Does anyone put powdered protein or any other supplements in fruit smoothies? If so, what do you use and/or what is the benefit of doing that? I keep hearing about people putting stuff in them and never really heard why. Also, does it alter the taste?
Welcome to the board. :) There are a ton of myths, pros and cons about Protein powder use. First thing to remember whenever you add anything to your Smoothie including Protein you are also adding calories. In fact whenever you drink a smoothie you are using a meals worth of calories. They are great for a pre/post workout meal or a breakfast/lunch replacement but they are just that a meal replacement. If you find you are using them for a snack or are drinking more then a portion (8ozs) then you may want to rethink the whole smoothie issue.
Ooops ok I'm off track Back to Protein. Protein is a basic building block of muscles. I'm mostly a vegetarian so I use Protein on occassion to help fuel muscle growth and frankly one week a month when i'm on my period. If not I get tireder etc. Whenever you do a workout for 30 mins or more you definetly should follow within the first 30 mins with some protein. This promotes faster muscle repair and growth. Chocolate milk actually is great for this and less calories then a smoothie. Now if you wish to stick with your smoothies (and who wouldn't ) Then the best protein i've found so far for women is Aria. It comes in Chocolate and Vanilla and I use the vanilla because I can add it to my oatmeal or to my power muffins (I don't drink my calories as a general rule because it just leaves me hungry and I always feel the need to eat again, I've found that a powerbar for my short workouts or a specific protein bar if I notice my protein for the day is too low or I work out for more then an hour works best for me because I get to CHEW.LOL...)What's so great about the Aria protein is 1) I can easily get it at WalMart, 2) it aids iron absorption and i'm borderline anemic and have been from puberty, 3) it is 99% lactose free, 4) it contains 50% each of soy and whey protein, and 5) it has extra calcium which all women need and most don't get enough of.
Finally, Just use your best judgement and before you add anything to your Food/Smoothies ask why? what am I using it for? and is it best used at certain times of the day. The effects of the food you eat stays with you for 3 hours. So everytime you go to eat you should mentally ask what am i doing the next 3 hours. If you are exercising eat enough to cover the workout. If you are watching soaps go skinner on the meal. I hope I've helped. Again welcome to the board. It's great to have some new people to share ideas with.
First of all I wanted to say thank you to everyone for all of their input. I really appreciate it.
Secondly to Sabrina...in regards to using it as a meal replacement that is what I was primarily asking for (Breakfast). I have been very conscientious about my calorie intake lately (well, most of this week...) and definitely wouldn't want to add calories for the wrong reasons. I just keep hearing/reading about protein helping build muscles (along with weight training, of course)
I looked up your Protein requirement needs based on your Starting weight and you should be getting 100 grams of protein a day. When you are working out atleast 1.5hours a week that need at that weight is 120lbs. I hope you didn't think me too preachy/accusotory that wasn't my intent. I just know that a lot of people have problems regulating "Food" in general and especially what they feel is "health food" So wanted to make sure I mentioned it to anyone who may lurkingly read the post. When you add anything it is a very individual experience. Anyway, Smoothies make great breakfast replacements. If you do find that you aren't getting 100 grams of protein a day (i suggest using www.fitday.com or some other food calculator to get protein and other totals) Then you may want to add food or protein supplements in your breakfast smoothie or around workout time. Again Protein can help repair muscles used during working out more quickly but only if taken within 30 mins of the exercise.
I'm currently studying to be a Personal Trainer so the protein information comes from my text book. The requiremnts decrease to 95 or with 1.5 hours a week exercise 114 when you reach 190 and continues to decrease every 10lbs. Also if your activity level goes up to 3 or more hours then your protein requirements will also increase.
I used a powder called protein delite, in the berry flavor.
Crystal...
Welcome to the board. :) There are a ton of myths, pros and cons about Protein powder use. First thing to remember whenever you add anything to your Smoothie including Protein you are also adding calories. In fact whenever you drink a smoothie you are using a meals worth of calories. They are great for a pre/post workout meal or a breakfast/lunch replacement but they are just that a meal replacement. If you find you are using them for a snack or are drinking more then a portion (8ozs) then you may want to rethink the whole smoothie issue.
Ooops ok I'm off track Back to Protein. Protein is a basic building block of muscles. I'm mostly a vegetarian so I use Protein on occassion to help fuel muscle growth and frankly one week a month when i'm on my period. If not I get tireder etc. Whenever you do a workout for 30 mins or more you definetly should follow within the first 30 mins with some protein. This promotes faster muscle repair and growth. Chocolate milk actually is great for this and less calories then a smoothie. Now if you wish to stick with your smoothies (and who wouldn't ) Then the best protein i've found so far for women is Aria. It comes in Chocolate and Vanilla and I use the vanilla because I can add it to my oatmeal or to my power muffins (I don't drink my calories as a general rule because it just leaves me hungry and I always feel the need to eat again, I've found that a powerbar for my short workouts or a specific protein bar if I notice my protein for the day is too low or I work out for more then an hour works best for me because I get to CHEW.LOL...)What's so great about the Aria protein is 1) I can easily get it at WalMart, 2) it aids iron absorption and i'm borderline anemic and have been from puberty, 3) it is 99% lactose free, 4) it contains 50% each of soy and whey protein, and 5) it has extra calcium which all women need and most don't get enough of.
Finally, Just use your best judgement and before you add anything to your Food/Smoothies ask why? what am I using it for? and is it best used at certain times of the day. The effects of the food you eat stays with you for 3 hours. So everytime you go to eat you should mentally ask what am i doing the next 3 hours. If you are exercising eat enough to cover the workout. If you are watching soaps go skinner on the meal. I hope I've helped. Again welcome to the board. It's great to have some new people to share ideas with.
Sabrina
First of all I wanted to say thank you to everyone for all of their input. I really appreciate it.
Secondly to Sabrina...in regards to using it as a meal replacement that is what I was primarily asking for (Breakfast). I have been very conscientious about my calorie intake lately (well, most of this week...) and definitely wouldn't want to add calories for the wrong reasons. I just keep hearing/reading about protein helping build muscles (along with weight training, of course)
Hi Crystal.. :)
I looked up your Protein requirement needs based on your Starting weight and you should be getting 100 grams of protein a day. When you are working out atleast 1.5hours a week that need at that weight is 120lbs. I hope you didn't think me too preachy/accusotory that wasn't my intent. I just know that a lot of people have problems regulating "Food" in general and especially what they feel is "health food" So wanted to make sure I mentioned it to anyone who may lurkingly read the post. When you add anything it is a very individual experience. Anyway, Smoothies make great breakfast replacements. If you do find that you aren't getting 100 grams of protein a day (i suggest using www.fitday.com or some other food calculator to get protein and other totals) Then you may want to add food or protein supplements in your breakfast smoothie or around workout time. Again Protein can help repair muscles used during working out more quickly but only if taken within 30 mins of the exercise.
I'm currently studying to be a Personal Trainer so the protein information comes from my text book. The requiremnts decrease to 95 or with 1.5 hours a week exercise 114 when you reach 190 and continues to decrease every 10lbs. Also if your activity level goes up to 3 or more hours then your protein requirements will also increase.
Good Luck
Sabrina