorbs as efficiently and quickly as a clean, cold-filtered, ion-exchanged whey protein isolate. Some are fortified with digestive enzymes, and have biological blends that ensure maximum absorption. Most of them are lactose free (Lactose is a milk sugar that can give you an upset stomach), so be sure to read the label on whichever whey protein you choose.
Things to look for include: 1) sugar content; you want the sugar to be less than 5gm's, 2) carbohydrates; look for low carbs, 3) protein; you want the protein per serving to be about 20gm's (or slightly higher), and 4) sweetener; many are sweetened with aspartame, while some are sweetened with the all natural (better alternative) stevia leaf. Also, be sure to see the "serving size" at the top of the label, and make sure it's 1 scoop per serving, and not 2 scoops. If it is 2 scoops per serving, that's fine, just be aware of it from a cost perspective.

Here is why:
Every time i used to work out, I come home hungry and tired. I eat food. Im still tired and exhausted.

a little while ago i began taking the shakes.I have one right after work out, I stay a little hungry but it takes away all the exhaust and gives me enough energy to go do another 2 hours of work out if i wanted. You can tell by looking at the ingredients.

Hmmm...

You have some good points Rocky B about the benefits of protein shakes. The link was good too. I guess I just worry about using a tub of stuff that I am unsure of its source and its long term effect on my body.

Does anyone use this companies products? www.manitobaharvest.com I was looking at this site a few months back at the powder specificlay, I know it doesn't have the highest protein content, but everything else looks good.
If I could find a good organic protein powder I would use it but I don't think any companies make that yet- they really should!!

I was thinking of using their protein powder with a spoonful of spirrilina in it.
I know that spirrilina is an excellent "green food".

Originally Posted by Bakerboy

I am unsure of its source and its long term effect on my body.

Yes, there is one important long term effect of taking protein supplements.......














HUGENESS

Of course real food is better, but supplementing with real food is even better IMO. It makes it easier to reach my daily protein requirements. I only supplement twice a day with protein. Whey after I workout and casein right before I go to bed. I eat 4 other meals consiting of real food.

Originally Posted by Bakerboy

My question is about protein shakes. Why use them?

My question is for you bodybuilders who don't believe in the "long term affects" of chugging back copious amounts of protein shakes and instead are able to gain weight/ muscle density by eating good old fashioned "FOOD". I mean am I the only person out there who wonders about what's inside those tubs?

Do people use them just because of the convenience?

Eating several 6-7 small balanced meals seems a lot healthier (I know about the importance of protein and muscle repair, drinking loads of good clean water to flush out toxins, the importance of eating clean whole foods, getting your good fats etc. etc.) But what do shakes have that you can't get from food?

I mean what about all the old school bodybuilders (the pre shake era) a lot of those guys had kick ass physiques. What did they do??

Does anyone know any natural bodybuilders that don't rely on protein shakes?

Couple reasons.....

1. Many people can't consume that much food without feeling sick. Drinking your calories is easier than eating them for those with a small gut (lucky sonofabitches )
2. Convenience. Sure PWO you could go home and make some egg whites (2nd best choice for PWO) but many people either don't go home right away or workout during lunch or what have you. Having a shake immediately available is convenient. Yes, real food is always better but not always convenient or doable.
3. It's fast absorbing which makes it ideal for PWO. You want a fast absorbing protein.

What is your issue against protein shakes?

My issue with protein shakes is twofold.

1. I am curious about the unstudied unknown long term effects of consuming protein shakes for years at a time.

2. I also hate feeling dependant towards needing them to attain or maintain a deisired look when I am convinced that it is possible, although maybe slightly more difficult, to get the proper nutrition one needs through food alone.

I'm not saying I don't believe they work, because I know when used properly in conjunction with a sound training program, rest, and diet, results can be achieved. I have experimented with them in the past and gained the desired "look" I was going for at the time, but it was costly, and hard to maintain for a long period- if I missed a few, I would shrink in size.

I guess I look at training and health as synonymous; I care and think about them equally. I look more at the big picture these days. I mean who cares if you can get big muscles for a few months if you can't maintain the look. This isn't a slam against protein shakes, or the people who take them, I am just curious about WHY people eat and train the way they do (which everyone is answering quite eloquently) but equally important to me is where are all the people who make their own shakes or alternatives. I am looking for options.

Please go find the isocaloric diet thread.

I posted a link, an important one, that discussed the types of whey protein products available - and how they differ.

The key lies in amino acid composition - in anwer to your query of long term effects.

Milk sugars and some milk proteins can and will induce an insulin spike when consumed alone or with dextrose. And that surge can have deleterious effects when consumed chronically, several times a day (outside of the exertion window) for months to years. It reduces insulin sensitivity.

That effect is very tied to both the whey source used and the method of peptide isolation employed - and to additives used in the final product.

Not only that, but the whey types used for RTDs is different than that used for powders.

There are other protein isolates that will cause similar insulin surging.

I think we will need an article on this topic. I will work on one. We should talk about the tradeoffs in the selection of a whey protein powder - and what can be done to reduce the negative effects of that tradeoff.

Expensive is not always better, and neither is more (as in higher yield or proteins). Amino acid composition and growth factor constituents must be considered.

Trouble-

That was a very interesting article. Thanks.

I am still concerned with the source these products come from and after reading the article it seems that my skepticism concerning false or misleading labeling is prevalent within the supplement market.

We can't forget that this "supplement" market is a billion dollar industry which is hard to relegate. How can we trust the claims of the supplements we purchace? How can we be smarter consumers?

I try to eat organic as much as possible because I think it is healthier. I would feel safer knowing that what I was drinking everyday came from a better source. I don't want to chug back a glass of hormones that the cows have been shot up with, what they eat we eat.

Am I the only one paronoid about these powders? ?? Who cares if it works, is it safe. I would like to live to a ripe old age and not have to worry about growing a third arm along with my new physique!

Haven't there been a few Pro Bodybuilding deaths recently???

Originally Posted by Bakerboy

Haven't there been a few Pro Bodybuilding deaths recently???

Yes whey protein causes death in bodybuilders









not the unhealthily insane amount of steroids and drugs they take

Yes whey protein causes death in bodybuilders









not the unhealthily insane amount of steroids and drugs they take




So you're saying the steroids I'm taking are bad for me???

hey! as long as u look good on the outside right?

Its one thing to be confused about how to choose a protein supplement and how best to use it in your diet to promote anabolic growth, and tis another thing entirely to suspect that these powders are enriched in contaminants.

You have two options. You can use a whole foods diet. Or you can choose to use non-whey powders as adjunct protein sources in your diet.

For the latter, I would look to vegetarian bodybuilding websites for advice on alternative protein powders, such as rice bran, egg white and vegetable proteins. They have their place in the strength training diet, and when used wisely can promote solid lean mass and strength gains.

If you're worried about animal hormone contaminants in your whey protein, you had better do some reading on the contaminants typically present in public water supply. The latter is a much larger health risk than the former.