I’ve always wondered the same thing. It would be nice to get a concrete answer. When I think about it, I don’t see why it’s bad. Protein is protein if it comes from cheese or whey (I use that comparison because I believe it’s the same protein, as in, the same molecular makeup).
Outstanding question. Not sure if there are any real long term studies on how “healthy” or how “un-healthy” the dietary practice you are thinking about really are, and I’m quite sure many people will have strong opinions. For a real life experience (population of 1) perspective, here is mine:
I’m an old guy, and for almost half my life now, my protein sources have gone from being predominantly meat (beef, chicken, turkey, fish), eggs, and dairy to now roughly 75% protein powder, 25% meat & eggs (I have removed dairy completely). Not all of a sudden of course, but over that span of time (24 years span from one extreme to the other). The protein powder sources spanned from the whey isolate and casein sources you are doing now to my current use of predominantly MAG-10 and Metabolic Drive. Of course, when I started doing this, good whey and casein powders were just beginning to come out. Even then, I was skeptical of protein powder quality which is why in the beginning I didn’t believe in this type of protein consumption strategy as much as I do now.
I do religious blood work both when I was monitoring myself for physiological effects of…ahem…exogenous “stuff”…AND for health monitoring (i.e. the typical health panel that your doctor asks you to take during physicals, etc). I have only recently started to get my resting blood sugar levels monitored more succinctly (due to TC’s article not that long ago) along with the other panels. When I look at my “markers” over time, I do believe the change in diet (protein sources) did not negatively effect my health as far as I can tell and as far as my doctor and other health care “authorities” can tell. From a bodybuilding standpoint, I noticed no negatives either. It was more difficult to get the fat that normally accommodates animal protein sources (and which are important), but I had tried to balance that by taking in more oils, etc over time.
There was a big difference for me going to predominantly MAG-10 however as my primary protein powder source. I have developed digestion issues over years and years of overloading my system with nutrients in my quest for size and strength (which I have attained and could not have done it without the overfeeding in my opinion). MAG-10 and eating in a more “pulse feast” manner has completely cleared this up. But in your case, you mentioned the cost for shipping overseas…so this might be a moot point for you at this time.
It’s kind of a funny question, since I read an article that I believe said Greg Plitt (guy in OP’s avatar) only ate a whole food meal for dinner. Every other meal for him is liquid throughout the day. He uses it as a form of intermittent fasting.
The only negative I’ve personally found, is that when I rely too much on liquid nutrients, I’m usually hungry quite a bit. In the summers, when I don’t always feel like eating, it’s great. Otherwise, I’ll use a Metabolic Drive shake as my protein source, but have something else with it (either F dominant or C dominant sourced).
Progress wise, it hasn’t had any negative effect that I’ve noticed.
I did it before (maybe even more like 80% from whey) and really enjoyed it. Felt great the whole time. Another benefit of using shakes for a lot of protein is that you essentially separate your protein and fat macros, so you can play around with your menu a little more.
I’ve lived off protein shakes for years. Both after workouts, between whole food meals and before bed.
They have worked great for me.
Also to assist me when I was sick and didn’t have much appetite for whole food meals.
They have never let me down and would recommend them to any one!
Chase, you eat better than 99% of the world population.
And I don’t see a problem with your casein intake, but I would like to see you vary your vegetable and carb sources fairly frequently. You’re undoubtedly setting yourself up for some dietary deficiencies.
It’s pretty common, though. Most lifters eat about 20 different foods a week (the same 20), and as such are probably deficient in a bunch of minerals, if not vitamins. If, as you say, Biotest supps were a reasonable choice for you, I’d at least have you add Super Food to your shakes.