Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

Im in the gym around three months,when I started i weighed 11 stone(154 pounds),now im 11 and a half stone,(160 pounds roughly),im five foot 9,have a slim build,waist 30,anyway Im just looking to get a bit bigger,get more muscle,a Bruce Lee type body,in other words ripped with a good bit of muscle but still athletic looking,not bulky..
I go to the gym around 5 days a week,i eat a lot of protein,Tuna,chicken,beans,etc
I was wondering can i get lean muscle without drinking protein shakes,how much extra would they help me if i started drinking them..

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

No, far from it. Food is the best source for protein.

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

No.

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

In which regard are wholefoods superior?

Despite whey protein being an excellent quality protein source, they aren't necessary.

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

My diet is
Meal 1-Breakfast-Porridge
Meal 2-Snack-Cheese sandwiches on brown bread,beans
Meal 3-Lunch-Can of tuna
Meal 4-Dinner-varies but usually chicken,potatoes,vegtables
Meal 5-2 scoops of Peanut Butter and a bannana

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

Not sure how much protein is in porridge but if little to none it should be the first meal. Anysource of protein : meat or shake. Most bodybuilders/fitness people who are serious have a protein shake immediately upon waking to stop catabolism (the process of the body converting muscle to fuel). I cant see how protein shakes would hurt before bed after a workout and right upon waking to repair and maintain.

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

The porridge is just because i like it and im not a big eater first thing in the morning..

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

I'll think if you register to a bodybuilding forum like bodybuilding.com, head to the nutrition section you will find that they infact do not.

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

Tell that to the pro BB

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

You mean the plenty of pros that align with exactly what I've just said?

See [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] and procede to familiarise yourself with the man's work and you'll quickly see that a lot of the traditional bodybuilding dogma is unnecessary.

I hope you also realise that a lot of the nutrition protocols that are pushed by a lot of the IFBB guys are usually driven by some sponsorship related incentive.

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

People had lean muscle way before protein shakes were invented, so of course you DONT need them. You mention Bruce lee. Did he use protein shakes?

They are just a much quicker and easier way to get a quick shot of protein considering how busy our lifestyles are now.

Real food would actually be better, but protein shakes are just a quick fix to not being able to eat full meal all the time.

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

Fair enough but that doesnt mean the body doesnt go catabolic overnight. So you can still benefit from having a shake first thing. Granted according to that post it can take awhile. Who knows? Maybe tomorrow something new will come out! :lol:

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

all most protein shakes are today, especially MRP's, are just real, whole food with all the shit taken out of it and usually predigested chemically, so you don't waste any time getting the protein into your starving muscles after a workout. MRP's are also good to take advantage of your glycogen window following training.

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

You'll find protein in food, which you'll need anyway for its other ingredients. You don't need very large amounts of protein, so there isn't really a need to supplement. You could add it for convenience like most do with a multi-vitamin, but a need there is not. It will likely only make you fart more.

Re: Are Protein Shakes a must?
 

All that protein stuff they tell you about is bullshit. A grown man only needs 60 grams of protein to maintain his bodyweight; however, you do need enough calories, and obviously not all calories are equal.