ActiveNutritionDoes protein make you gain weight?Let’s bust some myths about proteinWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveNutritionDoes protein make you gain weight?Let’s bust some myths about proteinWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Let’s bust some myths about protein
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Protein powders have a terrible reputation. Well, not necessarily bad, but the public’s image of protein supplements is indeed distorted, to say the least. It’s often thought that protein powders are full of additives, are bad for health, and might even cause weight gain. Are these urban myths true?
There is a lot to unpack here. First of all, what is protein? Dietary protein is one of the three mainmacronutrientsthe body needs to function. All of them are important, but protein is essential for muscle recovery, among other functions. Hence, thebest protein powdersare so popular among bodybuilders.
This is the same reason why many people associate protein with muscle building only. However, protein alone won’t give you big muscles. You need to consume a lot of protein from various sources and work out with weights frequently for muscles to grow, and even then, they will probably never get as big as you think they might.
Can protein help you lose weight?
Protein is recommended for musclerecoveryafter any exercise. Runners and cyclists often consume protein shakes or have a quickprotein barafter training to help their muscles get back on their feet, so to say. And if you ever saw long-distance runners and cyclists, you know they aren’t big people.
So, does this mean protein won’t make you gain weight? As a matter of fact, protein can help peoplelose weight. Protein is considerably low in calories (1 gram of protein is around 4 calories), and protein-rich food will make you feel fuller for longer. Consuming fatty foods have a similar effect, but fat has a much higher calorie content (around 9 calories per gram).
Protein shakes are generally low in calories, making them an ideal snack for people trying tolose belly fat. A serving of protein powder contains around 100-120 calories when mixed with water and is made mainly of protein. This is why bodybuilders prefer protein shakes; they can fine-tune their diet and protein consumption.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
How not to gain weight using protein
How come some people put on weight when drinking protein shakes? Many people will add extra protein shakes to their diets without removing unhealthy snacks, which might be why they don’t see weight loss results.
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When additional protein is consumed, and that isn’t needed for muscle recovery/maintenance, it will be used as energy and can potentially be stored as fat in the body.
If you want to lose weight using protein, you must match the intake with physical exercise so your body can utilise the macronutrient for what it’s for. This doesn’t have to be strength training, but admittedly,long term weight lossis only possible if you increase your basal metabolic rate; adding extra muscle mass is a great way to do that healthily.
To reiterate, we aren’t talking about professional bodybuilder-level muscle mass, onlymoremuscle than an average person has.
Can protein help you gain healthy weight?
As we already discussed, protein supplements are often used in bodybuilding circles. Considering how big those people are, protein powder surely can help yougain weight and bulk up. Under the right circumstances, it certainly can.
After a long period of frequent resistance training sessions, this process can result in noticeablemuscle growth. The way to gain weight is to have good training and a decent diet plan in place. Not to mention, allowing your body to recover. If you are one of those people who struggle to put on weight, you can trymass gainers; these are high-calorie protein supplements for so-calledhard gainers.
(Image credit: USN)
(Image credit: USN)
Does protein make you gain weight?
Protein can help you gain and lose weight easier, depending on your fitness goal. It can only do either of those things if your increased protein consumption is part of a healthy diet plan. Just drinking an extra protein shake a day won’t cut it.
You should have protein from a variety of sources and not just protein powder. Both animal and plant-based protein are available in abundance, including organic poultry, tofu, leafy greens, beans and so on. Mix things up and monitor your intake so you don’t go too overboard.
And whatever your weight goal is, make sure you exercise accordingly so you can reach it sooner. Here are some workouts for inspiration:best full-body workout,best HIIT workout,best kettlebell workoutandbest push-pull-legs exercise routine.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
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Today’s best Sports Nutrition And Supplements dealsNature’s Bounty Magnesium$6.77$5.41ViewSee all pricesRXBAR Blueberry Protein Bar$9.39ViewSee all pricesSolgar Advanced Acidophilus Plus$11.24$9.76ViewSee all pricesSwanson Sipping Bone Broth, Pack of 8$18.29$16.04ViewSee all pricesDeal ends in21h 24m 01sVitabiotics Menopace$12.34$8.98ViewSee all pricesNature’s Answer Rosemary Leaf Extract$14.99$11.24ViewSee all pricesSolgar Ester-C Immune Complex$10ViewSee all pricesSkratch Labs Hydration Drink Mix$1.95ViewSee all pricesNature’s Way Joint Movement Glucosamine$18.49$12.25ViewSee all pricesClif Bar Energy Bars$2.25ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Sports Nutrition And Supplements dealsNature’s Bounty Magnesium$6.77$5.41ViewSee all pricesRXBAR Blueberry Protein Bar$9.39ViewSee all pricesSolgar Advanced Acidophilus Plus$11.24$9.76ViewSee all pricesSwanson Sipping Bone Broth, Pack of 8$18.29$16.04ViewSee all pricesDeal ends in21h 24m 01sVitabiotics Menopace$12.34$8.98ViewSee all pricesNature’s Answer Rosemary Leaf Extract$14.99$11.24ViewSee all pricesSolgar Ester-C Immune Complex$10ViewSee all pricesSkratch Labs Hydration Drink Mix$1.95ViewSee all pricesNature’s Way Joint Movement Glucosamine$18.49$12.25ViewSee all pricesClif Bar Energy Bars$2.25ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Sports Nutrition And Supplements deals
Nature’s Bounty Magnesium$6.77$5.41ViewSee all pricesRXBAR Blueberry Protein Bar$9.39ViewSee all pricesSolgar Advanced Acidophilus Plus$11.24$9.76ViewSee all pricesSwanson Sipping Bone Broth, Pack of 8$18.29$16.04ViewSee all pricesDeal ends in21h 24m 01sVitabiotics Menopace$12.34$8.98ViewSee all pricesNature’s Answer Rosemary Leaf Extract$14.99$11.24ViewSee all pricesSolgar Ester-C Immune Complex$10ViewSee all pricesSkratch Labs Hydration Drink Mix$1.95ViewSee all pricesNature’s Way Joint Movement Glucosamine$18.49$12.25ViewSee all pricesClif Bar Energy Bars$2.25ViewSee all prices
Nature’s Bounty Magnesium$6.77$5.41ViewSee all prices
Nature’s Bounty Magnesium$6.77$5.41ViewSee all prices
Nature’s Bounty Magnesium
Nature’s Bounty Magnesium
$6.77$5.41View
$6.77$5.41
$5.41
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RXBAR Blueberry Protein Bar$9.39ViewSee all prices
RXBAR Blueberry Protein Bar$9.39ViewSee all prices
RXBAR Blueberry Protein Bar
RXBAR Blueberry Protein Bar
$9.39View
$9.39
$9.39
See all prices
Solgar Advanced Acidophilus Plus$11.24$9.76ViewSee all prices
Solgar Advanced Acidophilus Plus$11.24$9.76ViewSee all prices
Solgar Advanced Acidophilus Plus
Solgar Advanced Acidophilus Plus
$11.24$9.76View
$11.24$9.76
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Swanson Sipping Bone Broth, Pack of 8$18.29$16.04ViewSee all pricesDeal ends in21h 24m 01s
Swanson Sipping Bone Broth, Pack of 8$18.29$16.04ViewSee all prices
Swanson Sipping Bone Broth, Pack of 8
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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