Protein Shakes

kelsen

Feel like such a newbie!

Walked into new Holland & Barrett with separate upstairs specialist sports supplement section for a browse of the protein powders.

Salesman comes over and asks 'Would you like a sample?'
'Yes please' I reply
'Which one do you normally use? Isolate, blend or concentrate?' he says
'Erm...the chocolatey flavoured one?...'

It's been a while since I used this stuff. What type/brand do people recommend as a protein shake/meal supplement for an endurance-biased training plan targeting weight loss and lean muscle mass? I'd like one that also contains carbs which can be used as a meal replacement.

dhope

I use this stuff

http://www.myprotein.com/uk/products/hurricane_xs

Per 70g:
Energy: 901.8kJ
Energy: 219.3cal
Protein (as-is): 29.6g
Carbohydrates: 20.3g
Fat: 2.5g

Has a small amount of Creatine in too. No different from Maximuscle but about 1/2 the price.

I don't use it as a meal replacement. I'll neck some before leaving for work in the morning, then have breakfast at work. Also will have some post-gym.

I'm certainly not looking to bulk or anything, it's just quick fuel for first thing in the day or after gym. Am a fairly lean chap in normal person terms, though not cycling terms (i.e. 5'10" and about 73Kgs, not much fat on me)

kelsen

Cheers dhope, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

I've ordered from MyProtein before. Great value!

Kaise

http://www.myprotein.com/uk/products/hurricane_xs

yeah, good stuff, if you want to increase the carb in there, use this as well, great for all day energy and might make up as a replacement drink in the mornings?! thats how i use it

http://www.myprotein.com/uk/products/instant_oats


If you use my Myprotein referers code and you should get some cash off as well! well i think so anyway - MP270240

kelsen

Next question...

What flavour?

prawny

I just use the cheapest my protein whey protein. Stops the aches.

I am resistance training at the mo tho, tryin to lose fat while not looking like a cyclist.

iPete

I'd stick with vanilla, I use the H&B precision engineer protein or muscle and weight gainer, add 2-3 bananas, full fat milk and some smoothie which masks the taste of the powder.

Those oats look a cheap addition for extra carbs, might give them ago, legs have had no go this week :evil:

kelsen

kaiser83, cheers for the tip. Also, happy to use your code, but I think it's for new referrals only and I've already got an account with them.

dhope

They're all a bit rubbish with water and taste like a cheap milkshake with milk
I've tried the banana and strawberry ones. Ordered vanilla this time.

dhope

Just to note, you reminded me I need to buy some more, so just did.
Their payments process seems up the spout right now so maybe wait an hour or two.

jonny_trousers

When I was regularly weight training I worked my way through a number of different brands (including My Protein) and the only one I found that was decent value, tasted good, didn't give me bad skin and horrendous gas was USN's Pure Protein.

Kaise

on the subject of protien and creatine and stuff, i have used creatine capsules before but i recentlky bought creatine monohydrate and it says to mix with water, it never dissolves, will putting it in my green tea be alright??

prawny

kelsen wrote:

Next question...

What flavour?

choc smooth is a safe bet, I had the mint choc MP Max protein and that was well too, but I've heard its sweeter in the hurricane.

Gussio

Holland & Barrett's own brand banana flavour whey protein when it is on half price offer. Actually quite like the taste.

Kieran_Burns

are these suitable for the early morning kick start energy drink thing? I find having a breakfast doesn't work when i'm on an early start - need a fast boost to get me into work

Clever Pun

dhope

Kieran_Burns wrote:

are these suitable for the early morning kick start energy drink thing? I find having a breakfast doesn't work when i'm on an early start - need a fast boost to get me into work

That's what I do. But then have breakfast (porridge) too when at work. Protein shake alone not enough, I'd be famished by 10am

Gazzaputt

Been using For Goodness Shakes for quite sometime now. Very good.

pastryboy

kaiser83 wrote:

on the subject of protien and creatine and stuff, i have used creatine capsules before but i recentlky bought creatine monohydrate and it says to mix with water, it never dissolves, will putting it in my green tea be alright??

It doesn't dissolve and it's not stable in liquid. Most people just get a mouthful of water, tip their head back and drop a spoonful down the gullet - no point spoiling the flavour of a nice drink.

Kaise

to who ever just used my Myprotein referal code, ta very much like!

did you get any money off?

i just got an e-mail to say that someone had used it, not sure what that does for me!

pastryboy

kelsen wrote:

Isolate, blend or concentrate?' he says
'Erm...the chocolatey flavoured one?...'

Most protein powder comes from whey (one of the two proteins present in cows' milk). It's a leftover product from cheese manufacture that some bright spark decided to start selling.

Isolate and concentrate are the same thing - isolate has just had an extra stage of processing to remove more of the fat and carbs - it's more expensive.

Blend usually means whey + any other, usually casein (the other protein in milk) which digests more slowly than whey. There's also egg, hemp, pea, soya and some others which may be included but usually it's just whey and casein in blends.

Kaise

pastryboy wrote:

cheers for that, i have always wondered what the difference was!

prawny

pastryboy wrote:

kelsen wrote:

Isolate, blend or concentrate?' he says
'Erm...the chocolatey flavoured one?...'

Most protein powder comes from whey (one of the two proteins present in cows' milk). It's a leftover product from cheese manufacture that some bright spark decided to start selling.

Isolate and concentrate are the same thing - isolate has just had an extra stage of processing to remove more of the fat and carbs - it's more expensive.

Blend usually means whey + any other, usually casein (the other protein in milk) which digests more slowly than whey. There's also egg, hemp, pea, soya and some others which may be included but usually it's just whey and casein in blends.

Sometimes they blend concentrate and isolate too, not sure why. Most stuff I've read says you might as well save money and buy concentrate, unless you're really counting the calories.

straas

Are protein shakes actually useful after a commute?

Gazzaputt

straas wrote:

Are protein shakes actually useful after a commute?

Depends how long and hard you've ridden it.

kelsen

Excellent, now I can talk shop with the sales guy, and if I drop in words like "ripped", "striations" and "vascularity", I'll sound like a real pro!

A quick Google shows a consensus though that the types of protein have very little performance difference, and it's more about price and digestibility.

straas

Gazzaputt wrote:

straas wrote:

Are protein shakes actually useful after a commute?

Depends how long and hard you've ridden it.

About 7.5 miles in ~28 mins? Seems to be about average for my commute, feel like I'm putting a fair bit of effort in.

jonny_trousers

Just for those who don't know already: unless you are training pretty damn hard, protein shakes will make very little difference beyond slimming down your wallet. They are great for aiding recovery and building muscle if you are really pushing yourself where strength training is concerned, but beyond that you are better focussing on a healthy, balanced diet.

Do also be aware that many protein powders are bulked up with all kinds of crap.

Taking one after a commute? Sure, why not. They will not make you faster, help you lose weight or get you ripped, however (they will give you the chance to impress your mates with particularly smelly farts, though).

Headhuunter

After weights at the gym I mix these 2:
http://www.myprotein.com/uk/products/im ... ey_protein
http://www.myprotein.com/uk/pages/searc ... +glutamine

The Impact Whey is Myprotein's basic whey protein product, the Hurricaine stuff mentioned earlier is a ready made blend but is more expensive. L glutamine helps prevent muscle catabolisation when exercising.... Basically your body will consume sugars/carbs during exercise but will also try to access BCAA in muscle resulting in a certain amount of muscle loss during exercise. Glutamine is a naturally occuring chemical which helps prevent this.

If I'm going on a long ride I use half a scoop of the whey protein above with these:
http://www.myprotein.com/uk/products/maltodextrin
http://www.myprotein.com/uk/products/bcaa
http://www.myprotein.com/uk/products/electrolyte_powder

Maltodextrin is a complex carb which is more accessible and more easily absorbable than simple glucose sugars. Most energy drinks are made up of this. BCAA helps prevent muscle breakdown (as above) and electrolyte powder replaces lost salts when it's hot....

Headhuunter

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

Just for those who don't know already: unless you are training pretty damn hard, protein shakes will make very little difference beyond slimming down your wallet. They are great for aiding recovery and building muscle if you are really pushing yourself where strength training is concerned, but beyond that you are better focussing on a healthy, balanced diet.

Do also be aware that many protein powders are bulked up with all kinds of crap.

Taking one after a commute? Sure, why not. They will not make you faster, help you lose weight or get you ripped, however (they will give you the chance to impress your mates with particularly smelly farts, though).

I wouldn't bother with protein shakes and energy drinks for the morning commute, I just get up, get on the bike and have toast at work... I only use supplements after 1-1.5 hours at the gym or for long 50+ 60+ club rides... As you say, unless you're doing some hard exercise, they're not worth the money...

King Donut

Gazzaputt wrote:

Been using For Goodness Shakes for quite sometime now. Very good.

+1 for recovery.

I stopped using them a couple of weeks ago and replaced it with plain ol milk. Now it may all be in my head but I'm sure I have less puff after a few consecutive days of hard riding.

Has to be the pre-mixed stuff tho.