What do you think about protein shakes?

[CityOfChicago]

For the best and cheapest ON 10lb bag with shipping from BB.com or Bulkbutrition comes out to about 45-55cents a serving and the protein is very good if not the best premixed formulas.

www.trueprotein.com has an awesome deal for the bad economy but you have to know exactly what you want and you would probably want to buy some flavoring packets as these deals are for unflavored bulk buys.

+1 for Optimum Nutrition. Good whey, blends easy, tastes allright.

Protein and protein shakes are a field of specialty all their own. There are multiple types of pretein - like egg, whey, and casein. Whey is fast absorbing, while casein is very slow. For athletes, often a mix of proteins is used - whey immediately after exercise to be absorbed quickly, and casein before bed to last through the night while asleep (during sleep, with no meals for 8 hours, the body exits an anabolic state as it percieves the lack of food as 'starvation'). But for most people, a cheap and good absorbing whey protein is fine. A scoop at breakfast to 'break the fast', and a scoop after lifting to supply the worked muscles.

99% of the time, protein shakes are coupled with carbs. The more carbs, the more kcals, and you start moving from protein shake to weight gainer. If you are looking for a shake that wont add weight, look for a 1:1 ratio protein:carbs.

For bodybuilders and athletes who exercise in hot and humid environments, 1g/lb is advised. For regular folks, who exercise for fitness, 1/2 to 2/3g/lb is usually sufficient. A regular American diet supports this, so a couple scoops a day is plenty.

[Reconciler]

Is there a big difference in the "walmart" brand vs. a name brand? I was in GNC the other day and they had AMP (Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60) in a container for almost $60. Walmart had a similar looking container for under $20.

[Nole795]

Real warriors drink BADGER MILK

[CityOfChicago]

Is there a big difference in the "walmart" brand vs. a name brand? I was in GNC the other day and they had AMP (Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60) in a container for almost $60. Walmart had a similar looking container for under $20.

There could be, in the bioavailability of the protein. I know nothing about Wal-mart protein, but the protein needs to be absorbable by the GI tract or you'll just crap it out.

Don't shop at GNC. Their prices are through the roof. Look for discount warehoses within driving distance, or just buy it online from any number of discounters.

[Reconciler]

Thanks for the info. Right, I'll look elsewhere...there's no way I'm paying that kind of money on a regular basis.

[slocar]

I actually wanted to start doing protein shakes, how much protein should I take per day? My current weight is 120, and I'm quite active.
I appreciate any info any of you may have in educating me on the best protein mix-shank you! :D

Protein shakes are a supplement and should be used as such. The goal is somewhere around .75-1xBW in grams of protein from a variety of sources. If you're already eating 15 chicken breasts a day...protein shakes are unnecessary. Total up how much protein your current diet has in it now and see how far off you are. If you're taking in 90g, a scoop a day should work fine.

If you are using it as a meal replacement, then the approach is slightly different. In that case you would add a scoop of protein, fruits, yogurt, and milk to a blender and have a full meal in a shake. You can also add things like oats and flaxseed, etc.

I typically see that women can pretty much avoid using protein supplements because they can eat enough protein in their diets. When you weigh 180+lbs it's hard to get that much protein unless you are eating a chicken breast every hour.

FWIW, I've always used ON whey. Good luck!

[JRT6]

GNC is generally a rip off but during gold card week their prices are the same as everyone else's and they usually have free shipping. Otherwise Bulknutrition and bodybuilding.com have the best deals it seems.

Walmarx brand is fine but it tastes and mixes like crap.

[slocar]

GNC is generally a rip off but during gold card week their prices are the same as everyone else's and they usually have free shipping. Otherwise Bulknutrition and bodybuilding.com have the best deals it seems.

Walmarx brand is fine but it tastes and mixes like crap.

+1 for BB.com. I always order from there and get my orders promptly. They have warehouses located all over the US, so most states can receive orders within a day or two. I live in MD and if I order early enough in the day, my orders arrive the next day from PA.

Also, it's worth registering over at BB.coms forum. Usually they send out 10% off coupons, which can make shipping free!

[Kyle G]

yea bb.com, amazon has some good stuff too, and ebay if you know what your doing on there. Also there is a site called wheycheap.com they have only 1 deal at a time and most of the time it's something absurd. However, its worth checking it every once and a while because sometimes they have something you use or something you wanted to try and it is usually VERY cheap.

As far as protein goes. I supplement with protein shakes as little as possible. You should get one gram per pound or even 1.5 grams per pound. But... you should try and get as little as possible from whey or other powdered proteins. Supplement where necessary. But that's exactly what it is... a dietary supplement. Your diet should be in check to accomplish whatever goals you have for your self and protein powder should be a post workout thing only, imo. Too many people rely too much on the stuff. There are so many nutrients that your body needs that you can only get in whole foods.

That being said I take On Pro-complex. I have read that there are much more benefits to taking a blend of whey, casein, egg, and peptides as opposed to just whey.

I know that may be nuking the whole thing I just like to extensively research things before I use them. Especially things that I will be putting in my body. There is tons of literature on this stuff. Google is your friend.

[adamsclarke]

Also check dps nutrition online. They have great prices on the Optimum stuff. I really only use whey, and I dabbled with the pro complex stuff a bit. It is great with 60gm of protein per serving....but that's only once in a while with a very heavy lifting session. The majority of the time, a good whey with 20-40 grams per serving will be better on you.
The pro-complex stuff may make you a "little" edgy...so be limited with it if your body is not used to it.