Best protein powders for muscle gain?

Bryan Wilson81 said:whey in the morning just doesn't do anything.

What makes you say that? Your body is basically rebuilding itself while you sleep, so when you wake up, you need a specific type of protein... honestly, just mixing some whey into your oatmeal is usually enough to quickly replenish everything you lost overnight.

In the morning, or right after a workout, go for some kind of "fast-acting" whey (like Ultra Whey Pro or ISO Sensation... depends on what specific protein profile you're looking for, your budget, and which brands you actually "prefer"), but before bed, you absolutely need a casein like Milk & Egg (the taste isn't great, but IMHO it’s far and away the best value casein you can get) because it works slowly over time, unlike something like ISO Sensation (which is a solid protein, by the way).

Bradley Wilson11 said:Why on earth would you think that? Your body undergoes its most significant growth phases while you sleep, which means by the time you wake up, it’s practically starving for a specific type of protein. Isn't it obvious that mixing some high-quality whey protein into your morning oatmeal is the most efficient way to handle this? It's the simplest way to rapidly replenish everything you lost overnight, so why overcomplicate a process that is clearly so straightforward?

When it comes to timing, I usually stick to some sort of fast-digesting whey in the morning and immediately following my workouts—though that really depends on what specific profile you’re looking for and how much cash you're willing to drop on certain brands you prefer. Personally, if I'm grabbing something like Ultra Whey Pro or ISO Sensation, it serves its purpose, though ISO Sensation is actually quite a solid option. However, once evening rolls around, I make it a point to take a casein supplement before bed, specifically something like Milk & Egg. Is the flavor great? Not exactly. But in my honest opinion, it is hands down the best value casein you can find for the money. It provides that slow, steady release that stays with you, which is a world of difference compared to something quick-hitting like ISO Sensation.

Is there any point in consuming simple sugars at night when your body isn't even moving? In the morning, you really want to go with something like oatmeal and raisins—or whatever provides that quick energy boost—because your system actually needs those carbs to kickstart the day. But once the sun goes down and you're gearing up for sleep, your body shifts into recovery mode rather than expenditure mode. Why would you load up on sugar right before bed when you aren't burning anything off? At night, you should be focusing strictly on high-quality fats and proteins. While fast-digesting proteins make perfect sense immediately following a workout, wasting them on a morning shake is essentially just throwing money away if you follow a more strategic approach. Sure, you can use whey whenever you feel like it, but wouldn't you agree that you get much better results if you actually time your nutrients according to how your body functions?

I'll just stick to this plan: right before and after my workouts, and on the days I don't hit the gym, I'll just take it in the evening...

Just drink it right after your workout and call it a day.

Bryan Wilson81 said:In the morning, you’re better off sticking to oatmeal and raisins or something similar... because the body actually needs those sugars first thing up. During the night, the body is busy rebuilding itself—it isn't burning through fuel—so you shouldn't be hitting the sugars right before bed. Instead, stick to proteins and high-quality fats at night. Since you're resting, you aren't exerting energy. Fast-acting proteins make sense immediately after a workout, but taking them in the morning? That's just throwing money away. Of course, you can use whey whenever you want, but you'll see the most benefit if you follow my approach.

Look, I'm not saying what you said is wrong, but I strongly disagree with the idea that the body doesn't need whey in the morning.
And honestly, anyone who actually pays attention to their nutrition and knows what they're doing is going to have some decent casein before they hit the hay.
But hey, everyone can drink their whey however they please... I'm just offering some well-meaning advice that I picked up about 12 years ago when I first started hitting the gym... and I think in those 12 years, I've learned a fair amount about nutrition and training itself. 😉
Then again, fitness is one of those things that evolves every single day... new supplements come out (higher quality ones), new training methods emerge, new research is published... it's a discipline you literally have to study for your entire life (assuming you even care about that sort of thing).
Also, don't go wasting your hard-earned cash on supplements that are completely useless... read the ingredient labels very carefully before you buy anything. 👍

What are your thoughts on this?

@Henry Evans3/">@@Henry Evans3, look, most people stick to hitting their whey right after they crush a workout, but hey—if you’ve got the extra cash burning a hole in your pocket, there's really nothing stopping you from tossing some more whey in after your session and again right before you hit the hay...

redranger82 said:@Henry Evans3/">@@Henry Evans3, you usually drink whey right after a workout, but if you aren't exactly strapped for cash, you can always toss some more in after training and again before hitting the sack.

What about on my rest days?

Henry Evans3 said:But what about the days when I don't have a workout scheduled?

I suppose you could have some with cereal in the morning, if you really feel the need to.

redranger82 said:if you have some extra money to spare, you could certainly take whey after your workout and before bed.

That is actually what slow-digesting protein is intended for, I think. It probably isn't the best idea to use whey right before sleep.

Henry Evans3 said:But what about my rest days?

Look, you can use it whenever you want, but honestly? Stick to whole foods first. Grab some chicken or cheese instead. Save the Whey protein for right around your workout or toss it in your morning oats if that’s your thing.

Christian Harris2 already weighed in on this too. Taking casein before bed is definitely the better move.

So, I’m basically a total lightweight here... but I didn't want to be that guy and start a whole new thread just for myself. Anyway, I’m standing at about 5'11" and I am seriously skin and bones—only about 143 lbs at 18 years old. My big goal is to hit the gym hard and ramp up my calories to finally pack on some real muscle mass. I’m definitely looking to lean on some protein supplements to get there, but here’s the catch: what are the absolute best options out there that are low in lactose or even totally lactose-free? I recently realized my stomach can't really handle dairy, and I have this nagging feeling that most of those heavy-duty powders are absolutely loaded with it 🤷 ?

I'd really appreciate it if you guys could point me in the right direction with some quick, solid advice, thanks! 🙂

velvetgardener5 said:What are your thoughts on this?

...from what I can tell, that's just a concentrate—and it’s pricey, too $43. Personally, when I'm hitting the gym, I pick up a 500g tub of Whey protein isolate from $45 MusclePharm that packs 40g of glutamine; honestly, the difference in quality between those two is like night and day

Taylor Cook63 said:Look, I’m basically a total newbie here... but I don't really feel like starting an entirely new thread, and honestly, it might be a bit much to clutter things up with a whole new topic. So, here’s the deal: I’m about 5'11" and way too skinny (only about 143 lbs, and I just turned 18), and my big goal is to finally pack on some serious muscle by hitting the gym and upping my calories. I figured some protein powder would definitely help speed things up. But here's the catch—which ones are actually the best if I want something with little to no lactose? I recently realized my stomach can't really handle dairy, and I have this nagging feeling that most of those heavy-duty powders are absolutely loaded with it 🤷 ?

I'm really hoping you guys can point me in the right direction quickly. Thanks a ton! 🙂

Does seriously nobody know 🤷

So, lactose is basically just milk sugar.
Since protein powder doesn't have any sugar in it at all, that means there’s zero milk sugar to worry about either.

-Steve

velvetgardener5 said:What’s everyone's take on this?

No offense intended... but it's garbage.

My advice... just stay far away from Biotech whenever you can. ☕

Man, what kind of nonsense are you guys even posting here? I mean, one guy is out here claiming that taking whey in the morning is totally pointless... 😂 😂 😂 And then there’s this other genius saying he’s "verified" that sugary cereal builds muscle... hahahaha, yeah, okay buddy, sure... 😂 😂 😂 Listen up, people: you take your whey in the morning and right after your workout... now, if you're rolling in cash, I guess you could drink it before training or even during your session once you finish a muscle group... but in the morning, you should be eating complex carbs (whatever source you prefer). Look, I'm not trying to pack on ten pounds of pure muscle in just a couple of months. Muscle is hard to build and incredibly easy to lose... most of what you think you're gaining is actually just water weight, because muscles are basically 80% water. That’s why something like creatine monohydrate tends to pull water molecules into your muscles—you look pumped and jacked, but once you stop, you just pee it all away. Bodybuilding is actual science, so please, go read some forums, educate yourselves, for crying out loud—I assume you all have access to Google... and *then* come ask questions. The absolute worst are the ones who just fly in and go, "Hey, I put on a little weight, so I want to drop 10kg and get shredded at the same time." WTF??? You have fitness forums right here; you just need to actually sit down and read! If you want to look good, it isn't just about eating right and hitting the gym for a few months and expecting magic... it's a lifestyle. It’s entirely up to you whether you respect that or not. If you don't, then don't come whining about having a gut or tiny arms, because you chose that for yourself... 👍

Interesting read:

http://www.nytimes.com/lifestyle/health/.../news/253133

Soybean prices took a sudden dip, and now, all of a sudden, everyone is acting like things are looking up again.😁

Jason Fisher6 said:Honestly, some of the nonsense being posted here is just unreal... one guy is claiming whey is pointless in the morning... 😂 😂 😂 and then there's another one acting like he's some genius because he "knows" sugary cereal builds muscle.... hahaha, give me a break, man... 😂 😂 😂 Look, people, listen up: you take whey in the morning and immediately after your workout... now, if you're loaded with cash, sure, you can sip it before training or even during when you're hitting a specific muscle group... but in the morning, you should be eating complex carbs (whatever source works for you). I’m trying to pack on a few pounds of muscle in a few months here... and let's be real, muscle is hard to gain and incredibly easy to lose... most of what you "gain" initially is just water weight, since muscle is basically 80% water. That’s why something like creatine monohydrate tends to pull water molecules into your muscles; you look pumped and jacked, but once you stop taking it, you just pee it all out... bodybuilding is actual science. Go read some forums, do some research—I mean, everyone has Google, right?—and THEN come ask questions. The absolute worst are the ones who just barge in like, "Hey, I put on a little weight, so I want to drop 10lbs and get ripped at the same time." WTF??? You have an entire fitness community here; you just need to actually read. If you want to look good, it isn't just about eating right and lifting for a couple of months and expecting magic... it’s a lifestyle. It’s up to you whether you commit to it or not. If you don't, then don't come whining about having a gut or tiny arms, because you chose that for yourself... 👍

Oh, thanks a ton for enlightening us all with that post.

Jason Fisher6 said:I honestly don't know what some of you people are talking about here... one guy claims whey is useless in the morning... 😂 😂 😂 while another is out here claiming sugary cereal builds muscle... haha, good luck with that... 😂 😂 😂 Look, folks, you take whey in the morning and right after your workout... now, if you have the extra cash, I suppose you could drink it before training or even during your session when you finish a specific muscle group... in the mornings, you really should be eating complex carbs (depending on which source you prefer)... I'm not trying to pack on ten pounds of muscle in a couple of months... building muscle is actually quite difficult, and it's easy to lose... most of what you gain quickly is just water weight, because muscle is basically 80% water... that's why something like creatine monohydrate tends to pull water molecules into your muscles; you look fuller and more jacked, but once you stop, you just flush it all out... bodybuilding is a serious science, so I guess you should probably read up on some forums or just use Google to inform yourselves before asking questions... the toughest ones are the people who just jump in saying, "Hey, I put on a little weight and want to drop 10 lbs while gaining muscle"... WTF??? You have fitness forums for a reason, you just need to actually read them... and if you want to look good, it isn't just about eating right and hitting the gym for a few months and expecting everything to be fine... it's a lifestyle, and I suppose it's up to you whether you choose to respect that or not... if you won't, then you can't really complain about having a gut or being skinny, because that was your own choice... 👍

Taylor Cook63 said:So, at 5'11" and 143 lbs (I'm 18), I'm pretty thin, and I'd like to increase my muscle mass through training and better nutrition. Protein supplements would definitely help. So, which brands are the best that are low in lactose or completely lactose-free? I recently realized I'm not very tolerant of lactose, and I get the impression that many heavy-duty powders have way too much 🤷
?
I hope to receive a quick and accurate response from you all, thanks.

Hmm... Well, answering which ones are the best is actually quite simple. My top picks would be Optimum Nutrition, Dymatize, Twinlab, and Wade. 👍