Protein Powder?

[WinterSong]

I used to drink protein shakes every morning until they started giving me a stomach ache, so I went off them for a little over a year. I tried it again two months ago, and I was in so much pain afterwards. But I realize the protein powder may not have been the right kind, could have had gluten in it, maybe it was old, maybe I reacted to the soy milk I mixed it with, or maybe there were too many air pockets in the drink that the blender created.

My primary protein source is nuts/nut butters at the moment, and I get in quinoa, chicken or salmon whenever I can. But I feel like I've been severely lacking protein lately. Maybe it's worth it to try out a new brand and just mix it with water? Does anyone know of a good brand that I should try that's easy to digest?

[Salax]

Personally, I like Jay Robb's Egg Protein Powder. The Whey for many of us is hard to digest because of lactose or casien issues.

If your not an egg person or you can't eat, another one that is really awesome is Pea Protein (it's gluten free, vegan and soy free) it has a lite vanilla taste so you can mix with fruit or PB or whatever you like. I like it with Almond milk and a little PB to "spice" it up, plain is fine too. It doesn't taste like peas.

I would try to get off the Soy milk and see if that helps as well. Soy is a dangerous product and you could be having an issue with it. Go with Rice, Almond, Coconut, Hazelnut or Hemp milks if you want a milk product.

Hope that helps.

[WinterSong]

Thanks for the advice. I've actually been off of soy milk since going off of protein drinks. I've been too afraid to try it again, so I'm happy sticking with almond milk. I seem to be having a problem with eggs, as well. Do you know where I can find Pea Protein? Is it something that's easy to find?

[Gemini]

I used to drink protein shakes every morning until they started giving me a stomach ache, so I went off them for a little over a year. I tried it again two months ago, and I was in so much pain afterwards. But I realize the protein powder may not have been the right kind, could have had gluten in it, maybe it was old, maybe I reacted to the soy milk I mixed it with, or maybe there were too many air pockets in the drink that the blender created.

My primary protein source is nuts/nut butters at the moment, and I get in quinoa, chicken or salmon whenever I can. But I feel like I've been severely lacking protein lately. Maybe it's worth it to try out a new brand and just mix it with water? Does anyone know of a good brand that I should try that's easy to digest?

I had the same problem with protein drinks myself and really need to use them as I weight train. The one that works the best so far is one made by BioChem. I have tried a number of others and they did not agree with me, when used on a regular basis.

BioChem Protein powder is whey based but lactose free. The issue I was having with them was the fact that most contain gums of some sort, like guar or xanthan gum. These are the binders and I just do not digest them well at all. Maybe that is the problem you are having. BioChem seems to agree with me the best, although it does contain some xanthan gum. I do not use them everyday and I think that is key for me. 2-3 times per week, maximum, and I do fine.

While it is fine to avoid soy, the reference to it being "dangerous" is a bit dramatic. Many people do fine with soy but many overlook gums. They can be a real problem for Celiacs.

[Salax]

I had the same problem with protein drinks myself and really need to use them as I weight train. The one that works the best so far is one made by BioChem. I have tried a number of others and they did not agree with me, when used on a regular basis.

BioChem Protein powder is whey based but lactose free. The issue I was having with them was the fact that most contain gums of some sort, like guar or xanthan gum. These are the binders and I just do not digest them well at all. Maybe that is the problem you are having. BioChem seems to agree with me the best, although it does contain some xanthan gum. I do not use them everyday and I think that is key for me. 2-3 times per week, maximum, and I do fine.

While it is fine to avoid soy, the reference to it being "dangerous" is a bit dramatic. Many people do fine with soy but many overlook gums. They can be a real problem for Celiacs.

Sorry if my dangerous comment is bothersome. But Soy even if your not allergic to it or have a problem with it in the digestion sense..it is still a dangerous product that people really should do the research before consuming it.

It is the number one GMO'd resource on the planet and it has been linked to many medical problems.

(Open Original Shared Link)

Many folks think it's ok to eat, thats fine if you choose to eat, but at least in my mind I choose to be be educated about its dangers before eating it and I like to share with others.

Open Original Shared Link

The Pea Protein I use is here: Open Original Shared Link

[domesticactivist]

I'm not for any kind of "food" in powder form. It's so processed it just doesn't seem right to me.

We eat a lot of soups now, and the basis of all of them is home-made stock, which is very high in protein. You can make stock from the carcass of just about any animal. Basically, you put it in the pot, cover it with water, and simmer for a couple days. Then you strain out the bones. (It's good for you to eat the soft tissues and meats that cooked in the stock, though.) When cool it's like jello because it is so high protein. You can freeze it or pressure can it if you've made more than you can eat in a few days.

Then, to make soups, just take some of your broth, add vegetables of your choice, and cook until the veggies are done. You can puree the soups if you prefer. It's very nutritious and high protein. You can also just drink the broth throughout the day or with meals.

[Gemini]

Sorry if my dangerous comment is bothersome. But Soy even if your not allergic to it or have a problem with it in the digestion sense..it is still a dangerous product that people really should do the research before consuming it.

It is the number one GMO'd resource on the planet and it has been linked to many medical problems.

(Open Original Shared Link)

Many folks think it's ok to eat, thats fine if you choose to eat, but at least in my mind I choose to be be educated about its dangers before eating it and I like to share with others.

Open Original Shared Link

The Pea Protein I use is here: Open Original Shared Link

Your comment was not bothersome, just a bit overblown. Yes, soy can be a problem for some and I have no issues whatsoever if a person chooses not to eat something.....for whatever reason they have. Not everyone believes that soy is as deadly as some others would claim, though. Same for gluten. There are those who can eat it until it comes out their ears with no problems yet there are still articles saying it's not good for anyone. If someone is having an issue with a certain food, you shouldn't become focused on one ingredient because it may be something else in the product. It isn't always about gluten or soy.

[Gemini]

I'm not for any kind of "food" in powder form. It's so processed it just doesn't seem right to me.

We eat a lot of soups now, and the basis of all of them is home-made stock, which is very high in protein. You can make stock from the carcass of just about any animal. Basically, you put it in the pot, cover it with water, and simmer for a couple days. Then you strain out the bones. (It's good for you to eat the soft tissues and meats that cooked in the stock, though.) When cool it's like jello because it is so high protein. You can freeze it or pressure can it if you've made more than you can eat in a few days.

Then, to make soups, just take some of your broth, add vegetables of your choice, and cook until the veggies are done. You can puree the soups if you prefer. It's very nutritious and high protein. You can also just drink the broth throughout the day or with meals.

Body builders and weight trainers need to use protein powders to build muscle. It's concentrated protein and soup, although an excellent food in itself, is not enough. Plus, it will raise cholesterol if eaten in the amounts needed for muscle development. Fish and chicken are the most eaten protein sources outside of the powders. The powders are good nutrition.....not all processed foods are bad. They are good for gaining weight (muscle) without raising cholesterol.

[domesticactivist]

I'm not a body builder and didn't get the impression the OP is either. I don't know hardly anything about it so I'll leave the details about that to you. I'm also not a doctor or anything like it, but just someone whose done a lot of reading and research about food.

What I do want to respond to is the comment about cholesterol being raised by eating bone broth. First - I do eat lots and lots of food full of saturated fat and on the no-no list we've been fed by the USDA about cholesterol.

Second - science is now showing that it's not cholesterol that's the problem - it's the sugar! In a very simplified explanation: The body reacts to sugar (and not just table sugar) with inflammation, and the body uses cholesterol as a bandaid to try and repair the damage done by the inflammation.

I like this article (read all three pages!): Open Original Shared Link

A related aside - Mummies from ancient Egypt were recently found to have had clogged arteries - their diet was presumed to have been based on grains and veggies, with limited meat. They're going to do a bunch more research on the subject now

[Salax]

I'm not a body builder and didn't get the impression the OP is either. I don't know hardly anything about it so I'll leave the details about that to you. I'm also not a doctor or anything like it, but just someone whose done a lot of reading and research about food.

What I do want to respond to is the comment about cholesterol being raised by eating bone broth. First - I do eat lots and lots of food full of saturated fat and on the no-no list we've been fed by the USDA about cholesterol.

Second - science is now showing that it's not cholesterol that's the problem - it's the sugar! In a very simplified explanation: The body reacts to sugar (and not just table sugar) with inflammation, and the body uses cholesterol as a bandaid to try and repair the damage done by the inflammation.

I like this article (read all three pages!): Open Original Shared Link

A related aside - Mummies from ancient Egypt were recently found to have had clogged arteries - their diet was presumed to have been based on grains and veggies, with limited meat. They're going to do a bunch more research on the subject now

I agree with you. We have been feed so many inaccuracies about food from the FDA. But each person has to decide for themselves if they believe it or not.

The issue with sugar I have heard before.

Another issue is protein powders that are processed can have added sugars or sugar substitutes, which again, I believe aspartame and the like are harmful, so I try to avoid those. And stick with unsweetened or stevia sweetened.

There are good processed powders out there, cold processed, etc. Most are not, few are good. I think if one is going to consume protein powders, they should use a good one. The better ones I have seen are Jay Robb's, Mercola's, GNC's Home brand is good for taste and seems alright...but anything mainstream I tend to question the legitimacy of.

[Gemini]

I'm not a body builder and didn't get the impression the OP is either. I don't know hardly anything about it so I'll leave the details about that to you. I'm also not a doctor or anything like it, but just someone whose done a lot of reading and research about food.

What I do want to respond to is the comment about cholesterol being raised by eating bone broth. First - I do eat lots and lots of food full of saturated fat and on the no-no list we've been fed by the USDA about cholesterol.

Second - science is now showing that it's not cholesterol that's the problem - it's the sugar! In a very simplified explanation: The body reacts to sugar (and not just table sugar) with inflammation, and the body uses cholesterol as a bandaid to try and repair the damage done by the inflammation.

I like this article (read all three pages!): Open Original Shared Link

A related aside - Mummies from ancient Egypt were recently found to have had clogged arteries - their diet was presumed to have been based on grains and veggies, with limited meat. They're going to do a bunch more research on the subject now

I base my knowledge on what I have read and learned from personal experience and NOT what the FDA or the USDA or even the AMA like to tout. I fully realize that they have their own agenda's when making decisions about food or products which are safe.

I agree with you on the sugar issue. That has long been known, especially with regards to diabetics. The higher your blood sugar, the more you clog up.

However, saturated fats will clog you up also and meat should only be eaten sparingly....at least red meat. There are good, therapeutic uses for red meat but if you eat too much of it, it will mess up your cholesterol and heart. It is a known factor in colon cancer. I have known enough people who thought red meat was fine in larger quantities and later had a heart attack from clogged arteries. A number of people I know who had bouts with colon cancer all were big meat consumers through-out their life. You only have to look at what happens in real life to see the way it really is. You don't even need studies...the human race as it is today is one giant study. In fact, the people who survive the longest after severe heart attacks are those who adopt an almost vegetarian diet.

Cholesterol may not be as big an issue for Celiacs because of impaired absorption of fats. I still do not digest and absorb fats like a normal person so my cholesterol is still low, after 6 years gluten-free. However, I also eat a good diet and don't eat like the rest of America does. That does help a lot.

While none of this is true for everyone due to individual health issues and lifestyle, the bottom line for me is body builders tend to be exceptionally healthy people. They know how to use food to get the desired results they are looking for. They avoid too much red meat and sugar intake tends to be low also because it will give you fat around the middle...not good. They use protein powders extensively and do well with them, regardless of whether there is soy in them or not. As I am trying to put on weight and build muscle, I have been using their guidelines and have gotten results. Plus, I feel good and am much stronger so I consider that a success. Don't get me wrong...I love a good pot of soup but I can't eat enough of it to get the protein intake I need to continue weight training.

[cap6]

I'm not a cook so this way of life has been a challenge - but I'm learning. Do you use the broth straight as it is or dilute it some. If a recipe calls for broth do you use the amount of pure broth?

I'm not for any kind of "food" in powder form. It's so processed it just doesn't seem right to me.

We eat a lot of soups now, and the basis of all of them is home-made stock, which is very high in protein. You can make stock from the carcass of just about any animal. Basically, you put it in the pot, cover it with water, and simmer for a couple days. Then you strain out the bones. (It's good for you to eat the soft tissues and meats that cooked in the stock, though.) When cool it's like jello because it is so high protein. You can freeze it or pressure can it if you've made more than you can eat in a few days.

Then, to make soups, just take some of your broth, add vegetables of your choice, and cook until the veggies are done. You can puree the soups if you prefer. It's very nutritious and high protein. You can also just drink the broth throughout the day or with meals.

[domesticactivist]

Gemini, I'm glad you've found what works for you. I think one big factor with meat eating is that so many people who eat it ate eating CAFO meat and/or grain fed meat. I'm on my phone so can't link studies now but it has been shown that this meat is truly different in how it affects our bodies. Regardless, I agree that basing an entire diet on all red meat is probably not the healthiest choice.

As for how to use broth, we don't dilute it. Depending on what it was made from it might be more fatty than we like. We let it cool a bit then skim extra fat off and use it for cooking with.

[domesticactivist]

Should have added that the alternative to the grain/CAFO meat is meat raised on its natural, organic diet. Also I have nothing against red meat, rather I have a problem with excess in any form.