Protein Powder: Is there a difference?

[fast ricky love]

Walked into my local GNC-style store and didn't have the slightest idea which to choose... Whey? What? Anyone know about this sort of thing?

[Scott Peterson]

You want whey based protein powder.

[xntrick]

what scott said...i like chocolate but i can't stand the taste of the chocolate drinks so i stick with the vanilla flavor...

[Chi]

whey...optimimum nutrition is good stuff...go with the chocolate...100% whey.

Protein mixes taste much better now than they did like 15 years ago...

[Dyingsea]

Whey or casien protein depending on what you're looking for. Read up on both.

[Scott Peterson]

FWIW, I am a proponent of Muscle Milk Chocolate.

I've tried a lot of them, and it works for me.

[The Doper]

Whey.
Soy gives you moobs.

[Ooogie]

I use EAS Premium Protein, you can get it at Costco and probably other discount stores...sometimes places like Target carry it as well if you want to avoid the high Supplement store prices.

There are reviews out there too if you want to Google them but basically read up and check the ingredients...here's an article discussing the types and benefits.

http://www.muscleandstrength.com/supplements/ingredients/whey-protein.html

Mark

[DaveF]

I like egg based powder, but it can have a bit of an egg taste at times.

edit: This was from years ago, I'm a fat tub now and don't work out enough to warrant using pp. so maybe there's better stuff on the market now.

[zodiactone]

FWIW, I am a proponent of Muscle Milk Chocolate.

I've tried a lot of them, and it works for me.

Muscle Milk is good, but you may also want to think about Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey (the extreme milk chocolate tastes great IMO). Don't go to GNC, you can order from sites like SBMuscle or Bodybuilding.com for MUCH MUCH LESS!!!!!! I get 5lb's of Optimum Nutrition Whey for $39.99 where at GNC it would cost $60 or more.

Hope that helps

[pcutt]

I prefer Dave Draper's Bomber Blend. Dave was a top bodybuilder and the reason Arnold moved to LA from Europe.

http://www.davedraper.com/whey-protein-contents.html

[jrm]

EAS makes a great whey protein.

NitroTech made a protein I used with great results as well.

[mcflymcflymcfly]

Go buy some chicken.

[PosterBoy]

look for online bulk whey companies they provide good quality unbranded whey (from the same source as all the other companies) but leave it up to you to put in flavourings and carbs etc, this means you can also use it in cooking etc.

Chicken is good but 1st thing in the morning or straight after a workout you can't beat whey in water to get to the muscle quickly

[Wagster]

whey...optimimum nutrition is good stuff...go with the chocolate...100% whey.

Protein mixes taste much better now than they did like 15 years ago... *Hint* The GNC brand is made by Optimimum Nutrition and is a little cheaper.If you mix with a Banana it taste pretty good.By its self it taste a little bland.The Chocolate flavors are the best.

[59Vampire]

I like Designer Whey. It is high quality and mixes well.

[RvChevron]

Do these protein stuff really help gaining weight?

I'm 36 and have been considered "skinny" my whole life. I weigh less than 130Lbs and I'm 6'.

I do have fast metabolism as I do eat alot and get hungry quick, relatively speaking. I do eat meals that are complete in various nutrients, meat, veget, carb (rice and bread)....etc.

I'd like to see if I can change my "skinny" body style.

Advice appreciated!

[The Guy]

all protein powders are processed, and very often, the process burns the protein so that it is not usable by the body. the trick is to find the stuff with as much usable protein as possible because even this 'destroyed' protein counts towards the nutrition facts on the label. just because the container says that there are 30 grams of protein per serving doesnt mean that its all usable for your body to absorb. research around and find out what has the highest quality process, do not get the cheapest. i have had good luck with designer whey. it does mix well, tastes okay, and contains a reasonable amount of good protein. also, glutamine is a good idea immediately following exercise. it will lessen muscle recovery time as well as soreness. but really, your best bet is real food- especially egg whites. your body will absorb that like a sponge. and dont forget, you need to increase your water and fiber intake alongside your protein, or you will have some very uncomfortable side effects, if you know what i mean!

[59Vampire]

Do these protein stuff really help gaining weight?

I'm 36 and have been considered "skinny" my whole life. I weigh less than 130Lbs and I'm 6'.

I do have fast metabolism as I do eat alot and get hungry quick, relatively speaking. I do eat meals that are complete in various nutrients, meat, veget, carb (rice and bread)....etc.

I'd like to see if I can change my "skinny" body style.

Advice appreciated!


dude you need to eat more

[tommyg]

Do these protein stuff really help gaining weight?

I'm 36 and have been considered "skinny" my whole life. I weigh less than 130Lbs and I'm 6'.

I do have fast metabolism as I do eat alot and get hungry quick, relatively speaking. I do eat meals that are complete in various nutrients, meat, veget, carb (rice and bread)....etc.

I'd like to see if I can change my "skinny" body style.

Advice appreciated!

You need to up your carb count; pasta, potatoes, rice.

[The Guy]

Do these protein stuff really help gaining weight?

I'm 36 and have been considered "skinny" my whole life. I weigh less than 130Lbs and I'm 6'.

I do have fast metabolism as I do eat alot and get hungry quick, relatively speaking. I do eat meals that are complete in various nutrients, meat, veget, carb (rice and bread)....etc.

I'd like to see if I can change my "skinny" body style.

Advice appreciated!

only with weight training. gaining weight when youre skinny is just as hard as losing it when youre overweight. you need to devote yourself to the cause, and there are lots of measures that need to be taken, not just one or two- just like trying to lose weight. but the most important thing is how you feel, and how healthy you are. people mistake good looks for fitness, those mr universe guys are some of the most unhealthy people out there, and they usually suffer terrible health problems later in life. i guess what im trying to say is, health SHOULD be your goal, but then again, you are certainly entitled to any goal you like. :D

[RvChevron]

only with weight training. gaining weight when youre skinny is just as hard as losing it when youre overweight. you need to devote yourself to the cause, and there are lots of measures that need to be taken, not just one or two- just like trying to lose weight. but the most important thing is how you feel, and how healthy you are. people mistake good looks for fitness, those mr universe guys are some of the most unhealthy people out there, and they usually suffer terrible health problems later in life. i guess what im trying to say is, health SHOULD be your goal, but then again, you are certainly entitled to any goal you like. :D

Thanks, and yes health will always be more important than looks, to me anyway. Physically and mentally I feel just fine and normal. It's just I saw this thread and was curious to see if there's anything I can do to change my skinny look.:cry:

We do things to improve our tone musically and I'd like to do the same physically.:D

[irok660]

I hear the Chinese make some killer protein powder!!

[fast ricky love]

Great thread!

[AL30]

It's just I saw this thread and was curious to see if there's anything I can do to change my skinny look.:cry:

We do things to improve our tone musically and I'd like to do the same physically.:D

I think everyone covered it but yes, you need to eat more. Protein will build muscle, which can add weight, but if you don't do anything to build muscle you're wasting it.

Get on a good, healthy diet and good weight training program. You may want to talk to a certified trainer and tell them your goals to get you started. Good luck

AL

[jrm]

I've used protein for years upon years and I jsut cannot mix it with water... I have no idea why, but trying to drink it I jsut gag. My favorite way to drink protein is to get a "berry" flavored protein (usually EAS strawberry) and mix it with cold apple juice. MAn, after a workout it tastes so good.

[elterrell]

FWIW, I am a proponent of Muscle Milk Chocolate.

I've tried a lot of them, and it works for me.

I like Muscle Milk.....it is one of the best mixing and tasting ones out there. I order from bulknutrition.com -- they have good prices and service. I avoid GNC, too much latest and greatest BS.

To the skinny kid....you need to hit the weights and use a weight gainer. You need more than protein shakes, you need large amounts of carbs and fats as well.

[Kingbeegtrs]

The cheaper stuff makes you fart...and those farts really stink.

Sam's club has some EAS in a HUGE bag on sale right now for $30.00

I bought some and it's great. Doesn't make me fart either.

[dc_jcm800]

+1 on the Muscle Milk. I like the ready-to-drink's for convenience.
The GNC brand whey is good too, but I like the Muscle Milk better.
I use it post workout only.

Otherwise, lots of chicken and lean meats, eggs....

[Kingbeegtrs]

+1 on the Muscle Milk. I like the ready-to-drink's for convenience.
The GNC brand whey is good too, but I like the Muscle Milk better.
I use it post workout only.

Otherwise, lots of chicken and lean meats, eggs....


the muscle milk is delicious. really.

but it has lots of fat...and calories. If you're trying to bulk up it is the way to go. If you're trying to stay lean...stay away.

here's a little trick I just figured out...if you use really warm (not too hot) water to mix the powder it mixes perfectly and tastes like hot chocolate...

[rmconner80]

yeah the muscle milk is tasty but still has a bit of that taste

I drink 45 grams of protein very morning in the form of ProLab NLarge 2. Good breakfast and tastes great. This is not strict protein drink, it does have a lot of carbs too. I'm a hard gainer and have to fight to keep my weight above 160 lbs (6 ft tall). I work out and eat a lot. If I didn't look after it I'd weigh like 140 naturally.

[zodiactone]

you need to remember that these are SUPPLEMENTS, and are only supposed to be added to a healthy diet. Be sure not to overlook good quality foods. Chicken, fish, other meats are excellent sources of protein.

[Kingbeegtrs]

exactly.

I try to limit myself to 1 protein shake per day...after a workout.

A healthy diet should include:

1. Lots of fiber
2. Lots of antioxidants - blueberries, oranges, etc...
3. Lots of green vegetables
4. Enough protein to support your workout regiment - I only weigh 165 lbs, so I take in no more than 30 grams of protein every 3 hours. Eggs, Chicken, and fish mainly.
5. NO SUGAR...or as little as possible. Just substituting splenda for sugar in your coffee every morning can make a HUGE difference.
6. you do need carbs...quality carbs. If you don't eat carbs your breath will be worse than your farts.

Variety is the key. If all you eat is fish, you're gonn get what kills the fish.

[Scott Peterson]

the muscle milk is delicious. really.

but it has lots of fat...and calories. If you're trying to bulk up it is the way to go. If you're trying to stay lean...stay away.

here's a little trick I just figured out...if you use really warm (not too hot) water to mix the powder it mixes perfectly and tastes like hot chocolate...

I've read that a lot, but disagree. Strongly. Not been my experience at all; I've leaned out plenty using it everyday.

And the best hands down mixer for any protein shake is the "Magic Bullet" you see on TV. It's brilliant, easy to clean and works fantastic.

Power, cold water and ice chips (to taste) and you have a killer shake. Mixed perfectly; and one full serving to boot.

As noted above, these are suppliments to a good consistent common sense balanced diet. They are, IMHO, to support intense workouts. If I wasn't working out at the intensity levels and frequency I do, I would not take them.

IMHO, YMMV.

[Suproman77]

I've tried so many brands of protein powders...Designer Whey, Biotest Grow, Met-RX, several Weider products, you name it...and I found them all to be basically the same which for me means, no significantly noticeable effects either way.

I do, however, notice a significant difference when taking amino acid tablets. When I would take them regularly after workouts and forget a dose now and again, I would notice it within an hour...like my muscles were starving for nutrition and I'd get serious cravings for red meat and such. I know I'm not alone on this either because I've discussed it with some other gym rats I knew they experienced the same things I did.

For some reason, amino acids pills have long since fallen out of favor. Since the mid-90's, I believe, the push was made towards protein shakes and the industry has never looked back. Perhaps it was cheaper to make, easier to market, easier to ingest instead of these big horse pills, and just more 'fashionable' to slurp one down after a workout at the gym. Well, I'd rather have benefits than just go after the latest fad....amino acid tablets for me.