My argument in favor of protein shakes

 I see a lot of people post here whether we HAVE to drink protein shakes...is it necessary in order to get all our protein? Most of those people just don't like the taste of them and don't want to have to deal with them for any longer than they have to, which is understandable.

Being four years out, I can make one very definite observation that argues in favor of protein shake consumption.

I can eat a lot more food during the day when I do NOT have a protein shake than I can when I do.

For newbies, this isn't such a big problem. Many of you all can't eat much at a given time ANY time during the day. But from where I sit, I can. And I do. Sometimes that's a lot of food with low caloric value and high protein (which works fine) and sometimes it's lots of food that isn't the best for me.

The problem is, which I choose really depends on a lot of factors, including how bold my food demons are feeling that day. 

I recently came out of a period of time where I strayed from having a shake every day. I still logged my food (on paper, not online) and looking back over that, I was able to achieve really high caloric totals (and, inevitably, lots of justification for said totals) when I wasn't consistently drinking a protein shake every day.

How I think it goes down in MY system is this. When I drink a shake, for me that means I am getting upwards of 35-45 (depending on what kind I make) grams of protein at a shot. When I do that I don't get hungry for HOURS. So...I dont get hungry for hours...off of something that is less than 250 calories.

Conversely, when I did not do the shakes, I'd eat a meal (and far too many of my meals, I find, consist of dairy, which I tolerate well, can eat a lot of and are sliders for me) and would be ready to eat again maybe two hours later. And sometimes I toughed it out. Far more often, though, I ate. I didn't eat a lot, but I ate. And those calories added up. And at the end of the day I was probably over what I should have been eating (especially considering that as a smaller person my resting metabolic rate is lower so I don't need as many calories a day now as I did as a bigger person).

SO...what does this have to do with you? I'm not advocating you all go out and make mega-shakes. But I would encourage you to consider finding at least one shake you like. Shakes, like everything else in this process, are a tool you can use (or not use) based on YOUR needs. Some of you won't need shakes to control your eating. Some of you may. And only you know that.

That's my basic argument FOR protein shakes. Made correctly (by preserving the dominant protein and not adding too many carbs or fat to throw off the balance), they can be a tool that helps you control your eating and help you lose or maintain. You always have a choice and you don't HAVE to drink shakes if you don't like them. But I just wanted to give my perspective on why it might be a good idea.

Personally, I love my protein shakes and have them daily. With a 5 y/o and 2 3 y/o's I find I need one or two in my busy lifesyle to meet my protein req's. My NUT is totally ok with this. Even if she wasn't I still would do it. I know GASP!! LOL If people can get their protein with out them great. I can not. I look forward to mine. 

I have noticed that a number of people I know that have been successful at maintain a good amount of weight loss for at least several years use protein shakes fairly regularly.  Now, this is not real scientific.  I'm sure there are others that have maintained a long time with out shakes.  And I haven't tried to determine if there are other habits those maintaining folks share that might also contribute to their success.  Maybe it's not the shakes, maybe that's just a coincidence.  But I've noticed it.

I've also noticed I feel better and eat less when I get lots of protein.  And protein shakes are one of the best ways to get a lot of protein for not a lot of calories that I know.

 What I tend to wonder about is some of that other stuff athletic people I know use, like Creatine and whatnot. I don't know how that stuff works so I stay away but...yeah. That sort of intrigues me.

I just know when I don't do shakes, I tend to eat more. This was an observation looking backward so it wasn't like I was telling myself that at the time I was doing it. In fact, what I was telling myself was that I was doing myself a FAVOR not drinking shakes.

Basically, I am the type who needs a plan and needs to stick to that plan. I don't do well listening to my "inner voice."

It probably is a coincidence, but not exactly what you think...?

Perhaps those that are still conscientious enough to use protein shakes that far out are more conscientious about everything in general - including calories and food choices in general than someone who doesn't take in protein shakes at all anymore...?

That certainly could be.

Sounds like a new poll Kelly

I totally agree with you! I am continuing to have at last one shake a day! I know it ups my protein and I feel more sane when I have one.  So I intend to keep that habit!

Thanks for posting!

Teri-Lynn
POI

I love shakes. I drink my green smoothie every day and it's not a big deal to throw some protein powder in the mix. It's the perfect breakfast for me!

I'm totally with you in this.  Any day that I don't have a shake or two, I end up eating a lot more... and the protein totals are not as high.  Protein shakes are a comfortable part of my routine and I expect them to be for the long run...

It makes maintaining a lot easier, IMHO. 


tori