Question about Protein Drinks

Okay, so I'm 22 months out, am at goal, and have just had my TT done.  I drank my protein drinks religiously up until about 9 months ago and have drank them only occasionally since then.  Here's my dilemma... My protein powders that I have (as with most) are about 100-120 calories/scoop.  I'm not crazy about Nectar or any of the other "fruity" type ones, some are okay, but only if mixed in juice.  The ones that I use I generally mix with lite soy milk so that's adding an extra 100 calories or so in addition to the calorie count of the powder alone.  Now, given that the protein drinks don't fill me up, they are not replacing a meal in my diet, so I am getting this extra 3-400 calories (if I drink 2-3 of them/day as is suggested) if I only mix them with water.  If I want to make them satisfy hunger and be a snack (I still get hungry after an hour or two of drinking it), I'm adding fruit which takes the calorie count up to 300+ per shake.  I just have a really hard time justifying all of those extra calories.  I know they're good for me, but given they really don't satisfy my hunger, it just seems like a waste as I want what I put into my body to satisfy my hunger or hydrate my body.  I only drink 0-5 calorie beverages and try to eat only to satisfy hunger.  I just have a really hard time with putting that many calories into my body for no hydration or hunger-satsifying purpose.  Does this make any sense at all? :lol:

Michelle

HI MICHELLE, I ACTUALLY MIX MY NECTAR WITH ICED TEA AND SPLENDA. I USE THE TEA FLAVORED ONE ONLY, AS IT IS THE ONLY FLAVOR I LIKE.   JUST A SUGGESTION:  I USE CELESTIAL SEASONINGS TEA BAGS.  I NORMALLY USE EITHER PEACH OR LEMON TEA BAGS WITH THE NECTAR.  IF IT WEREN'T FOR THAT, I WOULD NOT DRINK PROTEIN SHAKES AT ALL.   GOOD LUCK IN YOUR SEARCH! LAURA

EAS makes some really yummy carb control ready to drink protein drinks.  They market to body builders but what the hey!  We need the protein too!  Each drink is 100-110 calories, has 1-2 sugars, and a whopping 15 g protein.  I like the cafe caramel (coffee flavored) and the strawberry.  The chocolate it ok but I can't stand the french vanilla.  I get them at the local grocery store and have found them on ebay really cheap.  Go to the EAS website at eas.com, read about them, then google them to find decent prices.  I've also found them at Walmart and Target. Have you thought about protein bars instead?  South Beach Diet makes a really yummy meal replacement bar and at 220 calories and 19 g protein ain't bad.   IDS make a liquid protein that has 42 g protein and only 168 calories.  When chilled, it's kinda like thin jello and comes in orange, grape & fruit punch. Isopure has a zero carb drink that has 40 g protein and only 160 calories.  You can get them at GNC.

Yes, this is a problem.  I use the IDS "new whey" liquid protein drinks that are 42 grams protein and only about 170 calories.  I also eat the South Beach protein bars for snacks and/or breakfast.  They have up to 19 grams of protein (about 200 calories).  And they fill you up better.  This is always a struggle - to keep calories down but get enough protein.....

Hi Michelle,  The calorie count is why I DON'T supplement with protein any longer.  It really adds up! I started gaining when I kept drinking the protein, as well as getting it from my food. My doc and my nutritionist both say if I'm getting 3 to 5oz of protein in my 3 meals a day (and usually 2 protein based snacks as well) then we don't need to supplement with extra protein. Too much protein and we start gaining. (too little, and we start loosing hair again...)   Just my 2 cents worth!! Lyn

I'm good with the profect which you probably don't like since they are clear and fruity -- I can't tolerate the milky, shake-y ones.  But I only have one a day, another 100 calories, since I eat about 12-1400 calories a day in food. I wouldn't want to drink so many calories either. Do you keep a food diary/fitday?  That way you can structure a ittle better. I'm not sure we continue to need 3 a day when we are eating 60+ proteins in foods. Good luck, Carol

The purpose of a protein shake is to insure that you are getting enough absorbed grams of protein and to maintain weight loss.  I am 3.5 years out and I still drink not less than 2 thirty gram shakes each day.  Vitalady suggested using nondairy creamer instead of milk.  It comes in sugar free and flavors and has considerably less sugars and calories than milk and makes the shake nice4 and creamy.  I mix one and a half scoops of protein, one scoop creamer and 16 ounces of water.  I shake it up and it comes out so nice and YES - it does too hydrate. They may not satisfy what you view as hunger, but bear in mind that protein grams are for MUSCLE health.  The heart is the most important muscle we have.  I have maintained my weight loss by sticking to the 5 meal rule.  Two of those meals are my protein shakes.  I'm beginning to ramble a bit, but you get my gist.  We cannot get all of the protein grams we need from food. Good luck and God bless.