Protein Drink Alternatives?

[collegeguy952]

Hi,

I recently started weightlifting, and a friend commented that I should start drinking protein drinks if I want to see results. I understand the need for proper nutrition, but was wondering if it had to be protein drinks.

I eat a very healthy natural diet and was wonder if meats, yogurt, etc. would work. Anyone have any suggestions for alternatives to protein shakes/drinks when weightlifting?

Thanks!

 

[walkabout]

prawns/tuna etc..in short sea food
veggies like spinach and mushrooms
skimmed milk and if you dont have to worry about you weight that much then red meat in controlled quantities as it has high amount of saturated fat
Egg white is a must too...as it has a lot of protein..again if you dont have weight problems...its good to have atleast one egg yolk as it is very high in the good type of fats and all the other nutrients are in the yolk and not in the albumen...
Plus dont forget the regular high protein veggies like beans and peas

 

[collegeguy952]

Does cooking those foods elminate the essential proteins? Foods like eggs, meat, etc. I know people were big on downing raw eggs a while back, which can't be healthy...lol

 

[versatastic]

Cooking does break down some amino acids and vitamins found in vegetables and fruits, but the protein in meat is still good when cooked. Cooking meat protein doesnt matter. It's still protein and you still break it down to individual amino acids before your body can use it.

Raw egg whites are great as they are the purest form of protein found in nature, and somewhat better for absorption in your gut because it's already in solution and not in a tight solid state that needs a lot of enzymes to break it down. But then your stomach acid will begin to "cook" it if you eat eggs with a big meal and they don't go straight to your small intestine. Other meat protein has a lot of connective tissue and cellular components to break down before you can get to the useful protein.

The only thing to worry about raw eggs is the salmonella that might be on the outside of the egg shell. I only drank the whites cuz of the fat and cholesterol in the yolk, which isnt that much really but I wanted to stay under 6% body fat.

Personally, I never used protein shakes. I just ate a lot of meat and potatoes, and other vegetables. MMM, this topic takes me back to the days when my mom made meatloaf, potroast, or beef stew for dinner. Now I'm all alone in college, eating tuna out of the can.

 

[fadeinout30]

Hi,

I recently started weightlifting, and a friend commented that I should start drinking protein drinks if I want to see results. I understand the need for proper nutrition, but was wondering if it had to be protein drinks.

I eat a very healthy natural diet and was wonder if meats, yogurt, etc. would work. Anyone have any suggestions for alternatives to protein shakes/drinks when weightlifting?

Thanks!

You do not need to start downing expensive protein drinks to see results. What are you trying to gain from lifting weights is a better question? Tone up? Lean muscles? Bulk up? Lose some weight? All of them should be determined by your food diet and what to eat, not be based on numerous protein supplements.

Now with that said, I do drink a protein shake after my workouts because of its convenience only. Whey protein is not that expensive and can offer you that extra protein one needs within the first hour after working out.

My shakes usually consists of:

1 cup of frozen strawberries or frozen banana or blueberries - high in anti-oxidants and potassium.
1 cup of skim milk or soy - protein.
2 scoops of plain fat free yogurt - calcium, protein, added calories
1 tablespoon of grounded flax seed - nutritional benefits
1/2 scoop of whey protein or about 10g of protein

Sometimes a throw in a splash of OJ or a teaspoon of honey for flavor.

For protein foods: Chicken breasts, turkey cutlets, albacore tuna, salmon, beans, nuts, peanut butter to name a few. I do not eat red meat.

HTH a little.

 

[collegeguy952]

I'm a pretty skinny guy and trying to bulk up.

 

[versatastic]

Wow, you only weigh 135lbs? What are your workouts like? How much weight can you lift? You should consume between 3500-6000 calories a day, depending on your goals. Just eat lots of chicken, eggs, fish, tofu, and beans for protein and potatoes, yams, whole grains, and assorted fruits and veggies for carbs. Also, skim milk really does do a body good . Make sure to take a multivitamin cuz it's hard to build muscle well without them. Don't eat too much beef unless you do lots of cardio to burn the fat. I don't like drinking the protein shakes cuz they're gross, and they can make you have a serious belly .

 

[jockboy01]

The advice here is good. Keep a balanced diet too b/c carbs will give you the energy and you won't burn the protein but rather use it to build muscle. And no, I don't do protein shakes... they're a huge waste of money.