Protein shakes?

[TheDuck2018]

Just interested in people's thoughts/experience of them.
I've got some weight to lose and somebody suggested having one of these low-fat 'diet' ones for breakfast, one for lunch then a sensible proper meal in the evening
I'm well aware these aren't the answer long-term but I'm thinking for a boost at the start, these might be a plan. I do know all about healthy eating, I just have the willpower of a gnat right now ....

The problem is you’ll be fine for a week. Maybe a couple of weeks. Then you’ll eat the entire world in 3 days because you’ve been so restricted and hungry and put all the weight back on again.
I wouldn’t bother honestly. Tried it. Wouldn’t do it again

Maybe have one instead of a meal. especially if you're eating unhealthy now.

They do require willpower, if you consume them for every meal. Yes you will lose weight. However, as soon as you go back to old eating habits, the weight will pile back on.

That's what I'm thinking really, they're definitely not a long-term solution. I was thinking more as a boost at the start. Thanks for your replies 🙂

They are not great for your gastric system. I tried these and was chained to the loo, they really irritate my IBS. Pea protein is better for me with alternative milks but the only way I ever managed to keep this going for a while was to have just one as a breakfast and then have a small snack mid AM then lunch. They can keep you going as a singular meal replacement for a short time, just one single meal but I don’t believe they are sustainable 2 or 3 times a day. There is a woman I know who spends her whole life on and off the shakes every 3 months gaining then losing then starting again it’s insanity as they clearly aren’t working long term! However this is what people do on the very low cal meal replacement programmes but with things like lighter life they give you other support to relearn how to eat again after you stop

I use them gif breakfast, mostly because they are so easy on the go. They do keep me going til lunch with some fruit or something mid morning

I would only have them as a pre-gym boost. I find shakes and smoothies have a lot of sugar (much of it natural, but still) and can make me feel a bit weird if I'm not about to do exercise and burn it off.

And I wouldn't use any specific protein shake powder, I think they are a gimmick and not great. Only the PB peanut butter one as it just stops me using up peanut butter so quickly!

I've used them but after heavy exercise. They really upset my stomach. I'm okay with protein powder in a bit of water though. It isn't as filling!

Protein shakes or powders are the companies way of getting rid of waste.

Curds get used and the whey gets disposed of. Well the Whey actually gets dried and turned into a powder. It's then sold on. So nothing goes to waste. From making cheese.

Read about it! It's all a con!

It's not a con. It's an affordable, tasty and convenient way for gym goers to up their protein intake without massively increasing their calories or eating an extra meal.

Tbf they can taste ok and be an easy filler pre gym or on the go when you really don’t have time. They just are not a good solution to lose weight on their own

I did the 12 week shake diet (meal replacement shakes as opposed to just protein) a couple of years ago and I honestly felt great. I kept the weight off for a long time, as I got used to eating a low carb, high protein and high fibre diet.

Returning to work in an office with a long commute has knocked me off track, so I recently started adding one or two shakes in place of carb heavy meals. It definitely helps me avoid snacking.

Leaving aside the debate on whether you should/shouldn't, I've found https://www.purition.co.uk/ helpful if doing low carb. Good quality ingredients, as opposed to the rubbish found in some. Includes nuts, so no good for people with nut allergy. They do a taster pack of individual sachets. I have mine with almond milk.

I enjoy having these as it's much healthier and nutritious than what I used to eat for breakfast and lunch- usually either nothing out of busyness, laziness, or apathy from depression OR unhealthy breakfast cereals, toast and jam etc, none which would keep me full and I'd be hungry within a couple of hours and cue eating lots of calorie dense but quick snack foods whenever I could at work.

It definitely saves me time in the morning and I struggle with knowing what to eat sometimes so this helps as a go to. I know it's got more protein than my previous breakfasts too so I feel fuller for longer. I tend to double up or have 2 protein shakes worth at breakfast on busy days at work where I know I'll struggle to find time to eat lunch as there's always something to do or someone who needs help. I always pack a box of fruits and salad bits though to have with the shakes. Sometimes the box ends up coming back home with me and I have it as a first dinner.

It's up to you whether it's a short or long term food. For me I know it'll probably be medium to long term because I struggle with time management and on/off severe depressive weeks that turn to months and this is a guaranteed way of ensuring something nutritious is consumed.

I have it once a day in water as part of my breakfast (not instead). I have oats cooked in water with nuts & fruit. Then I have my single scoop protein shake in water. Keeps me solid until 1pm lunch. If I forget. I have it pre/post workout instead.
Had it for a year, not too much trouble and helped me slowly lose weight.

Thanks everyone, really appreciate your responses 😊