Protein powder vs. milk

[bosonnew]

Hi,

I'm trying to figure out whether I should supplement with protein powder. Can you please advice me on this?

I am a vegan who's trying to gain muscle without gaining fat. I already supplement with:
- creatine (for obvious reasons - it works and it seems safe)
- omega 3 (because it's hard to get enough from my diet without getting too much mercury and other toxics)

I train six times a week, mixing up strength training and interval-cardio (like rowing and sprinting). I eat approximately 3,000 calories per day, which is slightly above maintenance level for me (being 6'2 and 165 lbs). I aim for a 1:4 ratio of protein-to-carbs because I've read a lot of sports science research saying that this is the best ratio for refueling doing exercise and recovery post-exercise. So far I've just been assuming that it's probably also the best for the rest of the day, to keep things simple.

As a vegan, my alternatives are soy protein powder and rice protein powder. The question is, can't I just drink soy milk and/or rice milk and get the same benefits while keeping it 'natural'? The guys at Wikipedia (see: Bodybuilding_supplement) haven't yet provided scientific evidence that protein powder is beneficial for people who already get above 1g per kg of bodyweight. I think I'm currently at 2g/kg.

Do you know of any such research or do you have relevant personal experiences?

Thanks!

[chocolatemilk]

how about you quit being a pansy ******* and eat meat and meat products like a normal person

[bosonnew]

how about you quit being a pansy ******* and eat meat and meat products like a normal person

That was insightful and helpful.

Seriously though, does meat have anything beneficial in meat I'm not getting already?

[NZDarren]

how about you quit being a pansy ******* and eat meat and meat products like a normal person

[natetrig]

I personally am a fan of protein powders, you can get way more protein for cheap and its fast and easy. What turns most people off is using a bad company that makes crap protein that your body doesnt even absorb. I think ON makes soy protein powder, and ISOPURE might as well, which are both quality proteins. Its not the same as drinking the milk because its way more consentrated. I personally have to use protein powders because its almost impossible for me to have time during the day to eat 230g's of protein from food alone since im in school.

[bosonnew]

how about you quit being a pansy ******* and eat meat and meat products like a normal person

Ingenious.

[huge908]

how about you quit being a pansy ******* and eat meat and meat products like a normal person

[KobraKaiKonti]

while it is unfortunate that you are opposed to meat and products that come from animals, you can still supplement with protien. Yes, keep in mind that you can just keep drinking a lot of soy milk as a protien booster but if you get straight soy protien you dont have to chug as many bottles of soy milk. I say it is unfortunate because whey and animal meat are complete sources of protiens supplying all of the essential amino acids and soy and other sources of protien have a bit less i believe.

On the other hand, my old conditioning coach was a vegan and he was the strongest mofo in the gym...it was nutz.

I would def keep doing what you are doing and i see no reason why you can gain a lot of strength and weight by eating big, get some more protien in ya, and training hard. Keep it up

[Kung-fusion]

You are not going to get "big muscular" eating nothing but plants. But if "lean muscular" is okay with you, I'd say go ahead and get the rice and soy protein powders and mix them IN rice milk and/or soy milk to get a super rice/soy milk that has far more protein than the milks alone. In other words, don't mix the powders in water.

[bosonnew]

You are not going to get "big muscular" eating nothing but plants. But if "lean muscular" is okay with you, I'd say go ahead and get the rice and soy protein powders and mix them IN rice milk and/or soy milk to get a super rice/soy milk that has far more protein than the milks alone. In other words, don't mix the powders in water.

I never thought of that, but sounds like a good idea! And yes, I'm definitely going for lean muscular rather than big muscular.

[Brothylated]

what the **** is milk? I want some white drink baby.

[KashMoni]

there are websites and forums dedicated to vegetarian bodybuilding who will probably be more helpful and understanding, while I don't agree with your diet style, I still think you should get the most of your decision.

[createeen]

also try some wheat protein powder frm Ultimate nutrition.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/un/isolate.html
Suitable For Vegans!

Wheat Protein Supplement With Added Digestive Enzymes!

[zenzone]

Soy protein is the only plant protein that is equivalent to animal protein. Soy protein contains all the nine essential amino acids. The U.S. Department of Agriculture evaluates protein quality using the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acids Score (PDCAAS). PDCAAS measures the amino acid pattern of proteins and factors in digestibility. Soy protein has a PDCAAS score of 1.0, equivalent to animal protein such as casein (milk protein). Animal proteins are considered to be better in quality compared to plant proteins.

however, I used to consume soy protein powder and was a soy milk drinker. The results in comparison to the whey IMO was not even close. I don't use soy anymore.

[Farley1324]

Soy?

Just say no to estrogen!

[bosonnew]

Interesting points.

Is anyone aware of a single scientific study showing that protein supplements (beyond a balanced diet) actually facilitate muscle growth?

I find it interesting that protein supplements sell as well as (if not better than) creatine despite the fact that there a dozens of studies supporting the latter, but almost none supporting the former. Or have I just missed them?

[TMac26]

Pea Protein

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/olabs/peaprotein.html