Protien powders

[MDR2]

I'm looking for a good tasting protein to mix with my milk everyday. GNC brands seem to taste like garbage, at least the vanilla and chocolate. Any suggestions for a brand or flavor that is actually enjoyable?

[chevyguy3]

As far as Chocolate, the MGN (Muscle Gauge Nutrition) is the best tasting i have found by far. Much better than the Optimum Nutrition and several others i have tried. Coincidentally it also happens to be one of the cheaper brands too which is nice. Got 25lbs for $115 shipped on my last order.

[gordonrumble]

I recommend just getting an unflavoured kind, and blending some frozen fruit, protein powder and milk. Tastes better than anything else out there.

[tdwaffle15]

As far as Chocolate, the MGN (Muscle Gauge Nutrition) is the best tasting i have found by far. Much better than the Optimum Nutrition and several others i have tried. Coincidentally it also happens to be one of the cheaper brands too which is nice. Got 25lbs for $115 shipped on my last order.

Would you mind sharing where you purchase from?

[Benthic]

I get mine from True Protein (http://www.trueprotein.com/Product_Details.aspx?cid=22&pid=6740). They have quite a few products, but I buy the Whey Protein Concentrate, in the Premium French Vanilla flavor. I've tried several of their other flavors, but I like the premium ones the best. Cost is $5.64/lb. It actually gets cheaper if you buy in quantity, but so far I've been buying 6lbs at a time.

Brian

[DoS]

I have been happy with most of the chocolate and vanilla powders from Beverly. I also like Optimum Nutrition Natural 100% Whey Gold Standard chocolate.

[KJ43]

I get mine from True Protein (http://www.trueprotein.com/Product_Details.aspx?cid=22&pid=6740). They have quite a few products, but I buy the Whey Protein Concentrate, in the Premium French Vanilla flavor. I've tried several of their other flavors, but I like the premium ones the best. Cost is $5.64/lb. It actually gets cheaper if you buy in quantity, but so far I've been buying 6lbs at a time.

Brian

I have to second the recommendation for trueprotein. Custom mixes and flavors, tons of options and everything I've gotten from them has been high quality.

I also second the recommendation for the premium flavors. My latest favorite post workout shake is the TEAMSKIP formula with the premium banana cream flavor.

[homerj742]

www.proteinfactory.com is pretty good too. the 10lb bag for $41 is a good deal.

[Bloodninja666]

Optimum Nutrition chocolate basically tastes like nestle quick, pretty good.

[jameson]

I have been happy with most of the chocolate and vanilla powders from Beverly. I also like Optimum Nutrition Natural 100% Whey Gold Standard chocolate.

Mix the Optimum Chocolate with milk and peanut butter, and then tell me it doesn't taste like a liquid Butterfinger. Amazing.

[Bergie]

Mix the Optimum Chocolate with milk and peanut butter, and then tell me it doesn't taste like a liquid Butterfinger. Amazing.

I'll see your Optimum chocolate, milk, and peanut butter. and raise you a few scoops of chocolate chip ice cream and some choc syrup.

I was thinking Reeses Peanut butter cup but your right it could be a liquid Butterfinger.

[strengthstarter]

www.proteinfactory.com is pretty good too. the 10lb bag for $41 is a good deal.

Let me just second this and say that they have some amazing tasting protein powders if you are willing to pay a little more. For example, Heliogen Casein and IPI come to mind. I had a mixture of these and the bio-fresh and it more or less tasted like a milkshake when mixed with water.

[IWillLiveFreeOrDie]

Mix the Optimum Chocolate with milk and peanut butter, and then tell me it doesn't taste like a liquid Butterfinger. Amazing.

I'm going to try this tonight. I like the flavor of ON's Double Rich Chocolate. Butterfinger sounds awesome!

[jameson]

I'll see your Optimum chocolate, milk, and peanut butter. and raise you a few scoops of chocolate chip ice cream and some choc syrup.

I was thinking Reeses Peanut butter cup but your right it could be a liquid Butterfinger.

I think that is worthy of being called a, I hate to say it, MASS GAIN shake. Sounds tasty.



I'm going to try this tonight. I like the flavor of ON's Double Rich Chocolate. Butterfinger sounds awesome!

You won't be disappointed. Very quick and easy.

[radiator41]

Muscle Milk (Cyto Sport I think) is by far the best tasting I've had. I've had chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry milkshake (I think they call it strawberries n' creme now).

[cjangelo]

Personally I'd worry less about the taste and more about what's in the damn thing.

Whey Isolate protein for me. Anything with concentrate in it results in tummy problems.

SciFit 100% Whey, Vanilla flavor has been good to me. Little pricey, I suppose.

[MDR2]

Alright, just ordered the Natural Banana flavor from www.trueprotien.com. Thanks the recommendations everyone.

[Notorious]

Optimum Nutrition chocolate basically tastes like nestle quick, pretty good.

Agreed. I love that stuff. Also At Large Nutrition's Nitrean is pretty good, but it's a little on the pricier side.

[tescott]

Now I'm at 230lb @5'11", I'm wanting to cut down on the milk and supplement with protein. I haven't done this before, so I don't know anything about it. Maybe you guys can explain some of the different types?

It seems that whey protein isolate and concentrate are the most popular, but what's the difference between protein isolate and concentrate?

[BruteForce]

www.trueprotien.com

get the unflavored.

[Mr.City]

This thread is making hungry. I got some powder from Walmart and it tastes like chocolate dick. I'm definitely giving Optimum a try when I run out of this stuff.

[tnumrych]

Costco and BJ's Wholesale both have EAS 6 lb bags of their whey protein (http://eas.com/Products/EAS-100-Percent-Whey-Protein-Powder-Chocolate) for $30 (Chocolate of Vanilla). Good deal if you want to avoid the shipping charge. I've tried both the vanilla and chocolate, avoid the former and go with the latter. Mixed much better and tasted really good IMO.

[Tim Lofton]

I go to GNC to pick up ON's double rich chocolate gold standard powder. I have the GNC gold card which gets me a 20% discount on all purchases, not that I get that much there really - this powder and fish oil caps when on sale.
I tend to stock up when GNC has there buy one-get one 50% off sale which is usually at the beginning of the year and again in the middle of the year sometime. Powders kept in proper environment can be stored for quite some time, so I'll buy four at a time usually during this sale.
Sometimes you can get some decent deals at http://www.netrition.com as well.

tim

[Mr.City]

How does one get this gold card?

[Tim Lofton]

How does one get this gold card?

I got one several years ago when they started the program, at which time they had a free offering. I believe you pay $20 now, either at a store or online, to receive it. Depending on your purchases this fee could be made up pretty easily. I probably would given how much discount I would get on the ON powder alone. It really helps to hit the buy one get one @ 50% off too.

tim

[jameson]

Oh, how I hate to say this...I mean I loathe the fact that this is even possible, but bodybuilding.com often has the cheapest supplements. A less detestable option is the Vitamin Shoppe. They are often cheaper than GNC as well.

[IWillLiveFreeOrDie]

I get my ON Double Rich Chocolate in the 5.15 pound tub from Amazon for $34.95 using their subscription program. You set up the interval to whatever you like, and having them ship it early if you run out is just one click away. This includes free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Standard-Chocolate-5-15-Pound/dp/B000QSNYGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1265138493&sr=8-1

[cjangelo]

www.trueprotien.com

get the unflavored.

Yeah, yo. Cold filtered whey isolate--Unflavored, sweetened with splenda. Cost me about 10 bucks a pound after shipping. The chocolate ON is fine for the kids. Once you start doing 4+scoops a day, you'll reconsider.

[Brenden]

Oh, how I hate to say this...I mean I loathe the fact that this is even possible, but bodybuilding.com often has the cheapest supplements. A less detestable option is the Vitamin Shoppe. They are often cheaper than GNC as well.

That's where I just got more ON Double Rich Chocolate.

[IWillLiveFreeOrDie]

Yeah, yo. Cold filtered whey isolate--Unflavored, sweetened with splenda. Cost me about 10 bucks a pound after shipping. The chocolate ON is fine for the kids. Once you start doing 4+scoops a day, you'll reconsider.

I'm paying $6.80 per pound shipped for ON, and use 3-6 scoops a day. :cool:

[Craig B.]

Trueprotein...I use Lyle's password for the 5% discount (LYLE) and buy at the price break which also helps. 16 pounds of Whey is damn cheap and lasts a long time... last big order of 16 pounds was $90 and change...

[cjangelo]

I'm paying $6.80 per pound shipped for ON, and use 3-6 scoops a day.

Guess I better step my game up and knock back 7 per day.

I don't care if they're giving away the ON chocolate, I'd end up chaffing my balloon knot.

[Mr.City]

I got one several years ago when they started the program, at which time they had a free offering. I believe you pay $20 now, either at a store or online, to receive it. Depending on your purchases this fee could be made up pretty easily. I probably would given how much discount I would get on the ON powder alone. It really helps to hit the buy one get one @ 50% off too.

tim

I just checked out the GNC website and have noticed that they're no longer allowing a gold card discount on certain protein powders, like ON.

[Tim Lofton]

I just checked out the GNC website and have noticed that they're no longer allowing a gold card discount on certain protein powders, like ON.

Yeah, I noticed that for their "hot buy" items. If you scroll down further, there are containers that you can apply the 20% off to as well as they are still offering 50% off a second item on sports related supplements, which these fall under. Sometimes, it's just easier to go into a store for these things, but only possible if there is a store near you.
I don't shop there regularly and try to maximize my discounts there as much as possible. Otherwise it can be a pretty expensive place to get these types of things. I've certainly made note some of the other retail sources mentioned in this thread.

tim

[Mr.City]

I second LiveFree's recommendation of Amazon's subscription based service with ON protein powder. $35 per 5 lb jug is a very good deal consider the manufacturer price is around $75.

[Guido]

I usually go with Ergopharm stuff (it's made right here in Champaign, IL) or Syntrax (tastes the best of any I've ever tried). Luckily I get a 15% discount at the local independent supplement store so it's not too bad and sometimes they even give me free stuff since the owner knows me pretty well and I'm a loyal customer. If you want quality you can't go wrong with either the Ergopharm or Syntrax stuff.

[Polynomial]

I usually go with Ergopharm stuff (it's made right here in Champaign, IL) or Syntrax (tastes the best of any I've ever tried). Luckily I get a 15% discount at the local independent supplement store so it's not too bad and sometimes they even give me free stuff since the owner knows me pretty well and I'm a loyal customer. If you want quality you can't go wrong with either the Ergopharm or Syntrax stuff.

Whoha, hello Champaign buddy. Are you a UIUC student?

[METAL VIPER]

I ordered 25lbs from TrueProtein.com. It cames unflavored, but you can buy the flavors to mix in. A bit of a bitch trying to find a balance between too bland and too sweet. To tell the truth, I've gotten lazy, so I just drink it straight, without any flavor; it gets the job done.

[gordonrumble]

I only use unflavoured, and just blend in some frozen fruit. Tastes better than any powder, and better for you too.

[Sgsolberg]

Unless you don't want any of those icky carbs... those things are teh fails!

[Mr.City]

I second LiveFree's recommendation of Amazon's subscription based service with ON protein powder. $35 per 5 lb jug is a very good deal consider the manufacturer price is around $75.

Wanted to bring up that Amazon has free shipping on their 5 lb jugs of ON. And they ship super quick. I ordered it on the 3rd and should be receiving it tomorrow (the 5th).

Oh yeah, to anyone who is familiar with the ON powders, what seemed to be the best flavors to you? Cookies and Cream and other chocolate/vanilla flavors look good, but stuff like Fruit Punch sound horrid.

[METAL VIPER]

Wanted to bring up that Amazon has free shipping on their 5 lb jugs of ON.

Oh yeah, to anyone who is familiar with the ON powders, what seemed to be the best flavors to you? Cookies and Cream and other chocolate/vanilla flavors look good, but stuff like Fruit Punch sound horrid.
I have tried and enjoy:
Vanilla Ice Cream
Double Rich Chocolate
Chocolate Mint
Rocky Road
Strawberry

[Tim Lofton]

Wanted to bring up that Amazon has free shipping on their 5 lb jugs of ON. And they ship super quick. I ordered it on the 3rd and should be receiving it tomorrow (the 5th).

Oh yeah, to anyone who is familiar with the ON powders, what seemed to be the best flavors to you? Cookies and Cream and other chocolate/vanilla flavors look good, but stuff like Fruit Punch sound horrid.

I'm with you. I think I am going to switch over to the Amazon sub program. That's a good price for the 5# jug.
I've only tried the double rich chocolate and like it enough that I haven't tried anything else.
Thanks to all for the input provided in this thread.

tim

[tnumrych]

Can anyone comment on Protein Factory's Chocolate flavor? I'm having trouble deciding which product to go with, any good reason to go with isolate over the Premium Whey concentrate ($26.50 vs. $22.25 for 5lb)? I've been using EAS Whey Concentrate for over a year but I want to give Protein Factory a try because of the 10lb deal for $51 shipped, 10lbs of the EAS would cost me little over $60 from BJs, but I'd rather not commit to a whole 10lbs right away fearing it may taste like poop.

[feebes]

Looks like the 5 pound tub is $46.11 now for the Optimum Nutrition...

http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Standard-Vanilla-5-17-Pound/dp/B000GISU1M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1265404853&sr=1-1

Doesn't seem like the greatest deal anymore. Anybody know of any deals on whey?

[Mr.City]

Oddly, price varies from flavor to flavor. Here's what I ordered: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QSNYGI/ref=oss_product

It's a little cheaper and pretty good if you subscribe. You can abuse the subscription system by canceling it after your first order.

[Guido]

Whoha, hello Champaign buddy. Are you a UIUC student?Nope, but I lift at the ARC. You?

[Polynomial]

Nope, but I lift at the ARC. You?

Yeah, I lift at ARC as well. Small world.

[feebes]

Here's a protein deal I came across:

GNC.com (http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2957401&siteID=lw9MynSeamY-2qJ9ZGaOeGsBpyE.RjuBjg) has CytoSport Chocolate-Flavored Muscle Milk in 3lb containers for $20 each. Buy 2 containers and get the second one at 50% off = 6 lb total for $30

[tnumrych]

Nice catch Feebes, too bad I just got my bag of isolate from Protein Factory :rolleyes:.

[cjangelo]

Muscle Milk is great for you skinny fellas. Once you starting taking up a bit more space in the world, you realize a "protein" drink that provides the majority of its calories from fat isn't the best idea, and you go with isolate.

However, I would save the containers, though. I buy isolate in the food grade bag from trueprotein and just transfer it to the old containers.

[tnumrych]

Muscle Milk is great for you skinny fellas. Once you starting taking up a bit more space in the world, you realize a "protein" drink that provides the majority of its calories from fat isn't the best idea, and you go with isolate.

Care to elaborate? You can find concentrates of upwards 90% protein by weight, isolates are usually just a bit higher than that. I don't think that non-isolate proteins deliver "most" of their calories from fat as you say.

[cjangelo]

Care to elaborate? You can find concentrates of upwards 90% protein by weight, isolates are usually just a bit higher than that. I don't think that non-isolate proteins deliver "most" of their calories from fat as you say.

Read what I said again.


http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-muscle-milk-i121265
Muscle Milk is a product with 32 grams of protein=128 calories from protein
and 18 grams of fat=162 calories from protein.

Ergo, with each serving, you get more calories from fat than from protein. That's great when you're skinny as fuck and need to gain weight. When you're bigger, you don't want the extra fat--I get plenty of it from other sources. I want extra pure protein.


I don't think that non-isolate proteins deliver "most" of their calories from fat as you say.
I guess I should have written 'you go with something else' instead of 'you go with isolate' If you like whey concentrate, fine. I prefer isolate due to digestive issues.

[Rorschach]

Why do you think calories from fat are more likely to make you fat than calories from protein?

You could be right, I'm merely an armchair scientist these days, but nothing I've seen has come to that conclusion.
Fat seems to be a much better fuel source than protein in many ways.

Fat - slow burning, more nutritious (fat soluble vitamins), more efficient, the body itself prefers fat as a fuel source - that's what it's designed to be afterall.
Protein - nasty byproducts, ie. uric acid. Sure, the body can digest it and cope with the poisons fine (as long as you don't have kidney problems), but I don't see it as being a preferable fuel source at all. It's there to repair and build tissue, not for energy.

I appreciate this isn't exactly what you're saying, but the idea of fat being bad for you is one of my bugbears - a classic example of poor, misguided advice given by doctors, nutritionists, government "experts".
Sure, it's calorie-dense, and thus not advisable for idiots who over-eat while doing no physical activity, but it's the healthiest energy-source.
Still, bread's cheaper to mass-produce than healthy fats...
Don't even get me started on cholesterol. ;)

[tnumrych]

Don't even get me started on cholesterol. ;)

Totally with you on that. Good post overall. Although from what I learned in several metabolism classes I would add that that brain is the only tissue that has a glucose exclusivity clause, although it too can derive that glucose via gluconeogenesis from non-glucose originating sources as Lyle so eloquently explains here (http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/nutrition/carbohydrate-and-fat-controversies-part-1.html).

[cycomiko]

Care to elaborate? You can find concentrates of upwards 90% protein by weight, isolates are usually just a bit higher than that. I don't think that non-isolate proteins deliver "most" of their calories from fat as you say.


concentrates are lower than 90%
isolates are above

[gzt]

Why do you think calories from fat are more likely to make you fat than calories from protein?

You could be right, I'm merely an armchair scientist these days, but nothing I've seen has come to that conclusion.
Fat seems to be a much better fuel source than protein in many ways.

Fat - slow burning, more nutritious (fat soluble vitamins), more efficient, the body itself prefers fat as a fuel source - that's what it's designed to be afterall.
Protein - nasty byproducts, ie. uric acid. Sure, the body can digest it and cope with the poisons fine (as long as you don't have kidney problems), but I don't see it as being a preferable fuel source at all. It's there to repair and build tissue, not for energy.

I appreciate this isn't exactly what you're saying, but the idea of fat being bad for you is one of my bugbears - a classic example of poor, misguided advice given by doctors, nutritionists, government "experts".
Sure, it's calorie-dense, and thus not advisable for idiots who over-eat while doing no physical activity, but it's the healthiest energy-source.
Still, bread's cheaper to mass-produce than healthy fats...
Don't even get me started on cholesterol. ;)
The idea isn't that fat calories make you fat, it's that you want to have X amount of protein each day and Y amount of total calories, and that if you're a big fellow, you might just want to eat semi-normally and tack a bunch of protein on top. If you're tacking a bunch of protein plus a bunch of other calories, that's somewhat counterproductive to the goal. If you're not yet a big guy, you don't have a reason to care yet. But, yeah, I'd rather get straight protein because there are cheaper ways to get calories.

[cjangelo]

The idea isn't that fat calories make you fat, it's that you want to have X amount of protein each day and Y amount of total calories, and that if you're a big fellow, you might just want to eat semi-normally and tack a bunch of protein on top. If you're tacking a bunch of protein plus a bunch of other calories, that's somewhat counterproductive to the goal. If you're not yet a big guy, you don't have a reason to care yet. But, yeah, I'd rather get straight protein because there are cheaper ways to get calories.

I wasn't going to bother to spell this out for them, but there it is. I'm sure they'll manage to find something wrong with this explanation.