I tried a search for this question as I'd thought it would have been asked before but couldn't find anything.

I'm currently at around 22% BF and aiming to get to around 10-15%.
My target calorie intake per day is 2000. I go to the gym 5 days a week, doing both weights and cardio work. (See my thread in journal forum for details).

It has been recommended that I have a protein shake every morning and every evening after gym. The problem is the protein shake contains 410 calories which means these 2 shakes contain almost half of my daily intake. Is this normal? should I really be taking protein shakes whilst trying to lose weight.

Obviously once I have my BF down I plan to start building, I assume thats what I should be doing?

you should be able to find protein shakes with 200 or less cals. Mine is only 180 with 26grams of protein per scoop.

sounds to me like you are taking soy protein. You want to look for whey protein shakes

good advice from Kraken. sounds like the protein shake you're getting isn't that great. In fact, it sounds like a 'ready to drink' pre-mixed shake...those are usually not the best...and pricey. usually they have more sugar carbs and fat than a protein powder.

You should indeed be able to get 25g or so of whey protein (or a whey + casein blend like Nitrean) without going over 200cals.

the protein shake helps you recover after the workout, without taking in carbs which are an energy source.

bout an hour to 90 minutes later, have a 'real' whole food meal.

Thanks, makes a bit more sense now.

Sci-MX Lean Grow MRF- High Protein Lean Muscle Gain Meal Replacement Formula

In short 44g Protein and 49g Carbs per serving.

This is what I'm using at the moment.. I only bought 2kg and it will run out shortly.

I also have 5kg of

BulkPowders.co.uk : Bodybuilding, Sports and Nutritional Supplements

Which I got a part of a bulk purchase with a friend. Unfortunatly I can't see the levels of protein and carbs contained and I don't understand the figures on the tech sheet. Hopefully this should be better stuff.



(Please tell me quick if posting product links is unacceptable)

If you're trying to cut I'd suggest finding something with less carbs and less cals. That shake sounds like a weight gainer type thing. I wouldn't be consuming that in a cut. No way.

Just read the labels next time you are shopping for one. Look for Whey protein and after checking out several you'll find one that has very low carbs and low cals with a decent amount of protein.

Thanks.. yep I live and learn lol.. I thought they were all the same.. obviously not.

Cheers for the advice.

No problem. They are all very different actually.