Do I need protein powder ? This is something people always ask. whether they are looking to put on size or lose weight, it’s a question that never goes away. So now I’m going to share with you my thoughts on protein powder as a whole, and whether or not you need it or not.
Protein powder is the most common supplement taken in the world of bodybuilding and weight training gyms.
The most popular ones amongst the bigger names in the fitness industry are whey and casein, which are proteins delivered from cow’s milk. I have a fact for you too, these substances are the most consumed protein powder’s worldwide.
Many athletes across the board in most sports consume an excessive amount of protein in the belief that the more you take the better you’ll be.
Companies are telling the public that they need to eat ridiculous amounts of high protein, without much thought to the consequences that come with excessive consumption.
The obsession with having large amounts of protein is so ingrained in our culture, that we are even told that if we don’t eat meat, it will be almost impossible to get any protein at all.
This is just another reason why protein supplements are in our diets everywhere, what they are doing is planting the fear into you, that you won’t get enough of a certain nutrient, so that means the companies themselves will sponsor supplement manufactures who in turn, sponsor athletes who represent and take their products.
This then gets the supplements seen by a wider audience, which leads to fans trusting the brands as they admire and look up to the athletes. Then they go out and purchase the supplements. This then creates an endless cycle that drives sales and profits, while potentially harming the health of many people who ironically want to live longer healthier lives.
You’ve seen all the magazines, websites and books feeding into this nonsense to gain bucks from you. This is why I feel I must speak up about this, and debunk these lies by showing you a healthier way to support your fitness goals without any substances.
Even if we look deeper into what is in the supplements (other than the cow’s milk) being sold, we find that some ingredients are of really bad quality anyway, for example: the process of making protein powders often leads to the healthy benefits being messed up made useless as a healthy supplement.
I am not talking about burning a steak or eating an egg which has been contaminated with salmonella. I’m talking about very high temperatures where the proteins are being heated to the point where our bodies do not recognize it as food anymore.
On top of that,many of the manufactures add chemical, toxic ingredients to their products. Aspartame, Saccharin, Fructose and artificial colouring to name a few ( you may see this written on the label).
Processed protein powders also contain heavy metals in them… doesn’t sound too appetizing huh ?
SO HOW ABOUT..
Getting your protein from real food sources instead! you can get that from meats, eggs, milk and dairy. In all of that above you get a good balance of your fats, carbs and proteins (You’ll like these) (Click Here)ย (Click Here) .
So there is no real reason to be taking crap such as protein powders or shakes now. Unless you are impatient, lazy and a god damn cheat who will carry on relying on consuming crap into your system, which will catch up with you in the end.
Whereas if you are patient, hard working and see the long term advantages eating real food, that indicates someone who understands their own health, not just fixated on a so called quick fix. Because let me tell you, even if you do opt to take this stuff. You still have to do the work (there is no magic pill).
I know of this first hand.. as people I know have done this.. not done the work, which has made them gain weight further and become really ill if already big, or making the slimmest of people put on a load of weight to the point of obesity.
With all that being said the question now is why would you want to ?
How you answer that question will tell me a lot about you!
THAT’S IT!
I’ve enjoyed doing this one as it’s a different topic to what I would normally talk about.. Food!
Please do let me know what did you make of my thoughts on protein powder?
Do you take protein powder already… and still stand by it ?
Were you aware of the marketing tricks played on you, but didn’t care because you just wanted the so called “quick fix”?
Let me know by leaving a comment below
Until next time ciao ๐
I have always found that there are a mixture of opinions on this, i don’t use protien shakes or any recovery drinks/powders just real food.
Good for you Olaf! thanks for the comment ๐
I’ve heard in a lecture by a sports nutritionist that some of the protein powders that are designed for weight-lifting/ body-building types in specialist shops can often contain hidden peformance-enhancing things which are often illegal for sports.
This is true.
laughs…. well so long as its not just me ….laughs
There is a lot of mis-information when it comes to protein powder marketing and that many arenโt as healthy as they claim to be.
Agreed its the best way forward.
The ingredient list is kind of terrifying.
Straight uppppppppp
Iโve used protein powders as supplement at various times over the years. I think at best they may have helped me build some muscle when I was doing intense weight training. But at worse โ I think I can safely say that every time I used protein powder on a regular basis, I always gained fat. So no more, I get my protein in real, whole foods.
I had the same experience,gained a little muscle but mostly fat.
That’s the way Dillon.. thank you for sharing this with us ๐
I,ve been using True Whey brand protein powder in my morning breakfast shake most days. I mix it with organic canned coconut milk (diluted one to one), greens powder, ground flax, whole soaked flax seed, and 1/2 cup frozen berries. Should I re-think this?
Re-think/Re-read the post again.
Being a vegetarian, I struggle in finding the right combo of proteins to meet my daily energy level. Recently, had blood work done, and not surprising, my protein was low.This should really help me fight back, thank you.
Your Welcome Caitlin ๐
Karim..
Thanks so much for all your awesome ideas and information!
You’re Welcome Lillian ๐
Hi Karim,
What is your opinion on Orgain protein powder to drink after exercising. I tried it today and really liked it. I eat whole food meals already and make smoothies with greens and fruits, almond butter, etc and thought I would add this in as well. Do you think itโs a good one and safe/healthy?
Thank so much ?
I don’t think it is necessary at all Abbie. You already eat wholefoods! it seems to me like it’s for the “feel good factor” or to take them to feel like you’re really doing more… when in reality your going backwards.
These smoothies and powders are bad for your health period, thank you for reaching out ๐
Though you really need to work this out Abbie, what your next steps will be (the Smoothie & powder road I wont help you with)
what protein shake do you recommend for a vegetarian? thanks
I don’t ๐
This is quite hard to get my head around. As this goes against everything I thought I knew.
I use to use whey back in the day.
It got me nowhere, i did feel like recovery time was quicker.. but I also gained 10 pounds of FAT!
Thanks for the share, yet another example of whey destroying you’re health.
So proud of this site. At last the real truth is being spoken nice work karim!
Thank you so much that makes me smile ๐
Whey really processed
Eat healthy high protein food and just keeping it natural for me it’s the best. It’s all about long term. Protein shakes I use to tak when I was 19/20 untill karim David told me to keep it natural โบโบ
Karims advice is just a blessing for us all. Thanks brother?
Thank you Dhani for the kind words ๐
This was a very good piece you wrote. I’ve never heard or knew anything about the dangerous of protein powder before.
I was taking it I’ll be honest, but now I never will again.
Thank you Sir.
You’re welcome Troy.. Please call me Karim ๐
Excellent Post Karim
I was going to start taking it. But after reading this I wont.
Great points Karim! I’m a former user and can tell you upfront that none of these powders in the long run help.
I always rember what my teacher told me he said good food is the thing to get muscle pack on.
I say you don’t need to take it if you’re already taking your recommended daily intake on protein. The average population gets way more than enough protein.
I am a young woman in college, and I workout 4 to 5 times a week. I have been considering taking protien, my boyfriend drinks protien & milk, but after this advise I’ve had a change of heart.
Thanks ๐
You’re welcome Taisha… all the best with college/your workouts ๐
And so it was written. Amen.:)
This is very true to life.
Wow this really is against my original thoughts.
I’m getting that a lot recently Ha, thanks for the comment Ganesh ๐
Great post Karim so much to learn here.
This is a good article. The more research I do on whey protein the more I realize how bad it is.
Yes, whey protein is bad for you. It is hard to digest and is toxic.
I believe protein shakes are a total waste of money and eating correctly with real wholesome food is the cheapest and best option.
He is a hundred percent right. Most doctors don’t know shit about health. Scientists and their studies have proven these theories a fact. People need to wake up and read more or understand big pharm and most doctors today are in it to sell meds rather than find the cause or cure to a disease or allergy. Eat greens, and stay lean. Nature offers everything the body needs that you can’t get from a man made synthetic concoction.
Real powerful Owen! thanks for the love ๐
Whey protein is the root of obesity no.
Your blog is excellent. I am waiting for more to see in your blog…really its very informative for us.
Thank you ๐ Glad you think so Vayu… more coming soon.
whey protein caused me to have horrible cystic acne on my buttocks dating back from my college years to recently. 10-12 years it would appear and disappear sometimes HORRIBLE and other times almost complete remission. I tried every cream , antibiotic, wash…always made sure to be clean etc. Then I started eliminating foods from my diet which i had never thought of…. WHEY protein was the one and only consistent item i never removed. I was even using grass fred whey and still had problems. I tried no gluten/ no dairy/ no grains a llll that. Not joke the day after I gave up WHEY protein i started seeing improvement, its crazy. I ll never go back even though i loved making shakes. i just stick with meat or hemp shakes for extra protein….. no where on the internet does it say whey is an autoimmune culprit……
very interesting post.this is my first time here.i found so mmany interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion..thanks for the post!
You’re Welcome Swen… thanks for the love, It means a lot ๐
I Appreciate you speaking up about this Karim. Not many people who already know about this would, profits over care.
Never taken Whey before in my life but now i know i never will ๐
Thank you for this information.
Great post Karim. I had an idea about some of the marketing trick’s,and have always been skeptical about Whey and Casein.
The stuff they put in products for us to eat is shocking!
I love good old chocolate milk.
Me too ๐
Can’t beat it.
This is fantastic after a long run!
Ditto ๐
Same here ๐
These products promise you the earth and it’s just lies.
I put on lot of pounds taking Whey a few years ago.I now work out and a few days ago started eating from you’re meal plan.
Yeah It’s all lies Khalid for sure. Well done for working out/taking the action steps with your eating. I’m proud because I know many people just wont to work out and forget the eating side of things. All I ask of you is two things Khalid…. One: You stick to it everyday for at least 30 days. Two: Let us know about your transformation! Thank you also for choosing my meal plan, hope to hear from you again ๐
Thank you Karim, I accept and will get back to you ๐
Yeah it all makes sense to me now.
It was nice to hear this topic from another angle ๐
This was a very refreshing read.
I’d rather eat food than take these stupid powders.
I love this one great points.
I’m an ex bodybuilder myself Karim. This was a very difficult read for all the years I use to abuse my body.
This was a great one, and so different to typical blogs or news-outlets.
Glad you thought so! Thank you Teyo I couldn’t agree more ๐