I'm needing a solution to a problem. I've got this protien shake stuff, and I have a question about it: Is there any way I can get it in a pill form or: a better way to stir it up than what I'm using. Right now I just put two scoops in a glass of milk and stir with a spoon. There's still alot left in a clumpy mixture at the top no matter how much I stir with the spoon. If I use a blender will it completely mix it in with the milk so it is homogenous throughout, or do I have no choice but to choke down these clumps at the top. I'd like it in a pill if they have that too. Please helpzorz.

Are you trying to gain weight or  using it as a supplement? When I was trying to gain weight I'd take heavy cream, carnation instant breakfast, 1 cup peanutbutter, 1 banana, two scoops icecream and chocolate syrup and mix in a blender. I never had any chalky, clumpy grossness. 

Quote from: Blingmasta on August 14, 2006, 01:56:06 PM
Right now I just put two scoops in a glass of milk and stir with a spoon. There's still alot left in a clumpy mixture at the top no matter how much I stir with the spoon.

I use protein shakes, too (but I make them with water). I use a plastic cup with a lid, and I shake the heck out of it. I then let it stand for about five minutes, give it another shake, and down the hatch it goes. I also put a few ice cubes in when I'm at home, because I can't stand them warm (and I cannot deal with the clumps, either..I refuse to chew liquid protein ).

P.S. Bodybuilding shops may give them away free. That's where I got one of my shaker cups. I paid a few bucks for the one I keep at work.

I haven't had the stuff since High school but this is what I used to do:

1. Pour in your scoops of protein powder in a cup.
2. Add a little bit of your liquid (like 1/4 cup) into the cup.
3. Mix the crap out of it until you get paste.
4. Pour in a more liquid LITTLE BY LITTLE mixing in between.

This should get the desired end results.  The key is to gradually go from powder form to paste then to liquid.

Hope that helps.

When I used to take that stuff I would just put it in a blender add some ice added water or milk and press liqify (sp?)  and presto instant protein shake 

If on the go I would use the shaker cup how ryusan described.

K, I'll go see if I can get one of these shaker cups, they sound like the ticket. pastrana, I may try that junk too, that just sounded straight up delicious.

Quote from: Onlypastrana199 on August 14, 2006, 02:17:47 PM
Are you trying to gain weight or  using it as a supplement? When I was trying to gain weight I'd take heavy cream, carnation instant breakfast, 1 cup peanutbutter, 1 banana, two scoops icecream and chocolate syrup and mix in a blender. I never had any chalky, clumpy grossness. 

Definitely gain weight. I was down to 152 and if I went under 150 I'd feel bad about myself.  Also as a supplement though, as I've started working out every day and also taking creatine. I'm not trying to get too big, 180-190, I just wanna be built. Also, I'm 5'10". So...there.

Try that shake mix, if you like all the stuff in it, twice a day, I'm 5'3" and i was 85lbs when I went to college..I'm up well..enough now    I was on an 8000 calorie a day diet, sounds awesome right? No way, its really hard to eat that much in one day. No water, nothing without calories, but you still  have to get your veggies in. The peanut butter adds alot of calories via protein so its good, ice cream makes it nice and cold and the heavy cream has more protein/butter fat thats good for gaining weight than whole milk. Whole milk in the store is 4% butterfat (usually) heavy cream is at least double that.

Yeah, get a shaker cup and just shake the hell out of the mixture. It sometimes leaves a few small clumps, but nothing too bad. I would shake it for the first 5 minutes of my drive to work out of boredom and then pound it.

Quote from: Onlypastrana199 on August 14, 2006, 05:06:36 PM
Try that shake mix, if you like all the stuff in it, twice a day, I'm 5'3" and i was 85lbs when I went to college..I'm up well..enough now   

Holy shaZam!!

Quote from: Blingmasta...I just wanna be built...

Protein shakes alone won't help you much.  I'm guessing you're also hitting the weights, right?  Anyhow, buy a cheapo hand blender and a half litre measuring cup.  Dump a scoop and some water or milk, and blend it for 6 or 7 seconds.  No clumps.  It'll still taste like garbage, but at least you won't have to eat it.

If you're looking at a way to get in shape, check out John Stone Fitness.  This guy is crazy regimented, it's incredible.  Take a look at his "Pictures" section and check out the month to month shots.  If you're really interested, take a look at *exactly* what he eats day-to-day under the "Food Logs" section.

Also, if you're serious about working out, check out the Max-OT work out routine PDF published on the site.  It's a bit hard on the ligaments, but it works quite well.

Quote from: Blingmasta on August 14, 2006, 04:48:36 PM

Definitely gain weight. I was down to 152 and if I went under 150 I'd feel bad about myself.  Also as a supplement though, as I've started working out every day and also taking creatine. I'm not trying to get too big, 180-190, I just wanna be built. Also, I'm 5'10". So...there.

Yeah, I'm working out pretty hard, creatine, protein shakes, and I've just purchased two shakers, (one for protein one for creatine) and I'm currently drinking my first well shaken protein shake and it's MUCH more palatable than it was before. Thanks for all your advice everyone. And hey, after a couple months I'll report back with my results on here so we can all be amazed together!

good luck with the weight gaining endeavor.  Here are a few notes from a card-carrying biochemist:

Its funny how many people ask about "protein pills".  A VERY large pill weighs about 1 gram.  The average body builder gets about 150 - 200 grams of protein each day.  So adding in for binders, you would have to take about 300 pills a day to get the protein provided by protein shakes and a good diet.

short story, there are no "protein pills" that would work.

However, glutamine is a very abundant amino acid in muscle tissue, and a few glutamine suppliment pills combined with whey protein shakes may help you out.  Not all proteins are created equal, so do some research and chose for yourself.  Many body builders chose whey.

Here's an idea though... you ARE red meat, so EAT red meat to help gain muscle mass.  It is the closest amino acid composition to what you are trying to build.  Many body builders swear by eating a few pounds of read meat a day when trying to build muscle.

let us know what you decide to use and how you are doing!

Quote from: vtlion on August 14, 2006, 08:32:59 PM
Here's an idea though... you ARE red meat, so EAT red meat to help gain muscle mass.  It is the closest amino acid composition to what you are trying to build.  Many body builders swear by eating a few pounds of read meat a day when trying to build muscle.

Just curious as to whether this much meat protein would be hard on the kidneys of someone who's working out hard? I don't work out hard, so one reason I like the protein powders is because they're pre-digested, and thus it's much easier to get adequate protein without overworking the kidneys. I don't know if it's different for bodybuilders?

Eh, I'd avoid the creatine supplements if I was you. There isn't a lot known about the long term effects, but from what I've read it can be bad, including overagressiveness, kidney damage, as well as possible issues with your man goods. Bad mojo if you ask me.

Also, if you're going with a protein powder, go for a whey powder over soy. Soy has estrogen in it, and when taking large quantities of soy protein daily the estrogen in it can basically screw with your system.

Any time you protein-load the kidneys are going to take a blow.  That is a given.  Body builders want to defy nature and beat their natural weight.  If you want your body to store extra muscle mass, you have to stack the muscle building kinetics in your favor.  This means giving the body more building material than it needs.  Freshman chemistry: adding reactants (protein) pushes the reaction in favor of products (muscle).

The good news is that it takes an insane amount of excess protein to wreck the kindeys. If you insist on taking crazy levels of protein, like 2 grams each day per lb of body weight, then yes, be concerned. Suppliment reasonably with something like 1 grams protein each day per lb of body weight, and you should be fine.  If you are really concerned, see an MD.  Also, don't worry too much about your protein being pre-digested.  Your stomach evolved for a reason.  As I said before, you only really need to be concerned if you are ingesting more protein than your body can handle reasonably.  In any case, questions like that are best fielded by an M.D. who is qualified (and insured) to offer such advice.

I'm using whey protein powder (muscle-tech) already, and the creatine thing (also muscle-tech), sure, there's possibly a chance of some adverse long term effects, but, at this point in my life (it wasn't just the weight loss down to 152 that started me on this road) I'm willing to take that chance to get some meat on my bones. VTLion, I'll chech out that glutamine thing, thanks.
And btw, there's no way I'll be doing 300 grams of protien a day, maybe 150. I'm not wanting to be a bodybuilder, just well built. Surely 180-190 pounds isn't an impossible goal to meet, is it? I was up to 170 without doing anything at all.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on August 14, 2006, 08:48:46 PM

Also, if you're going with a protein powder, go for a whey powder over soy. Soy has estrogen in it, and when taking large quantities of soy protein daily the estrogen in it can basically screw with your system.

This topic is still under debate isn't it?  I agree that whey is a safer choice in terms of clinical evidence, but I don't think that high dietary soy has been demonstrated to be harmful even in large quantities.  In fact, many asian cultures swear by it 

Quote from: vtlion on August 14, 2006, 08:53:48 PM
Freshman chemistry: adding reactants (protein) pushes the reaction in favor of products (muscle).

I took Oceanography rather than freshman chemistry!  My docs actually recommend pre-digested whey blends for me due to my own medical conditions, but I'm not trying to build muscle or gain weight. I was simply curious and not looking for the end-all answer, so I thank you for your input! 

Quote from: vtlion on August 14, 2006, 08:59:09 PM

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on August 14, 2006, 08:48:46 PM

Also, if you're going with a protein powder, go for a whey powder over soy. Soy has estrogen in it, and when taking large quantities of soy protein daily the estrogen in it can basically screw with your system.

This topic is still under debate isn't it?  I agree that whey is a safer choice in terms of clinical evidence, but I don't think that high dietary soy has been demonstrated to be harmful even in large quantities.  In fact, many asian cultures swear by it 

Yes, true. But look how short the Asians are. And look at their penises! 

Better safe than sorry, I guess? I dunno, just sharing my thoughts on the subject.

And you're all upset you weigh 152? shaZam! man... I'd better start bulking up.