Protein shakes - Fad or worth it?

Danjames

To be fair there are arguments for both sides. Yes, it is a lot easier and less hassle and might work out cheaper to just have a protein shake, than preparing all the necessary food to get the same amounts. However, protein shakes etc have been around what, 20 years? Who knows what the long term effects of these are? You only have to read the news about the young lads in the their late teens and early twentys that are having heart attacks - I'm not saying this is down to simply protein shakes, I am sure they are taking other supplements as well that could cause this issue. My point is simply that you can more likely avoid any potential health problems by eating the correct natural (as you can) foods. There are many potential ingredients in these supplements that can have horrendous side effects, those that take the time to research them all before ingesting at least know what they are getting into, many people don't have the time and are therefore playing a bit of roulette. My advice would be if you don't have the time to research the ingredients fully then just eat natural food stuffs. Don't gamble with your health otherwise you might die at 40 like all the other people from thousands of years ago who didn't have access to toothpaste, soap, oh and of course medicines!

Let's just agree to disagree.

Idiophreak

Danjames wrote: »

To be fair there are arguments for both sides. Yes, it is a lot easier and less hassle and might work out cheaper to just have a protein shake, than preparing all the necessary food to get the same amounts. However, protein shakes etc have been around what, 20 years? Who knows what the long term effects of these are? You only have to read the news about the young lads in the their late teens and early twentys that are having heart attacks - I'm not saying this is down to simply protein shakes, I am sure they are taking other supplements as well that could cause this issue. My point is simply that you can more likely avoid any potential health problems by eating the correct natural (as you can) foods. There are many potential ingredients in these supplements that can have horrendous side effects, those that take the time to research them all before ingesting at least know what they are getting into, many people don't have the time and are therefore playing a bit of roulette. My advice would be if you don't have the time to research the ingredients fully then just eat natural food stuffs. Don't gamble with your health otherwise you might die at 40 like all the other people from thousands of years ago who didn't have access to toothpaste, soap, oh and of course medicines!

Let's just agree to disagree.

To be clear, when I was giving my opinion to the OP, I was giving my opinion on *protein shakes*, as asked about...not about supplements or "beefcake 3000" stuff.

Whey protein shakes are dehydrated whey with some flavouring chucked in. If you've ever had nesquik, or ribena, or concentrated juice, you've had something just as "high risk". Protein shake doesn't come out of cows, but the number of processes involved is very low relative to most other foods people consume.

Anyway, we'll all die of mobile phones, or the internet or something soon enough anyway

Danjames

Idiophreak wrote: »

To be clear, when I was giving my opinion to the OP, I was giving my opinion on *protein shakes*, as asked about...not about supplements or "beefcake 3000" stuff.

Whey protein shakes are dehydrated whey with some flavouring chucked in. If you've ever had nesquik, or ribena, or concentrated juice, you've had something just as "high risk". Protein shake doesn't come out of cows, but the number of processes involved is very low relative to most other foods people consume.

Anyway, we'll all die of mobile phones, or the internet or something soon enough anyway

Fair do's. I tried Beefcake 3000, worked a treat in terms of muscle growth, unfortunately they don't do udder removal on the NHS - I had to go private

G_Model101

Providing you can get them in bulk and cheap, then I would say, go for it. As has been stated, it won't be a lot per serving.

Just remember that 1. no supplement will lift the weights for you and 2. Every fitness/health magazine is basically a brochure for endless supplements, 90% are overpriced and will make negligible difference.

Carl31

Danjames wrote: »

To be fair there are arguments for both sides. Yes, it is a lot easier and less hassle and might work out cheaper to just have a protein shake, than preparing all the necessary food to get the same amounts. However, protein shakes etc have been around what, 20 years? Who knows what the long term effects of these are? You only have to read the news about the young lads in the their late teens and early twentys that are having heart attacks - I'm not saying this is down to simply protein shakes, I am sure they are taking other supplements as well that could cause this issue. My point is simply that you can more likely avoid any potential health problems by eating the correct natural (as you can) foods. There are many potential ingredients in these supplements that can have horrendous side effects, those that take the time to research them all before ingesting at least know what they are getting into, many people don't have the time and are therefore playing a bit of roulette. My advice would be if you don't have the time to research the ingredients fully then just eat natural food stuffs. Don't gamble with your health otherwise you might die at 40 like all the other people from thousands of years ago who didn't have access to toothpaste, soap, oh and of course medicines!

Let's just agree to disagree.

Slight over reaction

protein shakes are generally nothing more than the whey from milk. Whey has been used in cooking for hundreds of years, remember little miss muffet?

What protein shakes are not however is some sort of magic muscle building drug, it's no different to eating some chicken, it's just easier and cheaper

Danjames

Carl31 wrote: »

Slight over reaction

protein shakes are generally nothing more than the whey from milk. Whey has been used in cooking for hundreds of years, remember little miss muffet?

What protein shakes are not however is some sort of magic muscle building drug, it's no different to eating some chicken, it's just easier and cheaper

Don't wish to drag this out Carl or make it tit for tat but can't help respond to this. Google whey protein shakes, click on any one you want and look at the ingredients. It isn't just Whey in there. I haven't got time to google all the ingredients which is why I don't bother with them:

Protein Blend (Whey Protein Concentrate, Hydrolysed Whey Protein, Whey Protein Isolate),Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Flavourings, Emulsifiers (Acacia Gum, Soya Lecithin), Triacetin, Starch, Sweetener(Sucralose), Cinnamon Powder, Anti-Caking Agent (Silicon Dioxide), Coconut Oil, Sucrose, Lactoperoxidase, Colour (Beta Carotene), Vitamin C (as Sodium Ascorbate), Vitamin E (as dl-Alpha Tocopherol).Suitable for Vegetarians

Now all will possibly be safe and tested rigourously but whose to say what the long term effects of any one ingredient are? Not sure little miss muffet imbibed everything on that list from one powder advertised simply as whey protein powder form Holland and Barrat!

Idiophreak

Danjames wrote: »

Don't wish to drag this out Carl or make it tit for tat but can't help respond to this. Google whey protein shakes, click on any one you want and look at the ingredients. It isn't just Whey in there. I haven't got time to google all the ingredients which is why I don't bother with them:

Protein Blend (Whey Protein Concentrate, Hydrolysed Whey Protein, Whey Protein Isolate),Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Flavourings, Emulsifiers (Acacia Gum, Soya Lecithin), Triacetin, Starch, Sweetener(Sucralose), Cinnamon Powder, Anti-Caking Agent (Silicon Dioxide), Coconut Oil, Sucrose, Lactoperoxidase, Colour (Beta Carotene), Vitamin C (as Sodium Ascorbate), Vitamin E (as dl-Alpha Tocopherol).Suitable for Vegetarians

Now all will possibly be safe and tested rigourously but whose to say what the long term effects of any one ingredient are? Not sure little miss muffet imbibed everything on that list from one powder advertised simply as whey protein powder form Holland and Barrat!

The stuff I use has:
Undenatured Whey Protein Concentrate From Milk
Cocoa Powder
Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin)

The bread I eat has:
Wheat Flour,
Water,
Yeast,
Salt,
Soya Flour,
Fermented Wheat Flour,
Emulsifiers: E472e, E471 (made from Vegetable Oils);
Vegetable Fat,
Flour Treatment Agent: Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C).

TBH I feel relatively happy consuming both, but if you asked which seems safer...

heartbreak_star

Carl31 wrote: »

remember little miss muffet?

She was essentially eating cottage cheese. Apparently this spoils the rhyme for some people

While we're on the supplement thingy - does anyone take creatine? Is it worth it for a powerlifter?

HBS x

Idiophreak

heartbreak_star wrote: »

She was essentially eating cottage cheese. Apparently this spoils the rhyme for some people

While we're on the supplement thingy - does anyone take creatine? Is it worth it for a powerlifter?

HBS x

Probably.

Like I said, I used to take it when I was into bouldering quite heavily. I had a new year's resolution to do 20 pull ups at the time.

You have to follow the instructions re: loading and unloading pretty carefully, but it does work....Was worth about 2 pull ups when I was doing about 10, so should help a powerlifter squeeze out a couple more reps. Also makes your muscles look big and awesome - but they go again as soon as you dry out

NatMast_2

heartbreak_star - I have taken creatine for quite a while now but I think it's more beneficial for when you train heavy as some nasty side effects include bloating - making it a pain when your aim is to get lean. If you're lifting heavy then I don't see it as a problem.

As with anything, I have heard both good and bad things about creatine. As of Monday I have stopped taking it to see if there is any difference.