Protein shakes vs real food

[stevey_6t9]

Ok so heres the problem. Due to work and university and time restraints i can't eat 5-7 meals per day of real food, so the only way i can get through the day is with protein shakes. So im usually going through 4 shakes and 3 food meals per day or vice versa. I've read that real food should always be chosen over shakes due to the slower digestion which can lead to increased chance of higher absorption. Anyway my question is: will having 3 shakes INSTEAD of real food hinder maximal muscle gains?

[chubbsub]

there's nothing wrong per se in using that many shakes.....if that's your best way to get your protein, do it, but it's not "optimal"

first, there's the higher thermogenic effect of digesting whole food over shakes, as well as a higher feeling of satiety/fullness from whole food

second, I've always doubted the actual digestibility of most pro powders.....the quality of the whey is never known by just reading the label, and it wouldn't shock me that out of a 50g pro shake, you actually assimilate only like 25-30g

last, you don't get the nice little vitamin/mineral bath you do from whole pro sources, so make sure you get the vitamins (ex. Bs) and fats (like healthy ones from fish) elsewhere

[Klimax]

Ok so heres the problem. Due to work and university and time restraints i can't eat 5-7 meals per day of real food, so the only way i can get through the day is with protein shakes. So im usually going through 4 shakes and 3 food meals per day or vice versa. I've read that real food should always be chosen over shakes due to the slower digestion which can lead to increased chance of higher absorption. Anyway my question is: will having 3 shakes INSTEAD of real food hinder maximal muscle gains?

Whole food is obviously better than shales with the exception of postwo. Which will be the components of your shakes?

[diamond]

try bringing a cooler with you. i prepare my food 2x a week.. then b4 i go anywhere i just measure and put in a cooler..

[POPS]

try bringing a cooler with you. i prepare my food 2x a week.. then b4 i go anywhere i just measure and put in a cooler..

same here. If youre stuck with the shakes, what can you do right? If possible on the weekends or days w/o school or work, use this as a re-feed day.....meaning for the entire day, no shakes, real food......

[diamond]

Ok so heres the problem. Due to work and university and time restraints i can't eat 5-7 meals per day of real food, so the only way i can get through the day is with protein shakes. So im usually going through 4 shakes and 3 food meals per day or vice versa. I've read that real food should always be chosen over shakes due to the slower digestion which can lead to increased chance of higher absorption. Anyway my question is: will having 3 shakes INSTEAD of real food hinder maximal muscle gains?

shakes take 1-2 hrs to digest.. so unless ur havin a shake ever 2 hrs i wouldnt really agree with it. and in that time to make those shakes ur better off preparing real food and hangin onto the muscle u wrk hard to have..

even right after havin a pwo shake.. u should eat another hr later (real food)

[Twist]

great advice guys. Finally people are starting to get off the shake bandwagon.

[Indymuscleguy]

Agreed. I only make a protien shake if I am in a jam or during my workout. You want a fast release protien and whey protien releases quickly. You still need to get the bulk of your protien through food.

[FireGuy]

I have 3 shakes a day on average unless contest dieting then maybe 1-2. But am also getting 4-5 whole food meals a day as well.

[xnotoriousx]

If you can't handle eating that many meals then yes, get it from your weigh gainer/whey shakes... Better then nothing if you ask me.

I've seen tons of people make great progress and when asked their diet they have 3 shakes in it so just do what you gotta do..