Protein Powders

vizsla99
vizsla99 Posts: 66 Member
in Food and Nutrition
This may have been covered before, but would appreciate any advice on the topic.

To those that are knowledgable about building lean mass - what protein powders are your favorite?

Any recommendations for a vanilla flavor, a chocolate flavor, and is there a flavor that can be added to things like egg white omelets, vegetables, etc that isn't a sweetened flavor?

Specific brand recommendations preferred! Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • Tupelo64
    Tupelo64 Posts: 36 Member
    Hi there.. I would be interested in knowing what others use or experience... here is my recent experience:

    EAS Soy Protein - Mixes nicely, has a great taste (chocolate), low in cholesterol, but is high in sugar.. I think the 3rd ingredient is fructose.. WalMart sells it..

    Visalus VI-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix Sweet Cream Flavor - hands down the best protein powder I have ever tasted.. I drink it like it was a milk shake.. It is also soy based. Sold by "distributors" but also now on Amazon.

    I am currently looking for a gluten free, low in sugar taste great powder myself. I will use mine for weight loss vs. muscle building Good luck!
  • MinimalistShoeAddict
    MinimalistShoeAddict Posts: 1,946 Member
    I like Market Pantry (Target) Brand. Inexpensive protein per serving with a good taste
  • mommy_03
    mommy_03 Posts: 54 Member
    i was wondering this myself, which is better? powder or pre-made shakes? im totally illiterate to the whole protein thing and am learning as i go:)
  • Rtossas
    Rtossas Posts: 29
    I generally preferred a whey based protein powder because of it's highly digestible fast absorbing rate. Occasionally I will used some sort of whey casein blend ex: muscle milk, Optimum nutrition performance whey. I currently used two different types of whey protein powder one being eas 100% whey and the other muscle milk, but my favorites are hydro whey and hydrobuilder by optimum nutrition. Viz here's a great article going into detail the different types of powders and the many benefits they provide our body.

    http://www.simplyshredded.com/top-protein-picks-the-ultimate-guide-to-protein-powders-for-muscle-growth.html

    @mommy there really is no difference between ready to drink shakes and powder shakes other than the cost. RTD shakes tend to be a little more expensive where as a powder based protein will cost cheaper and last alot longer.
  • vizsla99
    vizsla99 Posts: 66 Member
    I generally preferred a whey based protein powder because of it's highly digestible fast absorbing rate. Occasionally I will used some sort of whey casein blend ex: muscle milk, Optimum nutrition performance whey. I currently used two different types of whey protein powder one being eas 100% whey and the other muscle milk, but my favorites are hydro whey and hydrobuilder by optimum nutrition. Viz here's a great article going into detail the different types of powders and the many benefits they provide our body.

    http://www.simplyshredded.com/top-protein-picks-the-ultimate-guide-to-protein-powders-for-muscle-growth.html

    @mommy there really is no difference between ready to drink shakes and powder shakes other than the cost. RTD shakes tend to be a little more expensive where as a powder based protein will cost cheaper and last alot longer.

    Thanks for the link!
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    I'm allergic to whey and therefore soy, as well, so I use Healthy n Fit Egg White protein powder in strawberry (I mix it with coconut milk and my strawberry Shakeology). It is sweetened with stevia, but lightly, and it's all natural. I'm thinking the vanilla would mix in well with stuff without altering the flavor too much. I get mine from Netrition.com because it's $9 cheaper there than at Vitamin Shoppe (GNC only carries the more expensive Jay Robb egg white protein) and Netrition has $4.95 shipping for everywhere in the US besides HI and Alaska.
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    Hi there.. I would be interested in knowing what others use or experience... here is my recent experience:

    EAS Soy Protein - Mixes nicely, has a great taste (chocolate), low in cholesterol, but is high in sugar.. I think the 3rd ingredient is fructose.. WalMart sells it..

    Visalus VI-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix Sweet Cream Flavor - hands down the best protein powder I have ever tasted.. I drink it like it was a milk shake.. It is also soy based. Sold by "distributors" but also now on Amazon.

    I am currently looking for a gluten free, low in sugar taste great powder myself. I will use mine for weight loss vs. muscle building Good luck!

    Vi shakes also have glucose...
  • Remo_Williams
    Remo_Williams Posts: 73
    Most of the protein powders available now are much better than ones from 20 years ago as far as taste and mix-ability. I use whey for pre-workout since it is absorbed the quickest. I currently use EAS 100% Whey in chocolate since it is very cheap in the 5 lb bag at my local warehouse club. When I have a little more money to spend, I like ON Natural Whey, since there are no artificial ingredients. The only downside being they sweeten with fructose.

    There is actually a site where you can make and order your own blends: http://www.truenutrition.com/

    Many of the "custom" formulas on the market are actually manufactured by this company and then rebranded.
  • shanmackie
    shanmackie Posts: 194 Member
    I really like this one - http://www.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/raw-meal-GL-p-garden-of-life.html?gclid=COfCobr-07QCFQSg4AodWDMAyQ

    i mix it with a banana and a cup of almond milk every day. i only use 1/2 of one scoop rather than 2 like it says, because WOW calories. the smell isn't nice because it's mostly greens but it tastes fine. it's SO healthy for you!
  • vizsla99
    vizsla99 Posts: 66 Member
    Most of the protein powders available now are much better than ones from 20 years ago as far as taste and mix-ability. I use whey for pre-workout since it is absorbed the quickest. I currently use EAS 100% Whey in chocolate since it is very cheap in the 5 lb bag at my local warehouse club. When I have a little more money to spend, I like ON Natural Whey, since there are no artificial ingredients. The only downside being they sweeten with fructose.

    There is actually a site where you can make and order your own blends: http://www.truenutrition.com/

    Many of the "custom" formulas on the market are actually manufactured by this company and then rebranded.

    Wow, thanks for the cool link!
  • Crazy_Diet_Mom
    Crazy_Diet_Mom Posts: 51
    Interested myself... bumping in : )
  • fitjc21
    fitjc21 Posts: 1 Member
    I've been using Vega One for about a year - plant based protein developed by a triathlete. I find it easier to digest & tastes delicious.

    Vega's new athlete performance line has chocolate and vanilla (chocolate's my favourite). I add 1 scoop to blend with a banana, frozen berries and almond milk.
  • MacSkillz
    MacSkillz Posts: 417 Member
    I have Crohn's so I have to use a plant based protein powder. The Whey and Soy based ones do NOT agree with me at all. The only one that I have found that my system will digest is a vegan protein powder called Plant Fusion. I usually get it on Amazon and it's about $30 for a 2 lb bottle. I always buy 2 at a time and it usually lasts me about 3 months with having 1 protein shake a day. I think it tastes great and doesn't have the chalky texture that some have. It also comes in a variety of flavers: original, vanilla bean, chocolate, cookies-n-cream, and chocolate raspberry.
  • odearja
    odearja Posts: 8
    Is this a bad time to bring up the concentrate v isolates v blends?
    If price isnt as much of an issue, lean towards the isolates first. Blends are popular, but look at the ingredient list and make sure there is more isolates than concentrates.
  • jayche
    jayche Posts: 1,128 Member
    Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard Whey, it's pretty much the poster child for good protein powders (and for a reason).

    Also, be wary of some protein brands as they skimp you on protein.
    Here's a spreadsheet of someone testing protein content found in popular protein powders vs their advertised amount.
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ag9uT-E4EIL7dFZPZnR0WVZybGtFWnRKNzdKNm9XOVE#gid=0
  • rizzaG
    rizzaG Posts: 110
    I like Market Pantry (Target) Brand. Inexpensive protein per serving with a good taste

    I'm using P90X results and recovery formula I love it so much but I'm sort of looking for a much affordable alternative, didn't know target have those (market pantry) I'll check it out next time I stop by target.
  • nessabea
    nessabea Posts: 1 Member
    Whole Foods 365 Whey Protein Powder. I use the Vanilla. Sweetened with Stevia (natural). Decent on calories and taste and my pocketbook!
  • rizzaG
    rizzaG Posts: 110
    I use http://www.sunwarrior.com/what_is_protein/ doesn't make me feel bloated and I like the taste although for first time user you might find it has a little bit of chalky taste but it didn't bother me at all. Also I use P90X results and recovery formula a little bit expensive but it's so worth it. I feel less soar the next day and my muscles can recover very quickly, taste great too!
  • otrlynn
    otrlynn Posts: 273 Member
    I use Body Fortress Whey Isolate vanilla crime flavor, from Walmart.there are 60 grams of protein in two scoops. I typically use a half scoop and add it to a half cup of soy milk, which I then use on my breakfast cereal. It has a mildly sweet decent vanilla flavor. The price is reasonable.
  • xtc70
    xtc70 Posts: 1
    Check out http://nutivahempshake.com/. The Berry and Vanilla flavors have a slightly better profile than chocolate.

    Organic, no hexane, omega-3's, good for the planet, (and Canada thanks to our stupid hemp prohibition).
  • gmsmagic1
    gmsmagic1 Posts: 12 Member
    All the responses to your initial question may only leave you more confused in the end since obviously everyone has different taste preferences when it comes to their favorite protein drinks. You may hate the taste of whey, soy, or high protein anything for that matter. Heck, some people recommended EAS Soy drinks that I personally think taste horrible compared to other brands I've tried, but that doesn't mean you won't like it or that you will like my selections any better.

    Ultimately, achieving your goal of lean body mass is impossible to accurately address without knowing more about you in general such as your current BMI, goal weight, diet you're following, and how often you exercise.

    I lost 106 lbs a year ago following a regimented low carb diet, and I've managed to keep the weight off through portion control, some exercise, and by replacing one meal a day with one of my many favorite protein shakes. The key is variety in my opinion, so don't seek out the perfect drink!

    If you're on a low carb diet, then most vegetables are the last thing you would be eating. And obviously, too much protein or anything for that matter can turn to fat if you're not monitoring your intake or burning the excess through exercise. My recommendation to you is to visit a reputable nutritionist or weight management doctor since they can align your personal goals to your diet and often provide you with samples of different protein drinks so that you don't drop a fortune experimenting.

    And as I hinted to earlier, human nature will dictate that variety is the key to any successful diet so that you don't get sick of eating or drinking the same thing every day. I personally have a pantry filled with several protein drinks that I use as a meal substitute once per day so that I maintain the goal weight I've already achieved. Chocolate and Vanilla are the easiest flavors to find, but depending on my mood and the time of day, I often pick one of the many other flavors I have to keep it interesting.

    When I'm in a hurry and want to just grab a bottle for the road, I personally like the Slim Fast Low Carb 1-2-3 Vanilla or Chocolate bottles that you can find at most Walmarts and Shoppers Stores. I also love the taste of the Premier Nutrition High Protein Vanilla Shakes (30 grams protein but only 3 grams carbs & fat) that can be bought in bulk at Costco. For Cookies N Cream or Mint Cookies N Cream, I love Matrix or Muscletech. For Orange Cream, I love Bariatric Advantage (excellent for getting all your daily nutrients). Bariatric Advantage also sells a no taste powder that can be used for mixing as you asked. The list goes on and on. If you have a favorite flavor, I can most likely recommend my favorite brand since I've tried most of them!

    I loved the article Rtossas recommended on Top Protein Picks for educating yourself, although it wisely doesn't go into recommending any particular brands since that would dis-credit the information and make it look more like an infomercial. And for some general decent education on your topic of lean mass dieting, check out this article:

    http://www.ehow.com/list_7327601_10-foods-build-lean-muscle.html

    Hope this all helps. Good luck!

    Regards,

    Gary

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