Reasons to consider getting a protein powder

[crazyqueet]

What would you say your reasons are to consider buying protein powder??

I used to get the Gold Standard ON Whey protein off of Bodybuilding.com. It's been awhile since I used it so I don't remember if I saw results from it from doing cardio and weight lifting. 

Thinking if I need to buy it again or not. I eat 3 meals a day and always have a protein (meat) and I have snacks in between (may not necessarily be protein). I was thinking of getting it to have protein readily available after my workout or maybe for a meal replacement for dinner or something. 

I'm a female and want to see my results from weightlifting. What do you suggest? And is the Gold standard on a good whey protein or would you suggest another one? Want something low in carbs. 

[Dominique]

You only need to supplement protein if you’re not getting enough from regular food. What is to be considered "enough" is debatable: on one end of the spectrum you have people claiming too much protein will kill your kidneys and cause cancer, on the other end you have "meatheads" that advocate very high intake. I personally go for 0.8 to 1.0 gram per pound of bodyweight (at my current weight, it’s 110 to 140 grams). I find I have no problem hitting that goal with regular food while bulking (eating at a surplus), but it’s more challenging when cutting (eating at a deficit). That’s when whey protein comes handy (if you can tolerate it well): lot of complete protein with limited calories. The whey protein I’m using is unflavoured and has 92 grams of protein per 100 grams, for 384 calories. It has only 3 grams of carbs, so would fit your requirement for low-carb. I flavour it with a small bit of ripe banana and dark cocoa powder.

Dietary protein only makes muscle gains possible, but does not cause them by itself. What causes muscle gains is proper resistance training based on progressive overload, but you probably already know this.

[OldPup]

Too much protein at one time is hard on us.  Spread your intake throughout the day so that your body is not trying to process too much at one time  Less than 30g at a time.  And yeah, 0.75/# of body weight per day is about good.  

Working out and building muscle is good and all, we just have to be careful with the supplements we are throwing in there.  Our interiors are more improtant than our exteriors, but since we can't see them and monitor them as well, they can be taken for granted.

[emili · Accepted solution]

Unless you are looking to bulk up in serious muscle through an intense lifting regime, I don't really see a reason for it. Like Dominique mentioned, you can get your intake from food you eat on a normal basis. Doing cardio and weight lifting doesn't require a surplus of protein to help us get slim and toned. Eating at the macro and micro level of nutrients will keep your engine running efficiently and help you get where you want to be fitness wise.

[OldPup]

Even though they are working out to get bigger, I have a hard time believing they are not putting extra stress on some organs with all of that. But their muscles grow and they consider that healthy. I am just not completely sold.