how many protein shakes should i take? I usually only take 1 with has 20 grams of protein.
im 16 by the way
also Does anyone use gnc protein? Which one has the best flavor im thiking about getting cookies and creme.
Also i saw eas at costco for 37 bucks 6 pounds

You don't NEED to take protein shakes. You can get more than enough protein from a well put together diet from regular food. Most people take protein shakes (powder) because it's a quick and easy way of getting their required amount of protein if they can't do it through their regular diet. Another advantage to protein shakes is that most of them are fast proteins, and so if taken after a workout the muscles absorb the nutrients faster and more efficiently. They say that you should get around 1g of protein per 1 lb of body weight per day from all sources put together. My rule of thumb, personally, is to take a protein shake after my weight lifting workouts (3x per week on the P90X program) with around 0.2 to 0.4g of protein per kg of lean muscle mass. I know it seems complicated, but read up on protein and protein shakes and you should get an idea of what would be best for you!

Okay, so I'm 300 pounds (yes, after my first round of P90X...it's a project). How can I get in 300 grams of protein a day without a protein supplement and still keep my calories in range?

I'm keeping red meat down to just once every one to two weeks and eating fish and poultry for my protein sources. If I need 300 grams of it per day I'll be the envy of every cat in the neighborhood!

I realize that I'm an extreme case, and I'm working on trying to get the weight down. My muscle mass is about 200 pounds (I've discussed how it was measured elsewhere) and so I'm still struggling to get even 200 grams in by dietary means other than a protein shake or two per day. So, in my case, a couple of protein shakes or bars a day lets me get in another 50-60 grams of whey protein and I have an easier time on the diet. I'd be very open to the thoughts of the group here.

I agree with you, though. I usually drink a protein shake after a workout, and try to work in the recovery drink in my workout water during the workout.

Thanks for your thoughts, and keep bringin' it!!

Kevin

thanks so i can take 1 a day? every day even on my rest day? i weight 140 pounds

Like I said, people that can't get the required amount of protein from their regular diet use protein supplements. Althoug, being 300 lbs, your caloric intake should be quite higher than someone that weighs around 170 lbs, so it is all proportional. You should find what your maintenance caloric intake is (there are calculators online, search the bodybuilding.com website for articles about it) and eat somewhere under that. You should eat less calories than you burn in order to lose weight. Although, not an extreme amount under. If you lose weight too fast you will be losing muscle as well as fat. They usually suggest somewhere around 500 calories under your maintenance level for a steady and healthy weight loss. It will take longer maybe, but it will be doing it the right way and the healthier way.

To get to your protein question, as I said before, since your caloric intake is higher getting your protein within that intake should be easier than if you were to go for 300g of protein on a maintenance diet of someone that is 170 lbs. Anyway, I'm no expert. Protein shakes are definitely useful and I'm far from being one to say that people shouldn't use them. I just like to make sure that people don't think that they are 100% necessary.

chrisinfinity wrote:

QUOTE:
thanks so i can take 1 a day? every day even on my rest day? i weight 140 pounds

Yes you can take one a day. Depending on your goals you can take more or less than one a day. Protein is used for your muscles to rebuild and repair themselves, so even on rest days protein is a useful nutrient for them. If you're looking to gain muscle mass, then you would need more protein than if you were looking to maintain your muscle mass or lose weight.