A good protein shake needed!!!

gailygail99
gailygail99 Posts: 582 Member
edited September 25 in Food and Nutrition
i wanted to start drinking a protein shake and wanted to know if you have any recommendations. there is a GNC right by my house and i have all of the other big retailers so i should hopefully be able to get whatever you recommend in my area. also, when do you drink it? Before you work out or after? Does it actually matter? Im new to weightloss and exercise so I need some pointers. I'm on the treadmill at least 30mins a day and lift weights every other day. Thanks for your advice and recommendations in advance! :huh:

Replies

  • muscle milk vanilla! doesn't taste too chalky or anything and just add it to a fruit smoothie and yum! I do milk, protein powder, and random fruits :)
  • ChassityGetsFit
    ChassityGetsFit Posts: 173 Member
    My husband and his buddy use the brand Six Star. They say it's one of the best. You can get it at WalMart for like $18 or something like that. You take it AFTER your workouts, because you need protein after a workout to help your muscles recover! :)
  • Meggie_pooh
    Meggie_pooh Posts: 316 Member
    if u have a blender, make ur own. Frozen fruit, greek yogurt, a dribble of juice for consistency, and a spoonful of wheatgerm. I like frozen blueberries, blueberry greek yogurt (which is PACKED with protein) and a lil bit of white grape juice! I went out and bought one of those Magic Bullets from Walmart (that individual blender thingy that you always see infomercials for in the middle of the night). I use that to make them. BEST investment EVER!!!
  • gailygail99
    gailygail99 Posts: 582 Member
    I have heard of muscle milk and see it on alot of peoples diaries, i might have to give it a try, but thanks for all the suggestions!!
  • gailygail99
    gailygail99 Posts: 582 Member
    My husband and his buddy use the brand Six Star. They say it's one of the best. You can get it at WalMart for like $18 or something like that. You take it AFTER your workouts, because you need protein after a workout to help your muscles recover! :)

    after the workout, i got it! i wasnt so sure! thanks!
  • gailygail99
    gailygail99 Posts: 582 Member
    if u have a blender, make ur own. Frozen fruit, greek yogurt, a dribble of juice for consistency, and a spoonful of wheatgerm. I like frozen blueberries, blueberry greek yogurt (which is PACKED with protein) and a lil bit of white grape juice! I went out and bought one of those Magic Bullets from Walmart (that individual blender thingy that you always see infomercials for in the middle of the night). I use that to make them. BEST investment EVER!!!

    i do have a blender but i would rather have the magic bullet! i will look into it! thanks so much!
  • gailygail99
    gailygail99 Posts: 582 Member
    muscle milk vanilla! doesn't taste too chalky or anything and just add it to a fruit smoothie and yum! I do milk, protein powder, and random fruits :)

    thanks! i am going to look into it this week!!
  • TurboChels
    TurboChels Posts: 69 Member
    I use shakeology ! Its great ! Chocolate flavor only :)
  • dave4d
    dave4d Posts: 1,155 Member
    I always drink a shake after a workout. Sometimes I drink one before a workout too. I get lazy, and it is easier to blend a shake than cook sometimes. If you use a blender the shakes are always better. I usually get vanilla, and chocolate, then mix in different fruits or flavorings for variety. Frozen bananas are my favorite fruit to add, they give it more of an icecream consistency, and I like to mix with a little bit of milk. It seems to get rid of the chalkiness. Occasionally I will also add it to sugar free pudding mix for some high protein puddings, or pies.
  • cjreesejr
    cjreesejr Posts: 22
    I saw someone mention six star. i agree that is a good protein but might not be good for you. six star and body fortress(are found at walmart and a few other stores)are good and relatively inexpensive proteins.only issue with them is they have creatine.definetly take a shake or protein bar after excercise. Id also look into soy proteins.just dont be sold stuff your not comfortable with.If you ahve any other questions shoot me a email and I will be more than happy to help.oh by the way check out prosource.net. they have some rock bottom prices and their shipping is real cheap and quick
  • AsaThorsWoman
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
    I didn't like muscle milk at all.

    Get something from GNC, it's good quality.

    I mix 2 scoops with vanilla and add fruit... it's yummy and not the same thing over and over.

    I like chocolate too, with milk in the blender.

    Making your own is a good idea, but if you're like me you don't have all day and tons of financial resources.

    A half gallon of milk and chocolate powder with a blender is low cost, easy and effective.
  • AsaThorsWoman
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
    I always drink a shake after a workout. Sometimes I drink one before a workout too. I get lazy, and it is easier to blend a shake than cook sometimes. If you use a blender the shakes are always better. I usually get vanilla, and chocolate, then mix in different fruits or flavorings for variety. Frozen bananas are my favorite fruit to add, they give it more of an icecream consistency, and I like to mix with a little bit of milk. It seems to get rid of the chalkiness. Occasionally I will also add it to sugar free pudding mix for some high protein puddings, or pies.

    Or PIES? OMG.

    I hate banana in mine... I know it's popular though.
  • suzycreamcheese
    suzycreamcheese Posts: 1,766 Member
    PHD diet whey. I got some yesterday and its lovely
  • dave4d
    dave4d Posts: 1,155 Member
    I always drink a shake after a workout. Sometimes I drink one before a workout too. I get lazy, and it is easier to blend a shake than cook sometimes. If you use a blender the shakes are always better. I usually get vanilla, and chocolate, then mix in different fruits or flavorings for variety. Frozen bananas are my favorite fruit to add, they give it more of an icecream consistency, and I like to mix with a little bit of milk. It seems to get rid of the chalkiness. Occasionally I will also add it to sugar free pudding mix for some high protein puddings, or pies.

    Or PIES? OMG.

    I hate banana in mine... I know it's popular though.

    The bananas don't add a lot of flavor. I only use half a banana most of the time though to keep the calories, and carbs lower. I read the other day that bananas are a good post workout carb source due to the type of sugar content in them.
  • gailygail99
    gailygail99 Posts: 582 Member
    thanks everyone for your advice! i will be at GNC tomorrow checking them out for sure!! i appreciate it!
  • gailygail99
    gailygail99 Posts: 582 Member
    I didn't like muscle milk at all.

    Get something from GNC, it's good quality.

    I mix 2 scoops with vanilla and add fruit... it's yummy and not the same thing over and over.

    I like chocolate too, with milk in the blender.

    Making your own is a good idea, but if you're like me you don't have all day and tons of financial resources.

    A half gallon of milk and chocolate powder with a blender is low cost, easy and effective.

    did the muscle milk just taste bad? or something else?
  • gailygail99
    gailygail99 Posts: 582 Member
    I saw someone mention six star. i agree that is a good protein but might not be good for you. six star and body fortress(are found at walmart and a few other stores)are good and relatively inexpensive proteins.only issue with them is they have creatine.definetly take a shake or protein bar after excercise. Id also look into soy proteins.just dont be sold stuff your not comfortable with.If you ahve any other questions shoot me a email and I will be more than happy to help.oh by the way check out prosource.net. they have some rock bottom prices and their shipping is real cheap and quick

    i def dont want caffeine, youre right about that! thanks for the info!! and after exercise it is!
  • gailygail99
    gailygail99 Posts: 582 Member
    I always drink a shake after a workout. Sometimes I drink one before a workout too. I get lazy, and it is easier to blend a shake than cook sometimes. If you use a blender the shakes are always better. I usually get vanilla, and chocolate, then mix in different fruits or flavorings for variety. Frozen bananas are my favorite fruit to add, they give it more of an icecream consistency, and I like to mix with a little bit of milk. It seems to get rid of the chalkiness. Occasionally I will also add it to sugar free pudding mix for some high protein puddings, or pies.

    ooo..frozen bananas in them, yum! i am assuming just once in a while though for the bananas, right? they have a lot of cals.
  • dave4d
    dave4d Posts: 1,155 Member
    I didn't like muscle milk at all.

    Get something from GNC, it's good quality.

    I mix 2 scoops with vanilla and add fruit... it's yummy and not the same thing over and over.

    I like chocolate too, with milk in the blender.

    Making your own is a good idea, but if you're like me you don't have all day and tons of financial resources.

    A half gallon of milk and chocolate powder with a blender is low cost, easy and effective.

    did the muscle milk just taste bad? or something else?

    Be careful with muscle milk. It is a meal replacement shake, not just a protein shake. You are not supposed to have to add anything extra to muscle milk. It is higher in calories, and carbohydrates than regular protein shakes, but if you want the ease if just mixing, it is fine.

    I usually buy whatever I can find that is the cheapest, and in my range of goals for nutrients, and sugars. GNC is fairly pricey. I usually either buy bodyfortress from walmart, or I go to costco, and buy what they have. I think there are also some places online that are reasonably priced.
  • 4theking
    4theking Posts: 1,196 Member
    Myofusion protein is the best overall protein that I have found and it tastes amazing. It also can be found at GNC.

    As far as protein needs for your workout, you can either drink one before or after. A lot of people will tell you to drink it after but you don't have to. Whey protein(the fastest digesting protein) digests at about 10gms per hour. So if you drank a shake with 30gms, your body will still be releasing amino acids from the shake for three hours after ingesting. I typically have around 50gms pre workout and then eat whole foods 3-4 hours later.
  • MistyMtnMan
    MistyMtnMan Posts: 527 Member
    I have found in my Protein Powder exploration, you need to really read the ingredients buy anything. Alot of the popular brands like Muscle Milk and Optimum Nutrition have a lot of sodium and cholesterol. The best I have found, nutrition wise, is ISO-Sensation 93 by Ultimate Nutrition. It's only 130 cals, no fat, no sugar, 1 carb, 30mg sodium and 30g of protein.

    Another big bonus of this powder is it's Amino Acid profile. The essential branched chain amino acids (BCAA's) are of special importance for athletes because they are metabolized in the muscle, rather than in the liver. Here's how this works: After digestion once protein is broken down into individual amino acids these aminos can either be used to build new proteins or be burned as fuel to produce energy.
  • I like the Designer Whey Chocolate. I got it at GNC. It doesn't taste bad at all and it blends very well with milk without the use of a blender. Sometimes when I have time I do throw it in the blender with a frozen banana and some ice. Yummy!
  • gailygail99
    gailygail99 Posts: 582 Member
    thx for all the posts!! im gonna get some tomorrow!!
  • TrainerRobin
    TrainerRobin Posts: 509 Member
    I get the reduced carb chocolate EAS protein shakes by the case at Sam's Club. Il like their flavor and the nutritional profile of this shake, plus I can take it on the go if I want. Typically, I have one after I run. I just toss it into the blender with some ice, and two servings of PB2 and a sweetener or two. Delicious chocolate peanut butter protein shake that doesn't add too many calories to my day's food.
  • gailygail99
    gailygail99 Posts: 582 Member
    I ended up getting Isopure. I hope that it's good! I will try it tomorrow after working out! Thx everyone!
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