Protein shakes?!

I don't think they are necessary, but I will use them as a meal replacement if I am on the run and need to grab something, or if it looks like I may not hit my protein for the day and need a quick and easy way to get a little bit more in.

I like Core Power chocolate ones, if I am grabbing a premixed one. Boathouse Farms have some pretty good premixed ones as well. If I am using a powder, I like Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard. The chocolate isn't bad, but I think the vanilla is horrible. (My son likes it though, so maybe it isn't as bad as I think it is.) I haven't tried any of the other flavors.

If you're not getting enough protein from your diet then yes, you can use them to make up the rest of your daily protein goal. Remember supplements are there to Fill in any holes in your diet, be it protein, omega-3, or vitamins/minerals.

I use them right after workouts, and I seem to notice a quicker recovery than without them, or even with the equivalent amount of protein coming from something like chicken. That's Obviously anecdotal, and it all could be in my head. I did read something in runners world about muscle recovery after extended runs (10k and longer), and protein shakes within forty-five minutes of finishing the workout did speed recovery time.

I think it's one of those things where the only people willing to part with the cash for a triple blinded study would be the producers of the shakes themselves. You might see if you can find something about them on the "science based medicine" site. That's usually the best place to get researched and supported information on this sort of thing.

I use the Dymatize ISO-100. The chocolate ones are good but the birthday cake is teeth-hurting sweet. I add a banana and/or peanut butter & that will tone it down. It's a powder, I don't know if they make pre-made.