Question:
Protein drink calories?

Is it true that the calories you ingest from supplemental protein drinks don't count towards your daily calorie intake (if you count calories) because the protein is pre-digested?    — Cindy R. (posted on March 13, 2001)

March 13, 2001
I'd be surprised if they didn't count. I'd be interested to know where you found/heard this information. Seems as though a calorie is a calorie but I've been known to be wrong :)
   — Lynn E.

March 13, 2001
Well, yes & no. The calories in your protein supplement (whey) are put to use, so there are not WASTED calories in it. There might be in whatever you mix it with, however, like milk or juices. But let's say you are using water. Then if it is a high protein, lo carb protein that is highly bioavailable, you will be using those calories "on the job", into muscle, into organs. None turns into fat, unless you are taking too much at one time. Sugar is a different kind of calorie. It is never malabsorbed, but fully absorbed once your saliva hits it. So, in this respect protein calories do not count the same as sugar calories. Depends on where in the system that substance would normally be absorbed and if you are malabsorbing it or getting it in full.
   — vitalady

March 13, 2001
ALL calories count as calories. The formula is this: you must burn more calories than you take in so that you can lose weight.
   — Cindy H.