I mentioned that I used GNC 100% Whey Protein on these forums and somebody mentioned that it was cheap protein. Were they just busting my balls or is there a difference? I was under the impression that all protein is the same it’s just the taste you like and the price you can afford. It seems just about everyone here are big GROW fans, but I’m not big on mail order supplements and GROW isn’t readily available where I live. If GNC is cheap protein then what would be a good alternative.
Thanks
Can you list the exact ingredients as they appear on your GNC label please. By law the ingredients are supposed to appear by their amount in the product.
I would recommend you look for proteins powders that mention Isolates some where near the top of the ingredients list. Concentrates are usally referred to as the cheap whey, and isolates are preferred.
Grow! is a great choice since it has both a slow and fast protein source. But if you are looking for qauilty pure whey products i think Optimum’s 100% whey, or EAS, or Prolab are good choices.
Grow!
Order it online. You can’t beat the price, taste or quality.
And yes, not all protein is the same. There was a fantastic article about things many companies do when it comes to selling protein. I can’t remember the name of it, but it was good!
Was it this one?
[quote]Seeves wrote:
I mentioned that I used GNC 100% Whey Protein on these forums and somebody mentioned that it was cheap protein. Were they just busting my balls or is there a difference? I was under the impression that all protein is the same it’s just the taste you like and the price you can afford. It seems just about everyone here are big GROW fans, but I’m not big on mail order supplements and GROW isn’t readily available where I live. If GNC is cheap protein then what would be a good alternative.
Thanks[/quote]
GNC is not automatically a ‘cheap’ protein. As you have been told, read a little to check out various ingredients, but don’t get to wrapped up about it. Some qickly absorbed protein with carbs–2:1 or 3:1 preferred, after workout will do you good.
After that eat healthy and clean. Make sure you limit the processed garbage and get plenty of good fats. You’ll be just fine.
Grow! is a great protein. But if you don’t drink it you won’t stop making gains. Look for something that mixes good and tastes good. This will make taking it alot easier.
[quote]Seeves wrote:
I mentioned that I used GNC 100% Whey Protein on these forums and somebody mentioned that it was cheap protein. Were they just busting my balls or is there a difference? I was under the impression that all protein is the same it’s just the taste you like and the price you can afford. It seems just about everyone here are big GROW fans, but I’m not big on mail order supplements and GROW isn’t readily available where I live. If GNC is cheap protein then what would be a good alternative.
Thanks[/quote]
I personally find Grow! to be too thick. I use Lee Labrada’s meal replacement, Lean Body. If I add protein, it is generally Champion Nutrition’s whey protein. I think Biotest is a great company, but I think many here endorse their products slightly outside of the context of reality. I won’t even get into threads about people supposedly “feeling” Carbolin-19 after only taking it for a week and how they “feel” leaner even though they weigh the same in less than half a month. While I believe Biotest puts much research and knowledge into the supplements they produce, I also feel that too many kids or people who aren’t that serious in the gym latch onto it setting the stage for placebo effects being promoted instead of real world results.
GNC’s brand of protein is not poor quality. It is expensive considering what can be bought online. I personally wouldn’t give GNC my money. I used to work there and they rip people off. Without a Gold Card, you can end up spending around 20 bucks or more than what you pay on the internet for the same products. All protein supplements is not top quality. You can find this out by finding the percentage of protein-minus fillers in each serving. It is generally held that if it contains above 80% protein per serving, that it is decent quality.
I understand that if you don’t have a credit card (or access to one), that you can’t buy anything on line. In that case, you deal with what you can get…even if that means giving GNC your hard earned cash.
As a rule of thumb, protein powders should be heavier (ie, not blow away like chalk dust) and not give you gas (unless you’re lactose intolerant and there’s lactose in the product). If it’s making you gassy, it’s probably not being digested very well and thus not helping you at all.
[quote]mccarr wrote:
Was it this one?
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=460792[/quote]
That’s the one!
[quote]buffalokilla wrote:
As a rule of thumb, protein powders should be heavier (ie, not blow away like chalk dust) and not give you gas (unless you’re lactose intolerant and there’s lactose in the product). If it’s making you gassy, it’s probably not being digested very well and thus not helping you at all. [/quote]
Should they really not make you gassy? Because when i use Grow! it definitely makes me gassy.
[quote]Lightrat wrote:
buffalokilla wrote:
As a rule of thumb, protein powders should be heavier (ie, not blow away like chalk dust) and not give you gas (unless you’re lactose intolerant and there’s lactose in the product). If it’s making you gassy, it’s probably not being digested very well and thus not helping you at all.
Should they really not make you gassy? Because when i use Grow! it definitely makes me gassy.[/quote]
I have yet to find one that won’t.
Prof:
I’m confused on your “thickness” issue…
A good protein product that mixes well (see below) can have it’s consistency changed by the amount of liquid you mix it with. I take Grow! anywhere from a “pudding” (which is how I mix it most, with little water) to the consistency of a shake.
So I’m not clear on “thickness” as an inherent property of the Product.
“Cheap” Protein
It does exist as a fuction of:
The amount of fillers used and
The protein source.
You can look at it as the difference between a lean steak and “hog-head cheese” (for you non-Southern boys, its a cheese made out of various hog parts).
Cheap protein will often mix poorly , with a lot of lumps, and will often leave one bloated and gassy.
Grow! (IMO) is still about the best buy on the market…
Mufasa
There probably is a certain level of “gassiness” with most products, and that the amout varies form individual to individual…
Mufasa
[quote]Mufasa wrote:
You can look at it as the difference between a lean steak and “hog-head cheese” (for you non-Southern boys, its a cheese made out of various hog parts).
Mufasa[/quote]
Are you fucking kidding me? Hog-Head Cheese? That is nasty!!!
Here’s a recipe for all you who are “Southernly Challenged”:
http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1626,144187-250192,00.html
Mufasa
You prefer Labrada’s protein, Prof? Have they changed the formula recently? Like in the last 2 years or so?
I use to use Labrada’s stuff but it was WAY too thick. I haven’t touched Labrada since being turned on to Low Carb Grow!
[quote]Mufasa wrote:
Prof:
I’m confused on your “thickness” issue…
A good protein product that mixes well (see below) can have it’s consistency changed by the amount of liquid you mix it with. I take Grow! anywhere from a “pudding” (which is how I mix it most, with little water) to the consistency of a shake.
So I’m not clear on “thickness” as an inherent property of the Product.
[/quote]
When dieting, I generally try to get down somewhere around 300gr of protein a day as a goal. I shoot for more but that is the base that I at least like to have. That makes the amount in each meal very important. I have found the amount of milk/water needed to make that supplement (Grow!) thin enough for me to get it down easily negates the amount of protein needed in one serving. It makes little sense to stick with that when the Labrada MRP I use contains 45gr of protein.
If I add one scoop of Champion Nutrition’s whey, that can bring that amount close to 70gr of protein in one shake…and that’s only with water. In two cups of water it is still thin and easy to get down. I don’t like pudding and anything I am drinking that nearly makes me gag due to the pancake batter thickness of it will be one I am less likely to use.
To answer RainJack, I don’t know of any older formula. The one they have now isn’t thick at all and it tastes like an icecream shake…literally, especially with milk. I have trusted his company since he had Charge (with ephedra) which was the only thermogenic that produced a stimulant effect that would litarally last all day for me with only one pill.
That got me through many finals and exam cram sessions.
Alright there’s alot of thickness issues going on here, but I don’t have that problem so I’m gonna just be happy with that. I understand what you guys are say so heres the stats and you tell me if the ingredients are good or not.
Overall it’s 79% Protein
Ingredients:
Proprietary Protein Blend (Concentrate, Ion Exchange Isolate, and Hydrolyzed Whey Peptides)
Artificial Flavor
Lecithin,
Salt,
Acesulfame Potassium,
Cellulose Gun
Xanthan Gum
Amino Acids:
Alanine 1550mg
Aginine 500mg
Aspartate 3290mg
Cysteine 310mg
Glutamate 3290mg
Glycine 700mg
Leucine 2300mg
Lysine 1770mg
Methionine 350mg
Phenylalanine 580mg
Proline 1380mg
Serine 1360mg
Treonine 1580mg
Tryptophan 40mg
Tyrosine 450mg
Valine 1330mg
So what’s the final verdict is the crap or ok or good or what? I can order online so if I need to then that’s no big deal, but what should I switch to to other than Grow! cause it seems to have too many thickness problems 
By the way I don’t get gas ass from my protein. GNC Makes a pure isolate protein, but it has less aminos and it’s outrageously priced that’s why I went with their 100% Whey Protein, but they also sell optimum nutrition does anyone know anything about that would that be a better bet?
Thanks Guys
[quote]Seeves wrote:
So what’s the final verdict is the crap or ok or good or what? … but they also sell optimum nutrition does anyone know anything about that would that be a better bet?
Thanks Guys[/quote]
I think it has already been laid out for you. There isn’t anything “wrong” with any supplement you have posted. Much of it comes down to preferance which is something you won’t know for sure until you ahve tried more than one brand. I have used Optimum Nutrition before. They taste ok. I consider others better. That doesn’t make them “bad”. Understand?
[quote]Professor X wrote:
To answer RainJack, I don’t know of any older formula. The one they have now isn’t thick at all and it tastes like an icecream shake…literally, especially with milk. I have trusted his company since he had Charge (with ephedra) which was the only thermogenic that produced a stimulant effect that would litarally last all day for me with only one pill.
That got me through many finals and exam cram sessions.[/quote]
Are you referring to their ‘regular’ MRP, or their low carb version? I’ve only used their regular MRP which, when mixed per the directions, would be too thick to slam. I can put 3 scoops of L.C. Grow in my shaker and it is thin enough to chug.
I hate sipping protein shakes.
[quote]rainjack wrote:
Are you referring to their ‘regular’ MRP, or their low carb version? I’ve only used their regular MRP which, when mixed per the directions, would be too thick to slam. I can put 3 scoops of L.C. Grow in my shaker and it is thin enough to chug.
I hate sipping protein shakes.
[/quote]
I don’t think they even have a “regular” MRP. The package reads: “Carb Watchers Lean Body” then in small print: “Hi-Protein Meal Replacement Shake”.
Further info, it then has him in the bottom corner of the package with a cheesy grin on his face with his arms folded showing off arms that are a little smaller than when he was a Mr. Olympia runner up several times. His name is then signed over the picture and in the background, faded in blue for contrast, is a picture of some Wilt Chamberlain look alike doing a jump shot, some kid in a baseball helmet, and some guy in a football jersey running with the ball. I can’t tell what team he is on but my guess is…water boy. My package also says “soft vanilla icecream” on the top and the bag is slightly wrinkled because I picked it out the box and carried it upstairs to type this. My ass itches too but that isn’t related to this product.
Oh, and it’s 42gr of protein per serving, not 45…all the more reason to mix it in milk. Either way, it isn’t thick and I called the company once and they said it is the same product that they used to have, they simply added “Carb Watchers”. Good marketing tactic but something I truly don’t care about. It tasted great…less filling. I would end this in a replicated beer commercial but I don’t have random pictures of cheerleaders (at least not with their clothes on) to add to this post. Goodnight!