

"Should I Be Using Protein Powder If I Want to Lose Weight?"

Find out if it's smart to invest in some if you're trying to drop pounds


The question: Is it smart to take protein powder if I'm trying to lose weight?

The expert: Nicole Avena, Ph.D., research faculty member at the New York Obesity Center and author of Why Diets Fail.

The answer: Protein powder can help you lose weight—and it's especially helpful during your workouts. The energy boost you get from the powder can help you push your muscles harder during your sweat sessions, so you'll torch more calories, says Avena. 

That said, you definitely don't need to use protein powders if you're trying to slim down. In fact, a high-protein diet from natural sources (nuts and lean meats, for example) may be better. Here's why: While eating meals that are packed with protein helps fuel your body—and makes you feel fuller for a longer period of time—many protein powders contain lots of added sugar for flavor, which increases the total calorie count, says Avena. Plus, they can be fairly high calorie even without a lot of extra sugar.

So if you're going to mix some protein powder into your diet—like in a healthy smoothie—read the nutrition label first to see just how much sweet stuff you're also putting into your body. You should also aim to eat low-calorie healthy foods throughout the rest of the day to make up for the extra calories you're consuming through the protein powder. Otherwise, you'll be taking in more calories without subtracting calories from other meals—which can backfire and cause you to gain weight. 

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