Whey products.

[hingey242]

Hey guys I think I am going to purchase whey protein however I had a look on my local stores web page and there are many different brands. Anyone have recommendations as to which one they found best worked for them ?

[Pittsburgh412]

Hey guys I think I am going to purchase whey protein however I had a look on my local stores web page and there are many different brands. Anyone have recommendations as to which one they found best worked for them ?

Whey isolates usually work best for me, or gold standard whey

[BeastBro66]

I usually use WheyBolic Extreme 60 from GNC or Gold Standard Whey

[drake4243]

Any of them should be fine. I would just buy the cheapest. Whey is whey.

[Bonaparte]

Depends on how sensitive you are to lactose, and how much you're willing to spend.

Hydrolisate is the finest and most anabolic and fast absorbing (great for post-workout), but tends to taste pretty shitty and is expensive.
Isolate is great for anytime use, but the cheaper isolates will be ionized and lack important beneficial nutrients (go for a quality cold-filtered isolate).
Whey concentrate is the cheapest and normally the tastiest, but it also contains lactose, which causes many people problems.

Not whey (but still protein) are casein and soy protein. I wouldn't bother with these, as they are not as anabolic as whey (though they may have a use to some).

Many protein powders contain a blend of these different types, so check the ingredient lists (the ingredients on any label are listed from most to least abundant, by mass).
And avoid questionable brands or ones with a price that seems too good to be true, as they may not even meet label claims.

Also, if you're looking for something that will have a thicker consistency, the real pure isolates or hydrolisates with very few ingredients will generally be water-thin. Read reviews and do your research, or ask the sales person if they seem knowledgable.
IMO, anything by Gaspari or Optimum Nutrition is good. Avoid the stuff with the flashy labels and huge ingredient lists with crazy claims of 8000% more muscle.

[BluPhin]

mysupplementstore.com has Unflavored Bulk Whey Protein Concentrate 10 Lbs (151 Servings) for $75. This is 100% whey, but 80% protein. This is the best buy on whey protein I have found. Basically, it only cost 50 cents per 30g serving which delivers 24g of protein.

i use this stuff and I'm fvcking huge!

[MuscleInk]

Depends on how sensitive you are to lactose, and how much you're willing to spend.

Hydrolisate is the finest and most anabolic and fast absorbing (great for post-workout), but tends to taste pretty shitty and is expensive.
Isolate is great for anytime use, but the cheaper isolates will be ionized and lack important beneficial nutrients (go for a quality cold-filtered isolate).
Whey concentrate is the cheapest and normally the tastiest, but it also contains lactose, which causes many people problems.

Not whey (but still protein) are casein and soy protein. I wouldn't bother with these, as they are not as anabolic as whey (though they may have a use to some).

Many protein powders contain a blend of these different types, so check the ingredient lists (the ingredients on any label are listed from most to least abundant, by mass).
And avoid questionable brands or ones with a price that seems too good to be true, as they may not even meet label claims.

Also, if you're looking for something that will have a thicker consistency, the real pure isolates or hydrolisates with very few ingredients will generally be water-thin. Read reviews and do your research, or ask the sales person if they seem knowledgable.
IMO, anything by Gaspari or Optimum Nutrition is good. Avoid the stuff with the flashy labels and huge ingredient lists with crazy claims of 8000% more muscle.

I only drink 1 shake a day - right after fasted cardio. I'm looking around for better products - stevia based sweeteners, whey from grass fed, hormone free cows, etc. I'm sure I'll pay an arm and a leg. Biggest appeal for me is lowering sugar as much as possible and getting a cleaner product overall. Mainstream powders have too much junk in them IMO.

[RipOwens]

I use whatever, cost is a factor for me.

[Fllifter]

I only drink 1 shake a day - right after fasted cardio. I'm looking around for better products - stevia based sweeteners, whey from grass fed, hormone free cows, etc. I'm sure I'll pay an arm and a leg. Biggest appeal for me is lowering sugar as much as possible and getting a cleaner product overall. Mainstream powders have too much junk in them IMO.

I agree with you 100% have you found any good places to get the more natural protein from?

[hingey242]

i think i am going to go for the gold standard whey or might have a look at the one BluPhin mentioned. thanks guys.
actually one more question, protein shakes, can they be taken any time or is there times that are better to take them than not?

[MuscleInk]

I agree with you 100% have you found any good places to get the more natural protein from?

Just started my research. Have tried one product (see below) but looking for others.

[hingey242]

what percentage protein should i be looking for?

[basketballfan22]

A really good whey protein will be close to 90% protein. Personally, I love the unflavored whey protein isolate that NOW Foods makes.

[RescuesPitbulls]

Just started my research. Have tried one product (see below) but looking for others.

How's the taste? My only standard for whey is if i can down it. I do enough with flavorless products, no need to hate my lifestyle lol

[tigerspawn]

How's the taste? My only standard for whey is if i can down it.

I find that the better a supplement taste the more calories it has. I always purchase supplements that have high ratings but the lowest calories. I mix them with a small amount of water and slam the mixture.

[RescuesPitbulls]

I find that the better a supplement taste the more calories it has. I always purchase supplements that have high ratings but the lowest calories. I mix them with a small amount of water and slam the mixture.

My metabolism is pretty intense so i don't worry about the calories too much. If i don't eat some kind of fatty fast food 2 or 3x a week i will lose weight.

[basketballfan22]

i think i am going to go for the gold standard whey or might have a look at the one BluPhin mentioned. thanks guys.
actually one more question, protein shakes, can they be taken any time or is there times that are better to take them than not?

Most people on this forum try and avoid drinking too many protein shakes. You just want to make sure you hit your macro goal. You want to try and spread out your macros as evenly as you can throughout the day, so drink your protein shake(s) when you want. Typically whey protein shakes are consumed after a workout so you can quickly get some protein. The whole "metabolic window" (45 minutes after your workout) has been shown to not be true though.

[hingey242]

ok no worries, i have posted up something i have written up if you have time you reckon you could go over it and let me know what you think?

cheers mate

[basketballfan22]

I think you may be able to supply links in your posts now that you have 25 posts (make sure they are relevant and within the guidelines), so I can give what you wrote up a look.

[hingey242]

ok here is the link mate

http://forums.steroid.com/nutrition-...-diet-log.html

[MuscleInk]

what percentage protein should i be looking for?

Most will contain 20-30g. Your body will only assimilate up to 50g of protein an once time over 2-3 hour period so any more and you may not reap the full benefits.

Keep the carbs and sugars - especially the artificial sweeteners such as maltodextrin - as low as possible when looking for a protein shake powder.

[MuscleInk]

How's the taste? My only standard for whey is if i can down it. I do enough with flavorless products, no need to hate my lifestyle lol

It's good. Not as sweet as other products that use Sucralose or maltodextrin (which is 7x sweeter than normal cane sugar!!!!) but the carbs and sugar content is one of the lowest I've seen. If you are serious about your nutrition and making lean gains, look for shake powders that contain less sugar and fillers you do NOT need.

As stated earlier and numerous times on this board, shakes are a very poor substitute for food and in reality very few pro BBs and athletes use this stuff. They may endorse it for money, but nutrition is far more important in their athletic success than any shake ever will be. That should speak volumes about the absolute necessity to choose proper nutrition over shakes or meal replacement supplements any day.

[austinite]

Most will contain 20-30g. Your body will only assimilate up to 50g of protein an once time over 2-3 hour period so any more and you may not reap the full benefits.

Keep the carbs and sugars - especially the artificial sweeteners such as maltodextrin - as low as possible when looking for a protein shake powder.

Agree. Always say no (or minimize) to carbs from fructose, dextrose, maltodextrin and for me... lactose.

[MuscleInk]

Agree. Always say no (or minimize) to carbs from fructose, dextrose, maltodextrin and for me... lactose.

One thing my current cutting cycle has made me more aware of is how much damn sugar (or sweeteners) is contained in everything we eat. It's really sad how addicted to sugar we have become as a society - particularly in North America.

No damn wonder diabetes, coronary disease, cancer, and obesity are increasing problems. I hope by the end of this cutting cycle I've detoxed and broken my own dependence on sugar (although......I really would love an Oreo right about now, lmao).

[austinite]

That's partly why I stopped the shakes too. No one is regulating these guys. Who really knows what's actually in there.

[MuscleInk]

That's partly why I stopped the shakes too. No one is regulating these guys. Who really knows what's actually in there.

So very true. Supplements are a billon dollar industry and most people buy products based purely on marketing.

[basketballfan22]

So very true. Supplements are a billon dollar industry and most people buy products based purely on marketing.

Yeah that is definitely true. That is why I spend quite some time researching supplements and brands making sure I am actually getting what is advertised.

[MuscleInk]

Yeah that is definitely true. That is why I spend quite some time researching supplements and brands making sure I am actually getting what is advertised.

You are ahead of the curve and making wise decisions. Most people fall for the hype. I wish they'd take mass gainers off the shelf or call them what they really are: fat gainers.

[basketballfan22]

You are ahead of the curve and making wise decisions. Most people fall for the hype. I wish they'd take mass gainers off the shelf or call them what they really are: fat gainers.

Lol, yeah. Admittedly, it took me some time to realize this. I actually used to take the Dymatize Elite Fusion Mass Gainer because I have such a hard time gaining weight. Needless to say, I make my own "mass gainer" now.

[MuscleInk]

Lol, yeah. Admittedly, it took me some time to realize this. I actually used to take the Dymatize Elite Fusion Mass Gainer because I have such a hard time gaining weight. Needless to say, I make my own "mass gainer" now.

Many years ago I fell for the hype and marketing around the gainers. They worked. I gained mass. Just not the mass I was hoping for. Lol

[kronik420]

beefcake

[austinite]

[MuscleInk]

A 5000 cal shake? That just sounds gross!!!

[austinite]

^^ lol, and it's only 3 servings per container. 5 scoops per serving!

[MuscleInk]

^^ lol, and it's only 3 servings per container. 5 scoops per serving!

Holy crap!?! Why not just add water to the container and drink it straight from the tub!?!

Good post though Aus. Interesting to see how bad some of the crap out there really is.....and I'm sure people have actually bought it.

[LT75]

A really good whey protein will be close to 90% protein. Personally, I love the unflavored whey protein isolate that NOW Foods makes.

Working in the supplement industry, I do see a lot more unflavored natural isolate products being sold than before. Everyone is starting to make them now.

[kelkel]

Optimum Nutrition gold standard whey, extreme milk chocolate. Hooked on it. Love the taste.

[Armykid93]

Optimum Nutrition gold standard whey, extreme milk chocolate. Hooked on it. Love the taste.

ON has some good stuff and is really reasonably priced

[tigerspawn]

Most people fall for the hype. I wish they'd take mass gainers off the shelf or call them what they really are: fat gainers.

Most noobs to working out believe that pros take mass gainers so they take them. I took care of a guy in his 20’s who was taking at least five mass gainer shakes a day. He was also taking protein and multiple other supplements. We explained that all the supplements he was taking weren’t necessary and were actually detrimental to his health. He stated that he was going to take a liver cleanse for now on and that he needed to take the supplements that he was taking because he is going to become a professional bodybuilder.

[TattedZach]

call them what they really are: fat gainers.

Wish more of my friends listened when I told them stuff like this. One of them put on 25 lbs in 6 weeks and then complains cause you can't see his abs unless he flexes, and another that is constantly on cycle and cries about his "beer gut" but his philosophy is the more protein the better and drinks 8-10 protein shakes a day. Step aside "truffle shuffle" here comes the "protein belly shake"