Protein Shakes for Beginners

kingofcrunk
kingofcrunk Posts: 372 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hello!

I've joined MFP fairly recently and I want to make an effort to up my protein intake and have enough calories on days I do big work outs to keep me going. I have been eating prawns/chicken before and after some of my workouts but I want to try some protein shakes. I am doing a mixture of Cardio and Strength workouts.

Does anyone have any recommendations/advice about this?

I don't want to spend too much initially (so no huge tubs) as I want to try out whatever I start using and see if it works for me before I put in any major investment. - I'm not very rich and I'm trying to save up money!

Any tips/advice/instructions would be great. Thanks :-)

Replies

  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    i'd say get a lower sugar one if you can.

    the first time i ever drank one it made me poop really soon after drinking it, so be careful! drink a half a serving maybe and see how you react.
  • Maurice1966
    Maurice1966 Posts: 419 Member
    The ones I like are the low carb / high proteins. Used just following a workout and mixed with water rather than milk as I'm told this absorbs more quickly to help with initial rebuild muscle. Ascend Recovery, Horley's Whey or Musashi Low Carb I have found to be a good source. These are low carbs which i get plenty of as it is through fruit, vegetables and bread products.
  • Tankplanker
    Tankplanker Posts: 365 Member
    Usually the better tasting ones have more sugar and thus more carbs, the best ones taste as good as a normal milkshake. If you want a straight up protein only shake then they don't taste very nice.

    What is your goal with the protein shakes? Reducing your carb macro down or meal replacement?
  • kingofcrunk
    kingofcrunk Posts: 372 Member
    Usually the better tasting ones have more sugar and thus more carbs, the best ones taste as good as a normal milkshake. If you want a straight up protein only shake then they don't taste very nice.

    What is your goal with the protein shakes? Reducing your carb macro down or meal replacement?

    My goal really is to help with muscle repair after my workouts, to make them count more? I also thought it'd be better to 'snack' on a protein shake than anything else after a workout.

    I'm not eating loads of calories so I really wanted to make the most of the ones I am eating. So higher in protein and lower in carbs. And still good for me.

    Sorry, I'm not really very clued up on this at all...
  • Killing_Perfection
    Killing_Perfection Posts: 79 Member
    I only tried two so far, so I can't really tell you much about which brand is nice and which isn't. However, I suggest looking at Amazon, for example. They have quite a number of shakes there and a lot of people write reviews directly about each brand. That way I decided to give it a try and just ordered one of the BSN Syntha-6 shakes after reading some of the reviews~
  • Tankplanker
    Tankplanker Posts: 365 Member
    My goal really is to help with muscle repair after my workouts, to make them count more? I also thought it'd be better to 'snack' on a protein shake than anything else after a workout.

    I'm not eating loads of calories so I really wanted to make the most of the ones I am eating. So higher in protein and lower in carbs. And still good for me.

    Sorry, I'm not really very clued up on this at all...
    No worries, just wanted to check that you don't need a hardcore protein only shake like I drink as I aim to keep my carbs under 40% of calorie intake, those shakes taste disgusting!

    Get something with more protein that carbs per portion as the high carb shakes will result in you putting on weight. You also need to look for a healthy amount of BCAAs, glutamine to help repair/recover your muscles.

    Something like this:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sci-MX-Nutrition-Strawberry-Muscle-Strength/dp/B0013GAU0A/ref=pd_sim_d_1
  • kvhmc
    kvhmc Posts: 33 Member
    Try myprotein, it tends to be cheaper I think. I just get the impact whey protein which is the cheapest one, but good for protein content in comparison to some others. If you want to try them you can buy the 99p sample packs :)
  • kingofcrunk
    kingofcrunk Posts: 372 Member
    My goal really is to help with muscle repair after my workouts, to make them count more? I also thought it'd be better to 'snack' on a protein shake than anything else after a workout.

    I'm not eating loads of calories so I really wanted to make the most of the ones I am eating. So higher in protein and lower in carbs. And still good for me.

    Sorry, I'm not really very clued up on this at all...
    No worries, just wanted to check that you don't need a hardcore protein only shake like I drink as I aim to keep my carbs under 40% of calorie intake, those shakes taste disgusting!

    Get something with more protein that carbs per portion as the high carb shakes will result in you putting on weight. You also need to look for a healthy amount of BCAAs, glutamine to help repair/recover your muscles.

    Something like this:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sci-MX-Nutrition-Strawberry-Muscle-Strength/dp/B0013GAU0A/ref=pd_sim_d_1

    Thanks very much. I'll have a look at that.
  • laddyboy
    laddyboy Posts: 1,565 Member
    Do your research. Consumer reports did a study on protein powders in June/July 2010. Some are not safe. Google it.

    I only use Optimum Nutrition, Pure Protein or Gaspari. All Clean. Watch for naturally sweetened or low carb / sugars and look for High BCAAs like already posted.
  • KRaemondH
    KRaemondH Posts: 120 Member
    http://www.bodyfortress.com/SUPER-ADVANCED-WHEY-PROTEIN-COOKIES-N-CREAM

    this is the one i have used so far and really liked. no bad side effects or bad tastes. you can look at the label for them too. i get mine at walmart for 14.98! super cheap. if anyone know's anything NOT SO GOOD about this brand go ahead and quote and reply for a group FYI just so we know any feed back.
    But so far, this one is pretty good :)

    I use 2/3 cup filtered chilled water and 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk and use 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 scoops in a magic bullet blender. mixes really well!
  • scorpiotwinkles
    scorpiotwinkles Posts: 215 Member
    Try myprotein, it tends to be cheaper I think. I just get the impact whey protein which is the cheapest one, but good for protein content in comparison to some others. If you want to try them you can buy the 99p sample packs :)

    MyProtein.com have loads of flavours and types. I use Impact Whey and mix with water. They are very tasty and don't have lumps. I did try the diet version but looking at the calories, protein, carbs etc there was not much difference between them. I have tried Strawberry, Vanilla and Chocolate and all are very nice.

    I take one shake with my oats in the morning I have also just started using one 1/2 hour before workout in the evening and seem to be benefitting from more energy during my workout, I also take one after workout and eat a banana at that time too.
  • memega
    memega Posts: 73
    ISO_100_1pt6_Cookies&Cream.jpg
  • Topsking2010
    Topsking2010 Posts: 2,245 Member
    Bump
  • Hendrix7
    Hendrix7 Posts: 1,903 Member
    Avoid the 'diet' whey products they are a total rip off.

    See this thread.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/656516-word-of-advice-stop-buying-diet-whey-products?hl=diet+whey#posts-9530879


    Also do not get your supplements from Amazon, it's really not the best place to look. go to online bodybuilding stores they will usually have much better deals.
    I only use Optimum Nutrition, Pure Protein or Gaspari. All Clean. Watch for naturally sweetened or low carb / sugars and look for High BCAAs like already posted.

    Funny you mention gaspari, they just had to pull some whey products are accusations they contained far less protein than advertised. They have been in trouble over previous products also, would not use them personally.
  • Snowbird73
    Snowbird73 Posts: 25
    The Premier Nutrition Pure Protein from Sam's Club works best for me. It has 30 grams of protein and only 1 gram of sugar. It is listed in the MFP Foods with its nutrients. I like the chocolate. It tastes great.
  • kittyraj
    kittyraj Posts: 129 Member
    My goal really is to help with muscle repair after my workouts, to make them count more? I also thought it'd be better to 'snack' on a protein shake than anything else after a workout.

    I'm not eating loads of calories so I really wanted to make the most of the ones I am eating. So higher in protein and lower in carbs. And still good for me.

    Sorry, I'm not really very clued up on this at all...
    No worries, just wanted to check that you don't need a hardcore protein only shake like I drink as I aim to keep my carbs under 40% of calorie intake, those shakes taste disgusting!

    Get something with more protein that carbs per portion as the high carb shakes will result in you putting on weight. You also need to look for a healthy amount of BCAAs, glutamine to help repair/recover your muscles.

    Something like this:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sci-MX-Nutrition-Strawberry-Muscle-Strength/dp/B0013GAU0A/ref=pd_sim_d_1

    Thanks very much. I'll have a look at that.

    I use Sci-MX they used to be USN.

    Their shake comes in chocolate and strawberry flavour. It's probably one of the few ones I enjoy and look forward too.
    It has egg whites which makes the shake creamy without adding milk. I don't feel like I'm on diet then as it tastes like a naughty shake.

    I must admit it's slightly powdery as with all shakes but a lot less powdery than many others that I've tried.

    I find mixing it using a blender bottle with a grid inside (not sure what it's called) or the ones with a little metal spring works best.

    Plus to add the powder to the water and not the other way around. :-)

    Best of luck x

    I pay £22 per 1kg tub and £38 or so for a 2kg tub depending on where I buy it from. x

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