Protein shakes - Fad or worth it?

yessie1209 wrote: »

Sorry is this has already been answered guys. So, will protein shakes make you bigger? I just want toned lean muscle, don't want to end up looking like a body builder!

It's just protein. Would you ask the same question of a chicken breast? Excess calories and specific hypertrophy exercise will make you bigger.

Feral_Moon wrote: »

I was told that adding milk (or other stuff) to protein shakes is counter productive as it then takes longer to digest. They're supposed to be made with water for ease of digestion following a workout to target muscle recovery. They don't make your muscles any bigger, just help with recovery so less soreness the next day.

It depends on why you drink them. My first meal of the day is a protein shake, so I add double cream to it to slow down digestion, as I don't want it digested quickly.

I think it's a bit of an old wives tale that you need to have a fast digesting protein post workout due to the so called "anabolic window". As long as protein requirements are met at the end of the day, then it's no big deal.

my opinion mainly is that they're overhyped B.S.


protein is essential to muscle recovery , we understand that. But the industry is enormous and it likes nothing better than to sponsor this, sponsor that, hoodwink us into believing that If we do not drink down what is usually an over fattening drink, we will stay thin , or our bodies will ache, or we will be somehow less attractive than the poster girl/boy drinking their product and selling it to us.


I've been into fitness for years, and I'm also a bodybuilder. I do appreciate the value of protein and the role it has to play, recovery is important, but if you expect to drink a drink then overtrain the next day and recover because the drink said you would then you're mistaken. protein isn't rocket science. it's found in meat/animals and the only entities wanting to make it rocket science are the companies pushing the next megamuscle which usually is a product promising spectacular results for little/no hard work of your own. it's the opium this fat nation needs, so the consumer is all too willing to buy up these over priced over margined products, in hope that somehow they'll take out the hard work somewhere along the line.


whereas in reality it is a LOT simpler - let me tell you the message these companies do not what you to hear. Train hard, eat healthy. if you want to pack it on, lift weights split routine and eat lots of meat, if you want to lose weight, run, do cardio, watch the calories.


shakes don't come into it. mindset discipline hard work are what make it. diet ? yes it's important, but nothing they do cannot be reproduced on a well thought out plate of food after the workout! more than that, it's approx. 1/4 of the cost to do it that way!

rash161 wrote: »

*yawn* This one again...

That's been proven to be wrong many times

Has it, link please?

purpleshoes wrote: »

I take hemp protein powder, just looked at the ingredients, it says 100 per cent hemp protein. That's it.

How much is it a ¼

So much utter nonsense in this thread...protein shakes causing heart attacks....yeah....

Let me start by saying there is no substitute for actual food.

A protein shake is a supplement, the name is a clue. It supplements your diet, adds to it, enhances it.
Think of it this way, you wouldn't build a house on weak foundations.

Shakes can be used in a variety of ways, but the common misconception (normally from young lads who are trying to "bulk up") is that if they take a shake after a workout, they'll become the next Ronnie Coleman.

To seriously put on lean muscle mass, you'll be looking to take on 1.4-2.4g or protein per kg of body weight per day. For me, this works out about 200g+ per day.
Now consider that in an average chicken breast you are looking at about 21g of protein. That would mean I'm eating 10 chicken breasts a day. Obviously, completely unrealistic.
This is where a good protein shake comes in. Depending on their quality (and they do vary massively) you can have anywhere from 20g to 30g+ per scoop per shake.
I tend to take a pre-workout shake with a few extra calories in it and a bit of a kick before training, a recovery shake after training, an additional shake as part of a lunch meal and then a shake before bed. Meaning that on a training day, just from shakes I am getting between 80-100g of protein, the rest comes from my diet.

You can also use different type's of protein for different times of the day. Whey protein (which is your "standard" really) is fast absorbing, which make's it good for post workout.
Casein protein is much slower absorbing making it great as a tasty treat before bed, which helps to prevent the body from going into catabolism and breaking down muscle.

In summary, protein shakes are fantastic supplements when used correctly. They aren't replacements for a good balanced diet, which is key for any sportsperson (or anyone really).
Unfortunately, they do have a stigma attached to them because of people not knowing how to use them or they are grossly misinformed.
They can be expensive, especially the bigger brands. However, they don't tend to be the best all the time (for example stay away from Maxi Muscle).
However, when you compare them to buying good quality protein rich food, then actually they work out not bad at all price wise.

I hope this helps people.

I am not a nutritionist or expert. Just a rugby player, who has years of gym experience. All the information is a google search away.