Hate protein shakes

[Anonymous]

I am in my early 40s, fairly skinny, but after three kids am hoping to get stronger and get rid of fat and get more muscular. I keep reading about tracking macros and I was told by one of those online calculators that I need to be taking in a lot more protein than I currently do. I don't really need to cut calories as I eat healthy. And I am not trying to lose weight.

But I hate the way protein shakes taste.

So my question is, what happens if I don't increase my protein by that much? Do I just build muscle slower? Or do I hit a plateau and not build additional muscle?

Not trying to look like a bodybuilder. Just more tone and trying to be more healthy by cutting my body fat...

[Anonymous]

What’s your body fat now?

[Anonymous]

There is no need to drink protein shakes. Lots of foods actually contain plenty of protein. Just identify some you like and eat them in each meal. How much are you eating now and what is the target you were prescribed? To answer your question, it all depends on how much you are eating now. If your intake is very low you will just plain not gain much if any muscle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no need to drink protein shakes. Lots of foods actually contain plenty of protein. Just identify some you like and eat them in each meal. How much are you eating now and what is the target you were prescribed? To answer your question, it all depends on how much you are eating now. If your intake is very low you will just plain not gain much if any muscle.

This. Eat real food.

[Anonymous]

Muscles need protein to grow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in my early 40s, fairly skinny, but after three kids am hoping to get stronger and get rid of fat and get more muscular. I keep reading about tracking macros and I was told by one of those online calculators that I need to be taking in a lot more protein than I currently do. I don't really need to cut calories as I eat healthy. And I am not trying to lose weight.

But I hate the way protein shakes taste.

So my question is, what happens if I don't increase my protein by that much? Do I just build muscle slower? Or do I hit a plateau and not build additional muscle?

Not trying to look like a bodybuilder. Just more tone and trying to be more healthy by cutting my body fat...

I drink Fairlife - their chocolate and strawberry/banana, both high in protein, low in carbs and sugar. Have you tried either? I drink mine in the morning after my coffee, before my workout.

While I agree that eating real food is the way to go, it is sometimes hard to get in all the protein you really need for the goal you're talking about.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'm 5'4, weigh 124 pounds and have 25% body fat. I was given these macros- 200 g carbs, 50g fat, 130g protein and a total of 1780 calories.

I usually eat:

Breakfast- cooked oatmeal with 2% milk, some berries thrown in there
Morning snack- banana
Lunch- turkey chili or turkey sandwich or I make an egg sandwich (1 whole egg plus .5 cup egg whites, a slice of cheese and maybe some sliced avocados)
Afternoon snack- trail mix or cup of kefir
Dinner- salmon or chicken with a veggie and some rice or pasta

I exercise 5-6 days per week. I follow the Hardcore peloton strength training calendar, in addition to 2-3 days of running. I am currently training for a half marathon.

[Anonymous]

you could try high protein yogurt, or the string cheese from trader joes with 60 calories and 8 g of protein

[Anonymous]

someone else mentioned it, I'll second... Fairlife chocolate Protein shakes taste like chocolate milk.

[Anonymous]

I use yogurt as my protein in shakes

[Anonymous]

Protein shakes are gross. I’m with you there!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm 5'4, weigh 124 pounds and have 25% body fat. I was given these macros- 200 g carbs, 50g fat, 130g protein and a total of 1780 calories.

I usually eat:

Breakfast- cooked oatmeal with 2% milk, some berries thrown in there
Morning snack- banana
Lunch- turkey chili or turkey sandwich or I make an egg sandwich (1 whole egg plus .5 cup egg whites, a slice of cheese and maybe some sliced avocados)
Afternoon snack- trail mix or cup of kefir
Dinner- salmon or chicken with a veggie and some rice or pasta

I exercise 5-6 days per week. I follow the Hardcore peloton strength training calendar, in addition to 2-3 days of running. I am currently training for a half marathon.

You’ve got a pretty big gap between how much protein you’re eating now and 130g. It’s going to take more than a protein shake to make up the deficit. You really need to sit down and analyze what you’re willing to eat and the protein content to bolster your protein intake. Think also about spreading it throughout the day, so you’re getting protein and breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm 5'4, weigh 124 pounds and have 25% body fat. I was given these macros- 200 g carbs, 50g fat, 130g protein and a total of 1780 calories.

I usually eat:

Breakfast- cooked oatmeal with 2% milk, some berries thrown in there
Morning snack- banana
Lunch- turkey chili or turkey sandwich or I make an egg sandwich (1 whole egg plus .5 cup egg whites, a slice of cheese and maybe some sliced avocados)
Afternoon snack- trail mix or cup of kefir
Dinner- salmon or chicken with a veggie and some rice or pasta

I exercise 5-6 days per week. I follow the Hardcore peloton strength training calendar, in addition to 2-3 days of running. I am currently training for a half marathon.

I would reduce the carbs and up the fat. You’ll feel better. And not be as hungry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm 5'4, weigh 124 pounds and have 25% body fat. I was given these macros- 200 g carbs, 50g fat, 130g protein and a total of 1780 calories.

I usually eat:

Breakfast- cooked oatmeal with 2% milk, some berries thrown in there
Morning snack- banana
Lunch- turkey chili or turkey sandwich or I make an egg sandwich (1 whole egg plus .5 cup egg whites, a slice of cheese and maybe some sliced avocados)
Afternoon snack- trail mix or cup of kefir
Dinner- salmon or chicken with a veggie and some rice or pasta

I exercise 5-6 days per week. I follow the Hardcore peloton strength training calendar, in addition to 2-3 days of running. I am currently training for a half marathon.

Do you really need the snacks? If you eat a balanced meal at breakfast and lunch then I don't see a need for it. If you do need it then maybe choose something other than trail mix which is usually high in sugar and often highly processed. In general though, I would decrease your carb intake. It seems a little high. I'm not saying NO-carbs, just reduce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm 5'4, weigh 124 pounds and have 25% body fat. I was given these macros- 200 g carbs, 50g fat, 130g protein and a total of 1780 calories.

I usually eat:

Breakfast- cooked oatmeal with 2% milk, some berries thrown in there
Morning snack- banana
Lunch- turkey chili or turkey sandwich or I make an egg sandwich (1 whole egg plus .5 cup egg whites, a slice of cheese and maybe some sliced avocados)
Afternoon snack- trail mix or cup of kefir
Dinner- salmon or chicken with a veggie and some rice or pasta

I exercise 5-6 days per week. I follow the Hardcore peloton strength training calendar, in addition to 2-3 days of running. I am currently training for a half marathon.

Do you really need the snacks? If you eat a balanced meal at breakfast and lunch then I don't see a need for it. If you do need it then maybe choose something other than trail mix which is usually high in sugar and often highly processed. In general though, I would decrease your carb intake. It seems a little high. I'm not saying NO-carbs, just reduce.

OMG, how is that daily eating too high in carbs? Really, ridiculous.