Why do people drink protein shakes?

[Braede]

I’m somewhat new to the dieting and health world. I’ve lost around 20 pounds with probably 25 to go. I’ve accomplished it by just following a three meal a day diet plan. Switched to whole grain and reduced alcohol.

But obviously there’s no denying everyone is obsessed with protein right now. And protein shakes. I jog for around 10 mins so assume my protein needs aren’t massive. And as a meat eater I am probably doing ok.

But can someone explain why a person would choose to have a protein shake over a chicken salad say. Or scrambled eggs?

My sister suggested I buy some as she saw some on offer but in my mind I prefer just to eat a meal as otherwise I would feel very hard done by and therefore much more likely to pig out.

Is it convenience?

Is it to do with muscles? As I know lifting is a lot more popular now

Do they keep you fuller for longer than a meal would? Just want to know if I’m missing a trick.

Fashion

ultra processed so unlikely to be really healthy

Protein keeps you fuller for longer in theory. But I'd opt for healthier alternatives than shakes and powders.

Convenience. I often have them for breakfast, quick and easy.

Convenience, absorption. Loads of protein and as low on calories as you can get if there's not much in the way of fat and carbs in the shake.

Lots of people don't get enough protein in their diets, even if they're meat eaters. Then people who lift at the gym or are trying to lose weight need a whole lot more. Shakes just make it easier.

I never liked the shakes, but I would use chocolate protein powder to bake with.. And make weird concoctions with. Scoop of protein powder, a smiqdge of baking powder, some water to make it into a thick paste, microwave until it's a protein brownie. Not gonna be like a normal brownie of course, but good enough when normal brownies are off the menu lol.

I also mixed the powder with cottage cheese, as well as egg whites and then microwave. I have an eating disorder though and did all sorts of weird things with food to get recommended protein in on as few calories as possible lol.

Because it’s cheap, quick, convenient, doesn’t require refrigeration, and is easily transportable.

Unless you are a power athlete or bodybuilder you probably don’t require extra protein but for those that do it’s very convenient and easy to consume.

Thanks for explaining. I’ve been looking at recipes and was wondering why so many things recommend a scoop of protein powder.

Eventually I would like to get into strength training. So it’ll probably be more of a focus then.

Scrambled eggs doesn’t contain much protein compared to a protein shake. If you’re trying to get some recommended amounts (they vary hugely) then a shake makes it easier. So that’s your reason. You can argue that it’s a UPF and not healthy, and I’d agree with you, but generally that’s why people have them from time to time.

Body builders and a lot of influencers (make and female, of all ages) have some kind of protein powder daily.

Your body needs protein for lots of things,it keeps you feeling fuller for longer so that’s one of the reasons I try to eat a high protein diet.
I eat chicken,eggs,nuts,cheese and Greek yoghurt most days and still find it difficult to reach my recommended daily amount of protein.
If I actually track how much protein I eat,it’s actually pretty low even with what I would consider to be a high protein diet.
I try not to have protein shakes because I try to not have upf but if I want to up my protein I do drink them occasionally.
Some of them are pretty tasty too.

There is no evidence that lots of people beyond the very elderly don’t get enough protein

there is a big push by certain industries to suggest that recommended protein suggestions are way too low but personally when there is big money involved I treat it with a huge pinch of salt

western diets are not short of protein but poeple
believe the hype

Edit to add the “Atkins diet” of decades ago was based around high protein as it fools you into feeling full for longer but the long term health damage was atrocious

I don’t get it either, I’ll rather eat a nice meal with chicken, eggs, etc rather than ‘use up’ my calories on those cos I may get the feeling of being full but I won’t have enjoyed my meal so I don’t use protein shakes either

I have them because I am autistic and struggle with eating. (Sensory issues / forget to eat / find eating such a chore)

My daughter has a chronic illness and they are a lifeline when she’s too fatigued to eat.

My dad had them when he was dying of cancer as they were all he could swallow.

I would never think “oooh, I fancy a protein shake” but I’m glad they exist.

DH is a triathlete and uses protein shakes (2-3 a day) to supplement his protein between meals. He’d struggle to eat the volume of food needed to get the same amount, which he needs to support muscle recovery.

Convenience. I often have them at work if I haven’t got time for salad (as in I haven’t had time to shop for fresh ingredients or cook any grains rather than not have time to eat). I have a travel blender I take frozen berries and water and some oats - I add banana and protein powder and milk at work and blitz. I keep a bit in my locker so if I’m really desperate I have it with milk and instant coffee. It fills me up with very little trouble and expense and is basically “storecupboard” food. It’s just whey protein - I could make it at home if I could be arsed so I don’t lose my mind over the dreaded unhealthy UHPs element. I’m not lacking in protein but I work long days in a physical job and will 100% overeat biscuits if I’m hungry and more protein means I’m less hungry later.

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.

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.

For the people who have them, are you not hungry within a couple of hours?

I am semi retired so have plenty of time to eat.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

Oh I assumed it would be as filling as a glass of milk. I tend not to be able to have soups as a meal as I’m hungry not long after.

May have to pick one up to see for myself.

Do they maintain energy levels? I often feel sluggish in the pm

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

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

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.