I'm creating a new shopping list and basically a weekly macronutrient guide for myself to get back to lean bulking as my nutrition hasn't been as good as it used to be.

I am eating 3700kcals a day, 278g of protein, 370g of carbs and 123g of fat.

 

I was wondering if it's bad to make 27% of my protein come from supplements (shakes,protein bars/cookies) or should I lower it to 18%? 27% means i would have 2 scoops of protein and a protein snack everyday, 18% means I would have 1 scoop and 1 snack a day.

Thanks in advance! #NattyGains4Life

Okay Scott, thanks , I'm pretty sure I can hit it with the 18% most of the time :)

@xarnoldasx If you can get the protein you need with the smaller percentage (18%), go with that. You don't want to be overly reliant on protein supplements to hit your protein goals. But if you REALLY can't get enough protein through whole foods (e.g. meat, eggs, dairy) and you HAVE to have another protein supplement to hit your macros and calories, then that's OK.

 

The main thing is only do it if you NEED to.

I find it hard to hit my protein goal with just food but I find egg whites and yogurt help a lot.

I find it hard to hit my protein goal with just food but I find egg whites and yogurt help a lot.

Also what do you guys think of meal prep services? I'm living in Ireland and there's one that is persuading me.

5 days , 2500kcals per day and 120 euro for that every week. Seems alright yeah?

Might try it out and see if I like it.

I have not tried them but I rely on frozen meals that are mostly vegetables and protein. I try to skip the gravy and potato meals. Also on the eggs, I get the carton of egg whites and just make a bunch of omelettes with it. Makes it easy. Scott posted a nice video on picking a good yogurt. I was shocked how much they vary. I do like Sigg’s the best. The Icelandic type yogurts have a lot of flavor. The Walmart brand is also good but hard to find the fat free Greek plain one.

Also what do you guys think of meal prep services? I'm living in Ireland and there's one that is persuading me.

5 days , 2500kcals per day and 120 euro for that every week. Seems alright yeah?

Might try it out and see if I like it.

@xarnoldasx Meal prep servies are OK. That pricing for the amount of calories you're getting isn't too bad at all. That must be 3 or 4 meals per day? So 15 - 20 meals (roughly) for 120 Euros seems fair.

 

That being said, it might still be cheaper to buy food yourself that you can prep for the week. Time is money so if you don't feel you have the time to cook yourself and you think the price is worthwhile to you, then go for it!

Ok, yes I’ve been to Dublin a few times and I noticed that. On the potatoes, I’d just rather have broccoli or cauliflower that have lower calorie density. It’s just a preference but the prepared dinners with potatoes tend to be 350+ kcal but with broccoli more like 200+ so that fits my goals better.

Yeah with work I find it hard sometimes. I know it's only a few hours but sometimes I don't have that when im working 2-3 12 hours shifts in a row and then my macros go way off.. only getting 2000 calories a day when im going for 3700 :) Thanks

@xarnoldasx Shift work would make it tough for sure. If it appeals to you and your lifestyle to hit your macros and you can afford it, go for it man!