Are Protein Shakes a Good Idea?

[quote]Renton wrote:
will-of-iron wrote:
They can be very useful, especially post-workout when nutrition should be liquid.

However, they are no substitute for real food. They tend to be:

(a) fairly insulinongenic (i.e. spike insulin levels); and

(b) non-thermogenic (i.e. little/no metabolic stimulation).

Therefore, they are not great if you want low bodyfat and optimal health.

WTF?

(a) I’m diabetic and have to test my BG very regularly. I test straight after my workout, Then drink my shake (OP - convenience is the thing here really) then 1 and 2 hours pp to make sure I’m not going too high or low on my blood glucose. Never noticed ANY protein shake I’ve had Spike me unless it’s blatently carb loaded too.

(b) Reference your post - I’d be interested to read who thinks this and why.[/quote]

I’m sure he means the whole “burning more calories by simply eating food rather than drinking it”. I’ve read that on more than one occasion on this site, the whole process of digestion of whole foods is completely wiped out by downing a shake.

I actually started a thread called “Liquifying your nutrition” awhile back. I will try and dig it up.