Diet, Nutrition and SupplementationPost here for supplement reviews or nutritional advice. If you're trying to get "ripped abz" THIS is where you should be.
Hi All,
Been lurking on the forums for quite a while now, and haven't needed to post any questions yet--most questions I can think of have already been asked and answered by others somewhere around here, which is pretty cool. But I just ran out of protein powder, and I want to make my next purchase judiciously. So:
I know I want something with whey and casein protein in it (at least, that's what I'm going for after listening to Alan Aragon's guest spot on The FitCast), and of course it's gotta taste good, but the flurry of ingredients on every canister makes my head hurt trying to interpret them all. So my question is, what DON'T I want in a protein powder? What kind of extra additives, sweeteners, preservatives, etc., will be a waste of my money and harmful to my waist?
Of course, suggestions on places to go to shop for good protein are welcome, too, but I'm trying most of all to educate myself here. In case it helps your reply, the last batch of stuff I used was BioChem Sports Chocolate Fudge and Vanilla Cream, which I got on sale at Whole Foods.
Well, look at the macronutriens. If it has carbs or fat in it, make sure that it will still accomplish what you want to within your overall diet. (if you're eating it before/after a workout, you may be adding carbs anyway).
With regards to the form of the protein, whey is going to be faster absorbed, and casein typically slower. so whey is typically more workout focused, and casein more before-bedtime focused (if you're trying to build muscle).
Other than that, just avoid things you're allergic, or intolerant to, like lactose, gluten, giraffes, whatever.
Hi All,
Been lurking on the forums for quite a while now, and haven't needed to post any questions yet--most questions I can think of have already been asked and answered by others somewhere around here, which is pretty cool. But I just ran out of protein powder, and I want to make my next purchase judiciously. So:
I know I want something with whey and casein protein in it (at least, that's what I'm going for after listening to Alan Aragon's guest spot on The FitCast), and of course it's gotta taste good, but the flurry of ingredients on every canister makes my head hurt trying to interpret them all. So my question is, what DON'T I want in a protein powder? What kind of extra additives, sweeteners, preservatives, etc., will be a waste of my money and harmful to my waist?
Of course, suggestions on places to go to shop for good protein are welcome, too, but I'm trying most of all to educate myself here. In case it helps your reply, the last batch of stuff I used was BioChem Sports Chocolate Fudge and Vanilla Cream, which I got on sale at Whole Foods.
Many Thanks!
you don't want want any sort of fillers in the protein. This means no soy protein in the ingredients. Pretty much all protein companies use lechtin as an emulsifier though, so you're going to have to make sure that if they do use it, that it's far down in the ingredient list.
If you're looking for a good protein powder, it should have no sugar, and specifically, no carbs. Companies get away with labeling maltodextrin as not a sugar because of it's chains, but in reality, it's absorbed like a sugar. So, don't go by sugar grams on a label, because a product can have 40g of carbs, low to no sugar, but still be maltodextrin that is a sugar, simply speaking.
Almost all protein is sweetened with aspartame, unless you find a place that is sweetened with stevia.
__________________ True Protein 5% off discount code: ZHS099 www.trueprotein.com
I don't think almost all protein has aspartame. ON 100% Whey, Cytosport Complete Whey, Prolab Pure Whey, to name a few. Granted they all have sucralose, but I guess the added sweetener is personal choice. I think it's safe to say that almost all will have some type of sweetener.
you can get plain unsweetened unflavored protein powder from many sources - trueprotein is the one that I happen to use. you can then flavor as you want and sweeten as you want or use their flavor-sweetening add-ins.
LisaS: I've visited TrueProtein, and I think I'll need some time to figure out their site. It's good that they let you build from scratch, though. Thanks for the advice.
you can get plain unsweetened unflavored protein powder from many sources - trueprotein is the one that I happen to use. you can then flavor as you want and sweeten as you want or use their flavor-sweetening add-ins.
what I get is 7.89 a lb, 15 servings per lb, 27g PRO per serving
which comes to either 0.52 per serving or 1.94 / 100g protein.
Plus however you want to allocate shipping.
Seems inexpensive enough to me. But maybe there is something at GNC or elsewhere that is equivalent - I haven't really looked around since I found something that I liked.
what I get is 7.89 a lb, 15 servings per lb, 27g PRO per serving
which comes to either 0.52 per serving or 1.94 / 100g protein.
Plus however you want to allocate shipping.
Seems inexpensive enough to me. But maybe there is something at GNC or elsewhere that is equivalent - I haven't really looked around since I found something that I liked.
That's certainly cheaper than ANYTHING at GNC. For instance, at the local GNC, I just bought a 5lb jug of GNC Whey Protein Complex (which is actually whey, soy, casein, and egg proteins) for $27 (it was on sale). That comes out to $1.96/100g P, with no shipping.
At Trueprotein.com, if you really want cheap, you can get 25lbs of Whey Protein Concentrate for $99. Per 100g of P, it's only $1.15. You just have to buy a big batch and it comes unflavored.
That's certainly cheaper than ANYTHING at GNC. For instance, at the local GNC, I just bought a 5lb jug of GNC Whey Protein Complex (which is actually whey, soy, casein, and egg proteins) for $27 (it was on sale). That comes out to $1.96/100g P, with no shipping.
At Trueprotein.com, if you really want cheap, you can get 25lbs of Whey Protein Concentrate for $99. Per 100g of P, it's only $1.15. You just have to buy a big batch and it comes unflavored.
Yeah GNC is just flat out awful. From the overinflated prices and sales that aren't really sales to the people who almost never know what they're talking about, it's just a bad place to be lol
If you're buying unflavored concentrate then I guess it's cheap, but I wouldn't want unflavored or only concentrate. To each his own I guess.
$7.89/lb is an average to above average price if you're ordering online. What kind of protein is it? You could easily get something for under that price. I think if you go by price per gram of protein, though, yours is comparable to most. I wouldn't need 27g/serving, but whatever works for you. Isn't the shipping nuts there too?
Yeah GNC is just flat out awful. From the overinflated prices and sales that aren't really sales to the people who almost never know what they're talking about, it's just a bad place to be lol
If you're buying unflavored concentrate then I guess it's cheap, but I wouldn't want unflavored or only concentrate. To each his own I guess.
$7.89/lb is an average to above average price if you're ordering online. What kind of protein is it? You could easily get something for under that price. I think if you go by price per gram of protein, though, yours is comparable to most. I wouldn't need 27g/serving, but whatever works for you. Isn't the shipping nuts there too?
i don't think the shipping is that bad, if i remember. And if you don't want 27g, you just take what you want (1/2 a 70cc scoop)?
One plus to TP is that they're flavors, IMO, are some of the best out there. They have a variety of flavors that companies you buy in the stores, don't. The coconut kind is awesome if you're into that.
No matter where you order from though, <$2.00 for 100g of protein is an awesome deal. Go to GNC or Vitamin shoppe, and buy the RTD drinks (50g) and they'll be 4.00. A 25g muscle milk was 4.00 at 7-11 the other day. A bag of beef jerky that has 60g probably of protein is 5.00-6.00. The only thing that's probably more cost effective and same quality than protein powder are eggs, and ground beef.
__________________ True Protein 5% off discount code: ZHS099 www.trueprotein.com
i don't think the shipping is that bad, if i remember. And if you don't want 27g, you just take what you want (1/2 a 70cc scoop)?
One plus to TP is that they're flavors, IMO, are some of the best out there. They have a variety of flavors that companies you buy in the stores, don't. The coconut kind is awesome if you're into that.
No matter where you order from though, <$2.00 for 100g of protein is an awesome deal. Go to GNC or Vitamin shoppe, and buy the RTD drinks (50g) and they'll be 4.00. A 25g muscle milk was 4.00 at 7-11 the other day. A bag of beef jerky that has 60g probably of protein is 5.00-6.00. The only thing that's probably more cost effective and same quality than protein powder are eggs, and ground beef.
Yeah I can't comment on the flavors since I've never tried it. There are tons of flavors for other brands though (ON for example). But with shipping for 5lbs (75 servings) you're probably looking at $45+ on TP. It's not hard to get a better deal than that. Per gram of protein it's different though, like you said. I wouldn't really want to worry about measuring out a 1/2 or 3/4 of a scoop all the time. Whatever works for you
Hi All,
Been lurking on the forums for quite a while now, and haven't needed to post any questions yet--most questions I can think of have already been asked and answered by others somewhere around here, which is pretty cool. But I just ran out of protein powder, and I want to make my next purchase judiciously. So:
I know I want something with whey and casein protein in it (at least, that's what I'm going for after listening to Alan Aragon's guest spot on The FitCast), and of course it's gotta taste good, but the flurry of ingredients on every canister makes my head hurt trying to interpret them all. So my question is, what DON'T I want in a protein powder? What kind of extra additives, sweeteners, preservatives, etc., will be a waste of my money and harmful to my waist?
Of course, suggestions on places to go to shop for good protein are welcome, too, but I'm trying most of all to educate myself here. In case it helps your reply, the last batch of stuff I used was BioChem Sports Chocolate Fudge and Vanilla Cream, which I got on sale at Whole Foods.
BOTTOM LINE: (just phoned Dyamtize company) The answer is "no, they're different; Gourmet has casein; Isolate does not have casein."
So do you use whey with casein to make you full longer? Do you notice a difference? I'm ready for a new tub, would change brands. Looking for a good chocolate taste, easy to dissolve, more filling than the pure whey, maybe.
anyone ever try adding cocoa powder to the vanilla to make it chocolate? How is that? On vitacost.com they only have the vanilla, and that's where I usually shop...
Is this GOURMET Elite Whey - Milk Chocolate at link above:
Whey protein matrix (whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, whey peptides), milk protein matrix (milk protein, containing micelular caseins & caseinates, calcium caseinates), cocoa, natural & artificial flavors, soybean oil, guar gum, potassium chloride, beet powder, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, red #40. Ingredients may vary slightly by flavor.
different from this (does not say Gourmet) Dymatize Elite Whey Protein Isolate Rich Chocolate http://www.vitacost.com/Dymatize-Eli...Rich-Chocolate
Other Ingredients: Ion-Exchange Whey Protein Isolates, Cross Flow Ultra Filtration Whey Protein Concentrate (providing DI-Peptides, Tri-peptides, Oligo-Peptides, and Poly-Peptides), Whey Peptides, Cocoa, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Acesulfame-Potassium. Contains Milk and Soy.
Free Of Added sucrose, fat, fillers, maltodextrin and aspartame.
Yes, Etana, the two ingredient lists are different. Once is whey + casein, the other only whey. They each seem to have a mix of processes for their whey. They also differ in the sweeteners used (if complete, it looks like the 2nd has only ace-K and no sucralose).
I've been buying this, but think perhaps I want a whey WITH casein, because it might keep me full longer, since my calories are very low right now.
Some people find that casein (or having casein in the mix) keeps them "full" longer. Personally, neither whey or casein keeps me full for more than about 10 minutes. Your mileage may vary. Try one and see.
The best way to keep full longer with protein is to use solid proteins, like eggs and meat, since those actually stay in your belly longer. Liquid empties pretty fast, and while casein may stick around longer in your system, that doesn't mean it's keeping you "full." The casein has been out of your stomach for a while, but its nutrients are still available in your system.
You can be hungry and full at the same time (which is why we can overeat and get overfull when we eat quickly, for instance).
You can be not hungry and your stomach actually empty (opposite of full, right?) if your body still has nutrients floating around and ready to use from a previous meal.
Some people find that casein (or having casein in the mix) keeps them "full" longer. Personally, neither whey or casein keeps me full for more than about 10 minutes. Your mileage may vary. Try one and see.
The best way to keep full longer with protein is to use solid proteins, like eggs and meat, since those actually stay in your belly longer. Liquid empties pretty fast, and while casein may stick around longer in your system, that doesn't mean it's keeping you "full." The casein has been out of your stomach for a while, but its nutrients are still available in your system.
You can be hungry and full at the same time (which is why we can overeat and get overfull when we eat quickly, for instance).
You can be not hungry and your stomach actually empty (opposite of full, right?) if your body still has nutrients floating around and ready to use from a previous meal.
this x2
__________________ True Protein 5% off discount code: ZHS099 www.trueprotein.com
I buy from a UK based unsweetened/unflavoured company... but anyways I have tried casein (6 weeks) and whey (a long time). I would say casein definately is more filling and slightly more creamy than whey. But whey is cheaper so I stick to that.
I buy from a UK based unsweetened/unflavoured company... but anyways I have tried casein (6 weeks) and whey (a long time). I would say casein definately is more filling and slightly more creamy than whey. But whey is cheaper so I stick to that.
yep. if I want a slower digesting protein and just have wpc, i just add some fats or fiber in my shakes.
__________________ True Protein 5% off discount code: ZHS099 www.trueprotein.com
Trader Joe's has flavored and plain protein powders that don't have a lot of garbage in them. Most of the other brands have acesulfane to sweeten it. Tasted OK going down, but I could taste it the entire day! Trader Joe's has a clean taste and no aftertaste.
7.89 per pound compares similar to the cheap tub of Body Fortress Wal-Mart brand.
Bleh, that stuff is pretty nasty too. The first protein powder I got was EAS chocolate something or other, and it was pretty good. Then I decided to try the Body Fortress from Wal-Mart. Yuck, it's got a much stronger aftertaste.
I'm thinking of trying the true protein you guys are talking about here. I'm considering just getting protein powder, without any other components. Would that be stupid, or okay. I don't really need more fats or anything else. Would protien alone mix up okay?
Or maybe I should just try CreamAss, sorry CreaMass.
I get plain, unsweetened, Whey Protein Isolate- Cold filtered. It mixes really well. I've had one of their blends with casein and whey and the casein seemed to make it a little harder to mix and a little chalky.
I get their flavorings to use with it - and generally toss in some frozen berries (and sometimes a little yogurt or cottage cheese if I want casein too) when I make it up.
I also make it with espresso powder, cocoa powder, sweetener, ice & a splash of cream for an icy mocha shake. MMMM.
If you make the whey with water and without anything else it has a vague "breast milk" odor and it tastes rather like it smells. At least to my nose and tastes.
Lisa- I just went back and read through your previous post and noticed that you said yours had 27 g protein and $7.89/lb and figured out that you must be getting protein only (ETA, because that's what it came out to when I put 100% protein). I'm glad to hear it mixes well.
I think I'll order some once I get though the nasty Body Fortress stuff.
I usually take a pure Casein right after my workout and before going to bed. Casein fills you up, but as mentioned in this thread earlier, it varies from person to person.
What DON'T I want in a Protein Powder?
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