BreonnaQueen, I have been using a program that incorporates shakes and cellular cleanse days as well. It has been super effective for me and my husband.

Can I send you a Private message?

I like Premier, the carb count and sugar is very low, 30g of protein and they don't taste like death. I buy them at Costco because Canada but I think in America you can buy them other places.

I am a fan of the Nature's Best Isopure brand. Don't like their plain/unflavored whey protein, but the flavors are pretty good. My favs are Vanilla (to put into smoothies or drink alone), Dutch Chocolate, and Cookies & Cream (though this one sometimes doesn't blend as well in just water as the others do). The Vanilla and Cookies and Cream are both no-carb; the Dutch Chocolate is low carb (3g / serving). It does have sucralose, but that doesn't really bother me. The biggest negative to me is that I think the sodium is a bit high (480mg / serving).

I typically do a 1/2 serving at a time since one scoop is 25 g of protein, and a "serving" is 2 scoops. I will often do a smoothie in the morning, and then if I'm still low on protein for my macros for the day, just mix a scoop in a glass of water as a protein drink later in the day. I buy the big 3lb containers which are supposed to be 22 servings, but since I only use a scoop at time, I get 44 out of it. It is pricier than the other protein drinks I've tried, but worth it for something that tastes good. Sometimes you can catch it on sale at the various vitamin stores, so that helps with the price point, and I've seen even cheaper prices online from third party vendors.

I use optimum nutrition 100% whey in chocolate pretty much every day. Dissolves easily and tastes good. I usually make a simple smoothie with frozen berries and unsweetened almond milk to get in a serving of fruit.

I try to avoid dairy (gives me better skin) so I tend to stick with vega brand. I like changing the flavour by adding in things like pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon because I try to eat fruit on an empty stomach for best digestion.

StevieFishwick wrote: »

I do take protein shakes after doing a heavy weight lifting session, but if you have a good diet and eat enough meat they are super unnecessary because they're full of calories and sugar. Unless you're trying to promote muscle growth, I wouldn't use them to skip a meal.

Not all of them are "full of sugar" and the protein powders I use are moderate calories (105-110 cal / half serving with 0-2 carbs).

Frankly, I found out that my chronic pain was actually a protein deficiency (instead of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue like the doctors tried to tell me) because I don't get enough protein even with a good / balanced diet. I can't eat the amount of meat and stay within other macro goals to get the amount of protein I need. Protein powder is one way that I can get what I need in my diet to fight off the pain. But to each his own. We're all different.

b3achy wrote: »

StevieFishwick wrote: »

I do take protein shakes after doing a heavy weight lifting session, but if you have a good diet and eat enough meat they are super unnecessary because they're full of calories and sugar. Unless you're trying to promote muscle growth, I wouldn't use them to skip a meal.

Not all of them are "full of sugar" and the protein powders I use are moderate calories (105-110 cal / half serving with 0-2 carbs).

Frankly, I found out that my chronic pain was actually a protein deficiency (instead of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue like the doctors tried to tell me) because I don't get enough protein even with a good / balanced diet. I can't eat the amount of meat and stay within other macro goals to get the amount of protein I need. Protein powder is one way that I can get what I need in my diet to fight off the pain. But to each his own. We're all different.

I guess you didn't understand my comment. If you get enough protein, you don't need them. In your case, you don't get enough protein, so you do need them. Lots of them are full of sugar. Also, my point was they shouldn't be used to skip a meal they should be used for someone who doesn't get enough protein, like yourself. Thanks for getting all defensive though in your case you don't get enough protein from your diet, which my comment stated they're unnecessary if you DO get enough.

BreonnaQueen wrote: »

Hey everyone! So I've been thinking about trying protein shakes... again.

I use to drink the Trader Joe protein shake and yeah that stuff tasted awful. I even tried mixing it with a banana and pb2 but I just couldn't choke it down.

Do you ladies have any protein powders you recommend? Preferably one that isn't chalked full of chemicals, doesn't have a crazy high amount of sugar/carbs, taste great and it isnt super-duper-omg-expensive? lol

I've been researching a few brands but would love some suggestions.

That's actually a pretty tall order. A delicious tasting protein shake that's high in protein, low in calories, and made with high-quality ingredients is almost always going to set you back some money, as well it should. You get what you pay for, always!

I buy Trutein, it's by far the best-tasting out there, and had been consistently rated as such. It has tons of really good flavors, available in 2 or 5 lb tubs.

http://www.bodynutrition.com/product/trutein-whey-casein-egg-white/

You can even try single-serving sample packets, if you are on the fence about a certain flavor.

http://www.bodynutrition.com/samples/

Your protein is an investment in a good-looking, good-feeling body! Skimp elsewhere.

I can't do whey, and in general find that plant-based protein shakes just don't taste as good as their whey cousins. This one from Whole Foods is pretty good though - I get the Chocolate cinnamon.

I usually mix with no sugar almondmilk + greens + nuts. It's not terribly exciting, but is easy to make in the morning and bring with me for a mid-workday snack.

Lately I've added pumpkin puree + banana.

Edited to add: I found this one by purchasing sample sizes from Whole Foods. They had a variety of one serving pouches and I tried a bunch of flavors. You may want to try that to find your best protein powder.

I like the Pure Protein shakes and I make my own with the Greenwise Chocolate protein powder from Publix with almond milk.