Should You Eat High-Protein Products?

Feb 5, 2013 | 10:18 AM ET | Rachael Rettner, MyHealthNewsDaily Staff Writer

In 2012, 19 percent of new food and beverage products launched in the United States were labeled as being "high-protein," according to Mintel, a market research company. That's higher than anywhere else in the world, including India (9 percent), and the United Kingdom (7 percent), Mintel said.Although popular, high-Protein Bars, shakes and other products aren't the best way to get your protein, experts say.

Proteins are essential nutrients, found inside every cell in the body. They are used for growth and maintenance, including tissue and muscle repair (muscle-building), and play a smaller role as an energy source. In general, about 10 to 35 percent of your daily calories should come from protein, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Adult women shouldeat about 46 grams of protein a day, and adult men should eat about 56 grams a day. Most people in the United States actually get more than enough protein. A 2009 to 2010 U.S. food survey found that, on average, women eat about 70 grams of protein per day, and men eat about 100 grams.A bar or shake might seem like an easy way to get the recommended amount of protein, but you're better off getting the nutrient from real food, some experts say,

"I never recommend protein supplements," said Katherine Tallmadge, the author of "Diet Simple" (LifeLine Press, 2011). "People need to be eating real food."

High-protein bars and shakes are often high in calories (and sugar), too, and don't leave people feeling full in the same way that a well-rounded meal, with a variety of flavors and nutrients, does, Tallmadge said.

"You can feel full or more satisfied with fewer calories" when you eat real food, she added.

Good sources of protein include meat, poultry, fish, legumes (such as dry Beans and peas), eggs, milk and tofu, according to the CDC.

To fuel exercise and build muscle, Tallmadge recommendsyogurt, which she herself eatsbefore and after a workout. "Yogurt is a major protein source," Tallmadge said. For people who want a nonperishable food to take on hikes or outings, Tallmadge recommends nuts and dried fruit.

Heather Mangieri, a nutrition consultant and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, agreed that, ideally, people should get protein from food. But some people who have high caloric needs, such as athletes, may find it more convenient to get their protein, along with necessary extra calories, from a high-protein product, Mangieri said.

Mangieri notes that our bodies typically use a maximum of 20 to 30 grams of protein from a single meal. Beyond that, any additional protein in a meal or bar won't confer an extra tissue-repair or muscle-building benefit, Mangieri said. So it is important to space out protein consumption throughout the day, consuming about equal portions at each meal. (For instance, if you eat three meals a day, you could consume about a third of your protein at Breakfast, a third at lunch and a third at dinner.)

Pass it on:It's best to get protein from real food, rather than from bars, shakes or other supplements.

http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/3503-high-protein-products-best-sources.html

My NUT also said to move to "real" foods and wean yourself from protein shakes once you get to the full food stage.

Mary

I agree with your doctor. For me though I still have a protein shake for breakfast because an egg or other meat type thing is just not in the cards everyday and I'm not into those protein enhanced cereals... I feel that my body is utilizing the protein from the morning shake well.

Considiering my take on the old fasioned double sized half priced Snicker's bar was as if a ... healthier nutrient packed energy bar made with real food... and was supposed to be a great addition to daily diet, I'd take any new low sugar Protein bar good brand name and say simply that modern times had arrived with these but the dentist+scale will be that judge if I begin to buy a bunch as in diets past, I have a while before that or maybe not.

or maybe ever thinner ones too, gotta burn some the the fuel they add me thinks maybe. I like the smiling Kashi girl in the Amazon forest on commercials, it all seems so wholesome.

reading article now.

So butter, I guess those protein infused, chocolate dipped potato chips are out???

Sounds like a slider food...but a good one.

There are different schools of thought on this. My doctor does not really push for protein supplementation forever unless you want to be a body builder, however we are supposed to be doing protein first. I think that if you have an eye toward protein from actual real food sources, it naturally lets your calories and carb issues fall into place a little more simply. So I do pay attention to it.

I see... I guess I'm just not to the point of getting all my Protein from eating alone... I still have a hard time "eating" that much, though when I do eat it is protein dense food mostly .

Overload of Proteins aren't exactly unhealthy. Some excess proteins, get stored, but only in small amounts, not like carbs (sugar) and fat. The rest gets converted into nitrogen and then gets turned into......pee. If you want more, I can go get my nutrition text book and we could talk all about single chain carbons and amino acids....

Overload of Proteins aren't exactly unhealthy. Some excess proteins, get stored, but only in small amounts, not like carbs (sugar) and fat. The rest gets converted into nitrogen and then gets turned into......pee. If you want more, I can go get my nutrition text book and we could talk all about single chain carbons and amino acids....

I think I'll listen to my surgeon and his discussion with me on eating much more Protein than you need.

I think I'll listen to my surgeon and his discussion with me on eating much more Protein than you need.

By all means...

Overload of Proteins aren't exactly unhealthy. Some excess proteins' date=' get stored, but only in small amounts, not like carbs (sugar) and fat. The rest gets converted into nitrogen and then gets turned into......pee. If you want more, I can go get my nutrition text book and we could talk all about single chain carbons and amino acids.... [/quote']

Sounds titillating John ......

I know this conversation took place weeks ago, but THANKS everyone.

I have been stressing out big time about not being able to stomach the protein shakes. I have spent lots of money trying various brands, only to ditch them or pass them to my athletic son!

My nutritionist has never recommended protein supplements and has always advised protein from food. I though this was due to the difference in me being in the UK system.

Reading all the comments from US sleevers, it is apparent that protein shakes are a big part of the recovery plan.

This discussion has been really helpful and illustrates that there are many routes to the same end and so I'm going to stop stressing!

I am now 9 weeks out and get my protein from yoghurt, milk (not too much), lentils, chicken, cheese and nuts. I can cope well with a small handful of blanched almonds for snacks between meals.

Thanks everyone.

I stopped protein shakes about 2 months ago and get about 60-80 g of protein from food. For me, it's sped up my weight loss. Plus I can't stand them!