Best Protein Powder for Meal Replacement?

[bertha katzenengel]

I'm thinking about attempting to lose weight partly by skipping an evening meal. I'll still need some nourishment in the early evening, though.

Was thinking about shakes of protein powder, soy or skim milk, and frozen fruit.

What kind of protein powder would you recommend?

Will be reading - can't reply.

Thanks!

[Room101]

1. It is NOT a good idea to skip a meal

Are you including caloric expenditure (exercise) in your goal to lose body fat?

When you skip meals it usually comes at the expense of inadequate nutrient intake which has adverse effects on your health. While skipping meals can lead to weight loss much of the weight loss comes from lean mass an undesirable outcome.

The WORST thing you can do while trying to lose weight through dieting is to skip meals. When you skip meals your appetite increases to the point were you will gorge soon. You should eat your biggest meal at breakfast so that you have the energy to complete daily activities. Also this keeps you from becoming too hungry in the night which usually leads to gorging.

The best way to lose body fat and maintain weight is to increase caloric expenditure and modestly reduce caloric intake.

[Obamanaut]

2. I did what you said in your very last sentence. It works nicely.

Started this on Mar 2, and cut out all junk food - not even one potato chip since then.

[WolverineDG]

3. Hi Bertha

I use the EAS Soy Protein Powder (chocolate flavor) & have that in the morning after exercise when I'm not hungry. In the mid-morning, I have a handful or two of unsalted, dry roasted peanuts or some fruit if I want something sweet. Lunch & dinner are full meals, with another peanut/fruit snack in the afternoon. Lunch includes a veggie/apple soup (I can give you the recipe if you like), some sort of protein, a piece of fruit & a glass of milk (skim, although sometimes I "cheat" & go for 2%). Dinner is some form of protein (beef or chicken), & veggies. "Dessert" is cottage cheese with fruit or cinnamon on top.

You can use the EAS with milk or water. I prefer milk, but it's not that bad with water.

However, if you are just starting out, I would seriously consider discussing this with your doctor or a nutritionist. Start walking, even if it's only around the block & only 15 minutes to start. You've got to get your body moving. You might also want to check out Weight Watchers Online. I lost a lot of weight while never feeling hungry. Start reading labels & cut out or greatly reduce anything that has High Fructose Corn Syrup in it (that includes Cokes, btw).

dg

[flvegan]

4. Hey there, bk. I would first

(if you aren't already) split my meals into 5 or 6 instead of 3. I wouldn't skip one and drink a protein shake. A "proper" meal replacement shake might help you cut calories, but a shake from protein powder is just going to give you 25-50 grams of protein you probably don't need. Most of them aren't very nutritious, and are geared towards bodybuilders. I'd also up my exercise routine to burn more calories than I take in each day.

If you can kill the craving, and just feel that you need the nutrients (and you should log your intake for a week or so to be sure) you can look into a Carnation breakfast type of shake or maybe Google "meal replacement shake" and see what comes up. Stick with name brands, too, and watch the ingredients. Many will tout a higher protein level, but it'll be a crap ingredient.

As for a recommendation, were you to come to me and tell me that you were going to do this, regardless, I'd steer you towards Peaceful Planet's "Supreme Meal" as it's loaded with superfoods like spirulina (and of course, coming from me, it's vegan).