Edumakate me on protein powder

scottmandue · 02-07-2009, 07:26 AM

I believe in having a good breakfast... however I just don't have time to make anything on the mornings I'm rushing off to work. The bad thing is when I get off the freeway on my way into work I drive past a row fast food joints that serve a quick greasy McHeartstopper breakfast.

To help me resist this temptation I make a quick breakfast drink before I leave the house with 16oz. of soy milk and a few scoops of protein powder... this plus a cup or two of black coffee keep me going until lunch and I feel much better physically and mentally when I stay away from the unhealthy fast food (plus I drop a pound or two a week by staying away from the bad breakfast).

I started out with soy powder but switched to whey because I eat a lot of soy already.

But wow... those of you in the know know when you go to the store to buy protein powder it is like the breakfast cereal isle at the supermarket... you could spend all day...maybe a couple a days... reading up on all the different ingredients, processes, additives, etc.

Anyone have a specific brand or type they like and could recommend?

Thanks in advance.
Scott

kstar · 02-07-2009, 07:36 AM

I like Jay Robb's whey protein in vanilla or chocolate; it tastes great and is junk free, IMO.

You can try it out via one-serving bags that most health food stores should have.

VINMAN · 02-07-2009, 07:47 AM

I use Vitamin Shoppe Whey Tech or Twinlab brand whey protien. Also, Ive been using MetRx for years

Jims5543 · 02-07-2009, 07:56 AM

I am assuming you want to eat healthy.

Do what I have been doing.

I buy a box of whole wheat english muffins, some lean ham, normal american cheese, and a carton of egg whites.

On Sunday afternoon/evening I prepare 6 egg Jims5543muffins.

I use 1/3 cup of egg whites, 1/2 a slice of ham and 1/2 a slice of cheese on each one.

I freeze them all and pop one in the micro in the morning before I head out to warm up the truck. I come back in wrap the muffin in a paper towel and take it in the car with me and let it cool down as I start my drive. It makes for a good red light snack.

As far as protein powder goes I only use Whey Protein due to my keeping an eye on my body fat.

Breakfast Bars, meal replacement bars etc.. are o.k. but nothing beats a healthy meal.

VroomGrrl · 02-07-2009, 08:00 AM

Hi Scott. I had gastric bypass surgery in 2005, and protein powder has been a part of my daily diet since. I shopped and shopped and shopped and read and read and read, and mixed and tried and mixed and tried. I tried a whole lot of really icky stuff in my quest for a good all-around protein powder.

What I found was a brand called Unjury. I have no affiliation with them, don't get any perks for pimping them. After lots of trial & error, I am just SOLD on the stuff. Check them out at www.unjury.com.

Here is what I liked about this product compared to others: 20 g high quality protein per scoop & otherwise meets my nutritional needs (ymmv, check the info on their site); mixes into everything, hot and cold, with no nasty residue (not gritty, chunky, chalky, etc); great tasting in the case of vanilla and chocolate flavors (haven't tried strawberry or chicken broth); NO tasting in the case of their unflavored - and that is rare, all other unflavored proteins I tried added some kind if nasty flavor to whatever they were mixed in, but this stuff does not.

It's marketed as a "medical quality protein." Lots of what is sold in stores (even health food stores) is full of junk. Some of it, while technically "protein," is really not made in a way that it can be used AT ALL in the body for the things we usually associate with protein - cell building, etc. I am no scientist - if you are curious about how the composition of protein products affects the ways the body can use it, the info on the unjury site is a good starting point.

This stuff is not cheap, but it's not the most expensive you'll see either. I have found it to be a good value. It comes in cannisters and single-serve envelopes.

scottmandue · 02-07-2009, 08:14 AM

Thanks everyone,

Like Kathy said some of this stuff can really taste like ca-ca... so it really sucks to get a can of it home and have to choke it down.

Also wonder about quality... you look at two cans of the same stuff and one cost twice as much.

I also keep a candy jar full of "zone perfect" protein bars at my desk.

I like the healthy egg sandwich idea... however personally eating while driving is a big no-no for me. YMMV

Keep the ideas coming, I will check them all out.

carnutzzz · 02-07-2009, 08:32 AM

Optimimum Nutrition makes a good product.

Keep in mind that the type of protein you should consume depends on the time of day. Whey digests fast- good in the morning to boost metabolism and post-workout.

Casein (egg protein) is a little slower- better to feed your body before bed (if you're trying to maintain muscle mass) or to hold you over in the afternoon until dinner.

Head over to www.bodybuilding.com and buy in bulk. Way cheaper and they have great products with tons of supporting info and a very active forum.

jorian · 02-07-2009, 09:31 AM

I have used Myoplex Original in the individual packs for about 10 years. Keeps me full until lunch. I also keep a pack in a shaker cup in the car in case I get stuck somewhere in stripmall hell. Buy a pure non-sweetened juice (non-concentrate), mix, and you have a healthy lunch.

If, at first, the chalky taste does you wrong, mix the powder with fruit and ice - voila a smoothie. I also add multi-vitamin powder.

I buy the Vanilla flavour which I really like. It comes in Strawberry and Chocolate as well.

ikarcuaso · 02-07-2009, 12:01 PM

For an alternative to chocolate, vanilla, etc. try Syntrax Nectar whey protein. Crystal Sky Fruit Punch and Strawberry Kiwi are some of my favorites.

Pay attention to the nutrition info of the stuff you're considering. Some of it has too much sugar, carbs, saturated fat (Muscle Milk), etc. Other brands (MetRx, IMO) just don't mix well and end up lumpy. Keep a shaker with a strainer handy. Blenders are too much work, and a spoon and glass don't cut it, imo. Good luck.

Monza_dh · Monza_dh's Garage

The protein shakes are fine to complement a good diet to begin with and regular exercise but I wouldn't substitute it for a meal. By the time you make it and drink it you could have made or grabbed something healthy to eat. . For breakfast your better bet is to buy good fresh bagels or fresh bread and some fruit. I grab bananas all the time or can be satisfied with a bagel with no CC and or a hunk of French bread. I am thin already and get plenty of exercise and dont worry about the carbs. I only use the protein shakes after a workout. And buy the wey or Soy Whole Foods generic. For the road a cliff bar could also hold you over.

scottmandue · 02:21 PM

I'm a diabetic so bread-bagels-carbs are evil.

bananas are great nutrition wise... used to grab one and eat it on the way into work but they give me indigestion.

VroomGrrl · 02-07-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I'm a diabetic so bread-bagels-carbs are evil.

I was just about to type a post that said, "Wow amazing how different the concept of "healthy" is from person to person - that breakfast would KILL me!"

Probably like you, Scott, I have to carefully balance small servings of healthy carbs with some protein to keep my blood sugar even.

I found a little Hamilton Beach "personal" blender at Target that is a 16 or 20 oz cup with a sippy top and a blender-fit bottom. I throw my stuff in there, whiz it up, take it off the base and take it with me. Wash it up at work, bring it back home, lather rinse repeat. I've also seen little mini immersion blenders, haven't tried those. Either one is $12-15 bucks.

HHI944 · 02-07-2009, 01:36 PM

I use Isopure 0 carb mix and make great gains, not sure it's the best for meal replacement though. Head on over to bodybuilding.com as mentioned, or try prosource.com. I don't remember which, and it may be both, but product review are on the sale page and the bodybuilding.com forum is jam packed with good info.

scottmandue · 02-07-2009, 02:20 PM

I do have a blender/food processor... I'm on meds and watching my diet to keep blood sugar down (type 2)

When I am home I make a real breakfast, this is just a couple times a week.

Been looking at the websites... almino acids... naturalized... flavors, real or synthetic? This is the problem, how do I know good from great from bad?

daepp · 02-07-2009, 02:21 PM

Nectar brand Cappuccino flavor

scottmandue · 02-07-2009, 02:24 PM

Just to add:

Microfiltered Whey Protein Isolates
Ion-Exchange Whey Protein Isolates
Ultrafiltered Whey Protein Concentrate
HydroWhey Hydrolyzed Whey Peptides

Huh?

JonT · 02-07-2009, 03:08 PM

I've tried many of the protein powders and I really like Muscle Milk Banana Creme the best and the Strawberry isn't bad either. Should be able to find it online for around $22 delivered.

Monza_dh · Monza_dh's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I'm a diabetic so bread-bagels-carbs are evil.

bananas are great nutrition wise... used to grab one and eat it on the way into work but they give me indigestion.

Sorry, didnt realize!!

Shaun @ Tru6 · 02-07-2009, 03:53 PM

What's an approximate cost per serving on this stuff?

SLO-BOB · 02-07-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I'm a diabetic so bread-bagels-carbs are evil.

bananas are great nutrition wise... used to grab one and eat it on the way into work but they give me indigestion.

How much sugar is in the protein bars you eat? I am not diabetic, but I try to limit my sugar intake. I usually get the lowest sugar, highest protein bars I can find. I've been eating 'Detour" protein bars right after work outs. They are "designer" (

) whey protein - 30g with 2 grams of sugar. They actually taste pretty good and hold me over until the next meal.

Sometimes I make smoothies using "Spiru-tein". Less protein at 12g per, but there are other things that make it an "energy" shake. Not so much sugar though - 8g. Probably a good bet as a meal substitute in a pinch. I use frozen bananas (1/2 okay in a smoothy?), frozen strawberries (5), vanilla Spiru-tein and Sport tea (8oz). Pretty damn tasty and gives loads of energy w/o the sugar crash.

Was using egg protein powder. Taste okay, but pricey and I'm not into heavy workouts like back in the day. Now it's more cardio and endurance.

Also, you need to take in lots of fluids on a high protein intake.

Also, I heard pears help balance blood sugar.