Getting the right protein powder...

tozai, do you have any recommendations for a good post-workout drink or shake or whatever?

I've been drinking one with a banana, instant breakfast and peanut butter but I'm concerned about all the fat in the peanut butter.

 

I've been using Optimum. I would recommend it 100%. I did quite a bit of research before deciding which powder I wanted to buy.

 

For post-workout, you just need protein and high GI carbs. So a simple one would be 2 scoops of Gatorade and 1 scoop of whey protein mixed with 32 oz. of water. It'd also be good if you could drink one of these pre-workout as well. This would only be on lifting days also, not cardio or whatever.

You can have what you've been having later in the day as a meal replacement.

 

Try to take the protein + carbs as soon as you can before and after lifting. You should mainly use them for the workouts, but if you can't get enough real food to meet protein needs then feel free to use it then also.

 

You need these carbs, believe me. You can read the science on Berardi's website, but basically they help build muscle and your recovery.

 

From what I understand, it's impossible to build muscle without carbs. The no-carb thing is good for losing weight, but it you're lifting weights without taking in carbs, you're pretty much wasting your time and energy.

It doesn't matter how much protein you take in, you need carbs to build muscle.

 

Hey, lots of good info in this thread.

Here's my fitness profile/concern/question that I thought I'd throw in.

Twice a day (morning and afternoon) I drink a Myoplex Original Ready-to-Drink (RTD) shake.
In each, there is:
310 calories (70 from fat = 23% calories from fat)
43g protein
20g total carbohydrate
2g sugar
1g saturated fat
20mg cholesterol

At night, I take a Myoplex Deluxe shake w/ skim milk. These have:
340 calories (40 from fat = 12% calories from fat)
53g protein
28g total carbohydrate
5g sugar
2.5g saturated fat
40mg cholesterol

I'm about 5' 9", 170 lbs, 2-3 times a week work out heavy--high weight, low reps, trying to gain upper body mass (been a skinny guy most of my life), with my (probably unrealistic) goal being a Corey Maggette type physique (hey, gotta have a goal, right?). I have a sedentary cubicle job, so for cardio, I used to play pick up ball 2-3 times a week, but that has decreased to only once a week now due to extenuating circumstances. Usually I eat only two meals a day (lunch and dinner), but sometimes spend the extra money to get a little something extra to eat between lunch and dinner in the afternoon ("linner"). Sometimes the "linner" is a can of tuna (in water, not oil). No time for breakfast (bad, I know), so I try to compensate with the shakes.

I will gladly take any suggestions/comments on the above, but my question is about the cholesterol/saturated fat in particular. I recently had a blood test done and was told that I had slightly high cholesterol (212 when it should be <200, but no breakdown of HDL/LDL) and slightly high triglycerides (165 when it should be <150). Is the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in these shakes enough to point to them as the culprits?

 

I don't really know about the cholesterol, but I'd look at what you're eating elsewhere because I don't think the shakes would have a significant impact. Also, for gaining weight you HAVE to eat more than that. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Your body was just starving for 8 hours or whatever, and if you don't eat the body looks for it's energy somewhere...your muscles...

 

Here is the Isopure Zero Carb

 

Protein directly builds muscle. Diets are individual. Some people are more carb tolerant than others. Those who are intolerant would be on a diet more similar to Atkins but with VERY high protein (+200 grams) and more fats than carbs.

However, regardless of what diet you are on, you need carbs with your pre and post workout drinks because they work together to have a greater effect.