Originally Posted by
khyricat
I am a medical professional- I do work with dialysis patients who need a super high protein diet, but even athletes often meet their needs without supplementation. and many of my dialysis patients do with just a thought to eating protein at every meal. I'm a dietitian. I won't say there isn't a place for supplements (I use them occasionally- I need protein with breakfast, but with a 45 mile commute I often make a smoothie to drink in the car when I work in Detroit, I use protein powders in those), but for most people they don't have to.. I'm not basing this off RDA, but off medical research and dietary needs identified by medical professionals. There are athletes who have no choice, but I don't get the impression that that is most of the people I've talked to on this board. Most of us aren't riding 100 miles a day for days at a time.. or even 100km/day... I won't argue that athletes need different things than sedentary people, but I do think each persons needs are different and that often we CAN meet them without adding in supplements on a regular basis. I just had this conversation with a bunch of medical professionals and proved that it can be done and done easily. It just takes some smart thinking. Snacks like roasted chickpeas instead of potato chips, edamame, etc...
I absolutely agree with you that protein supplements are not an absolute necessity...Personally I get majority of my daily protein intake from real food...The only time I use protein powder is after a strength/conditioning workout or during/after an intense bike ride...I also mix protein powder with other ingredients to make a high calorie smoothie which I take to work with me...I always believed that calories from solid food are better and healthier than liquid calories...however there are times and circumstances where liquid calories can be more practical and convenient. As long as liquid calories are kept in moderation it's ok.