protein powder

I do see MASS gains when upping protien entake.
Problem with doing it through Diet is you also have to entake TONS of food (Including carbs in most cases) to match what Protien Powder will give you.

I would say this, IF you want to put on extra pounds, Protien Powder will do it.

IF your not working out, that weight will still go on...

As for brands, I have tried dozens. I am personally pretty happy with Muscle Milk at the current time. Good results as any, price is pretty good if you shop around, and the flavors make your shake taste like a regular milk-shake....which not all of them do

ALSO, you want to compare sugar content. Some of them are really nothing more than Sugar with a little protien included.



Somebody thats in the know (Jcow perhaps) can probably tell you how much protien the body can absorb. I think the best thing to do is spread your protien entake out during the day. More smaller amounts better than one huge shake.

Good luck Bro

 

Too much protein can accumulate in the kidneys and cause problems, so I would recommend no more than 30-40% of your daily total intake be protein. Depending on where you are in your diet and exercise routine, you may not need a protein supplement just yet. I recommend waiting 6mos.-a year before starting w/ powders, as a simple change in diet will be enough to facilitate and compensate for muscle growth during that period. After that point, most people will have grown enough that the extra protein will aid in speedier recovery and growth, rather than being flushed out as excess.

As for what kind/brand of protein powder, Vitamin World's store brand is great, as it has a high protein/sugar ratio, and it doesn't add that malty, pasty flavor you get with other powders. MuscleTech also has a good powder which they add all the BCAAs (Branch Chain Amino Acids) that the body requires(helps aid in recovery and growth). It has a slight malty flavor, but not overpowering, with no glue-like pastiness to speak of. Sort of like a malted milkshake.

That's the basics, but if you want more detail about the 'why/why not' in regards to protein powder, or exactly what BCAAs are and what they do, shoot me a PM and I'll try not to get too technical.

Edit: It wasn't the MuscleTech brand I was thinking of- it was Probolic SR by Maximum Human Performance. Sorry for the misinformation. I got the two mixed up in my memory;p

 

If your exercising you'll definitely want to take a protein shake immediately after you work out. I've been purchasing all my nutrition stuff (including everyday vitamins) from bodybuilding.com. I've tried hundreds of protein powders and the only one that doesn't make me gag is Optimum. http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/whey.html

I personally like the Chocolate Mint or Mocha Cappuccino. It mixes really well and you won't have any huge clumps of crap.

 

The 5lb definitely has the best value; however, I would recommend the 2lb right now to see if you would like it.

As for the expiration date, I don't think there's a problem as long as it's not over a year old. Discount health food stores sell expired protein powder all the time.

 

protein powder doesn't go bad per se, just that the protein chains start breaking down after a period of time.

I recommend at least a 2lb tub if you're going to get some, and the vanilla flavor is all I get. Why? B/c you can make it any flavor you want after that- chocolate, strawberry, blueberry, cappuccino, whatever. Vanilla is a great flavor booster/modifier, and you don't have to worry about not meshing well with anything you want to mix it with. My personal is a fresh fruit smoothie, with a little bit of frozen yogurt thrown in to make it really tasty...mmmm. Now I want one.

 

IMO Whey Protein should be used only post-work out. It's a fast absorbing protein that is useless in a diet other than post workouts. Casein protein is good for mass gain, you could take it before bed because it's a slow absorbing protein. Don't know what your goals are, but if you want to put on mass.. That's the way to go, IMO.

These other guys have offered great advice too, though.

 

When working out hard you want to have an intake of 1 gram of protein for every pound of body weight per day. Like GIK said post workout is the best along with right before you go to bed. Unless your trying to add mass I would go with a whey protein that will add lean mass and not bulk you up.

 

This is the stuff.

It has pure, easily-digestible whey protein - soy protein is difficult to process for some, me included.

And it tastes great without any sugar, thanks to being sweetened with sucralose (Splenda). So you're getting what you're paying for - pure protein nutrition, not a bunch of empty calories to pack on fat while you're trying to improve yourself.

Check the specs here; buy it here for best prices and 4.99 shipping.

This is all I use when I'm lifting; I also use canned Trader Joe's tuna in olive oil for lean/healthy animal protein, but you don't like fish.

Be sure to have some ( a small amount) about 1 1/2 hours before lifting; then a small amount again immediately after lifting; then a full portion of protein in about 1 1/2 - 2 hours again.

Supplement that with creatine, which is safe and very effective, and in 6 months you'll see some pretty cool results.

edit: BTW, it comes already flavored in strawberry, chocolate and vanilla so you don't have to stress about making smoothies or adding anything; although it does make a great base for fruit smoothies - or, if you're really splurging, mix the chocolate powder with peanut butter in a blender. Mmmm...

 

Everyone else is giving good advice... just a warning... some brands do not necessarily agree with everyone's body. Meaning you may get some gas. I know I went through three different brands before I found one my wife would let me stay in the house when I use. So if you can, try to see if you can mooch a sample from a buddy for the first few workouts.

 

anyone find a good protein powder that doesn't foam when you blend it? i can't stand drinking foam... i generally stick to the whey powder (maybe that's my problem?)

 

That's why I stay away from soy-based powders.

Try that Twinlabs; it mixes so easily that you don't have to blend it, just use it like you would Nesquick in milk. Not much foam.

 

actually I mix mine in Gatorade. Kind of makes it more bearable to drink!

 

Good luck