Protein Shakes

BigProblem

Whats the best protein shakes to buy for first time using protine shakes? I see lidl are doing protein shakes this week - would they be any good?

barca_123

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey has one of the highest percentages of protein per scoop and is tasty to drink too (Choc Mint or Strawberry)!

Alf Veedersane

BigProblem wrote: »

Whats the best protein shakes to buy for first time using protine shakes? I see lidl are doing protein shakes this week - would they be any good?

Why exactly do you want to buy protein shakes?

syklops

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Why exactly do you want to buy protein shakes?

I was going to ask the same question but then i thought: Can. Protein powder. Everywhere!

the groutch

BigProblem wrote: »

Whats the best protein shakes to buy for first time using protine shakes? I see lidl are doing protein shakes this week - would they be any good?

the lidl ones iirc contain lots of sugar too so avoid.
also avoid Optimum Nutrition (despite what Barca said), it's very expensive and no better than any other brand.

best bet is to buy online via sites like Myprotein, Bulkpowders, or TheProteinWorks. they're about half the price of chemists/health shops and do the same job.

but of course ask yourself first if you need to buy it at all.
despite what people think they're not some sort of magic formula, and if you can get the extra protein via real food it's much better in the long run.

BigProblem

im looking to put on some weight/muscle - head to gym 4 or 5 times a week but have struggled put on any weight - probably not eating enough protein nor do i have the time to be cooking any more so i thought protein shakes were the way to go?

Alf Veedersane

BigProblem wrote: »

im looking to put on some weight/muscle - head to gym 4 or 5 times a week but have struggled put on any weight - probably not eating enough protein nor do i have the time to be cooking any more so i thought protein shakes were the way to go?

if you have a decent diet, eat more of what you're eating.

Post up an average day's food, including quantities (as best you can).

Protein shakes are a supplement. You should be well able to get enough protein from food.

If you have one chicken breask for dinner, have a second one. It won't add extra time to your cooking.

Zillah

No harm adding some extra high-quality protein to your diet if you're trying to bulk up.

BigProblem; I hit a period where I seemed to not be making much progress despite doing weights 4-5 times a week as well. I eventually decided diet was my problem. Upped calories by about a third and starting having protein shakes twice a day. I've gained 12lbs or so in the last few months.

So I'm a fan of the protein shakes. I order from MyProtein.

Alf Veedersane

Zillah wrote: »

No harm adding some extra high-quality protein to your diet if you're trying to bulk up.

BigProblem; I hit a period where I seemed to not be making much progress despite doing weights 4-5 times a week as well. I eventually decided diet was my problem. Upped calories by about a third and starting having protein shakes twice a day. I've gained 12lbs or so in the last few months.

So I'm a fan of the protein shakes. I order from MyProtein.

I'm not saying avoid it like the plague.

There are just easier and better ways of going about it.

If he's not eating enough actual food, then he needs to eat more rather than go down the route of shakes just yet.

Zillah

Protein shakes are really, really easy. Especially with a proper shaker. Takes, like, a minute.

What can be difficult and time consuming is trying to make yourself eat a much larger dinner than you might be naturally inclined to. A single scoop of whey gives 25g of protein, whereas a whole other chicken breast is about 21g.

We're not talking about how to eat a healthy diet, you can be healthy on fairly modest amounts of protein. We're talking about a diet that will allow him to maximise on his gains from all the time he's investing in the gym. It's very hard to get that much protein into you from regular food.

EDIT: Google tells me that 21g is for 100g chicken breast, so more like 30ish g of protein per actual breast. Point stands though.

BigProblem

i have a large bowl of porridge for breakfast with blueberry's and raspberry's - made with low fat milk no water.

i usually have a cup of tea and an apple around 11

for lunch id usually have whats on in the canteen (not every day) chicken, pork, beef with vegtables and mash. other days i would have chicken and a salad.

at night after the gym - id have two chicken fillets with a salad. some fruit after that maybe some pineapple or an apple.

nights im not in the gym - id have some scrambled egg and rashers with a couple of slices of toast.

i drink 2-3 litres of water a day.

i would occasionally eat some chocolate during the week.

any advice would be appreciated.

Alf Veedersane

Zillah wrote: »

Protein shakes are really, really easy. Especially with a proper shaker. Takes, like, a minute.

What can be difficult and time consuming is trying to make yourself eat a much larger dinner than you might be naturally inclined to. A single scoop of whey gives 25g of protein, whereas a whole other chicken breast is about 21g.

We're not talking about how to eat a healthy diet, you can be healthy on fairly modest amounts of protein. We're talking about a diet that will allow him to maximise on his gains from all the time he's investing in the gym. It's very hard to get that much protein into you from regular food.

If his diet isn't great in the first instance, then a protein shake won't make all that much of a difference.

I'm not arguing with the convenience and validity of shakes. Just that they're not the answer all the time.

Zillah

I'm going from my own experience, which is a very good, well-balanced diet, but I've never had a huge appetite, so to get enough protein into me to make muscle bulk at a good rate I'd have to really force myself to eat above and beyond what I'd enjoy.

By the look of his post above he is in a very similar position to me.

BigProblem: Your diet looks pretty good. I'd add something carby to your dinners though. Building muscles costs a lot of calories, adding a portion of potatoes, rice, pasta - something like that - would probably be very beneficial.

This is what I (and most people) use: http://ie.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/impact-whey-protein/10530943.html?vwo_ac=false

EDIT: Also get one of these, they make is so much easier: http://ie.myprotein.com/protein-accessories/myprotein-blender-bottle/10485098.html?vwo_ac=false

Alf Veedersane

BigProblem wrote: »

im looking to put on some weight/muscle - head to gym 4 or 5 times a week but have struggled put on any weight - probably not eating enough protein nor do i have the time to be cooking any more so i thought protein shakes were the way to go?

What do you do in the gym?

Again, just trying to get the full picture. You might not be making the best of your time there.

You might be but just checking

Alf Veedersane

Zillah wrote: »

EDIT: Also get one of these, they make is so much easier: http://ie.myprotein.com/protein-accessories/myprotein-blender-bottle/10485098.html?vwo_ac=false

I'm with Dom on blender balls:

"If you don't want chunks in your shake, fúcking shake it more"

Zillah

I do my workout at the gym, not after it with a blender!

Alf Veedersane

Zillah wrote: »

I do my workout at the gym, not after it with a blender!

You might need to work out harder if you're struggling to break up the chunks

Zillah

Sometimes I just feel so weak because of my terrible diet.

BigProblem

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

What do you do in the gym?

Again, just trying to get the full picture. You might not be making the best of your time there.

You might be but just checking

just to give a better picture:

im 6 foot weighing 11st 5llbs - i would be skinny hence the reason i want to put on some weight. i have a small belly so have been trying to shift that for awhile hence the reason i have cut back on carbs.

in the gym - i do 15 mins cardio at start - either 3.5k run on treadmill or about 8k on bike.

i then bench press - 3 sets of 8 - 45kgs

incline bench press also with 30 kg dumbells

use alot of the machines - lateral pull, pulley roll - 3 sets of 8 - 55 kgs

dont do any squats.

also use arm curl and dumbells.

i do planks also and ab cruncher.

i wouldnt consider myself and expert in the gym any advice is really appreciated

Skybox

Do you do any leg work? Legs are the biggest muscles in your body and working them on a regular basis will help you gain muscle mass all over!

Alf Veedersane

BigProblem wrote: »

just to give a better picture:

im 6 foot weighing 11st 5llbs - i would be skinny hence the reason i want to put on some weight. i have a small belly so have been trying to shift that for awhile hence the reason i have cut back on carbs.

in the gym - i do 15 mins cardio at start - either 3.5k run on treadmill or about 8k on bike.

i then bench press - 3 sets of 8 - 45kgs

incline bench press also with 30 kg dumbells

use alot of the machines - lateral pull, pulley roll - 3 sets of 8 - 55 kgs

dont do any squats.

also use arm curl and dumbells.

i do planks also and ab cruncher.

i wouldnt consider myself and expert in the gym any advice is really appreciated

Do you just do those weights or are they the weights you're at?

You should be upping the weights regularly. If you're not, you'll probably find it easy getting through those sets.

Like has been said, you should be doing squats as well. It seems to be mostly arm and chest work with some core stuff thrown in. You're missing out on big muscle groups that'd be worked by squats.

If you gym has a trainer, ask them to show you how to squat properly. And deadlift too.

And when you've been shown how to do those, look at doing a programme like Stronglifts

TouchingVirus

Swap to high mass, lower volume for your sets for gains. Look at a proper noob program like Stronglifts 5x5 or Starting Strength. You're not doing squats, deadlifts or pretty much any leg work - start.

BigProblem

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Do you just do those weights or are they the weights you're at?

You should be upping the weights regularly. If you're not, you'll probably find it easy getting through those sets.

Like has been said, you should be doing squats as well. It seems to be mostly arm and chest work with some core stuff thrown in. You're missing out on big muscle groups that'd be worked by squats.

If you gym has a trainer, ask them to show you how to squat properly. And deadlift too.

And when you've been shown how to do those, look at doing a programme like Stronglifts

they are the weights i am at - i dont have the strength to bench any more - ive been stuck on that weight for a number of months..

i dont do any leg work...

TouchingVirus

BigProblem wrote: »

they are the weights i am at - i dont have the strength to bench any more - ive been stuck on that weight for a number of months..

i dont do any leg work...

Yep, see a trainer and stick with their plan. Keep an exact food diary until you see them, show them what you eat. Be prepared to make some changes and forget about the supplements, it won't get you off your plateau.

BigProblem

TouchingVirus wrote: »

Yep, see a trainer and stick with their plan. Keep an exact food diary until you see them, show them what you eat. Be prepared to make some changes and forget about the supplements, it won't get you off your plateau.

ive done a program before with instructor in gym - he recommended me to do squats but i wasnt interested in doing them and still dont know if i want to work on my legs - i am more concentrated on my upper body and arms to be honest. would protein shakes not give me more muscle/strength to increase what i am currently lifting?

Alf Veedersane

Why do you want to just work your upper body?

Do you really want to be that guy with the big chest and arms and the legs of a sparrow?

BigProblem

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Why do you want to just work your upper body?

Do you really want to be that guy with the big chest and arms and the legs of a sparrow?

im happy enough with my legs - its my upper body i want to work on. im a long way from big chest and arms to be worrying about sparrow legs

runawaybishop

BigProblem wrote: »

im happy enough with my legs - its my upper body i want to work on. im a long way from big chest and arms to be worrying about sparrow legs

Don't neglect your legs. There's a reason everyone is saying this to you. Take heed of the advice. Google Stronglifts and use that as your program.

myprotein, bulkpowders, gonutrition and theproteinworks are all in and around the same price and quality.

Supplements should supplement your diet, not form the basis of it.

Alf Veedersane

BigProblem wrote: »

im happy enough with my legs - its my upper body i want to work on. im a long way from big chest and arms to be worrying about sparrow legs

What kind of training have you done for building your legs?

BigProblem

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

What kind of training have you done for building your legs?

none other than running, bike and playing sports.

TouchingVirus

BigProblem wrote: »

im happy enough with my legs - its my upper body i want to work on. im a long way from big chest and arms to be worrying about sparrow legs

There is a lot more to a squat than just legs - it's a posterior chain workout and it will strengthen your lower back, spinal erectors and your glutes. Protein supplements will not help you get over your plateau, you're coming at this from the wrong angle - they are not a magic pill that instantly add 10kg to your bench.

So first thing's first - forget about the protein powder. You eat 2 chicken fillets a day or a bit of scrambled egg with rashers the gym days. For your dinner in the canteen I don't expect they lord on the meat either. You're not consuming enough for growth, and especially not protein. Eat more - Have that bowl of porridge in the morning with scrambled eggs & rashers for example. Have lunch, supplement with a grilled breast when you go back to your desk. Eat a steak or some lean mince taco mix, have a heap of tuna or something after the gym - more meats, more protein. Then you might be touching close to the protein you actually need and all without a supplement.

Next, think about what you're doing in the gym - is it for vanity? For gaining mass? For gaining strength? Right now I've not a clue why you're doing it, and your reason for avoiding leg work is píss poor and will hamper your progress.

Next, get over your hangup with leg workouts anyway. You do know that when you bench your legs and ass should be tight, creating an arch in your lower back, Moving the drive up to your shoulders which should be tight like you're trying to bend the bar above you into an 'n' shape. It should be impossible for somebody else to move your knees when benching. You get a much more effective leg drive when you actually have strength in your legs and core to transfer to your chest. Don't ignore the advice here - much like people tend to put fat on all over, people tend to put muscle on all over too - skip legs and you're not gaining as much as you could be.

Finally, educate yourself. You're plateau'd at 45KG bench on 3x8 and you persist with 3x8. You don't know where to go from here and you're looking at supplements. This is the wrong idea completely. Better ways include upping the weight to 47.5KG and dropping the reps to 3x5, working back up to 3x8 over time. When you reach that, put on more plates, drop reps and go again. If 2.5KG is still too much of a jump buy fractional plates and go up to 46KG (with 2x0.5kg plates). Talk to a PT, they know all about this stuff - form, nutrition, progression.

I'm no pro either by the way, I did a bit of training a few years back but I'm only really back into it since the start of the year and cleaned up my nutrition last November. Still, I know the importance of leg day - since I fixed my form and started working legs I've put on 10kg on the bench. There's plenty left in the tank too, which is why I'm on SL 5x5

Alf Veedersane

BigProblem wrote: »

none other than running, bike and playing sports.

Then train them along with your upper body.

BigProblem

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Then train them along with your upper body.

thanks for the replies...

JimsAlterEgo

any opinions on the vyomax proteins on sale in lidl next week?

oops just see thats what the thread started as? so it seems they are high in sugar?

http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/SID-66B25F09-C5E84B49/www_lidl_ie/hs.xsl/Offers.htm?id=90

runawaybishop

JimsAlterEgo wrote: »

any opinions on the vyomax proteins on sale in lidl next week?

oops just see thats what the thread started as? so it seems they are high in sugar?

http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/SID-66B25F09-C5E84B49/www_lidl_ie/hs.xsl/Offers.htm?id=90

Its cheaper to buy whey online and get it shipped to you. Lidl is about 22 euro a kg, the online retailers are about 16/17. Thats if the lidl protein is of the same quality and if i remember right it is not.

TouchingVirus

JimsAlterEgo wrote: »

any opinions on the vyomax proteins on sale in lidl next week?

oops just see thats what the thread started as? so it seems they are high in sugar?

The nutritional breakdown per 100g of powder is:

Protein: 71.42g
Carbs: 9.82g
(of which sugar): 5.25g
Fat: 5.89g
(of which saturates): 4.64g


Compare to BulkPowders Pure Whey Protein (flavoured):

Protein: 77.3g
Carbohydrate: 10g
(of which sugar): 10g
Fat: 7.5g
(of which saturates): 5g.

If you're concerned about the sugar content then just swap to unflavoured to get:

Protein: 80g,
Carbohydrate: 5g
(of which sugar): 5g
Fat: 6.67g
(of which saturates): 2.5g

Price:
Lidl Price per KG - €33.02 (based on €29.99 for 908g)
BulkPowders per KG - €15.49 (Unflavoured) / €17.49 (flavoured)

You can probably get better rates for BP if you order from their UK site and run conversions from GBP to EUR.

Save your money

runawaybishop

TouchingVirus wrote: »

Price:
Lidl Price per KG - €33.02 (based on €29.99 for 908g)
BulkPowders per KG - €15.49 (Unflavoured) / €17.49 (flavoured)

You can probably get better rates for BP if you order from their UK site and run conversions from GBP to EUR.

Save your money

Thats the deluxe?

thegreatiam

2 chicken breast for lunch. 2 chicken breast for dinner. 4 eggs for breakfast. 150 grams of protein.

Sort your diet out. If you don't have time to cook then cook double when you do.

Alternative take 30 seconds and search the forum history where this question is asked and answered 8 times a day

TouchingVirus

Yep - the other brand is Met-Rx, not Vyomax - they don't offer non-deluxe in 908g from what I can tell. I think the Met-RX stuff was renamed to Met-Rx Supreme Whey too but the breakdown on 100g of that one is:


Protein: 72.6g
Carbohydrate: 6.5g
(of which sugars): 4.6g
Fat: 6.6g
(of which saturates): 4.7g

Price per KG is €22.01. I would still take the BulkPowders protein over it and even the MyProtein one - both have better profiles

i_surge

I've stopped using protein shakes full stop - was using lean gainer, 100% whey and 100% casein.

Body fat is down, muscle is up, day to day recovery is much better.

Fruit
Natural Yogurt
Oats
Seeds
Milk

Blend....

Similar amount of protein + carbs, additional micronutrients and good fats, no sweeteners, colourings or other processed crap.

marcindd

I just checked all the LIDL's ones today and wouldn't buy any of them, too much fats, too much sugar. It's ok when you want to gain weight but defo not for a slimming diet.

I always make sure there's no sweeteners added (as I don't think they're good for you) and most brands add them in order to add some flavour.

I usually order from sfd.pl, that's a large Polish on-line warehouse, they deliver to Ireland in 3-4 days and the shipping up to 30 kg cost less than 20 euro. So if you order in bulk or together with someone else it'll be definitely cheaper than amazon or uk shops.

Check the Olimp All Natural Whey Protein Concentrate (approx 15 euros per 700 gram). Good quality protein for a low price. Solves in water very well and taste isn't bad too.

http://www.sfd.pl/sklep/Olimp_Natural_100_Whey_Protein_Concentrate-opis730.html


To anyone promoting chicken breasts: are you sure you don't get extra stuff with them like hormones and antibiotics? Unless you buy only highly organic ones you may never be sure!