Should I take protein supplements?

happyfeet2010

Hi,

Have started exercising more regurlarly for over a month now. My clothes are looser but I have only lost about 4lbs. I know this is becuase I am toning up.. etc.. which is fine! I am pleased with the results so far.. I am doing a combination of cardio and strength training..

Just wondering should I take protein supplements to help build muscle?

I have a healthy diet.. but I only eat chicken and fish.. I don't eat red meat.. I would have chicken/ fish- 3 or 4 times during the week.. the other days during the week I would have a vegetaran meal..

Female- 10stone 12lbs, 5ft5

Frogdog

Well a supplement is obviously enough meant to be a supplement to your diet. If you feel you aren't getting enough protein in then I'd say go for it. They're healthy, nutritous and are very handy. Have one on your vegetarian days, in my opinion. You could also eat other forms of protein such as eggs, milk, nuts, cheese, cottage cheese, nut butters etc.

EileenG

A whey supplement after lifting weights is usually a good addition to a diet. The whey is easy to shuttle to the muscles where it will do most good. Stick to real food the rest of the time.

Lantus

Getting the right ratios of protein, carbs and fats in every meal is key. BUT, taking in protein is tricky unless you have a fish farm or chicken factory on ur doorstep. Whey can be a useful fill in for the gaps like breakfast if you eat porridge, before a workout (30-60mins) and within 10 mins of finishing a workout (V,IMPORTANT!)

real food always though. like a multi V, just a stop gap, not a solution.

brianthebard

You don't have to take in protein within 10 minutes of training.

happyfeet2010

Thanks for the advice so far...

but just wondering...

will the protein supplements help build muscle... and in turn make me appear more toned/slimmer?..

Just conscious of the fact that they probably contain calories aswel...

I don't want to take something if its going to make me gain weight!! :eek:

Rockery Woman

Im a shift worker and sometimes I have a protien shake for breakfast. They really fill me up and get me going for the day. The canteen in work sells big danishes and I think the protien shake is the better option.

I probably should have a proper breakfast though.

The one I use is Maximuscle Promax Diet. You mix it with water and drink it down. I dont exercise much although I really should. After I injured my back earlier this year I havent moved much at all.

Dont know if its the recommended thing to do, but it works for me. I am the right weight for my height fortunately.

Be warned - Promax Diet is very expenisve. I only use it maybe 3 mornings a fortnight when Im in a hurry. I bought one in Holland and Barret before, you mix that one with milk and it was horrible.

EileenG

They do contain calories, and you have to allow for that. In general, a scoop of whey is around 120 cals. But it will help you build muscle which will make you look more toned, and there is a lot of research which shows that whey is a useful part of a weight loss diet, it seems to curb hunger and helps maintain muscle and bone density and a few other good things. Just allow for the cals.

Another interesting source of protein is gelatin. A recent study found it curbed hunger better than either whey or casein, and since it's the basic ingredient of jelly, you can made a dessert out of it.