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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that protein shakes / powder can make you shit yourself (or is it just me)??

58 replies

MargoLivebetter · 02/07/2024 12:33

I'm in gimmer territory and am always trying to look at increasing my protein intake so that all the muscles in my body don't completely disappear. I have been supplementing my meals with a whey protein shake. I have also been suffering from nearly shitting myself. There is no elegant way to put this.

I was thinking I would have to go to the GP, as I was really struggling with what I can only describe as leakage. I've already had a sizeable repair up my bum, as having DS's giant head dragged out with forceps and DD's slightly smaller head ripping through me did untold damage to my internal passages.

I was worried that I needed another repair, but went away for a long weekend where I stopped having the protein supplements and the leakage issues disappeared too. I tried to reintroduce the shakes and it started again, so I know that it is definitely connected.

Has anyone else had this problem with protein supplements? Am I being unreasonable to think that there might possibly need to be some kind of warning on these things to say, "You may shit yourself if you take this supplement"?

OP posts:
Catmummyof2 · 02/07/2024 14:00

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
MargoLivebetter · 02/07/2024 13:56

@andHelenknowsimmiserablenow if I am having brunch, I can eat all of those things, but they just make me want to gip before about 1030. I'm not sure why exactly but porridge with an egg mixed in is about the closest I can come to any of those things you have suggested.

OP posts:
Catmummyof2 · 02/07/2024 13:56

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

andHelenknowsimmiserablenow · 02/07/2024 13:54

How about plain greek yoghurt with nuts for breakfast?
Or eggs with cottage cheese, or an omelette with ham and cheese?

shearwater2 · 02/07/2024 13:49

Proteinpud · 02/07/2024 13:35

@shearwater2 convenient that you ignore most the factors that I mentioned. Just because something is easy to write down doesn't make it reality. And just because it's easy to do for one day doesn't mean it's easy to do day in day out. But please, give yourself a pat on the back for being best in class.

I think you most be a protein shake shill.

HighHeelsOnCobblestones · 02/07/2024 13:47

I like Arla protein yoghurts. 20g of protein per pot, sweetened with stevia not sucralose.

Original poster
MargoLivebetter · 02/07/2024 13:37

@shearwater2 could you do an example of a day for me. I really struggle at breakfast to eat 30g of protein. At lunch I have tinned tuna or salmon or some ham with a salad. In the evening I have a portion of meat or fish. I manage to get to 40-60g relatively easily, but I think at 55 and hoping to retain muscle mass, I need to be consuming more. I don't do weights, but I do resistance exercise, body weight exercises and pilates most days, along with lots of walking.

OP posts:
Proteinpud · 02/07/2024 13:35

@shearwater2 convenient that you ignore most the factors that I mentioned. Just because something is easy to write down doesn't make it reality. And just because it's easy to do for one day doesn't mean it's easy to do day in day out. But please, give yourself a pat on the back for being best in class.

Thelnebriati · 02/07/2024 13:30

Part of the reason older people have to supplement their diet is because we don't absorb nutrients as efficiently. It's not just about how much you eat.

shearwater2 · 02/07/2024 13:29

Proteinpud · 02/07/2024 13:26

@shearwater2 dont be so smug. It can be hard if you can't afford it, don't have time to cook, don't have access to fresh food, don't have adequate cooking facilities, are eating on the road, if you are vegan/vegetarian, if you have intolerances. Just because you find it easy doesn't mean it is objectively easy.

Yes, I realise that, but the OP says she eats meat and fish.

And everything I suggested perhaps apart from salmon are cheap sources of protein and ham and milk do not require cooking. You can also buy cooked chicken and lentils fairly cheaply.

I didn't suggest she try wagyu beef instead of a protein shake.

Proteinpud · 02/07/2024 13:26

@shearwater2 dont be so smug. It can be hard if you can't afford it, don't have time to cook, don't have access to fresh food, don't have adequate cooking facilities, are eating on the road, if you are vegan/vegetarian, if you have intolerances. Just because you find it easy doesn't mean it is objectively easy.

PickAChew · 02/07/2024 13:23

You can increase protein from other sources in your diet eg replacing some of the carb portion of your meal with pulses and adding quinoa, nuts or seeds in some form to meals, eating whole grains and so on.

shearwater2 · 02/07/2024 13:20

Chicken is a really good source. It's about 30g of protein for one breast.

shearwater2 · 02/07/2024 13:16

It's not hard to have enough protein. I've not even been trying today and I've already had 56g. I'll have had 106g protein by the end of the day from salmon cheese, ham, milk, chicken and lentils.

Cantbebotheredwithausername · 02/07/2024 13:16

It can be either the whey itself, the lactose or the sucralose.

Whey isolate is a little higher in protein and barely has any lactose. If you get a neutral flavourless whey isolate powder (I know, the taste will be rather bland), you'll be able to see if you're reacting to the whey protein itself, or one of the other two (lactose or sucralose).

I'm personally not sensitive to lactose at all, but I don't tolerate sucralose well. I get migraines. I do fine with other sweeteners, including Aspartame. Almost all protein products contain sucralose, though, for some reason.

Thelnebriati · 02/07/2024 13:13

Sucralose is a laxative, especially if you have IBS! I use plain whey protein, but if you can't tolerate that you could try learning to make cottage cheese. Its basically milk curdled with lemon juice.

shearwater2 · 02/07/2024 13:11

You don't need protein shakes as an older person trying to maintain or increase muscle mass/tone to support average gym activity. They are a gimmick and an ultra-processed food.

Proteinpud · 02/07/2024 13:08

@MargoLivebetter at least you know it's not something more serious. It definitely seems to be trial and error for a lot of people though.

QuestionableMouse · 02/07/2024 13:01

You can buy a single bottle of yFood in Tesco if you want to try it without spending loads.

Original poster
MargoLivebetter · 02/07/2024 13:00

@Proteinpud I have upped my meat and fish intake, but it is quite hard to get enough.

I can't eat quark at all. I genuinely thought I was pregnant last time I ate it, as it cause such severe bloating.

The protein mousses, I seem to be ok with and I've just looked and they are sweetened with sucralose. So maybe it is the whey.

OP posts:
Proteinpud · 02/07/2024 12:57

Whey protein causes issues for a lot of people, especially if they can sometimes have issues with other dairy products or with sweeteners.
Bone broth protein is one that is usually well tolerated, though it is expensive (and obviously not suitable for vegetarians)
I feel horribly bloated if I have whey drinks, but don't have the same issues with protein yogurts which are quite inexpensive, so might be worth trying different things (some have added whey protein, some use quark, all will have some sort of sweeteners though)

Of course you could try and boost the protein in each meal with extra meat/fish/eggs etc but it's not always the most convenient/affordable/palatable!

RonObvious · 02/07/2024 12:44

MargoLivebetter · 02/07/2024 12:43

@RonObvious I did wonder about plant protein, but now I'm not sure if it is the sweetener 😬

Just checked, and my protein has sucralose in it too, so if that is causing your issues, maybe not the best option!

Original poster
MargoLivebetter · 02/07/2024 12:43

@RonObvious I did wonder about plant protein, but now I'm not sure if it is the sweetener 😬

OP posts:
Original poster
MargoLivebetter · 02/07/2024 12:42

So, does sucralose have a laxative effect @Catmummyof2 ? I just looked at yFood and that has sucralose in it too. So if that is the issue, I can't get that either.

OP posts:
RonObvious · 02/07/2024 12:42

I can't tolerate whey shakes, so use plant-based protein. Currently using ProteinWorks, which are pretty reasonably priced.