Best low calorie protein shake?

pink_petal

Just hoping for a bit of advice!

I've started adding weight training into my fitness routine but I'm finding it's making me absolutely starving! My trainer has said to try and take on more protein to help with this so I was thinking I'd get myself a protein shake...I just don't want a really high calorie one! I've seen a few that are lower in cals but still have high protein content but wondered if anyone has any experience with these and can recommend a good one (preferably one that tastes ok too!)?

Thanks in advance
PP x

heartbreak_star

Bog standard whey protein with nothing added is your best bet

HBS x

~Chameleon~

A protein shake won't actually fill you up if you're feeling hungry. It will help with repair and recovery of muscle tissue, but then so will BCAAs if that's what your aim is. How about just increasing the protein in your diet? e.g. eggs, chicken, fish. You can also afford to increase your carbs as your body obviously requires the extra energy. A post training meal of jacket spud and tuna or chicken and rice etc would be good.

What other stuff are you doing besides the weights?

pink_petal

Thanks, both!

As well as weights I also run twice a week, generally around 10k although I'm looking to start upping this to train for a half marathon.

I do eat a fair amount of protein already but I'm trying to find something to use the day after a session to help with my hunger, which is always huge...but still keeping the calories down! I thought maybe a protein shake in the morning would help? I'm not much of a breakfast eater and usually skip it or have a breakfast bar!

PP x

StuC75

Ive found USN Diet Fuel Ultralean really good - have one on morning before leaving the house , then one after workout to avoid bad food choices.. Its designed as a Meal Replacement rather than along side other meals.. so I use to replace breakfast and post workout snack.. with light lunch and a healthy tea alongside..

Portion mixed with water is about 190calories - 25g Protein, 5g fibre, 16g of carbs but only 4g I think is sugars.. so its not oversweet and does help control appetite (though best taken before feel too hungry so don't feel as 'peckish?').. Tastes good in strawberry or vanilla, next to try chocolate...

I use this alongside 2 gym sessions a week, 2 spin classes and 5 aside football and have been pleased with the results so far..

I also track eating and exercise through the MyFitnessPal iphone app and that shows quite a calorie 'surplus' each day for what Im eating compared to exercise and basic requirements,, but I feel fine for it.

sofiar

I'd go for adding more chicken to your diet. A friend of mine wanted to add more weight in his training and ended up boiling his chicken!

StuC75

Pure meat is always best, however the OP's wanting something convenient and handy for breakfast, so not everyone has such time to prepare such a meal for early on, when isn't such a big early eater - I know Im much the same.

The price of the shakes will be much cheaper than preparing fresh chicken each day and will keep a lot longer. i.e. 2kg tub is about £25 (depending on deals on), and gets abour 40 servings from that - 62p per portion.. what would the chicken work out to be?

sofiar wrote: »

I'd go for adding more chicken to your diet. A friend of mine wanted to add more weight in his training and ended up boiling his chicken!

RachRubyD

I use whey protein but its the diet version it has added green tea.

Its from myprotein website and about £30 for 3kg and different flavours. I have it after exercising or sometimes if am in a rush and don't have time to eat a meal rather than grabbing a sandwich or something bad for me.

Minkiemartin

Don't take any shake you just try to focus on fruit juice they will give us Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and lot of energy. He has not any fat flavour and without calories.

eleanor73

Minkiemartin wrote: »

Don't take any shake you just try to focus on fruit juice they will give us Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and lot of energy. He has not any fat flavour and without calories.

Fruit juice is full of fructose which is basically sugar. It also has lots of calories! Some fruit juices have more sugar than coke. Avoid fruit juice and get your vitamins from whole foods. A quality protein shake is a far better idea. I'm sure you know this anyway OP but just had to step in after this post!

StuC75

I agree too, too much of a 'sugar rush' from Juices and Energy based drinks. because they are a quick source of energy they do not help the body lose weight due to how the energy is metabolised.

Whereas the Protein based drinks put the emphasis on the body to use fat reserves to release the energy from the protein drink that's been taken. That's why they are Low on the GI index, and better for diabetics as well in that they don't push up the blood sugar levels soo quickly..

eleanor73 wrote: »

Fruit juice is full of fructose which is basically sugar. It also has lots of calories! Some fruit juices have more sugar than coke. Avoid fruit juice and get your vitamins from whole foods. A quality protein shake is a far better idea. I'm sure you know this anyway OP but just had to step in after this post!