Anyone surviving and hitting protein goals on just shakes?

[oldbull]

i replace 2 or 3 of my meals with whey isolate once my appetite starts to go away when bulking hard

its makes it easier to get the calories down

you will still make progress using whey... people who say protein powder doesn't work are delusional your body doesn't know the difference its still protein

jay cutler said 4 of his meals were from protein powder and look how huge he got

See, that’s one thing I have always been nervous about.

I never was fond of taking vitamins because I had a sense they didn’t really do much in that concentrated form. Later I read that they don’t really absorb much unless taken in the form of actual fruits and vegetables, but I am not sure how true that is…

So the same sort of thing worries me about protein isolates — like our body won’t be as likely to absorb them — but it seems like less of a problem than with vitamins.

Somehow, it intuitively seems like protein is less finicky than vitamins, but I still would bet that our body makes better use of it if it’s in the form of meat…

 

[oldbull]

i replace 2 or 3 of my meals with whey isolate once my appetite starts to go away when bulking hard

its makes it easier to get the calories down

you will still make progress using whey... people who say protein powder doesn't work are delusional your body doesn't know the difference its still protein

jay cutler said 4 of his meals were from protein powder and look how huge he got

See, that’s one thing I have always been nervous about.

I never was fond of taking vitamins because I had a sense they didn’t really do much in that concentrated form. Later I read that they don’t really absorb much unless taken in the form of actual fruits and vegetables, but I am not sure how true that is…

So the same sort of thing worries me about protein isolates — like our body won’t be as likely to absorb them — but it seems like less of a problem than with vitamins.

Somehow, it intuitively seems like protein is less finicky than vitamins, but I still would bet that our body makes better use of it if it’s in the form of meat…

 

[oldbull]

Oops. I hit post twice because I thought it did not work the first time — sorry…

 

[Chester]

All protein should come from solid food sources. If you do have a shake, I wouldn’t even factor in the protein from it, in your daily macro requirements. I personally think powdered protein/shakes are one of the biggest scams in the sup industry. And people who rely on them as a source, are greatly hindering their progress. No one really knows if your body utilizes even a single gram of it. The day I quit protein powder/shakes…is when my physique drastically changed for the better. That was 15 years ago.

 

[oldbull]

All protein should come from solid food sources. If you do have a shake, I wouldn’t even factor in the protein from it, in your daily macro requirements. I personally think powdered protein/shakes are one of the biggest scams in the sup industry. And people who rely on them as a source, are greatly hindering their progress. No one really knows if your body utilizes even a single gram of it. The day I quit protein powder/shakes…is when my physique drastically changed for the better. That was 15 years ago.

From what I am reading in reputable sounding articles (medical journal or at least citing medical study), whey protein isolate is readily absorbed and digested but it often is not efficiently utilized for muscle synthesis. If you eat too much at once, most of it is wasted. Probably the reason you had better luck with actual food is that you were eating as much protein as you could actually utilize — that’s my guess anyway…

 

[J.S.]

I haven’t had a shake in quite awhile, not against them at all. I make my yogurt and typically mix a scoop of whatever flavor I’m using at the time in it, just to boost the protein amount, it’s my first meal of the day.

 

[Bolan]

I get the convenience factor. I find a mix works best – shakes for ease, but I try to get at least a couple of solid meals in too. Maybe try prepping some meals on the weekend? Could save you some time during the week.

Are you a Sexy bot?
Got pics??

 

[Theotherone55]

All protein should come from solid food sources. If you do have a shake, I wouldn’t even factor in the protein from it, in your daily macro requirements. I personally think powdered protein/shakes are one of the biggest scams in the sup industry. And people who rely on them as a source, are greatly hindering their progress. No one really knows if your body utilizes even a single gram of it. The day I quit protein powder/shakes…is when my physique drastically changed for the better. That was 15 years ago.

All of your claims or questions about protein powders have been debunked or just proven flat our wrong.
I'm not even a pro-shake guy but thinking protein powder is a scam and that your body doesnt utilize a single gram of it is just insane lol I can send you literally 100+ scientific papers, studies and writeups citing otherwise.

And again, i'm a pro-whole-food guy lol

 

[oldbull]

All of your claims or questions about protein powders have been debunked or just proven flat our wrong.
I'm not even a pro-shake guy but thinking protein powder is a scam and that your body doesnt utilize a single gram of it is just insane lol I can send you literally 100+ scientific papers, studies and writeups citing otherwise.

And again, i'm a pro-whole-food guy lol

I think it’s just a matter of innate suspicion of anything that seems too good to be true. I mean, sometimes I find myself thinking, “how is it possible this scoop of powder has nearly as much protein as a steak?” But I know how its manufactured so I tend to believe it does…

 

[GonadalGooner88]

Whey and casein are 100% equivalent in amino acid quality to all other animal proteins. Just intuitively a diet where you get most of your protein from whole food sources would probavly be better. But for a strict performance and muscle protein perspective, shakes are identical to whole foods.
And if they allow you to meet your protein goals easier, they are just superior for you.

Plant protein powders are slightly inferior, but this can be compensated by just consuming a bit more protein. This is easily met too because plant proteins are usually much cheaper.

Sent from my SM-S938U1 using Tapatalk

 

[BBruce]

jay cutler said 4 of his meals were from protein powder and look how huge he got

Jay probably ate 16x a day so majority of his intake was still from food

 

[rawbuilt]

Jay probably ate 16x a day so majority of his intake was still from food

maybe in prep but not offseason

 

[Durro NoHurtNoBigShirt]

IFBB Pro Dexter Jackson did a lot of shakes but he was a genetic freak so was Jay Cutler. If you’re just the average guy whole foods are the best way to go. Sometimes you don’t have time or can’t eat then that’s when a protein shake with a carb powder would be better than nothing.

 

[Durro NoHurtNoBigShirt]

Here’s a thread on Dexter

Thread 'Dexter Jackson Diet Secrets for Staying Lean Through the Years'

Nov 8, 2025

Dexter Jackson stays lean all year by eating 1.5 grams of protein that match his body weight, making small changes to his carb intake during contest prep, and getting 15 to 20 percent of his calories from fat. He eats 6 to 7 small meals every 2 to 3 hours, with carbs around workouts and protein spread out evenly.

His stack of supplements includes whey isolate, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), multivitamins, and omega-3s. The Blade's strict routine shows why he's been in great shape for decades.

Year-Round Macronutrient Distribution​

A lot of bodybuilders change their...

• 01dragonslayer
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Diet & Nutrition

• 

 

[BBruce]

maybe in prep but not offseason

I’m just messing around

 

[FearsomeCOR]

So the same sort of thing worries me about protein isolates — like our body won’t be as likely to absorb them — but it seems like less of a problem than with vitamins

If it makes you feel better, this is not something you need to worry about

 

[oldbull]

If it makes you feel better, this is not something you need to worry about

No, I don’t think they are literally indigestible — like I said, it just seems too good to be true! I try to time the scoops at the midway point between meals, so as not to consume too much protein and end up wasting a bunch…

 

[FearsomeCOR]

like I said, it just seems too good to be true!

Well bro, it’s legit! Remember whey is just food at the end of the day

 

[Battousai]

Drink 6-8 smoothies a day with nothing but whey, cream of rice, and skim milk. Come back here and tell me your progress.

"Eat real food" whey is food, its literally milk in powdered form.

 

[oldbull]

Well bro, it’s legit! Remember whey is just food at the end of the day

What do you think of bone broth protein powder? I use a fair amount of that as well, as I read that it has a lot of complex amino acids or whatever is supposed to be beneficial — I usually alternate between the bone broth protein and whey protein.

I figure the same principle you mention should apply since it is basically bone marrow and other cow protein I am eating…

 

[FearsomeCOR]

What do you think of bone broth protein powder? I use a fair amount of that as well, as I read that it has a lot of complex amino acids or whatever is supposed to be beneficial — I usually alternate between the bone broth protein and whey protein.

I figure the same principle you mention should apply since it is basically bone marrow and other cow protein I am eating…

Good for joints, gut lining, and tendons possibly as it’s mostly collagen, but absolutely not good for muscle building. Definitely not something you should be swapping with whey. Not a muscle building tool imo.

 

[Chester]

All of your claims or questions about protein powders have been debunked or just proven flat our wrong.
I'm not even a pro-shake guy but thinking protein powder is a scam and that your body doesnt utilize a single gram of it is just insane lol I can send you literally 100+ scientific papers, studies and writeups citing otherwise.

And again, i'm a pro-whole-food guy lol

I hear you. And ty for the input.
But just the same, you can find 100+ scientific papers siting that your body only absorbs max 10gm of protein per hour. So if you’re slamming 50gm shakes…the concern truly is…how much are you actually absorbing vs how much are you just filtering and refusing out. Which is my point. And at that, it varies individually as well. That’s why eating Whole Foods, gives your body time to produce enzymes that aid in the process, breakdown, partition and absorption,all at its natural pace. Making the protein you consume, much more efficient for building muscle. I’m not saying don’t drink shakes, but I am saying, or advocating, don’t count on them for your protein needs. Go to whole food first. Plus, most protein powders, have so much trash and fillers in them, as well as, much of the protein, is destroyed in the manufacturing process, especially pre-made shakes. It rendered the protein extremely low in bio-available. Theres a reason Dorian, Kevin, Lee, Jay, etc, all ate 6 plus meals, equating to 60-70gm protein and 50-100gm carbs, all from whole foods.
Anyways. Great discussion. Great perspectives. Much respect my friend

 

[TommyJam]

But just the same, you can find 100+ scientific papers siting that your body only absorbs max 10gm of protein per hour.

I use whey pretty sparingly. Most often if I do use it, it is as a flavoring or sweetener for a protein dessert or in my oatmeal.

I am for sure on team "whole foods" but your statement is not even remotely true.

AI Overview
The claim that the body can only absorb 10 grams of protein per hour is a myth; the body can absorb virtually all the protein consumed in a meal, though the rate varies by protein type. There are no scientific papers that conclude a strict 10g per hour limit for all protein absorption.

 

[Theotherone55]

I hear you. And ty for the input.
But just the same, you can find 100+ scientific papers siting that your body only absorbs max 10gm of protein per hour.

But no, there is not lol

Theres a reason Dorian, Kevin, Lee, Jay, etc, all ate 6 plus meals, equating to 60-70gm protein and 50-100gm carbs, all from whole foods.

The reason they didnt drink shakes is ...because shakes either werent a thing (Dorian time) or were branddd new (original MET-Rx shakes) so guys were just experimenting with them (see tons of Dave Palumbo videos). And you better believe that pre-shake time, guys were experimenting and making weird stuff themselves throwing whole milk and egg whites into a blender to drink and drink their calories. So that example doesnt quite work.

Again, not trying to shut you down as i am an advocate of whole meals. But im very realistic in that protein shakes, the clinical evidence around them, their nutrition, etc are allll viable. OF COURSE, you have to look at quality. No one is saying to buy some generic trash brand you find at Walmart and convicing yourself its a quality product. But with 3 minutes of research online you can find top notch, 3rd party testing protein powders to SUPPLEMENT (not fullly take over) your protein requirements for the day. I order from TrueNutrition because i know Dante Trudel is a stiiickler for quality, tested products and that im getting something legit. If protein powders were as fake and crap as the discussion here is leading on to, there would not be massive mosters alll over the world drinking them to hit their 400g+ requirements.

 

[FearsomeCOR]

But no, there is not lol

The reason they didnt drink shakes is ...because shakes either werent a thing (Dorian time) or were branddd new (original MET-Rx shakes) so guys were just experimenting with them (see tons of Dave Palumbo videos). And you better believe that pre-shake time, guys were experimenting and making weird stuff themselves throwing whole milk and egg whites into a blender to drink and drink their calories. So that example doesnt quite work.

Again, not trying to shut you down as i am an advocate of whole meals. But im very realistic in that protein shakes, the clinical evidence around them, their nutrition, etc are allll viable. OF COURSE, you have to look at quality. No one is saying to buy some generic trash brand you find at Walmart and convicing yourself its a quality product. But with 3 minutes of research online you can find top notch, 3rd party testing protein powders to SUPPLEMENT (not fullly take over) your protein requirements for the day. I order from TrueNutrition because i know Dante Trudel is a stiiickler for quality, tested products and that im getting something legit. If protein powders were as fake and crap as the discussion here is leading on to, there would not be massive mosters alll over the world drinking them to hit their 400g+ requirements.

All the proof I need is in the iconic video of Ronnie drinking 100g+ whey and nesquik in the morning

But seriously, especially all the guys under Chad just look at how much protein they had over the day; and even moreso how much per meal.

 

[CJB71]

I have a buddy that drinks raw egg whites with protein powder. He swears by it, but I’m not sure of the bioavailability of raw egg whites. He does 16oz and 2 scoops of protein powder which is supposedly 100 grams of protein. Thoughts?

 

[FearsomeCOR]

I have a buddy that drinks raw egg whites with protein powder. He swears by it, but I’m not sure of the bioavailability of raw egg whites. He does 16oz and 2 scoops of protein powder which is supposedly 100 grams of protein. Thoughts?

My thought is why when whey exist clearly he can tolerate it since he’s using it

 

[Battousai]

But no, there is not lol

The reason they didnt drink shakes is ...because shakes either werent a thing (Dorian time) or were branddd new (original MET-Rx shakes) so guys were just experimenting with them (see tons of Dave Palumbo videos). And you better believe that pre-shake time, guys were experimenting and making weird stuff themselves throwing whole milk and egg whites into a blender to drink and drink their calories. So that example doesnt quite work.

Again, not trying to shut you down as i am an advocate of whole meals. But im very realistic in that protein shakes, the clinical evidence around them, their nutrition, etc are allll viable. OF COURSE, you have to look at quality. No one is saying to buy some generic trash brand you find at Walmart and convicing yourself its a quality product. But with 3 minutes of research online you can find top notch, 3rd party testing protein powders to SUPPLEMENT (not fullly take over) your protein requirements for the day. I order from TrueNutrition because i know Dante Trudel is a stiiickler for quality, tested products and that im getting something legit. If protein powders were as fake and crap as the discussion here is leading on to, there would not be massive mosters alll over the world drinking them to hit their 400g+ requirements.

I've been using TN for years as well. He also a line that is 0g fat. All his why is 30g per scoop as well, more protein per scoop.

 

[koseven]

I get where you're coming from. Shakes are definitely convenient. As long as you're getting a variety of nutrients and feeling good, it's probably a decent approach.

 

[rawbuilt]

i switched all of my protein sources to whey isolate i got bigger, my weight went up and i got stronger progressing all of my lifts

people who think whey isnt real protein are delusional