Protein Powder: Worth the Calories or Not Worth the Hype

MoHousdon
MoHousdon Posts: 8,723 Member
edited December 18 in Food and Nutrition
I need to get some more protein in my diet to help build lean muscle. I have seen a lot of diaries with protein powder, but I'm VERY leery about buying a canister and not liking it. Does anyone have suggestions on kinds/brands they've tried and are totally worth the calories and hype.

Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.
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Replies

  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    While I personally feel protein powders are highly overrated and rarely needed, "About Time" makes a good one that many people i know add to their smoothies.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Protein supplements can be good when appropriately used.

    Optimum Nutrition is basically the standard.
    Cellucor isn't bad either.

    I'd be wary of the fluffy ones that are really anything other than protein. For example, the hippy herpy derpy goatein that's all 300+ calories for 50g of protein. A decent protein will be closer to 250-260 for 50g of protein.
  • bingfit221
    bingfit221 Posts: 105 Member
    MoHousdon wrote: »
    I need to get some more protein in my diet to help build lean muscle. I have seen a lot of diaries with protein powder, but I'm VERY leery about buying a canister and not liking it. Does anyone have suggestions on kinds/brands they've tried and are totally worth the calories and hype.

    Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.

    I use muscletech vanilla. It is available at Sam's club for $30 (5 lb bag) and is only 140 cals but is only 20g of protein.
  • travie__b
    travie__b Posts: 18 Member
    I have Pure Protein - Whey Protein Frosty Chocolate that I make a smoothie with in the morning. It's delicious.

    I also tried another brand that I can't remember the name of, and it was strawberry; so, so gross lol.
  • dmoisson
    dmoisson Posts: 10 Member
    Muscle Milk costs more but I have been pleasantly pleased with the results. It tastes great and I use it to make smoothies.
  • kissa714
    kissa714 Posts: 65 Member
    I personally dont use protein powder BUT my brother is very into lifting and building muscle and he drinks a lot of protein shakes using protein powder (he drinks 1-2 a day usually i think) He likes Combat protein powder. he has a huge container of it. i would just try it and see if you like it.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    bodynutrition.com
    They let you buy samples to try. Red Velvet Cake is awesome.
  • 2hmom
    2hmom Posts: 241 Member
    It's the only way I can get more protein...don't care for all that meat!!! ha
  • lunastardust777
    lunastardust777 Posts: 12
    i like muscle milk :)
  • krivedal
    krivedal Posts: 15 Member
    I have used a few different ones. I choose the vanilla flavor and blend it with fruit to make a smoothie.
  • ransaka
    ransaka Posts: 135 Member
    A lot of companies do sample packs of single servings so you can see if you like a particular flavour without having pounds of it that you can't stand.
  • AmyG1982
    AmyG1982 Posts: 1,040 Member
    I personally do enjoy protein powder. I add it to morning smoothies for breakfast which keeps me full all morning. To me though, the big difference is how I feel post run. I get really really tired achy legs after running that can last a couple of days sometimes but if I down a protein shake after a run I feel great the next day. I would suggest a whey protein and not soy (some weird claims some scientists have about soy and estrogen issues that just don't seem worth the risk to me). I think vanilla is always a safe flavour cuz you can mask it with some fruit if you don't love it ;) I use Kaizen cuz its all natural and cheap at my grocery store. (I've also made some pretty good protein powder cookies when I just "need" to have something sweet lol)
  • kell2116
    kell2116 Posts: 77 Member
    edited January 2015
    I use MyProtein impact whey powder in the salted caramel flavour, which is so delicious I sometimes do extra workouts simply to justify having another shake :blush:
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    cvs (well mine anyway) has packets. they have a cookies and cream one that is really good.some stores will sell packets(single use) so look in stores and see if they sell them. you can try it that way too. I know walgreens and gnc sometimes have packets
  • BoxingChick
    BoxingChick Posts: 124 Member
    I think they are worth it for sure. Just watch the sugar...some like Muscle Milk have so much!
  • jeichelb83
    jeichelb83 Posts: 172 Member
    Body Fortress here. It's got 30 g of protein per scoop at 170 calories each.. I thnk the chocolate banana smooties I make with it is around 500 calories total (greek yogut, banana, milk, cocoa power, and protein powder). It keeps me full thoughout the morning so I don't gorge myself the rest of the day.
  • triciab79
    triciab79 Posts: 1,713 Member
    New Whey protein shots are decent. 180 cal for 42g of whey protein. It is only a couple ounces of liquid so even though it taste like fruity death it is easy to take and my go to protein.
  • pscarolina
    pscarolina Posts: 133 Member
    travie__b wrote: »
    I have Pure Protein - Whey Protein Frosty Chocolate that I make a smoothie with in the morning. It's delicious.

    I also tried another brand that I can't remember the name of, and it was strawberry; so, so gross lol.

    Pure Protein vanilla here too. I use it in a variety of things from overnight oatmeal to mixing with a small amount of almond milk to make "icing" on baked sweet potato or baked apples (along with allspice or pumpkin pie spice). On nights I teach right after work I have a shake to hold me over until dinner since I don't get home until 8:30 pm. Their chocolate doesn't seem to dissolve as well, but it's pretty inexpensive so can't complain. We make some ONS Performance in my plant, but I haven't tried it yet.
  • beachlover83
    beachlover83 Posts: 68 Member
    I've used it before and it really helps how you feel after a work-out. Just bought another container of it and am excited to start trying it again. We've always had the chocolate flavored kind and added it to milk.
  • PrizePopple
    PrizePopple Posts: 3,133 Member
    I like Designer Whey's French Vanilla. I put a scoop into 340g of Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup milk, and a some fruit (banana, strawberry, mango.. whatever I have available).


    This is a typical breakfast smoothie for me...
    kUkEFgT.png

    Designer Whey (French Vanilla) Nutrition Info
    FV_NUT.jpg
  • johhunt47
    johhunt47 Posts: 30 Member
    I have been using either Optimum Nutrition or GNC Wheybolic Amplified powders...93 Cal, 1g Sugar, 2g Carbs, 0g Fat...mixed with 1% milk and 1/4 cup greek yogurt...tastes great. Occasionally throw in some fruit. Worth the money if you do it right...avoid grocery store protein...tastes terrible and full of sugar. Would check out GNC.com or supplement warehouse.com...used both and pretty comparable on price.

    Whether or not its beneficial to you is how you use it...I always consume protein immediately (15-30 minutes) after a workout or after waking up.

    Another good tip...eat some protein (glass of milk, cottage cheese) right before going to bed. Helps keep body from tearing down muscles while sleeping.

    Hope this helps.
  • Hollywood_Porky
    Hollywood_Porky Posts: 491 Member
    Level 1 - best tasting protein and from what I have read, seen, researched, good quality. I love it.
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    I use alternate between Sunwarrior and Vega brands. Both are vegan protein powders since I can't tolerate whey. I use it in my morning smoothies when I want a nutritious and filling breakfast on the go. If you can tolerate whey, then those ones are usually much cheaper...
  • teecee60
    teecee60 Posts: 47 Member
    My trainer recommended NOW Products Plant Protein Complex which I did go ahead and buy. He said I should drink it within 30-40 minutes of a workout. I got it in creamy vanilla and I absolutely love it. I mix one scoop with 1 C almond milk, 1 Tbsp almond butter, fruit (banana is my fav) and crushed ice then blend it in a blender. I look forward to it and to me it almost tastes like desert.
  • williams969
    williams969 Posts: 2,528 Member
    I like it on the days I just don't want to eat another piece of chicken or another bowl of Greek yogurt, or whatever. I like EAS, Pure Protein, or Body Fortress (basically, whatever is moderately priced and available at Walmart, I'm not picky). Calorie vs. protein ratio, they're all more or less similar to a comparable meat, Greek yogurt, or veggie meat substitute portion.

    I just consider it what it is--an alternate protein source for when I don't have time or am away from a kitchen or whatever.
  • MaggieLoo79
    MaggieLoo79 Posts: 288 Member
    When my doctor put me on a high protein diet, I found I can't meet the goal he set for me without protein powder help. I'm using GNC Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60. It has 280 calories, 60g Protein and 7 Carbs. The vanilla tastes like graham crackers which is okay. I add fruit and vegetables too.
  • socalkay
    socalkay Posts: 746 Member
    krivedal wrote: »
    I have used a few different ones. I choose the vanilla flavor and blend it with fruit to make a smoothie.

    I do the same - vanilla whey protein powder + berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries) + banana or yogurt. It's very tasty and helps me get my protein levels up. I think the smoothies with protein have improved how I feel overall.

    Currently, I use the Vitamin World brand. I look for sales and get it for $10 - $15 for 1 lb can. Right now they have a BOGO sale going on. Usually you can find a coupon for free shipping.

    http://www.vitaminworld.com/whey-protein/womens-whey-protein-0070066632.html#q=whey&start=7

  • murphyocean
    murphyocean Posts: 39 Member
    As with a few other's comments, I agree that muscle milk by far is reputably known as one of the best tasting...if not the best...of all protein powders. I used to drink the strawberry flavored muscle milk powder with some milk, strawberry flavored yogurt, and frozen strawberries...and it was better/equivalent to "strawberry dreamin'" offered at jamba juice.

    If you are looking to increase your protein intake, then I would suggest that you try to focus on getting more protein via your diet (e.g., whole foods), and then supplement with protein powder to see how your body feels. You can buy a smaller container of muscle milk for about thirty dollars I think. If you don't like it, give it to a friend...

    Good luck.
  • MizzMaldy
    MizzMaldy Posts: 31 Member
    I just purchased Pure Protein from French Vanilla Sam's (thought I'd branch out and try a different brand). I am pretty pleased with it. The flavor is decent, 130 calories in exchange for 23g of protein.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    FWIW... see if you have a local lifting/bodybuilding shop that sells protein powders... ask if they have any sample packets for you to try. I get samples almost every time I buy from my local shop.
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