Protein Shake for Paleo Diet

[Michael Penna]

I don't know if this is the right place for this post, since it appears that Cross Fit endorses the Zone diet, but this is a question related to the Paleo Diet and those who follow other diets but also follow the guidelines of the paleo diet.

One of the basic principles of the paleo diet is no dairy. As for me, sometimes for my workouts I drink a protein shake after in order to ensure my body has adequate protein. Also sometimes I'll drink a protein shake at night on days the workout is really intense (at night I drink Muscle Milk the natural version).

Since the paleo diet forbids dairy, what do people who follow the paleo diet use after their workouts or before going to bed to make sure they are getting enough protein? During the day I don't always have enough time for a meal so what would you recommend? Thanks

[Scott Donchak]

Originally Posted by Michael Penna

I don't know if this is the right place for this post, since it appears that Cross Fit endorses the Zone diet, but this is a question related to the Paleo Diet and those who follow other diets but also follow the guidelines of the paleo diet.

One of the basic principles of the paleo diet is no dairy. As for me, sometimes for my workouts I drink a protein shake after in order to ensure my body has adequate protein. Also sometimes I'll drink a protein shake at night on days the workout is really intense (at night I drink Muscle Milk the natural version).

Since the paleo diet forbids dairy, what do people who follow the paleo diet use after their workouts or before going to bed to make sure they are getting enough protein? During the day I don't always have enough time for a meal so what would you recommend? Thanks

This gets asked a lot. Post Work Out (PWO) meals are a hot topic so if you use the search function, you'll find a lot more information.

The standard PWO meals tend to be a complex carbohydrate such as a banana or a sweet potato coupled with a large portion or lean meat such as turkey, chicken, etc.

[Eric Montgomery]

Muscle Milk is overpriced and overrated. If you need a protein supplement just find a whey or whey/casein blend that doesn't have a lot of additives in it, and mix it with coconut milk. Nitrean, Optimum Nutrition, and Muscle Gauge Nutrition have some good options. It's not Paleo, but you could do far worse...even Robb Wolf and Mark Sisson advocate protein powders from time to time.

[Mike McGee]

Michael, as mentioned, PWO nutrition is a huge topic on here, as well as milk for that matter. What you have to ask yourself is: What are you goals? Do you feel the protein shakes help you perform better or recover quicker? If so, stick with them. You know what's best for you. One thing you can try is stop taking them for a month. See how you feel, then decide.

[Tom Jones Jr]

I don't think protein shakes are at all vital, as real food will always trump them, but i don't see why they need be forbidden because they ar not paleo.

I eat real food protein post workout, like shrimp or turkey slices. I think whey is overpriced for really not that much nutritional value, and as a meal replacement is wholly inadequate. Is an extra 20g protein and 100kcals really going to improve recovery?

It depends on goals. If you're goal is to put weight on, consider whole, non-homogenised, grassfed(cow) milk. If it's to lose weight, don't consider it.

If we're talking meal replacment every now and then, well, whole milk has a perfect ratio of protein, carbs and fat, so yeah just do it. Forget about the limitations of paleo unless you feel truly compelled to stick to it 24/7.

Also, if you don't ALWAYS have time for a meal during the day, its not always going to be a problem unless you have specific goals such as weight gain, and you are eating enought morning and night.

[Scott Donchak]

Originally Posted by Eric Montgomery

Muscle Milk is overpriced and overrated. If you need a protein supplement just find a whey or whey/casein blend that doesn't have a lot of additives in it, and mix it with coconut milk. Nitrean, Optimum Nutrition, and Muscle Gauge Nutrition have some good options. It's not Paleo, but you could do far worse...even Robb Wolf and Mark Sisson advocate protein powders from time to time.

I agree with this. Muscle Milk is on the low end of the spectrum in terms of quality.

[Scott Donchak]

Originally Posted by Tom Jones Jr

I don't think protein shakes are at all vital, as real food will always trump them, but i don't see why they need be forbidden because they ar not paleo.

I eat real food protein post workout, like shrimp or turkey slices. I think whey is overpriced for really not that much nutritional value, and as a meal replacement is wholly inadequate. Is an extra 20g protein and 100kcals really going to improve recovery?

It depends on goals. If you're goal is to put weight on, consider whole, non-homogenised, grassfed(cow) milk. If it's to lose weight, don't consider it.

If we're talking meal replacment every now and then, well, whole milk has a perfect ratio of protein, carbs and fat, so yeah just do it. Forget about the limitations of paleo unless you feel truly compelled to stick to it 24/7.

Also, if you don't ALWAYS have time for a meal during the day, its not always going to be a problem unless you have specific goals such as weight gain, and you are eating enought morning and night.

Again, I agree with this. There's absolutely no exercuse for replacing a meal with protein powder. It should be a supplement assuming your goals are strength gains.

Although, I've seen some people use PWO protein shakes during fat loss phases and be successful. Like others have said, there are worse things out there.

[Scott Donchak]

Here's an interesting log of someone who consumed a beastly amount of Whey and milk on a strength gain program.

WFS

http://crossfitfenway.com/2010/07/30...hing-stronger/

[Michael Christian]

Carnivore from muscle meds is about as close to paleo as u can get.100% beef protein isolate. I love it and take it after every wod. Try'd the food pwo and couldn't keep it down.

[Scott Donchak]

Originally Posted by Michael Christian

Carnivore from muscle meds is about as close to paleo as u can get.100% beef protein isolate. I love it and take it after every wod. Try'd the food pwo and couldn't keep it down.

Personally, the last thing I want to do is eat after a WOD. I'm way to thirsty and fatigued to be chewing.