Protein drink vs. meat

[RileyMartin]

Hi,

I've usually eat two to three meals a day that contain actual meat (turkey burgers, chicken burgers, salmon burgers, chicken breast, tilapia filets, tuna fish, steak, etc.) and the rest of my protein comes from protein shakes for breakfast and inbetween meals. So, I guess I drink about three to four protein drinks a day. Am I better off nutritionally cutting down on the protein drinks to only a pre/post drink and sticking with meat for the remainder of my protein intake?

Thanks.

[widdoes2504]

It is almost always a better idea to get most of your nutrients from actual food versus a shake, even though shakes are good pre/post workout and as an occasional replacement.

[Kane]

It depends. More info is needed.

What's your current macro breakdown (protein, fat, carbs)?
What are you getting from 'real food'? (meaning how much meat are you eating)
What are you getting from your other meals (protein, fat, carbs)?

There is a big difference depending on how you answer those questions.

If you're currently looking for 200 grams of protein and getting 50 grams from food (very small portions at meals) 4 shakes is excessive and you should increase your food intake.

If you're going for around 400 grams protein (around 4000+calorie range) and getting 300+ from your meals then the shakes aren't too bad. By the same token if you're eating so much, then cramming in a shake is easier than eating another chickenbreast.

My gut response is that you're not getting enough protein from food and you're not in the high calorie range so shakes are not a necessity for meeting your goals. You should eat more meals with protein.

[RileyMartin]

Thanks for the info.

I saw I posted pretty much the identicle question that someone else had already posted and everyone said the same thing. Get your protein from natural food sources rather than whey.

I'll start cooking more and drinking less whey.

[RileyMartin]

I'm new so I haven't even tried measuring my fat or carb intake, or the ratio. Right now I'm just trying to keep track of my protein and make sure I take in about 300g/day. As far as fat and carbs I'm trying to keep it healthy and low.

For lunch I'll eat about 7-10 oz. of meat and the same for dinner as well. For inbetween snacks I'll eat from 4-10 oz. of meat depending on what I cook and how hungry I am.

For carbs I pretty much cut out all bread, rice and pasta. When I do have bread it will usually only be one light wheat high fiber hamburger bun for lunch or maybe dinner. Occasionally I'll have 1/2 cup of brown rice. I usually eat one california veggie burger with my lunch and one with my dinner. When I don't have the california burger I'll eat 1/2 to 1 cup of some sort of frozen vegetables. I eat a lot of fruit which consists of 1 banana and apple a day and usually 1/2 cup of blackberries and 1/2 cup of blueberries a day and sometimes 1/2 cup of strawberries a day. Raspberries when I can get them too. Sometimes I'll also have an orange or some prunes.

I used to eat a lot of nuts and seeds but cut them almost completely out of my diet because of the high fat. When I do have them I don't eat much and it's not often at all.

Breakfast is usually a two scoop protein shake with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of 2% milk. Lately I have been having 1 to 1 1/2 cups of oatmeal with breakfast as well.

With the meat I usually have a few tablespoons of ketchup or 1/2 cup of pasta sauce.

I don't drink any soda, just seltzer and water. I mostly mix my protein drinks with grape juice except for the morning when I use the milk.

[Kane]

Fitday.com will help you track your diet.

[RileyMartin]

Thanks, I'm looking at the site right now.

[ruggz]

Try thedailyplate.com take half the time!

[Eric3237]

That looks pretty good, ruggz. I did a quick search and was pretty impressed with the results. Got a lot of brand name foods and the restaurant stuff. Definitely worth checking out as an alternative to fitday.

[J-Rock]

I drink a whey shake upon waking, pre and postworkout and casein shake before bed. Everything else is whole foods.

Some companies also put on their containers that the product is not intended for all of your protein needs during the day. I know ON does.