[Ian]

Yeah, I'd love to know what protein shake you recommend. All I can find
are high-carb shake mixes. They have easily absorbable proteins, but
not enough, so I have to drink a liquid protein supplement afterward that
tastes like liquified childrens' vitamins.

[phaledax]

go to www.trueprotein.com and for weight loss or anytime shakes, go with casein. there you can make your own mix of whatever you want. so on there here is an example you could go for. 60% Calcium Caseinate, 20% Milk Protein Isolate, 20% Whole Egg Protein. it's cheap, easy and effective. you can take this anytime also I would have them add: Aminogen, CompleteVitamin/Mineral mix (unless you have a multi which would be better), Premium BSL / PC.com Chocolate Flavor System, Aspartame, Plastic Jug container w/FREE Scoop.
so for 5IBS of that it comes to $51 + tax and S$H. so a very good deal I think. I mix mine 1 heaping scoope with 16OZ milk, it tastes like a chocolate milk shake, and I look forward to it every day.

[Ian]

I'm going to order my protein from them from now on, I think.

That customization factor is great. Thanks for the percentages.
I'll be skipping the aspartame though, because of the risks
associated with it.

[strengthsports]

I really like trueprotein.com, however, I can't always afford to go through them. There are a couple alternatives-Optimum Nutrition's Pro-Complex; you'd only need to take half a serving at a time. Myogenix is also good as well as Dymatize's protien blend.

Bioplex offers a really nice whey isolate but generally isolates cost more and aren't superior enough to justify the extra cost over concentrate...but they do offer a concentrate/isolate blend that's of a really good quality. I'll mention one last one-Isopure is an excellent protein and has a couple of different choices as far as carb amounts. I believe all of the ones I mentioned have 3 or less grams of carbs in it. I'm currently using a protein by MRM that only has 2 grams of carbs.

The caseinate is an excellent protein; off the top of my head-Biotest (www.t-nation.com) has a really good low-carb protein with caseinate called low carb Grow! Nucare carries a caseinate/concentrate/isolate/hydroslate blend that releases over a 3 hour period. Optimum Nutrition has a caseinate blend also.

Okay, I realize that I've thrown out a lot of names but I did so that you when/if you decide to get a protein powder you'll have a few choices to pick out. I made sure that all of the ones I named here are cheap per serving cost wise, widely available, mixes well, tastes good, and has no weird after taste.

You should be able to find these at any health food store that has a sports nutrition line. www.bodybuilding.com will also carry these brands and most likely have it cheaper than anywhere else.

[phaledax]

trueprotein, is cheaper than most places. look at what your buying and compair it to others.
(IE: Optimum 100% Whey 10 lbs. is $55.59 +S&H // trueprotein 100% Whey 10 lbs. is $41.90 + tax, S&H)
they arn't exactly the same with some other Ingredients, and I think optimum add's the tax first. so the price is almost the exact same. if you added all the other good stuff to true, it would only be about $5 more and I think you get a better product.
hear is another example (Optimum 100% Casein Protein 2 Lbs. is $24.59 + S&H // true's 100% Caseinate 2 lbs. is $13.38 + tax, S&H)
I know optimum is generaly a cheap product of good quality, from what ive seen true is of better quality and of compriable price, plus you can customize it to the fullist. you have to look at the price to what your getting. if you want it cheaper, then take out things that will cost more, like use a bag instead of a jug, use concentrates instead of isolates or hydrolized, you get the idea.

[strengthsports]

Good response, Phaladex. I'm just a bit impatient waiting for stuff. That and since I work in sports nutrition, it's usually much cheaper to go through the store because of discount purposes (and vendors giving us free stuff).

I have heard some great things about trueprotein.com and would definately recommend them. Didn't mean to sound negative towards them if I did in my last post.

[NeedtoLose]

Aren't carbs important for creating muscle? I would think that a low carb diet would be more for someone looking to get slender, not those that want muscle. Is that correct?

[strengthsports]

You're right, NTL. However, for some people that are competing in something might need to drop a bit of pounds and the low carb diet comes in handy for quick fixes of 5-15 pounds. But yes, carbs are an essential nutrient.