Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Protein supplements: Seeking information, advice, and recommendations

Slims · 08-10-2009, 08:32 PM

I am like you, naturally very thin, but very active.

One of the best all-around, safe, nutritionally sound protein brands is Muscle Milk.

It is easy to mix, tastes great, and unlike the brands designed for gigantic body builders, it gives you a balanced amount of protein along with a few carbs, quality fats (the kind you actually need for balanced nutrition), a full amino acid profile (you need these to use the protein, etc.). It has several kinds of proteins some of which are absorbed very quickly and some a bit slower so your body has protein available for a longer time. It also has a lot of basic vitamins and minerals (but not in extreme quantities).

The powder itself is lactose free, though it is recommended to mix it with milk if you are looking for more calories.

I highly recommend you at least try this brand, it is very well suited to your needs.

Stay away from mass gainers, they usually have more protein than an average person can process (which causes discomfort/gas) and usually more than a thousand calories per shake which will cause you to put on weight, but usually not good weight.

Soy Protein is ok, but there are a lot of better alternatives. Proteins come in different 'qualities' regarding how easily your body can process them into muscle. Soy is better than nothing, but it lacks some of the amino acids you need to turn it into muscle and it is high on phyto-estrogens (I am pretty sure I spelled that wrong) which cause you to retain water/fat, etc.

In response to your second post, if you are losing weight and not getting stronger, you are probably not eating enough. Most body builders overload on calories when they are bulking up because their priority is to put on muscle....they are willing to put on fat along with it because they then go on cutting cycles to drop the fat.

If you are continuing to gain strength but not raw weight you are likely eating enough (for now) but not so much that you are putting on fat as well. You are probably also dropping some of your body fat.

A protein shake after you work out and again right before you go to bed will let your body build muscle and may be all you need to keep putting on muscle at a modest pace without fat. There is no need to drink a dozen shakes a day. Just give your body something to work with after a hard workout. During the night your body will consume some of your muscle for fuel while you sleep, a shake before bed helps not only prevent that but also allows you to continue to grow.

08-10-2009, 08:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	I am like you, naturally very thin, but very active. One of the best all-around, safe, nutritionally sound protein brands is Muscle Milk. It is easy to mix, tastes great, and unlike the brands designed for gigantic body builders, it gives you a balanced amount of protein along with a few carbs, quality fats (the kind you actually need for balanced nutrition), a full amino acid profile (you need these to use the protein, etc.). It has several kinds of proteins some of which are absorbed very quickly and some a bit slower so your body has protein available for a longer time. It also has a lot of basic vitamins and minerals (but not in extreme quantities). The powder itself is lactose free, though it is recommended to mix it with milk if you are looking for more calories. I highly recommend you at least try this brand, it is very well suited to your needs. Stay away from mass gainers, they usually have more protein than an average person can process (which causes discomfort/gas) and usually more than a thousand calories per shake which will cause you to put on weight, but usually not good weight. Soy Protein is ok, but there are a lot of better alternatives. Proteins come in different 'qualities' regarding how easily your body can process them into muscle. Soy is better than nothing, but it lacks some of the amino acids you need to turn it into muscle and it is high on phyto-estrogens (I am pretty sure I spelled that wrong) which cause you to retain water/fat, etc. In response to your second post, if you are losing weight and not getting stronger, you are probably not eating enough. Most body builders overload on calories when they are bulking up because their priority is to put on muscle....they are willing to put on fat along with it because they then go on cutting cycles to drop the fat. If you are continuing to gain strength but not raw weight you are likely eating enough (for now) but not so much that you are putting on fat as well. You are probably also dropping some of your body fat. A protein shake after you work out and again right before you go to bed will let your body build muscle and may be all you need to keep putting on muscle at a modest pace without fat. There is no need to drink a dozen shakes a day. Just give your body something to work with after a hard workout. During the night your body will consume some of your muscle for fuel while you sleep, a shake before bed helps not only prevent that but also allows you to continue to grow. __________________ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence Last edited by Slims; 08-10-2009 at 08:35 PM..