Anyone else wonder if protein powder is just processed junk?

[Anonymous]

Fortunately, I love cottage cheese and yogurt, so I eat those after a workout.

[Anonymous]

100% whey protein is just the protein from yogurt right? Mix with some almond milk and fruit, its a good protein treat. Easier to eat healthy with variety.

[Anonymous]

I like grilled shrimp, chicken, and eggs for protein. The plant alternatives and powders are more caloric than animal protein, though edamame is a great plant source. After workouts, my kid who needs calories will eat high-protein yogurt + high-protein granola (Nature Valley protein granola).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:100% whey protein is just the protein from yogurt right? Mix with some almond milk and fruit, its a good protein treat. Easier to eat healthy with variety.

Whey is the stuff that got thrown out when making cheese - someone got the idea to make it into a powder and sell it.

[Anonymous]

I started using protein powder a few years ago when I started getting more into lifting and I've definitely seen a change in my body. I have a lot more muscle definition and its never stopped me from reaching my weight loss goals.

[Anonymous]

I believe all the following are true:
1) Most people in the US get enough protein.
2) Most people don't exercise enough.
3) As you get older, you don't metabolize protein as well.
4) If you exercise regularly, you need more protein.
5) You can get enough protein without protein powder.
6) Drinking protein shakes makes it easier to consume protein.
7) If only a small portion of your total diet comes from supplements like protein shakes, it doesn't really matter whether there are some "bad" ingredients.

In summary, if you are exercising relatively intensely, a little bit of protein powder can be a somewhat helpful addition (not substitute) to your regular diet. But avoiding it or consuming it is not going to radically affect your health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Goodness.

I am working on my overall health and fitness, which includes doctor recommended advice to up my protein intake. I get most of it from "eating real foods" but will every couple of days have a bottle of Fairlife protein drink. I do it because it is often very convenient when I am on the run, I'm busy, I don't have the time or ingredients to cook, or I'm craving something drinkable and chocolate.

Do I think it is absolutely the best thing I could put in my body? No. But is it a perfectly healthy part of an overall diet and lifestyle? Absolutely yes.

NP Keep telling yourself that. Plus, it sits in plastic for weeks or months absorbing all that extra pfas. So good for you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Goodness.

I am working on my overall health and fitness, which includes doctor recommended advice to up my protein intake. I get most of it from "eating real foods" but will every couple of days have a bottle of Fairlife protein drink. I do it because it is often very convenient when I am on the run, I'm busy, I don't have the time or ingredients to cook, or I'm craving something drinkable and chocolate.

Do I think it is absolutely the best thing I could put in my body? No. But is it a perfectly healthy part of an overall diet and lifestyle? Absolutely yes.

NP Keep telling yourself that. Plus, it sits in plastic for weeks or months absorbing all that extra pfas. So good for you!

If plastic killed people, humanity would have ended in the 1950s, chicken little.

But you keep thinking your anti-science tinfoil hat BS makes you special. RFK jr appreciates your vote.

[Anonymous]

I stopped drinking protein shakes for this reason actually. I was using Orgain and felt it was causing a lot of bloat. Once I eliminated it (and gluten) from my diet I lost 5lbs easy. I'm not a body builder or looking to gain more muscle, but maintain what I have (long lean dancer body type thanks to yoga and pilates). Eating lean protein from yoghurt, chicken, beef, beans and tofu has been great for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% whey protein is just the protein from yogurt right? Mix with some almond milk and fruit, its a good protein treat. Easier to eat healthy with variety.

Whey is the stuff that got thrown out when making cheese - someone got the idea to make it into a powder and sell it.

Seems genius in both business and achieving protein goals.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s pretty well known that it’s processed junk. But it has a place for some
people. And is a shortcut that’s worth the trade off for others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like many people I've jumped on the bandwagon that I need huge amounts of protein now that I'm in my 40s. Very hard to meet the amounts suggested by some people without drinking protein powder. I usually drink the Orgain Brand and I love the taste of it, but I can't get over the feeling that it's just crap. Not just the artificial sweeteners and preservatives, but the protein source itself, that it's highly processed. If you look at the ingredients, it's a long list.

Can't help but think that all of us buying this stuff at Whole Foods and the like have managed to convince ourselves that it's "healthy" but I'm not sure that this is anything different than a protein version of cinnamon toast crunch. The label may say all the right things but at the end of the day it's not real food. What do people think?

Yes, it probably is unnecessary and is certainly processed.

But, if you are going to use Orgain don't buy it at Whole Foods. Get it at Costco for much less. The selection is limited but they regularly put it on sale for an even better price.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% whey protein is just the protein from yogurt right? Mix with some almond milk and fruit, its a good protein treat. Easier to eat healthy with variety.

Whey is the stuff that got thrown out when making cheese - someone got the idea to make it into a powder and sell it.

Seems genius in both business and achieving protein goals.

Only if they can do that with other items like: potato peels. Those peels still have a good amount of nutrition in them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe all the following are true:
1) Most people in the US get enough protein.
2) Most people don't exercise enough.
3) As you get older, you don't metabolize protein as well.
4) If you exercise regularly, you need more protein.
5) You can get enough protein without protein powder.
6) Drinking protein shakes makes it easier to consume protein.
7) If only a small portion of your total diet comes from supplements like protein shakes, it doesn't really matter whether there are some "bad" ingredients.

In summary, if you are exercising relatively intensely, a little bit of protein powder can be a somewhat helpful addition (not substitute) to your regular diet. But avoiding it or consuming it is not going to radically affect your health.

This is pretty much where I land. I focus on eating a balanced and clean diet and getting really good exercise but I absolutely will supplement with a protein shake or similar after a tough workout to help with recovery or just to give me a boost. I can't imagine it hurts and it does seem to help. The rest of my diet is heavy on whole foods and direct protein sources but I don't always feel like having a protein-heavy meal after a workout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Is someone sock puppeting? I'm just surprised at the number of people saying it's crap when I know most people on this forum drink it.

People starting out will drink it; they feel the burn and tiredness which they are not used to. The protein powder seems like a remedy.

A division happens - people supplement more and some people supplement less.

Personally - I ate more greens and recover better; I did start with various supplements like protein powder. And my doctor did say I was getting too much protein even when I got off the powder and I'm a vegan. So you can understand why I'm seeing it as snake oil. My main protein source was/is rice, beans, and potatoes.