Whole Foods over supplements?

[IronClydes]

Looking to streamline my budget a bit and considering replacing many supplements I currently take with just whole foods.

Curious what the other bodybuilders on here think about eliminating whey protein, pre-workout, and my bed-time casein protein from my diet in favor of whole food sources.

Any thoughts or feedback?

I am 6 foot, 230 pounds @ about 15%, TRT off-cycle, Test and Deca on-cycle next.

[novastepp]

From a dietary standpoint, I think you can eliminate the casein protein supplement and include cottage cheese if you tolerate dairy well. Or, you incorporate any lean protein source and some fats to slow the digestion and absorption of that protein.
Also, for pre-workout purposes, you can use any lean protein source and as long as you wait ~1 hour before training, you should not have a problem.

In other words, for the two reasons you have mentioned, I think that absolutely yes, you can eliminate those supplements.

[kelkel]

include cottage cheese if you tolerate dairy well.

I couldn't live without. I eat it literally every night right before going to bed.

[RaginCajun]

I couldn't live without. I eat it literally every night right before going to bed.

i love the stuff as well and i add in sugar free jello or Mio or fruit to it.

i have been off of protein powder for about two weeks and can't tell a difference.

i think the shakes help those who need convenience and/or more protein in their daily routine

[novastepp]

I couldn't live without. I eat it literally every night right before going to bed.

Same here!

[IronClydes]

Thanks for the input fellas.

I'm looking to see if any of my supplements could easily be removed and replaced by whole foods without consequence. Cottage cheese had previously upset my stomach, but I am not lactose intolerant....so I could give it a try again. My current supplements are listed below. Any feedback on what you would replace, if any, for whole foods is appreciated:

1) L-Tryptophan & Theanine (helps me tolerate mood swings and stay on the bright side) $43 total for a month supply.

2) MET-Rx Ultramyosyn Whey Isolate Protein (post workout shake with creatine and rice milk for my simple carb source) $52 a month, but this has 60 servings and can last two months if moderately used. $18 for a 4 month supply of the creatine.

3) Ubiquinol QH Absorb from Jarrow Labs. $36 for a 2 month supply.

4) Legion Pulse Pre Workout (Best all-inclusive science based pre-workout I've found) $37 a month.

5) Optimum Nutrition Miscellar Casein protein (bedtime shake with natural pb and skim milk) $36 a month.

6) NAC (by NOW) and Omega-3 with vitamin E (by Carlson Labs Elite Gems) and 5000 IU vitamin D (by NOW) $30 total for a 45 day supply

7) Scivation Xtend BCAA's (mix 1 scoop into a gallon of water each day to flavor) $20 for a month supply

I know the Xtend is unnecessary, but for about 65 cents a day, it is a great flavor for a gallon of water to keep me hydrated and with the plus of BCAA's.

[Khazima]

You could easily lose everything but the creatine and notice no different except for a heap of extra cash and possibly some mood issues, if you think that makes that big of a difference keep the mood enhancers and try to find cheaper sources or alternatives.

[IronClydes]

You could easily lose everything but the creatine and notice no different except for a heap of extra cash and possibly some mood issues, if you think that makes that big of a difference keep the mood enhancers and try to find cheaper sources or alternatives.

Thanks brother. Hard to believe the benefits associated with NAC, Omega 3, Vit D, My Pre-Workout (4.8g of beta-alanine, 2.5g of betaine, 8g of citrulline malate, 2.2g of ornithine, 350 caffeine), and Ubiquinol are having little to no effect on my growth and health. Are you sure about that?

[novastepp]

Thanks for the input fellas.

I'm looking to see if any of my supplements could easily be removed and replaced by whole foods without consequence. Cottage cheese had previously upset my stomach, but I am not lactose intolerant....so I could give it a try again. My current supplements are listed below. Any feedback on what you would replace, if any, for whole foods is appreciated:

1) L-Tryptophan & Theanine (helps me tolerate mood swings and stay on the bright side) $43 total for a month supply.

Do you have a history of depression? If you believe these are important for your social, working, or romantic relationships then keep them. Also consider if they play a role in your ability and willingness to train effectively. If you don't think they help a clinical condition or your training/lifestyle then get rid of them. It may be difficult to see yourself ending a regimen, but it may not make any difference, or, it may make all the difference in the world.

2) MET-Rx Ultramyosyn Whey Isolate Protein (post workout shake with creatine and rice milk for my simple carb source) $52 a month, but this has 60 servings and can last two months if moderately used. $18 for a 4 month supply of the creatine.

I think creatine and whey protein PWO are extremely beneficial, so I say keep those as supplements. Your particular take on those two supplements seems a little more "designer" to me, but if is your choice then stick to it.

3) Ubiquinol QH Absorb from Jarrow Labs. $36 for a 2 month supply.

This is at your discretion, but if you choose to take these supps I think you are paying a fair price. Longevity and overall health considered, this is a beneficial supplement.

4) Legion Pulse Pre Workout (Best all-inclusive science based pre-workout I've found) $37 a month.

I, personally, don't have trouble getting amped for a workout so I do not require a pre-workout supp. I do realize there is science about "priming" for a workout, but I do not personally subscribe to it and you may find that workouts are the same without this supplement. Your call, but I think it could be eliminated.

5) Optimum Nutrition Miscellar Casein protein (bedtime shake with natural pb and skim milk) $36 a month.

I would absolutely substitute for food; get rid of it.

6) NAC (by NOW) and Omega-3 with vitamin E (by Carlson Labs Elite Gems) and 5000 IU vitamin D (by NOW) $30 total for a 45 day supply

You can buy fishoil w/ Omega 3's & Vtamin E online for much less than your paying. Try vitamins.com. I don't know if you need to supplement vitamin D at all.

7) Scivation Xtend BCAA's (mix 1 scoop into a gallon of water each day to flavor) $20 for a month supply

Are you not eating protein in all of your meals? If you are then you probably have a constant stream of some BCAAs throughout your day. In terms of budget reduction, you could easily eliminate this.

I know the Xtend is unnecessary, but for about 65 cents a day, it is a great flavor for a gallon of water to keep me hydrated and with the plus of BCAA's.

I gave my comments in red

[Khazima]

Thanks brother. Hard to believe the benefits associated with NAC, Omega 3, Vit D, My Pre-Workout (4.8g of beta-alanine, 2.5g of betaine, 8g of citrulline malate, 2.2g of ornithine, 350 caffeine), and Ubiquinol are having little to no effect on my growth and health. Are you sure about that?

There may be some benefits to your health in there, overall you probably won't notice much at all coming off them.

[davidtheman100]

lol drugs + diet + training + sleep and repeat...No supplements needed

[73rr]

All I'm on is creatine and whey protien when I can't get in all my meals. I used to take every supplement they could sell me. Real food and hard work got me over a hump that I couldn't get over and I never looked back! So whole food is my vote

[papathesmurf]

I don't use any protein powder because it's so expensive. Most powders are a dollar and some change per serving and I buy my chicken for 2 dollars a lb. I have in the past used powder to flavor oatmeal with fantastic results.

[IronClydes]

lol drugs + diet + training + sleep and repeat...No supplements needed

Simply put and well said

230, 6', 34, 13% bf, bench 320, squat 435, dead 465.

[IronClydes]

I gave my comments in red

Forgot to thank you for this novastepp. Really appreciate it,

230, 6', 34, 13% bf, bench 320, squat 435, dead 465.