Can anyone reccomend a good protein powder?

[Sephiroth]

Like so many new year's resolutioners, I intend to start off the new year by getting my butt back into the gym. However, I am not looking to lose weight; I actually want to gain some, in the form of muscle. I have set a short term goal of trying to add, at the most, 10 pounds of muscle over the course of the next six months. Its going to mean working out, obviously, and I will have to tailor my diet for it. It won't be an easy thing, as I have a fondness for fast food burgers (though I restrict them to a weekend only thing) and for drinks like margaritas or jack and coke. And the major requirement for building muscle, obviously, is protein, and I will need a good supplement mix to help me along the way.
So, to the point: can anyone recommend a good protein powder to use? Right now I am leaning toward Muscle Milk as I have heard good things, but nonetheless some feedback and suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Mozenrath]

Bacon bits.

(No, not really)

[Dat Dude]

Slim fast worked for me. Just be near a bathroom within 30 min of ingesting it

[Ghostorm]

I use Monster Milk... its an upgraded version of muscle milk with about twice the protein, creatine, and a decent amount of BCAA's already in the powder. And you should also take some "Kre - Alkalyn" creatine if you want some more "Mass"

[Nikki Heyman]

I hate dealing with powders, I usually just get RTDs (ready to drinks)... GNC has Lean Muscle meals, which are low in calories and fat and have decent protein to them. With a gold card you can usually stock up at the beginning of the month for about $50. There's a "ladies" version but it's the exact same thing in different packaging.

[jobber2thestars]

Don't buy your protein from either GNC or Vitamin Shop, since both places have crazy prices. Personally, I buy my protein and stuff from Target or WalMart. I've never had any problem with either place, and the price is half that of those big stores where you're just paying for a name.

You can skip the protein powder and stock up on chicken breast a tuna. Neither is expensive and both cam be bought at your local supermarket.

[Lord Rahl]

I usually use Twin Labs. Got a 2lb tub for $20 at Meijer

[Sephiroth]

Thanks for the tips. I intend to use creatine as well, and of course to eat plenty of tuna, chicken, and eggs. I am currently planning on a three day a week schedule, but may up it in the future.

[Tyfo]

I agree with the guy who said Monster Milk. Also, from the same family there's Monster Mass. It's like 50 grams of protein and seems to be pretty damn good.

Whatever your using from the Muscle Milk/Monster Milk variety, make sure your doing a good amount of cardio as well. All those products have a lot of calories, it's just the nature of the beast. But you sound like me, probably decently skinny and just looking to put on weight, not trying to lose any, so you should be alright. Though if you do notice yourself putting on fat in unwanted places, either cut back some or up your cardio more.

[HeyYo]

Gaspari's Myofusion or All Max's Isoflex.

I personally avoid Muscle Milk. If you look into Cytosport (the company that makes it), they don't have the best reputation. It also has cheaper proteins in the profile, such as Calcium and Sodium Caseinate, which is very cheap for company to process. Although it is damn tasty, that is due to HIGH (compared to other proteins) fat content. They originally had to re-formulate the original profile of Muscle Milk because it contained a compound that, I guess, is terrible for your brain.

That said, the best way to buy protein is to look at the way they process it. Whey isolates are the best, but not in every case. When whey is processed a certain way, such as through Ion-exchange, the process basically neuters the protein (without getting into the details, too lazy to type it all). The best way for it to be processed is cold-temperature or cross-flow (again, if you really want to look into that theres plenty of info out there). Whey concentrates typically are 2nd best, but if you can get cold-temperature or cross-flow concentrates, you should.

If you get Myofusion, I would recommend Vanilla and Chocolate, both are delish, and avoid Chocolate Peanut Butter and Chocolate Mint. Both dont taste too great. All Max Isoflex, Ive only tried Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry but I recommend those favours. Both brands I would use a blender to mix as just using a spoon wont do the job.

[Mac]

If you like it cans of Tuna.. can't beat it for protein and two cans give you a days supply.