Question on Meal Replacement Shakes

[paco_36832]

The other day in my Wellness class, my instructor asks: "Who in here buys protein powders and stuff from GNC?" So I raise my hand. Then he says to me I'm peeing out all the protein I spend money on.

Fact is, I'm using those Met-Rx Ultra shakes, which you might call protein shakes, but I'm taking them more just to replace the 3 or 4 Poptarts I'd otherwise eat. The guy made it sound like I was Mr. Uninformed Sucker Consumer. Also, I'm training for a marathon, so it makes it easier than wolfing down all that food.

Oh yeah...my question was, is the guy right about it being a waste of money?

[TreeTrunks]

That guy is wrong. He is making a gross over generalization that because you go to GNC you consume 800 grams of protein a day. Besides what are his credentials anyway? What does a high school wellness teacher know about sports nutrition? His degree is basic general education not sports nutrition.

[LAM]

Your instructor is an idiot to make such a blanket statement.

How does he know what the protein requirements of your body are ? how does he know how much protein it takes for you to maintain a positive protein balance in your muslces ?

Is your "Wellness" instructor fat or a skinny bean-pole ?

[DcK]

That particular instructor is an idiot, do not listen to him. I love to embarrass those idiots who say crap like that, and for him to call you out in public like that is a total like of respect, not only for you but the whole class. I get the same garbage from some of these older md's, trying to tell me that vitamins only give you expensive urine, meanwhile they're profession is the 3rd leading cause of death in the US.

[paco_36832]

I forgot to say this is a college class I'm taking as an elective. I think the instructor is working on his Masters in Exercise Science. Anyway, I read the book, and I'm guessing he was just parroting what the book says in this section where it goes through and evaluates a big list of supplements.

Protein:

Supposed effects: Increased muscle mass
Actual effects: No effect if dietary protein intake is adequate
Selected Potential Side Effects: Can be dangerous for people with liver or kidney disease.


Anyway, evidently the mainstream opinion is that everything at GNC, including multivitamins, is for suckers because you can get it all in a balanced diet. I heard the same line in my nutrition class. And while that may be true, I think it's missing the point.

[paco_36832]

Oh yeah, this is off the subject, but I found it interesting when I was reading the list:

Creatine Monohydrate:

Supposed effects: Increased muscle creatine phosphate, muscle mass and capacity for high-intensity exercise.
Actual effects: Increased muscle mass and performance in some types of high-intensity exercise.
Selected potential side effects: Minimal side effects; some reports of muscle cramping and exacerbation of existing kidney problems. Long term effects unknown.

[TreeTrunks]

for the average joe yeah everything can be acheived through a balanced diet. But bodybuilders are not the average joe our nutritional intake varys vastly from that of joe shmo. Mr. Shmo doesn't tears his muscles down on a daily basis no Mr. Shmo sits on his ass in an office all day. Also when you workout you lose vitamins and minerals and you have to constantly keep those replenished. Theres an old saying that I like when it comes to teachers, those who can't do, teach.

[Stray]

Next time he singles you out like that, piss on the floor and have him point out the protein in the puddle.

[TreeTrunks]

lol