Why do people drink protein shakes?

I drink them because I find the protein to be the least interesting bit of a meal (I like vegetables and carbs), so wouldn’t get enough otherwise. This was particularly the case when I was pregnant and couldn’t stomach most protein sources at all.

I drink them because I usually don’t eat breakfast or lunch. They offer a good amount of protein (46 grams in the one I buy) and I’ve noticed myself putting on more muscle now that my intake is higher. I don’t feel hungry until dinner, even after working and riding my horses. It’s extremely convenient.

Well done on your weight loss. You’re obviously doing it right! Nothing has changed: eat real food, not too much, and move your body. The rest is people making money at the expense of your health and wallet.

My husband lifts weights, so he has a protein shake as well as his usual meals, not instead of. I'm not convinced he needs that much protein, but he doesn't look bad on it.

Its just the latest food craze, feel free to ignore until the next craze. Very few adults need more protein. This is a new way to separate us from our money.

Choc slimfast 😊

Because influencers on social media are telling them to do so.

Have a look at the advice on Zoe or the Zoe podcasts - proper science based info. Zoe is run by Prof Tim Spector.

Theyre cheap, quick and low cal for the protein amount - usually 20g for 200kcal.

They taste horrible 'raw' but if you add things like frozen fruit (good for fibre), expresso and also linseed/chia seeds, they can be okay.

They keep me full - probably because they are slightly nauseating.

The rest of my diet is non UPF too. My GP has actually told me I need more protein because of being veggie.

If you're trying to bulk up and working out a lot, but you also have a healthy diet, it can be hard to get in the amount of food you need to gain muscle or maintain weight. I used to have them for that reason when I was very into sports.

My husband loses weight easily and forgets to eat when stressed so he uses them to fill up.

I have a protein drink every day regardless of whether I’m dieting or not. I have it for breakfast. I don’t fancy eating first thing and I really like the taste of the protein drink and I like being able to grab it and go. I then don’t feel hungry until after 1 or later. The rest of my diet is mostly non processed. Protein or diet drinks have improved a lot. I’m careful when I buy them and only get them when they are on sale.
I’m not saying it’s ideal but it works well for me. When I’m dieting I like the extra protein it gives me.

I use them because it means i don't have to go in the fridge and deal with food.

They're easy and the calories are counted.

They taste nice.

They fill me up.

Because i've spent money on them i feel more inclined to stick to the diet otherwise i've wasted the money.

They're easy to bung in my bag so i don't get ravenous while out shopping and come home and eat loads.

The evidence was more nuanced from what I saw.
If you are trying to lose weight especially if you’ve got a fair bit to lose extra protein helps preserve muscle mass that’s why many of us on the GLP1 threads discuss protein intake coupled with weight bearing exercise.
Your ability to absorb and utilise dietary protein drops off in middle age so you need more protein per kg of body weight.

GLP1

Over 50

U less you have a disorder lentils may be carbs but they are slow release carbs and so kind of useful

unlike most of the ingredients in a protein shake

I am a vegetarian. Dont have them daily but I have one maybe twice a week as I am post menopause and need to lose weight. I also eat eggs, yoghurt, and tons of lentils but lentils are carb heavy.

But obviously there’s no denying everyone is obsessed with protein right now

It's not obvious, it's absolutely deniable, far from everyone is obsessed, and obsessed is another exaggeration.

I think this sentence should read "but it seems that some people take protein shake adverts at face value".

I have had a bypass and really struggle to hit my protein goals with meat. I can manage eggs for breakfast but there is only so many eggs you can eat a day. I can’t stomach large amounts of meat so I have a 5 type collagen powder in my morning coffee and then a soup with unflavoured protein powder and bone broth, then an evening meal like shepherds pie. Snack is Greek yogurt with berries and chopped mixed nuts. But my portions are restricted to a tea cup size for evening, but meat I’m lucky of I can eat more than a matchbox size piece even if it’s shredded and in sauce. So protein shakes and powder really help me.

No. That’s literally why I have them - so I’m not hungry for ages.

I tend to use them as loosely keto diet. Also, I get the chocolate (vegan pea) ones and have with soya milk. I use them to try and satisfy my sweet tooth and up my protein intake (although I eat meat). I do however work out a lot - i lead exercise classes and horse ride. Sometimes I can't face a whole meal but a protein shake keeps me going.

My DD eats them because she struggles to eat anything else (sensory issues). Yes, UPF, yes, sub optimal but she'll tolerate them so that's a win.

For some people getting the balance right between protein and fat as quite hard (e.g. if high cholesterol, and choosing to reduce fat) and protein shakes are often low fat and high protein.

I’m not a big protein shake drinker, but very occasionally have them as a low-calorie filling alternative to food. Just laziness for me, in honesty. I didn’t realise until quite recently how bad they were, in terms of UPFs.

However, the other day I had a hankering for a large cauliflower cheese, which doesn’t have enough protein to qualify as a standalone meal in my opinion. I added some flavourless protein powder to the sauce and Bob was the proverbial uncle.