Protein powders? Shakes?

Ok I know nothing about protein powders so I thought I'd ask the experts. I'm trying to lose weight and I know I don't get enough protein. Most info I find on protein powders is for bodybuilding, which doesn't apply in my situation. I just need more protein, especially in the morning since protein for breakfast is supposed to aid in weight loss. I really dislike artificial sweeteners, and I need something simple to make that is around 300 calories. Any ideas? Any products you can recommend? Thanks a bunch, guys!

ive used this stuff called "designer whey" before. it doesnt taste too bad, especially the chocolate.
its like 100 cals/scoop with 18g protein and only 2g sugar.
it works really well with milk, so if you wanted a 300 calorie thing, you could do like 1.5 scoops and 1- 1.5 cups lowfat milk.
hope that helps!

I looooooove Muscle Milk.  I know I know - - only for body builders, right?  Well, it tastes really good.  A big (17 oz) one is only 350 calories, and it has 34g of protein. I drink them pretty regularly after getting home from the gym. 

Also there seems to be a muscle milk lite - - but I've never seen that anywhere. 

I looooooove Muscle Milk.  I know I know - - only for body builders, right?  Well, it tastes really good.  A big (17 oz) one is only 350 calories, and it has 34g of protein. I drink them pretty regularly after getting home from the gym. 

Also there seems to be a muscle milk lite - - but I've never seen that anywhere. 

Original Post by nikidust:

Ok I know nothing about protein powders so I thought I'd ask the experts. I'm trying to lose weight and I know I don't get enough protein. Most info I find on protein powders is for bodybuilding, which doesn't apply in my situation. I just need more protein, especially in the morning since protein for breakfast is supposed to aid in weight loss. I really dislike artificial sweeteners, and I need something simple to make that is around 300 calories. Any ideas? Any products you can recommend? Thanks a bunch, guys!

Almost all protein powders have artificial sweeteners (splenda or aspartame). There are a few that don't, but they have more sugar in them to compensate.

Protein for breakfast has nothing to do with weight loss. It's all about calories in vs calories out. If you're just looking to eat protein for breakfast, you'd be better off eating some eggs.

Whey is really meant for right after a workout, because it's fast absorbing and portable enough to take to the gym. Real food is always preferable when possible. 

I like spiru-tein powder.  It's definitely made for women!  It comes in a ton of flavors and is really well balanced.  More protein than carbs, etc.  It mixes with skim milk best.

Thanks for the replies! My friend has told me about Muscle Milk before, also. She said it was really tasty.  I will have to look at that and spiru-tein. As far as using protein powder to lose weight, I was talking about all of the research that says you tend to eat less during the day if you have protein at breakfast. I don't like to cook breakfast. I'm not a morning person and I'd rather have a quick shake or something in the morning. I usually only eat fruit or whole-grain cereal with skim milk. I had chicken breast and some white rice for breakfast this morning and just now got around to logging all my calories for the day. I'm way below my goal for the day without ever feeling deprived or like I was struggling. I don't always have left-over chicken to eat in the morning so I'm looking for *easy* ways to start my day with protein. Once again, thanks for all your help so far, and I'd love more suggestions or info if anyone has anything else to add. 

How about a tablespoon of peanut butter or with a slice of bread.  Easy to fix and lots of protein.
Jeff

I conpletely agree about Muscle Milk - very tasy.  I've used both the powder (relatively economical) and the pre-mixed shakes ($$$).  I also bought some Jay Robb's Whey Powder (chocolate). It's pretty gritty if you use a shaker bottle but is quite good if you use a stick blender. I've tried mixing both with skim milk and water. No difference taste-wise.

"Aria" all natural womens protein Designer whey it is half soy half whey. 

Calories 80

Fat 1

Protein 14

ariaprotein.com

Pretty good, I have mixed it with plain water, soy milk and even coffee.

 

Where are you buying your protein powder?  Do you have to go to a GNC or something or can you pick it up at the grocery store or target?

to add to the muscle milk endorsement, I found muscle milk light (195 calories 25 grams of protien).  I wasn't getting enough protien early in the day so I dumped my morning banana for the muscle milk, feel much better. I got it at advanced nutrition, but I believe they have it at gnc also.

Thanks for your replies again, folks! My friend said that Whole Foods has little sample packs of different kinds of protein shakes and powders that you can buy to try them out. I think I will try some muscle milk since it comes so highly recommended and then whatever else I can get in sample size.

PS I'd love to eat peanut butter with toast but I'd love it a little too much. Peanut butter is a big trigger for me to lose all control over myself and pig-out. That fact coupled with the fact that peanut butter is a pretty calorie-dense food is a recipe for disaster for me.

Thanks again,
-niki