protein powder absorption...I guess?

CoderGal

Protein powder, I've never bought any, have little knowledge about it aside from the few pages on Google that I looked at. I've been thinking about adding it to my diet but have some questions. I'd appreciate it if anyone is able to answer any of these questions or point me in the right direction, thanks!

0. Can anyone suggest any readings or things to Google? Things to look for/avoid?

1. Ever buy a container of protein and regret it? Why?

2. I've heard people complain about things not 'blending' well or get to frothy. Is frothy bad? What types of protein blend into other foods (I hear whey isolate is best?)?

3. I know there's whey, casein, egg, hemp, and soy (can someone tell me the benefits/faults?). And that there's different 'types' of whey (isolate, cold something or other...). But no mention on different 'types' for the others. I've also heard people talking about certain types of whey absorbing into the body better then others. Which type(s) are better? Why? When I look at a ingredient list, what should I look for/avoid?

4. Flavors...Couldn't I just buy plain and add cocoa powder? Is this a bad idea? I don't plan on drinking it straight. Is there any flavored ones that do not add a ton of sugar? My sugars tend to run high already. I don't need it to taste fantastic but I also don't want to gag.

5. How do I know if a protein is 'complete'?

6. And what is this isolate, concentrate, cold-filtration, Cross Flow Micro filtration (CFM®) ultra filtration (UF), micro filtration (MF), reverse osmosis (RO), dynamic membrane filtration (DMF), ion exchange chromatography, (IEC), electro-ultrafiltration (EU), radial flow chromatography (RFC) and nano filtration (NF) stuff about?

Thanks guys!

zyxst

Bumping. I want answers, too.

lelaspeaks

Bump - a bunch of people told me to drink shakes... one recommended Ultimate Muscle Protein in chocolate. 20 grams of protein, 4 grams of carbs. Here is a link with more information: http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/bev/ult.html

If I don't hear a better recommendation, I may go with this one.

Quickster34

bodybuilding.com has articles that can answer all your questions and way more in great depth and by people that have degrees in sports science, id recomend starting there.

a quick advice though, read the label and understand whats is in it, a lot of brands carry unecesary stuff in it, the categories to compare are the protein per cal, carbs, sugar, and fat mainly.

you are correct there are different types and then there are blends that contain multiple types of protein

whey is the fastest acting
casein is the slowest
there are blended proteins like optimum hydrobuilder or pro complex that also contain BCAAs and creatine etc.. geared for specific goals

if you are looking for a solid whey protein i would go with optimum nutrition 100% gold standard whey, or their hydro whey it comes in excellent flavors has great stats label wise and is consistently voted the best in the industry . good luck!

s00sh

i love Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey in the Double Rich Chocolate flavor. it mixes well and tastes great with regular milk, soy, almond and coconut (and i can even drink it just with water).

per scoop:

24g protein
120 calories
3g carbs
1g sugar

lelaspeaks

i love Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey in the Double Rich Chocolate flavor. it mixes well and tastes great with regular milk, soy, almond and coconut (and i can even drink it just with water).

per scoop:

24g protein
120 calories
3g carbs
1g sugar

This one looks good too!

CoderGal

I'd also like to note I'd much rather get my protein from real foods, but figured it wouldn't go astray if I had some on hand for my very low protein days.

Thanks for the replies! So I did some reading...

Isolates: So far from what I've read Cross Flow Micro filtration whey isolates are arguably more beneficial, and has a smaller chance of destroying the protein in the process, and many people hop off the ion exchange bus.

Whey: is water soluble, so it mixes better then most of the others, and from what I've looked at most prefer the isolates in taste.

Concentrates: have more carbs and fat then the others but have various different benefits

Casein: absorbs slowly were the isolates absorb quickly.

CoderGal

whey is the fastest acting
casein is the slowest

Why would fast be good? Why would slow be good?

Also, where can you get the "Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey"?

Quickster34

whey is the fastest acting
casein is the slowest

Why would fast be good? Why would slow be good?

Also, where can you get the "Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey"?

bodybuilding.com is where i get mine, cheap and fast shipping tons of flavors too

fast acting is good for post workout when your muscles need the extra protein to start recovering, also right when you wake up since your body has been deprived for a long period of time during the night,

slow acting is good for right before bed to have an extended release during sleep and help give your muscles what they need to recover even when you are not eating

CoderGal

Thanks Quickster.

"100% Whey Gold Standard Ingredient
Protein blend (whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, whey peptides), cocoa, natural and artifical flavor, lecithin, salt, sucralose, acesulfame potassium."

Anyone know if that's actually the ingredient list? Every time I looked at whey ingredients they seemed way more complicated and longer then that.

Anyone know of any brands that don't use artificial flavoring and salt? I'm assuming if I got something not flavored there would be no sucralose in it?

Quickster34

You asked earlier about any protein that we bought and hated.. unflavored is terrible.. my opinion yes but i dont see how anyone can actually drink that stuff. trust me the 80mg of sodium and 1g of sugar is well worth being able to enjoy what your drinking, i dont recomend the mint chocolate, or vanilla unless you plan on mixing with milk then both are great, rocky road is my favorite, don't overlook the fact that a disgusting tasting shake is tough to drink everyday haha

SteveHunt113

bump - need to be able to come back to this: been looking to find a different protein.

AlyRoseNYC

i love Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey in the Double Rich Chocolate flavor. it mixes well and tastes great with regular milk, soy, almond and coconut (and i can even drink it just with water).

per scoop:

24g protein
120 calories
3g carbs
1g sugar

I totally agree! It's the BEST tasting protein powder I've ever tried. When I mix a scoop with 4 ounces of skim milk, it tastes EXACTLY like Nesquick chocolate milk. I'm not even exaggerating. I look forward to drinking this everyday!

AlyRoseNYC

Thanks Quickster.

"100% Whey Gold Standard Ingredient
Protein blend (whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, whey peptides), cocoa, natural and artifical flavor, lecithin, salt, sucralose, acesulfame potassium."

Anyone know if that's actually the ingredient list? Every time I looked at whey ingredients they seemed way more complicated and longer then that.

Anyone know of any brands that don't use artificial flavoring and salt? I'm assuming if I got something not flavored there would be no sucralose in it?

The ingredient list in ON 100% Whey is way shorter than many other protein powders I've had. I was suprised too.

bastokes88

Be careful with Casein...that protein has been directly linked to increased chance of liver cancer. It occurs naturally in cow's milk, but I wouldn't load up on the stuff.

Thisprincesswearsrunningshoes

I have tried three types of Protein. The first one was the Jillian Michael's blend and it tasted chalky. Second one is Herbalife protein shakes. I am a runner and I have two a day and they are enriched in vitamins, the taste is good (I was not fond of the pumpkin pie spice kind tho) and I have tried the Herbalife Protein powder (I did not like it as much it tasted gritty if not fully mixed and once I added it to potato soup and it make it gummy) so that is the only exp. I have with those.

awal2069

I posted on here several times about this protein as it has many vitamins, minerals, all types of protein etc etc I could go on and on about it.
I have tried many different brands, and this is the one that I will pay for time and time again.

Intek Evolution Protein powder in chocolate.

http://inteknutrition.com/PRODUCTS/PROTEIN EVOLUTION/protein.html

Compare labels with any other and you find this has the best ingredients. Yes, price is high... but I LOVE IT

Acg67

Be careful with Casein...that protein has been directly linked to increased chance of liver cancer. It occurs naturally in cow's milk, but I wouldn't load up on the stuff.

Care to substantiate that?

taso42

Razique wrote FAQ about protein powders...
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/527405-protein-powders

thistimeismytime

i love Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey in the Double Rich Chocolate flavor. it mixes well and tastes great with regular milk, soy, almond and coconut (and i can even drink it just with water).

per scoop:

24g protein
120 calories
3g carbs
1g sugar

I totally agree! It's the BEST tasting protein powder I've ever tried. When I mix a scoop with 4 ounces of skim milk, it tastes EXACTLY like Nesquick chocolate milk. I'm not even exaggerating. I look forward to drinking this everyday!

Another vote for this one--I just mix it in water with a spoon...no blender needed. Mixes smooth, tastes great! I order it from Amazon.com, and with the free shipping it's a great deal! Enjoy! :drinker:

joejccva71

Be careful with Casein...that protein has been directly linked to increased chance of liver cancer. It occurs naturally in cow's milk, but I wouldn't load up on the stuff.

Do you have any substantial research to back up these claims?

BBain75

I agree with the ON 100% Whey. I personally use the Extreme Milk Chocolate with water and I love it. I'm one of those that if it doesn't taste good, I am not taking it...no matter what it does. HAHA

taso42

Anyone know of any brands that don't use artificial flavoring and salt? I'm assuming if I got something not flavored there would be no sucralose in it?

Some of the ON products are marked "Natural", meaning no artificial colors or sweeteners (not sure about sodium, probably minimal). I use their Natural Chocolate Whey which is sweetened with Stevia. Tastes good to me; I've gone through several 5 lb tubs of it.

BBain75

Be careful with Casein...that protein has been directly linked to increased chance of liver cancer. It occurs naturally in cow's milk, but I wouldn't load up on the stuff.

That is called "BroScience" as in, it's only facts in someone's head and not backed by any "solid" scientific evidence.

milf_n_cookies

On my nutritionists recommendation I tried Syntrax Nectars and Sweets and I like them a lot. I like that they have flavors beyond chocolate and vanilla (the Fuzzy Navel and Roadside Lemonade are my faves), 23 grams protein, no carbs and 100 cals per serving. There IS soy as an ingredient in these and some people like to avoid that, but since I do not eat anything else with soy in it I don't mind the small amount I get from these shakes.

maggiepz

I did some research and decided on the whey protein isolate. I'm sick of chocolate and vanilla and strawberry kinds so I picked Syntrax Nectar. You can get fruit flavors. I love the fuzzy navel. Whey isolate mixes so much better.

I'm also low carb. One scoop is 100 calories and 24gm protein with no carbs ( I usually make 24-32 ounces). Even if it has hidden carbs (they list a serving as 1/4 scoop with no carbs) so a whole scoop may have some, it would still have to be < 4gms which still works out ok for me.

bytemeeeeee

Protein powder, I've never bought any, have little knowledge about it aside from the few pages on Google that I looked at. I've been thinking about adding it to my diet but have some questions. I'd appreciate it if anyone is able to answer any of these questions or point me in the right direction, thanks!

0. Can anyone suggest any readings or things to Google? Things to look for/avoid?

1. Ever buy a container of protein and regret it? Why?

2. I've heard people complain about things not 'blending' well or get to frothy. Is frothy bad? What types of protein blend into other foods (I hear whey isolate is best?)?

3. I know there's whey, casein, egg, hemp, and soy (can someone tell me the benefits/faults?). And that there's different 'types' of whey (isolate, cold something or other...). But no mention on different 'types' for the others. I've also heard people talking about certain types of whey absorbing into the body better then others. Which type(s) are better? Why? When I look at a ingredient list, what should I look for/avoid?

4. Flavors...Couldn't I just buy plain and add cocoa powder? Is this a bad idea? I don't plan on drinking it straight. Is there any flavored ones that do not add a ton of sugar? My sugars tend to run high already. I don't need it to taste fantastic but I also don't want to gag.

5. How do I know if a protein is 'complete'?

6. And what is this isolate, concentrate, cold-filtration, Cross Flow Micro filtration (CFM®) ultra filtration (UF), micro filtration (MF), reverse osmosis (RO), dynamic membrane filtration (DMF), ion exchange chromatography, (IEC), electro-ultrafiltration (EU), radial flow chromatography (RFC) and nano filtration (NF) stuff about?

Thanks guys!

http://www.rockwellnutrition.com/Whey-Cool-Powder-by-Designs-For-Health-DFH_p_1076.html

On the expensive side ...BUT...To me it's worth it..Organic...My doctor recommended it.


Suggested Use of Whey Cool

Mix one scoop (30 grams) in eight ounces of water or any other beverage (not hot). See PaleoMeal recipes for delicious smoothie and food combination ideas. Safe and especially recommended for pregnant and lactating women. The shelf life is two years especially if kept in a cool DRY place.

Whey Cool Whey Protein:
View product label here. Whey Cool whey is created from fresh raw milk from (non-pesticide treated) grass fed cows (from happy USA Holstein Heifer cows) which have not been treated with antibiotics or growth hormone. This whey is not a by-product from the cheese industry. No animal or alcohol derivatives are used in the manufacturing. Manufactured in a facility with equipment that does NOT process nuts. .

These polypropylene containers contain NO BPA.

Ingredients: Plain Flavor | Vanilla Flavor | Chocolate Flavor

Plain Flavor Ingredients:
Serving Size: 1 scoop (30 grams)
Servings Per Container: 30

* Calories 120
* Calories from Fat 18
* Total Fat 2 g
* Saturated Fat 0.9 g
* Cholesterol 24 mg
* Sodium 60 mg
* Potassium 180 mg
* Total Carbohydrates 3 g
o Dietary Fiber 0 g
o Sugars Alcohols 0 g
* Protein 24 g
* Calcium 120 mg
* Iron 0.72 mg
* Phosphorus 90 mg
* Beta-lactoglobulin 14.6 g
* Alpha-lactalbumin 3.51 g
* Immunoglobulins 3 g
* Bovine Serum Albumin 860 mg
* Glycomacropeptides 15%
* Lactoferrin 760 mg

CoderGal

Thanks for the quick replies everyone.

taso42, that's a nice little link

bytemeeeeee, thanks for listing all the info. It's a nice thought to know where the stuff is coming from.

You asked earlier about any protein that we bought and hated.. unflavored is terrible.. my opinion yes but i dont see how anyone can actually drink that stuff. trust me the 80mg of sodium and 1g of sugar is well worth being able to enjoy what your drinking, i dont recomend the mint chocolate, or vanilla unless you plan on mixing with milk then both are great, rocky road is my favorite, don't overlook the fact that a disgusting tasting shake is tough to drink everyday haha

I was more along lines thinking I'd use half a scoop with some cocoa and cinnamon or something along those lines. Not to actually eat it alone...yeah...that would be quite the yuck

Some of the ON products are marked "Natural", meaning no artificial colors or sweeteners (not sure about sodium, probably minimal). I use their Natural Chocolate Whey which is sweetened with Stevia. Tastes good to me; I've gone through several 5 lb tubs of it.

Thank you! That's good to know. I just picked up Stevia and tried it yesterday, interesting stuff.

On my nutritionists recommendation I tried Syntrax Nectars and Sweets and I like them a lot. I like that they have flavors beyond chocolate and vanilla (the Fuzzy Navel and Roadside Lemonade are my faves), 23 grams protein, no carbs and 100 cals per serving. There IS soy as an ingredient in these and some people like to avoid that, but since I do not eat anything else with soy in it I don't mind the small amount I get from these shakes.

Thanks! I'm impressed. Do you grow your foods? I find it nearly impossible to buy anything without soy in it. It's added to just about everything these days. Pick up any loaf of bread at the grocery store, I'll be surprised if there's no soy in it. So I'm going to go with I have enough soy in my diet. Especially since I shop at grocery stores and it's been linked to cognitive and hormonal problems. Not all soy is evil, I'm not saying that...there's lots of nutrients in it...and there's lots of articles and youtube videos of doctors talking about the benefits and badness of soy. Popular topic these days. I can see how some people who try to limit their carbs and calories would appreciate it though. Thanks for posting.

smor27

Bump to read later.

addict3

I like the syntrax nectars too. Right now i'm on GNC Pro wheybolic extreme 60. It's tasty and mixes great. It's a bit pricey but they send me specials where i get it half off and stock up. I do prefer the whey isolates. I have lost 166 lbs total and lost some muscle before I started using the whey isolates in September. Since then i've lost 115 lbs and not lost any muscle, even put a little back on. So I am a believer. Make sure if you are dieting that you get the proper amount of protein in, and if working out a protein drink with 25-30 grams of protein and some carbs (milk is a good source for both to mix with the powder) will help out afterward.

MrGonzo05

I use a blender bottle to mix my protein shakes. That eliminates the clumps. A blender also works fine.

Whey protein is available without any flavoring added. That's a good option if you make your own smoothies. You can add your own flavoring and sweetener, or add nothing and pretend you like the taste. :sick: