Are Protein Shakes Good for Weight Loss?
My husband makes a protein shake every morning for breakfast. He mixes protein powder with strawberries, milk, flax seed oil, hemp seeds, and sometimes bananas. For me, he creates shakes with mango and I take it in a thermos to work. I drink it in lieu of a typical lunch, not in addition to it. I do this neither to build a more muscly physique nor to lose weight but rather for convenience.
Sports dietician Greg Shaw, of the Australian Institute of Sport, says, “If you’re just sucking down the shakes, that isn’t going to help. You must do resistance exercises alongside taking the protein shakes.”
Also, if you’re drinking protein shakes to lose weight, you’re mistaken. Since protein contains calories, consuming too much can actually make losing weight more difficult—especially if you drink protein shakes in addition to your usual diet, and you’re not exercising.
Protein shakes can be tasty and loaded with healthy ingredients. But keep in mind that they should only be used to supplement a well-balanced diet, not replace it.
This is all good to know because I’ve wondered. My athletic son drinks protein shakes because he was told that with his activity level he wasn’t getting enough calories. I’m glad to get your thoughts on this.
Thanks Michele! I appreciate hearing that my fit tips are helping.
This post is like an episode of Myth Busters 🙂 Great job! I’m going to forward this to someone I love.
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Yes, there are soooo many myths out there! I do enjoy busting them. 🙂
Your post is so timely! I was literally thinking of just drinking Boost or Ensure and not eating at all in order to lose weight. Probably not a healthy think to do. Thanks!
The good thing about Boost or Ensure is that they contain great things for your body. However, if you drink them on top of eating a regular meal, you will gain weight.
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