Protein supplementation advice? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

unnamedplayer · 08-09-2005, 09:13 AM

Hi all, I am in need of some advice concerning my protein intake. I was talking to a few people at my local gym the other day and they were offering me some advice about how to get bigger and they mentioned that I should be getting at least my bodyweight in protein (in my case about 125 g a day). Now I know I'm not eating that much protein in my diet so they recommended getting some type of protein powder, but I have a few concerns I was hoping someone could address before I go out and spend the money.

First of all, what should I be looking at? Do I just want some type of whey protein powder? Also, correct me if I'm wrong but I just want to make sure that this is just like protein that I would be getting if I were to eat say some chicken breast. The point of the protein supplement is just to make it easier to ingest that much protein without having to eat a bunch of chicken breasts right?

Also, I was wondering if I started taking this stuff and then I finally get to the point where I'm satisfied with my size and I want to stop taking all this protein could I just stop? In other words, if I stop supplementing and just get a normal amount of protein intake from diet like I used to do will I lose any gains I've made or will my body just adapt and use the current protein intake to maintain an equilibrium where I don't get any smaller but I also won't get any bigger?

Is there any thing else I should know about?

I appreciate any input. Thanks a lot!

st33lr4t · 08-10-2005, 07:10 AM

protein is judged by its biological value(bv). BV refers to how well and how quickly your body can actually use the protein you consume. chicken protein(bv:79) is not the same as a supplement protein like whey(bv:100-150).

there are two ways you should use protein as a supplement. one would be when you need a fast acting protein post workout. the other would be when you cant eat enough protein to meet your needs.

which protein powder to choose? well there are different types of protein (whey, casein, ...) and there are different ways to extract the protein, some are better then others. optimum nutrition makes an excellent whey protein.

can you stop taking protein as a supplement once you have started. yes and no. yes you can stop taking it, if you are getting additional protein from elsewhere. basically you will have a maintenace level of protein to intake to keep your mass. to gain weight you would take in more then your maintenance level, and to lose weight you would take in less then your maintenance level. if it took you 200g's to get to your current size (bulking) then you would take in less then that to get to your maintenance level, meaning you are not going to gain/lose weight. but take in too little (cutting) and you will lose weight.

unnamedplayer · 08-10-2005, 11:30 AM

Hey thanks for the info. That helped a lot but now I'm curious, how do you know what your maintenance level of protein is so you know if you need to consume more or less protein?

Stompy · 08-10-2005, 12:12 PM

It's easy to get lots o protein.

Buy 1.5 lbs of chicken, cook it up. Eat half of what you cook and that's about.. 100+ grams right there.

A can of tuna is 40 grams.

ON Whey protein is about 20g

Cottage cheese has protein too.

Personally, I use the ON Whey about 3-4 times a day since I don't have much time to cook.. plus it's easy to just carry scoops around in baggies so you can mix w/ water and be done with it.

thingstodo · 08-13-2005, 04:12 AM

You might think about searching this site as there are several threads on this subject.

Here's a link from Harvard that might save you a little time:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritio...e/protein.html

I also agree with Stompy's ON comment - Optimum Nutrition powdered protein. Ice cream flavor is great and you can change it easily. Plus, add the Carnation malt powder for added flavor, texture and carbs.

08-09-2005, 09:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
unnamedplayer Upright	Protein supplementation advice? Hi all, I am in need of some advice concerning my protein intake. I was talking to a few people at my local gym the other day and they were offering me some advice about how to get bigger and they mentioned that I should be getting at least my bodyweight in protein (in my case about 125 g a day). Now I know I'm not eating that much protein in my diet so they recommended getting some type of protein powder, but I have a few concerns I was hoping someone could address before I go out and spend the money. First of all, what should I be looking at? Do I just want some type of whey protein powder? Also, correct me if I'm wrong but I just want to make sure that this is just like protein that I would be getting if I were to eat say some chicken breast. The point of the protein supplement is just to make it easier to ingest that much protein without having to eat a bunch of chicken breasts right? Also, I was wondering if I started taking this stuff and then I finally get to the point where I'm satisfied with my size and I want to stop taking all this protein could I just stop? In other words, if I stop supplementing and just get a normal amount of protein intake from diet like I used to do will I lose any gains I've made or will my body just adapt and use the current protein intake to maintain an equilibrium where I don't get any smaller but I also won't get any bigger? Is there any thing else I should know about? I appreciate any input. Thanks a lot!

08-10-2005, 07:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
st33lr4t Psycho Location: Dallas, Tx	protein is judged by its biological value(bv). BV refers to how well and how quickly your body can actually use the protein you consume. chicken protein(bv:79) is not the same as a supplement protein like whey(bv:100-150). there are two ways you should use protein as a supplement. one would be when you need a fast acting protein post workout. the other would be when you cant eat enough protein to meet your needs. which protein powder to choose? well there are different types of protein (whey, casein, ...) and there are different ways to extract the protein, some are better then others. optimum nutrition makes an excellent whey protein. can you stop taking protein as a supplement once you have started. yes and no. yes you can stop taking it, if you are getting additional protein from elsewhere. basically you will have a maintenace level of protein to intake to keep your mass. to gain weight you would take in more then your maintenance level, and to lose weight you would take in less then your maintenance level. if it took you 200g's to get to your current size (bulking) then you would take in less then that to get to your maintenance level, meaning you are not going to gain/lose weight. but take in too little (cutting) and you will lose weight. Last edited by st33lr4t; 08-10-2005 at 07:12 AM..

08-10-2005, 12:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	It's easy to get lots o protein. Buy 1.5 lbs of chicken, cook it up. Eat half of what you cook and that's about.. 100+ grams right there. A can of tuna is 40 grams. ON Whey protein is about 20g Cottage cheese has protein too. Personally, I use the ON Whey about 3-4 times a day since I don't have much time to cook.. plus it's easy to just carry scoops around in baggies so you can mix w/ water and be done with it. __________________ I love lamp.

08-13-2005, 04:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	You might think about searching this site as there are several threads on this subject. Here's a link from Harvard that might save you a little time: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritio...e/protein.html I also agree with Stompy's ON comment - Optimum Nutrition powdered protein. Ice cream flavor is great and you can change it easily. Plus, add the Carnation malt powder for added flavor, texture and carbs. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

08-10-2005, 11:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
unnamedplayer Upright	Hey thanks for the info. That helped a lot but now I'm curious, how do you know what your maintenance level of protein is so you know if you need to consume more or less protein?