Whey protein

There is whey protein in milk too and other things too, but I am going to assume you are talking about protein powders (the main ones being whey and casein). There is nothing special about the whey protein powder. One would recommend you stick to food mainly for long term adherence purposes, but if you need the powder to hit your daily protein goal, then go for it.

Also, if you like, you can read this for more information that you probably ever cared to know about protein sources.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/nutrition/what-are-good-sources-of-protein-digestibility.html

a study that a professor of mine was involved in pitted two groups of obese participants against each other. one that just did physical activity, and a group that did physical activity and consumed whey protein. there were no other changes to their diets. the group that consumed the whey protein had greater losses around their midsections than did the group that did not consume the protein.

Baer, D.J., Stote, K.S., Paul, D.R., Harris, G.K., Rumpler, W.V., and Clevidence, B.A.. Whey protein but not soy protein supplementation alters body weight and composition in free-living overweight and obese adults. J Nutr. 2011;141(8):1489-94

I just started adding protein powder to my diet because my protein was low and there are only so many eggs I can eat in a day. I chose Vega because someone recommended it and he is really into high quality products, etc. Unfortunately, it tastes horrific. I wish I went with Jay Robb, that tasted so much better. I mixed that with my Shakeology & it was so good. The Vega, ruined my shake!

For those of you who use whey protein powder, which brand/flavor do you like?

The powders tend to be cheaper than the bars.
Some bars also tend to be loaded with sodium and carbs while not getting very high on the prtein.
As always read the labels and check the prices.

Your digestive system can have trouble digesting large amounts of whey protein (it starts gumming up your colon), so I started using half servings except for after workouts.

I just started adding protein powder to my diet because my protein was low and there are only so many eggs I can eat in a day. I chose Vega because someone recommended it and he is really into high quality products, etc. Unfortunately, it tastes horrific. I wish I went with Jay Robb, that tasted so much better. I mixed that with my Shakeology & it was so good. The Vega, ruined my shake!

For those of you who use whey protein powder, which brand/flavor do you like?

Gina, I like Syntrax Nectar Sweets. I add a teaspoon of unsweetened dutch cocoa powder to the chocolate flavor because it's a little too sweet for me. This keeps me from craving sugary chocolate milk and ice cream shakes!

I am NO expert in Protein Powders or supplements to your diet/exercise regimen, so take my input with a grain of salt, K?

I don't think Protein Powder/Whey Protein can make you lose weight FASTER, but It is a good way to in cooperate another means of attaining your Protein Daily Intake. if you cannot meet it with food alone. I think the conception of "losing weight" is based on the fact, if you add a few ingredients to the Protein Powder, you have a meal supplement or replacement - or a filler, and generally Protein along with carbs aid in keeping you full, thus keeping you from over indulging in other things (sugary, fatty etc).

I myself have been having a few Protein Replacement Shake as my breakfast meal, mainly time-constrictions and i've been feeling ill as of late.. I had one today in fact, though it was hard to stomach, not because it didn't taste good but i've been fighting nausea for a week +.

My Shake consisted of:

1 1/4 Scoop of Protein Powder, Optimum Gold Standard Whey, Banana Creme
6 or 7 Ice-Cubes
1 Banana (Frozen is best, for thickness and texture)
2 handfuls of Spinach (it made it a funky Green, you CANNOT, I repeat - CANNOT taste the Spinach).
1 cup (8oz) 1% Milk (You can use Skim, Water, Yogurt - whatever)

That is a nice way to average over 40g of protein, while getting some nutrients, potassium, etc.

The thing with most Whey Protein, is I think (remember, grain of salt here - no expert) it's a "fast acting" source, so it feeds your muscles/body quickly, which is why (I think, again salt) there is the "Casein Protein" which apparently is a slow digesting Protein, keeping you fuller longer, satiating your muscles after a workout and a good day starter, or maybe perhaps night as your muscles recover through your REM.

Again.. I don't think it could help you "Lose weight" necessarily, maybe keep hunger at bay if it's protein+filler, or a slow digesting one.. but I think it's source is basically to help you meet your daily goals, and also help replenish the body if you're doing weight-lifting or whatever.

As for Protein Bars.. I hear alot of things, most are filled with sugar and candy in a sense - they're like a chocolate bar, labelled "healthy", in no way am I saying decisively that they ALL are, just what I have heard from the grape-vine-of foods.. But I think if you took it upon yourself to make your own batches with Nuts, or Oatmeal, and Apple Sauce.. Protein Powder you can make your own and using MFP's Recipe Calculator to see what actual benefits you're getting in the nutrient breakdown and protein..

my 2 cents.. super long.. 2 cents..


(Oh ps. Also, I have bought a few brands of Whey Protein Powders, my favourite by far is "Optimum Gold Standard" from Bodybuilding.com Store, flavours I see rated highly are: Mocha (I love), Chocolate Peanut Butter ( love), Banana Creme(cream? I forget- Love, using) Strawberry (nasty IMO) Chocolate Mint (never tried), Coffee (JUST bought today, saving 10% on my order to Canada using the coupon code: ELLIPTICAL10)

The powders tend to be cheaper than the bars.
Some bars also tend to be loaded with sodium and carbs while not getting very high on the prtein.
As always read the labels and check the prices.

Personally I like the Detour and ProMax low sugar protein bars (available at BJ's, and Sam's, typically around a buck a bar). They do have carbs, but there's a lot of fiber in them (the ProMax LS are 18g total carbs, 14g of which are fiber), so the net carbs (for those that "do that") is pretty low. Be careful, tho, these bars have more calories than your average snack/granola bar, so make sure you're logging appropriately. The Detour LS bars are around 170 calories each, the ProMax bars are 220-230. There's some at GNC that are full-blown meal replacements, and they hover around 400 calories each! Granted, you get about 40g of protein in them, but damn!

I had heard really good things about, and hence tried for myself, the Syntha-6 protein powders. I have the Strawberry milkshake one and it's delicious. Syntha-6 is a blend of whey and casein, so there's quick-absorbed protein (whey) and long-digesting protein (casein) in each serving. Typically I mix it into my oatmeal in the morning. Since I've started using it, I feel like I have a more even energy level throughout the morning, not just right after I eat. Personally I think that's the biggest gain I've seen in the few months I've been supplementing protein. I feel more energetic for a longer time.

I've also been using GNC's Beyond Raw Re-Feed powder in the evening after I work out. It's supposedly got an herbal relaxer in it and is supposedly blended to help aid/speed muscle recovery. It's casein protein with little or no whey. I can't say that it was worth the little bit extra for the herbal junk that's supposedly in it, and once it runs out I won't get it again.