Protein Shakes: Good morning everyone... - British Heart Fou...

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Protein Shakes

ntiday profile image
21 Replies

Good morning everyone

As I have mentioned In my previous posts I am just over 1 year post HA and stent into the Circumflex.

I have been on a bit of a healthy weight loss journey and have just recently started working with the PT in our local gym. He has suggested adding protein shakes into my daily nutrition plan.

Having never been a gym goer or anyone who would consider using this kind of nutrition I know very little about it especially any impact on the heart health side of things

Obviously I will talk to my pharmacist / GP before I start taking it just wondered if anyone had asked a similar question and any answers had been received ?

Thank you all in advance

Nick

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ntiday profile image
ntiday
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21 Replies

I have heard that they're not good for the heart but I have nothing to back that up and I can't remember where I read it 🤔 maybe a Google search would help you decide. I try to avoid processed foods and drinks as much as I can. I eat lower carb higher protein but natural foods almost paleo.

Chappychap profile image
Chappychap

"He has suggested adding protein shakes into my daily nutrition plan."

Personally I'd take that as a message to get another personal trainer!

in reply toChappychap

Why?

Chappychap profile image
Chappychap in reply to

Both the NHS and the BHF recommend a Mediterranean diet, this can provide all the protein anyone needs. And both are crystal clear on the need to cut back on highly processed foods, and you don't get more processed than protein shakes!

in reply toChappychap

So all those fit and healthy people at the gym who take protein shakes aren't fit and healthy then?

Chappychap profile image
Chappychap in reply to

Give it time, if they keep stuffing highly processed junk down their throats who knows what their futures will be?

Rob6868 profile image
Rob6868 in reply toChappychap

So chappy chap

your telling me organic peanut butter, organic oats,bananas and cinnamon not to mention coconut milk are processed?? Well then I must have mistaken something because to me there are good carbs and good fats in that shake..NOT processed.

You can if you do your research make a perfectly healthy protein shake with low or next to no sugar in it

ntiday profile image
ntiday in reply toChappychap

Hi Chappychap

Thank you for the response I agree on the med diet have been doing that for the last 13 months with good weight loss and fitness success I’m trying to kick start my weight loss after it has levelled out to try and shift the last 2 stone

Chappychap profile image
Chappychap in reply tontiday

Those last pounds are the hardest aren't they, I'm in the same boat. Maybe I'm being simple minded but I don't see how the answer to weight loss is eating more things in the shape of protein shakes.

I went into a branch of Holland & Barrett once to see if they had any healthy snacks, and there was a seriously obese customer with a basket full of supposedly "healthy" stuff. It made me think, you don't lose weight by eating extra stuff.

Good luck!

It depends what you are doing in the gym, if you are following a weight/strength training program then protein shakes are suitable, as long as your health adviser says they are safe for you with your condition that is.

But if it just general fitness you are aiming for at the gym then I'd not worry about protein so much. The trainer might just be trying to sell you some because it's part of his/her job.

If you do decide to use it don't buy it from the gym as it's usually pretty expensive, go to the likes of myprotein.com online, register and you will get it at a good price plus discount codes and loyalty points.

ntiday profile image
ntiday in reply to

Hi Jimmyjimmy

Thank you for this he has recommended my protein.com also thank you

I have managed to lose 4 stone so far so this next step is more weight based training as my weight loss had plattered so it’s changing it up a bit

I appreciate your response

Nick

Rob6868 profile image
Rob6868 in reply tontiday

Please don't listen to some people on here.I take a protein shake daily if I'm able to work out at the gym.

I add one scoop of premium gold

Best on the market and then two scoops of organic peanut butter for good fats you need.I also add a banana and two scoops of organic oats and then usually kilo milk coconut. That's gives me GOOD carbs and the fat I need and makes a great shake.This was recommended by a top nutriosinist who knows there stuff and trains people all over Europe and understands about keeping the sugar aspect down.I have a very high metabolism so I need to put something back in my body.And since I'm trying to gain more muscle less fat I need protein and it's that simple.

dubsta profile image
dubsta in reply toRob6868

hi there, i am trying to find a protein powder thats low in vitamin k, which one do you use? Are you on warfarin? Thanks.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply to

If you start overdoing the weights you can convert fat to muscle which is heavier. Go for reps rather than higher weight to tone up. At my heaviest I had a smaller waist but a low body fat. Look at the weight of rugby players - all officially overweight or obese!

Rob6868 profile image
Rob6868 in reply toMichaelJH

Yes because BMI isn't it's all its made out to be...especially when like you say you are a rugby player or bodybuilder

Rob6868 profile image
Rob6868 in reply to

Couldn't agree more jimmy jimmy

If people are doing weights and are looking to gain muscle then the simple fact is your body needs protein to build that muscle. So a good made up shake that covers your protein needs is not a problem. I was 17stone and muscular before I had my stent procedure. I lost 3stone to help my heart but sadly and obviously I lost muscle.I have tried and tried to regain that muscle just through eating good food but it's not working because my metabolism is so high and I've become weak.So I now take a protein shake that I make myself from one scoop of premium gold and oats ,peanut butter,coconut milk,1 banana and some cinnamon added.Thats gives me a good dose of protein with good fats and good carbs in it.I don't see the issue with that Otherwise I will never put on muscle and strength

Nathan53 profile image
Nathan53

Hello Nick I am in a similar position. I now go the gym at least 3 times a week and sometimes I struggle with getting enough protein in my diet. A good source is from nuts, meat and fish. I rarely eat meat and as I am exercising much more than in the past I am trying casein protein drink. I make the drink up from powder and have one 3 times a week the evening before I go to gym. The theory is the release of protein takes place during sleep and is beneficial to your work out the following day. It's low fat and I notice a difference in my ability to do repetative strength building exercises. You may find the attached articles of interest healthline.com/nutrition/ca... ekopura.com/en/about-ekopura/

I got my product via Amazon from a company called EkoPura and was impressed with there service and invitation to contact them if I wanted any advice. Like all supplements this is a very personal decision. I always feels it's better to obtain nutrician via healthy varied foods but sometimes I struggle to get the balance and occasional supplementation works for me. Hope this helps usual caveat check with Pharmacist if in any doubt.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

As mentioned previously a Mediterranean diet should provide all the protein needed. Excessive protein may strain the kidneys which would be even more of a problem if diabetes, heart disease, BP or any form of kidney disease is present.

Someone I know was a gym addict and into protein shakes, etc. He is currently in hospital on dialysis in the hope that with reduced strain his kidneys may recover. If not it is dialysis and the transplant waiting list. My kidney function is slightly reduced after a lifetime of diabetes. I would never touch a protein shake myself as unless medically prescribed it is not needed!

ChicagoGirl1961 profile image
ChicagoGirl1961

I supplement with a modest amount of protein several time a week, but in small amounts and only on days that I exercise vigorously. For most diets I think protein supplements are unnecessary. The vegetarian diet that I adhere to has a minimal amount of protein and consists primarily of complex carbs which is which is why I supplement at times. I've heard a lot of people at the gym say you need 1gram protein for each pound of body weight which I believe is far to much. I consume approx. .5 grams per pound of body weight, and even with exercise I have found this to be sufficient for me.

Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2

Look up the BANT website and have a chat with a qualified nutritionist. Some interesting comments about BMI earlier. A more useful measure, especially for sportsmen, is one that measures your waist against your height, (waist size should usually be about 37" or less) , measured across your belly button, not underneath it.

The days of fat professional rugby players have gone - watch the next international match. Big -yes, heavy -yes, muscular -yes. Fast - yes. Fit -yes. Wobbly bellies -no.

Kaz747 profile image
Kaz747

Some gym junkies can tend to overdose on protein so I wouldn’t recommend that but I see no issue with a healthy protein shake. My cardiologist suggested that I try protein shakes with berries for breakfast. I also spoke with a nutritionist who suggested adding yogurt and fibre. Now 4 - 5 times a week for breakfast I have a shake which contains- unsweetened almond and coconut milk, 1 1/2 tablespoons of soy protein powder, frozen blueberries, a banana (if I have any), Greek yogurt, hemp seeds, chia seeds, psyllium husks and LSA (linseed, sunflower seeds and almond). It’s thick, tasty and nutritious and keeps me feeling full for hours (and it’s vegan - not that I am but I like to stick to a predominately plant based Mediterranean diet). On other days I’ll have Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts or eggs.

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