Using Protein Powder To Lose Weight?

• I'm trying to lose weight (about 40 lbs). I'm doing this program and a recipe they recommend doing that's quick is a berry smoothie shake with 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (they also have other recipes that use the vanilla protein powder too). I bought Pure Protein 100% Whey Protein in Vanilla Cream. http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/74/98/26/50/0074982650491_500X500.jpg It was cheaper (2 lbs for $19 at Stop N Shop) and I figured it would do the job when I would want a shake in the morning for breakfast. I read the label and it said "Do not use for weight reduction." But at the same time it gives tips for dieters and on the website it showed a testimonial that used it to lose 16 lbs and it was a woman. I'm a little confused by the packaging and advertising. Will I gain weight? I mean, if I use it once a week at most in the morning only for a breakfast shake (some fat free milk and berries added) I don't really think I would put on weight (I'm eating healthy, exercising and drinking a lot of water). Did anyone else use this brand to lose weight? Help?

• Answer:

  You seem to not understand what protein do in your body. It helps you to lose weight not makes you lose weight. Your body gets 3 main energy which are carbohydrate, protein, lipids (fats). Carbohydrates (rice, veg, grain...) are broken in your body first to be used as energy. Then fats are used after all the carbohydrates are broken down if now they are stored in your body. However, protein does not get stored in your body or used as energy, they don't make you gain weight at all no matter how much you eat them. You eat protein b/c when you have to carbohydrate ,but have protein in your body, your body will burn the fat inside your body b/c it can't break down protein for energy and it doesn't have carbohydrate so no fats to store ,but fats to burn. Protein is just to fill up your stomach. But make sure you don't eat too much carbohydrate b/c then carbohdyrates will be burned and fats will be left behind in your body. So any source pr protein shake helps you to lose weight as long as you cut down your carbohydrate for protein to make fats be burned.