nutrition question

[MONSTAFACE]

I have slowely but surely been cutting things out of my diet in order to drop some weight but retain muscle. i eat around 4 times a day and i drink an isopure protein shake as soon as i wake up and right before i go to sleep. the protein intake for the shake is 50 grams.


i have never been one to get into supplements and i really dont want to take the protein shakes, but i do understand you need a certain amount of protein per day to reatin muscle.


all in all my question is this. i would like to cut out the protein shakes all together. i have been looking into substituting them in the morning and night with things like cans of beans, cottage cheese, smaller cans of tuna, salmon sardines. would this be an effective way to substitue those protein drinks while trying to loose weight? i figured it may be because from what i undertand protein drinnks have no real affect on your metabolism anyway. and eating thes other things will take me to about 6 meals a day.


just in case you want to know my actual diet right now. it constist of egg beaters, steamed vegetabels every night such as ears of corn, spinach, broccli, i only eat wheat bread right now, the only sondiments i eat right now is any kind of mustard and hotsauce. and a lot of chicken and turkey during the course of the day, and some tuna, fruits, and at least 80 ounces of water per day. if you need more detail feel free to let me kno

[Eric3237]

The bottom line is getting enough protein in period. I can understand if you don't want to use any supplement so if those other things equal to you getting enough protein then don't sweat it.

The biggest advantage to protein supplement is around your workout and especially pre-workout. That is the place where they may have a MARKED advantage over regular food. Otherwise people can talk till their blue in the face about whey this and casein that and I will always say the same thing: If a protein supplement makes you or breaks you then your diet just ain't good in the first place.

But there is nothing evil about the protein sups either. I mean really when it comes down to it it's just protein...albeit in a more concentrated form. If some whey helps you get in the amount you need I don't think there is any reason for your to feel bad about it. Interestingly, if you are trying to eat less, whey seems to keep people (as per studies) feeling satiated longer. It's counterintuitive but I can tell you that it is true for me. I actually avoid whey until AFTER I eat my meals because of that since I am a person who doesn't have a naturally great appetite.

I'm sure there are others who may have definite opinions about different protein foods for cutting. You would be better off with 6 meals vs four meals though.

[MONSTAFACE]

word. that def sounds good. i think i may just limit the shakes to just post workout. well i only take 2 anyway but postworkout sounds cool though because i never tried that just yet. from what i hear the protein shake before bed is good because it digests quick. would cottage cheese or some other light food before i go to sleep be good for not putting on weight but being efficient for putting a good source of protein in my system?

[IronKitten]

Originally Posted by MONSTAFACE

word. that def sounds good. i think i may just limit the shakes to just post workout. well i only take 2 anyway but postworkout sounds cool though because i never tried that just yet. from what i hear the protein shake before bed is good because it digests quick. would cottage cheese or some other light food before i go to sleep be good for not putting on weight but being efficient for putting a good source of protein in my system?

Cottage cheese is a great pre-bed choice. It's quick and easy and generally sits pretty light in your stomach (not going to bed feeling 'full').

Really, any lean protein source for your last meal before bed is fine.

[thonaker]

One of the biggest things really with losing body fat is just cutting the calories back so you are burning more than you consume. That's the simplest way to look at it. I don't know that you need to change your diet that much, just eat less. It may only take a small decrease in calories to get the desired result. Adding in a little extra cardio can help burn some of extra calories as well.

My two cents.

Troy