protein powder...new thread for this

FluffyDogsRule

since the hair falling out thread was getting overtaken and i have questions here!!! thought i'd start a fresh thread.

i assumed i couldn't drink whey protein shakes b/c (as you already may have read in my post and definitely do not want to hear again, haha) it made me SOOOO gaseous and constipated. even with loads of fiber.

but it sounds like maybe i should experiment with brands?? it was pure protein that i was using. it's pretty expensive to buy tubs to "try out" plus i don't feel like being constipated again for weeks as i experiment. so maybe you ladies have had similar experiences and ultimately found a brand that agreed with you??

or i can just continue to meet protein goals without shakes, but it's expensive!!

Amazing1985RSD

It's all derived from milk. I had this issue too at first like most people. I think I just grew a tolerance for dairy products. Though I only consume about 2 pints of milk per day now.

One scoop of whey or casein protein equates to roughly 3 cups of milk. Same as a single protein bar.

There are alternatives to dairy products too though. You can try Lactaid, but that is much more expensive too. Or you might want to try non-dairy protein powder such as soy or rice proteins. There might be others, but I haven't personally looked into it because milk doesn't seem to bother me anymore.

kirabob

My daughter is dairy and soy intolerant, so I've learned a lot about dairy and how our bodies respond to it.

Dairy proteins are HUGE, compared to meat proteins, or vegetable proteins (I'm meaning at the microscopic scale), so if you use whey, and have any sensitivity to dairy (which most of us do), it's like you are assaulting your intestines, and they don't know what to do - therefore, gas, pain, etc. It's basically like a bottleneck - too many people trying to board the subway car at once.

Soy proteins are also very large, and soy protein isolate can be very hard to digest as well.

Of course, you can forgo the protein powders totally and go for things like greek yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu, etc. - all of those blend in to smoothies just fine. Plus they don't pack quite the same wallop in terms of protein, making it easier on your tummy.

This is why I like my pea protein - it's easy to digest, high in fiber, and high in protein.

ahviendha

One scoop of whey or casein protein equates to roughly 3 cups of milk. Same as a single protein bar.

i had no idea!

katemarcus, were you using a cheaper box store brand? i used to get walmart or target protein powders and hated them. while they didn't make me sick or constipated, they tasted terrible.

i've used syntha 6, optimum nutrition, spirutein, and trutein.

spirutein is a really good veggie protein powder, but was too expensive (their chai latte flavor is still my favorite protein flavor, hands down!) i also noticed the veggie powders are much thicker when compared to the whey isolates like ON.

i really liked ON and Trutein for their blendability and flavor.

you know, now that you mention it, since i've started on trutein i have been gassy. I don't think optimum nutrition did that to me. Maybe start with an ON powder?

I wish I could send you scoops of my brands!

FluffyDogsRule

aww, i wish you could send me scoops of yours too!

it was pure protein brand from target.

i bought a tub of raw meal (vegan) powder. it was EXPENSIVE as heck and only has about 1/2 the protein as the whey, it was on sale so i tried it. it tastes fine and doesnt seem to bother my system...but doesn't seem worth buying again.

as of now, i eat cottage cheese, plain greek yogurt, kashi, egg whites, chicken, chicken, fish, chicken, and chicken. so i am getting enough protein...but i did enjoy the protein shake each day and def a cheaper serving of protein.

thanks!!

Will_Thrust_For_Candy

I just buy the cheap stuff from Walmart because I don't tend to use it very much BUT with that being said, too much protein didn't agree with me AT ALL! In my first cycle of SL I was aiming for 150g of protein/day and omg it was AWFUL....I didn't think a girl could have so much gas! In my second cycle I reduced the amount to 100-130g/day and it's like night and day

Soooo......

Wondering if it's the amount of protein rather than the type?

I could be wrong and honestly I didn't read the other thread so just ignore me if it's not relevant!

chubby_checkers

Too much dairy upsets my digestive system, but I can have a little bit. I use almond milk and a whey isolate (99% lactose free) when I have a protein shake. I got Body Fortress Vanilla Creme since that was what they had at the store. I've heard good things about this brand: http://www.truenutrition.com/ but haven't tried it yet. They carry other types of protein powders, in addition to whey.

jstout365

I'm with Vegas....too much protein kills my digestive track with the gas. Even my 4 year old son is now running around saying he has stinky protein farts :huh::laugh: but once I dropped to around 130 I was much better. I also notice that a lot of dairy will make me bloated (unfortunately too much ice cream causes that issue).

So it seems like you have a good number of protein sources like chicken, eggs, and more chicken. One thing I've started doing to lower the cost of my chicken habit is to get a whole roaster chicken and cook it over the weekend and then split it up into nice 100g bags for snacks. I usually get 6-8 bags of chicken that way for about $6 where I would spend close to $10 for the same amount of chicken breast.

I do have Trutein Protein powder, but got it mostly for baking. I put it in cheese cake and chocolate chip cookies for the occasional treat that provides a protein kick.

sheleen302

I use a brand called Unjury. It is a whey protein isolate...it was developed for the medical market, and most of it's customers find it through bariatric counseling or surgical procedures. I have recommended it to many people, it tastes good and if you are lactose intolerant will not affect you. www.unjury.com, I think even Amazon sells it, too. If you order from Unjury directly you get a 15% discount with sign up of auto shipments. US company out of FL.

6550mom

One more vote for Optimum Nutrition. I have had my entire colon removed and my small intestine refashioned into a colon-like structure (ulcerative colitis and years of suffering).

Because my system is so 'special', I have to be selective with what I put in my body. For whatever reason, the Gold Standard Whey by ON causes me less distress than other powders and formulations have in the past. I mix it with unsweetened almond milk.

Not sure if that would work for others, but for some reason, it's ok on my system ?

Amazon has better prices than anything I could find locally and in smaller (1# and 2# for some flavors) containers.

Good luck.

ETA: I have heard the Unjury is well-tolerated, as well.

runzalot81

I was like that too until a more experienced athlete friend told me to let the foam settle from shaking. I tried it and no more gas! Weird. So, now I mix and refrigerate before my workout. It's fine to drink after the workout and my tummy doesn't hurt.

tameko2

Whey protein ISOLATE is lactose free and generally considered the most easily digestible protein.

Concentrate is less easy - many people have issues with it.

Casein, which is ALSO a milk protein is one of the hardest to digest.

So its kind of inaccurate to say "dairy" protein is hard to digest - it does vary greatly. And lactose is not a protein at all so lactose intolerance is an entirely different issue.

Huge increases in any kind of protein at all will often cause gassyness. Protein is the hardest of the 4 macros to digest (Alcohol and fat being the easiest, carbs slightly more work, and protein being somewhat difficult).

Some people do adapt to it. But for the most part the huge amounts of protein that are pushed at us incessantly by the diet industry are NOT necessary for most people for either weight loss, maintenance, or muscle growth. Some people get better results due to various factors but its not required and many other people find they don't do well on huge amounts of protein.

Blahblahblah. So that said:

The best TASTING protein powder I've had has been hands down the True Nutrition trutein -- but that is a blended powder which means it includes casein. there are benefits to blended powders, mixed amino acid profiles and digestion rates (so some digests fast and some digests slow). But if you can't digest casein then its best to stick to an isolate.

Check labels. Do not get one with concentrate in it if you have digestibility issues.

FluffyDogsRule

Isolate. Okay!!! I'll look into this!! Wow, thank you so much for the advice!! I'm excited. Which I realize makes me a loser.

PS...I am always a little gassy (lol) from protein in general. Husband has gotten used to it. Haha!!!! But never to the extreme of that whey. Just checked the container...it's concentrate.

sweetzoejane

Whey protein and I do not get along. For that reason, I have tried a few vegan powders. I wouldn't really just buy any brand, as the protein content can vary quite a bit depending on the brand and type of protein. Also, taste and mixability are important. When I say one "mixes well", for vegan powders that always means mixed with a blender bottle or blender.

The best protein powder I have had so far is Raw Fusion. It mixes super well and tastes very good. It's also $15 for a pound on BB.com, and 116 calories for 21g of protein.

My next favorite is Growing Naturals Rice Protein Isolate. It's probably the best in terms of protein for the amount of calories (120 calories for 24g of protein). The chocolate tastes really great and mixes well. Slightly chalky texture though.

The next favorite of mine is Genuine Health Vegan Proteins+. The vanilla tastes like cake batter. It is a little chunky when mixed, but I don't mind it. But 130 calories for 20g of protein is not the best, so I generally buy one of the other two now.

Sunwarrior is one of the more popular vegan powders, and I do love their original one (not the warrior blend), but it is expensive (about $20 more than the Raw Fusion). The vanilla and chocolate are awesome, and the plain one is good for cooking/baking. It's about 80 calories for 17g of protein.

The two I have tried that I find absolutely disgusting are Vega and Plant Fusion. And even if Vega tasted good, it is way too expensive.

FluffyDogsRule

Ordered a 2 pounder of extreme milk chocolate ON from amazon. comes out to $1 a scoop, so mixed w almond milk for breakfast...well that's a cheap breakfast and 25 g protein.

I'll keep the vegan recommendations in mind if the isolate doesn't work out.

Thanks again!

HIITMe

I have been using Syntrax brand whey protein Isolate... comes in several flavors and turns out kinda like Kool Aid.... I add a lemon wedge or Real Lemon Powder to it as well as a tablespoon or 2 of STevia.... 23 grams of protein per serving...

there are a few sites that offer sample pkg programs... where you can get 11 or 12 "flavors" for XXX price... I dont have that info with me at the moment but I will post it when I get home...

HIITMe

also, my morning commute drink is usually a shake made with "Betty Lou's" protein powder... its a milk & whey isolate combo... low glycemic, lactose & gluten free.... I mix with 8 ounces of coconut milk....

FluffyDogsRule

I have been using Syntrax brand whey protein Isolate... comes in several flavors and turns out kinda like Kool Aid.... I add a lemon wedge or Real Lemon Powder to it as well as a tablespoon or 2 of STevia.... 23 grams of protein per serving...

there are a few sites that offer sample pkg programs... where you can get 11 or 12 "flavors" for XXX price... I dont have that info with me at the moment but I will post it when I get home...

I'd love that info! Sampler pack is a great idea. Thanks!

DaniH826

I started off with Body Fortress from Wal-Mart which left me constipated (of course that resolved when the container was nearing its end and I had already purchased a tub of ON to replace it). I got tired of chugging milk of magnesia, so I switched to Optimum Nutrition. Doing much better on it. I use about a scoop a day in my morning iced coffee and try to get the rest of my protein from actual food, so a 2-pound tub lasts a good while.

6550mom

Ordered a 2 pounder of extreme milk chocolate ON from amazon. comes out to $1 a scoop, so mixed w almond milk for breakfast...well that's a cheap breakfast and 25 g protein.

I'll keep the vegan recommendations in mind if the isolate doesn't work out.

Thanks again!

Please do let us know how you do with that- quite curious if my experience is typical or more unusual (or wishful thinking because I like the flavor, lol).

That is one of the flavors I have here. I also have the French Vanilla Cream in the monster-bucket (husband and I went through a small one quickly). It's good to be able to try the smaller quantities first though.