To think that people who have "protein powders" to be healthy are sadly misguided?

[ultimus]

I've just seen a 'Lean in 15' recipe on FB that has 'protein powder' as one of the ingredients. I winced! It sounds disgusting.

I read of personal trainers advising people who train to drink a 'protein powder' drink afterward to be healthy. Famous dieticians advocating the use of these powders in recipes as part of 'eating clean'.

But look at the ingredients:

Aspartame, sucralose, maltodextrin, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, flavourings.

How on earth can these powders be advocated as a 'clean' or 'healthy' way of living?

"the studies showing that high protein diets accelerates cancer cells growth."

Which studies are those?

What I have seen suggests that excess consumption of grilled (charred, like often done in the US) and processed meat is associated with higher rates of cancer.

cotedazure- this is the first one I came across while googling

m.ajcn.nutrition.org/content/85/6/1667.full

That is not a study. It is a letter that starts with "Dear Sir".

Can you link to a study that you have read to form that opinion?

Haha a letter!??

I've never seem these protein powders marketed as being clean.

Pretty much anything can claim to be healthy. Depends on what your angle is. Low fat/high protein = healthy for lots of people.

There is a new one I've seen that is all natural ingredients, whole grains etc which is claiming to be clean and healthy. They will probably do very well as they have found a USP.

I thought the body can only store a retain amount of protein anyway.

"I thought the body can only store a retain amount of protein anyway."

What do you mean? Your body is made up of protein.

It wasn't a letter! Hang on - I'll find again.

That link was definitely a letter.

It does start with dear sir! However - scroll down and it links to the references. I don't know if it contains the research I read a few years back - but they are along the same lines.

I like to have a chocolate protein shake for breakfast or lunch when I'm working and can't go eat something decent. I don't like to eat too much bread/I'm tired of sandwiches and I try to prioritise protein in my diet. If I have a glass of milk with a scoop of protein powder I feel full and good to go for a while. It's convenient and I don't see any harm in it.

I would recommend the usual medium protein, low carb, high good fat diet with loads of veg. I don't think high protein is what most people recommend. Hoever much better than the loads of junk carbs and sugar most people eat.

I never think there is much point falling out with the few people who eat whole foods of whatever kind whether that be 1-00% veg, 100% meat/fish or more of a mixture - we are all on the same side against the jugganaut of advertising of Big Processed Food.

my understanding is that yes we need protein but most people get enough of it in their diets and so supplementing wouldn't have any benefits.

Then again some people say they find it easier to stay lean with a high protein diet...so if it works don't knock it

Personally I favour a high carb diet, around 300g per day, with protein at around 120g.

Yes, I did look at some of those references. The first one is the one in the letter's first sentence:

Dear Sir:
Fontana et al (1) have shown a strong effect of a low-protein, low-calorie diet and endurance running on circulating concentrations of several growth-promoting hormones and other clinical biomarkers...

So it's not about just about protein but also low-calorie and high levels of exercise.

Second - I'm not going to read the China Study again, but can point you towards some of the problems with it.

Third - It's from 1968. Sorry, not recent enough.

Fourth - I don't understand what this study is about. Maybe you can tell us what "to compare the contribution of AFB1 dose and dietary protein level on the development of presumptive preneoplastic gamma-glutamyltransferase-positive (GGT+) foci in rat liver" means. If you can't, maybe you shouldn't be relying on it as evidence to your viewpoint.

Fifth - About low-protein diets, not high-protein ones.

And that's where I'm stopping because I won't live forever.

How about you actually find and read a relevant study which you would like to then post?

Yes, I find that I stay full longer and eat less crap/sugar if I prioritise protein. By that I simply mean that I seek out high-protein meals. I don't count macros or anything. I'm perfectly happy to eat fat, as well.

I don't eat too much processed food because I am an immigrant. It took me a while to figure this out: you have to be raised on processed food to think it tastes OK. I was accustomed to the crap of my home country but not the stuff in the UK. Something like tinned spaghetti or a Fray Bento pie was just disgusting to me. So, I never eat that stuff. At the same time, I can't access the equivalent crap of my childhood. After a few years away from that, when I do get it it no longer tastes nice.

I had some misgivings about the artificial sweeteners in the protein powders. However that's mostly due to the taste and I can't taste it very much when I have my milkshake so I don't care.

I also, sometimes, crave something like a pudding in the evening. I will have whole fat greek yogurt with strawberry protein powder stirred in and it's very nice.

I don't know how much protein I am "supposed" to have but when I eat a lot of empty carbs and sugar I get very few. When I eat a high-protein, low sugar diet I feel better, my skin looks good and my fingernails grow strong and fast. I don't see the downside to that.

Something like tinned spaghetti or a Fray Bento pie was just disgusting to me.

I have lived here my whole life and agree with you

Cotedazure - are you my uni professor????? I didn't realise that I had to look so indepth into studies for mumsnet as I did writing dissertations.

I think you have far too much time on your hands! I have read a couple of journals on nutrition but it's not linked directly to my job. Gosh - I should have more thoroughly read them if I was going to be x examined!

I hope you keep your condencending attitude to mumsnet and do not extend it to real life!

I think they are pointless from a post workout point of view.

But don't think they are harmful. If you find it keeps you full longer or a benefit. Great.

If not don't bother.

Cotedazure - are you my uni professor????? I didn't realise that I had to look so indepth into studies for mumsnet as I did writing dissertations

they must be pretty easy dissertations then

do you expect to post up a load of 'bro science' and not have it criticised?

Oh I love a Frey bentos pie, haven't had one in ages

Yanbu
They are completely unnecessary and most of the time have disgusting ingredients. Even vegan ones, soy is not good for you!
Most people get more than enough protein from their diets without even trying. So it's just pointless calories. Unless you're an athlete and it's really good quality.

suzanne I do not do bro science - it was a quick Google. Erm, no, my degree wasn't particularly easy.

There are some suggestions here

www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(14)00062-X

Again, this was a quick search.

However, I am debating on looking for my original bloody article now when I should be drinking wine and reading trashy books

I was also going to mention the "Trust Me I'm a Doctor" episode that stopfaffing linked to.
It was pretty clear that the powders are a complete waste of money.

I do a lot of exercise and teach yoga for a living. Sometimes, if i'm hungry but don't want to weigh myself down with a heavy meal before teaching, i'll have a protein shake made with unflavoured hemp protein (it's less processed than some of the other ones). It keeps me going without stopping me doing any of the things i need to do for my job. It's convenient and it stops me being starving and grabbing an emergency chocolate bar when class is over.

I also eat 7-8 portions of veg and fruit a day, cook most of my own meals, steer clearish of white flour and sugar, and drink lots of water. I think i'm pretty healthy and if i get cancer i'll blame it on my BRCA1 gene mutation, not the shake i drink a couple of times a week thanks. It's a calculated risk and i'm happy to take it! YABabitU

those trust me m a doctor programs are entertaining but very simplistic, aimed at the lowest common denominator