Whey Protein vs. Myoplex

[jaybird]

OK. Can some please explain, in plain english since I know little jargon , what the difference b/w Myoplex and Whey Protein is? At my local place, the latter is about half the price of the Myoplex but I am afraid its doesn't have the "right" stuff in it.
Thanks for any input.

Be Well!

[lillyo]

My understanding is that protien is just a portion of what's in a myoplex. Myo was meant to contain all the vitamins and other nutrients you would need to completely replace a meal, including carbohydrates. Drinking whey protien would just provide you your protien and you'd still need to add a carb (like fruit or yogurt) and then you still might not get "the punch" of the myoplex as far as remaining vitamins and nutrients.

I don't have my container of whey protien to confirm that last statement, 100%...I bring it in a ziplock to work...

[Chris]

In a word.. marketing...
Half of the stuff myoplex (and other premium powders) claim to do is in plain whey too.. Sure you get some added vitamins, maybe some creatine, and some other goodies but you can save yourself the money IMO. I like to just buy whey and add yogurt or fruit. Recently I've been adding dry oatmeal to my blender first, grinding it into a powder and then making my shake with it in.
Meal replacement powders are a good thing for convenience. They can make it much easier to get in all 6 meals. IF it turns out you like Myoplex better than the cheaper stuff, you might rationalize it by figuring cost per portion. It might be like $1 to $2 per serving, which is $1 to $2 per meal (not bad). But I would say only do it for taste, convenience reasons. If you are taking a good multi vitamin (which you should be) you don't need the extra stuff in the premium powder. Hope this helps.

[mygirls]

I've been drinking a myoplex lite every am after w/o and usually 1 myolite bar as a meal per day......if I could skip these w/out losing any benefit and save some $ that would be great. I haven't tried any protein powder...a "plain whey powder" is all I'm looking for? So putting a serving (I assume a scoop or something) on top of 1/2 cup oatmeal would be sufficient for a meal? Would it be just as good as a bar or shake? So you said Chris, you grind oatmeal then make a shake? So you add protein powder and ?.....water? I thought milk was out? I haven't been drinking ANY milk at all. Is that wrong? This can be overwhelming....I just am grateful for all your help. Also, I haven't been taking a MVI since starting BFL b/c I simply thought if i was using my supplements, there wasn't a need for a mvi....if i stop using supplements and go to protein powder instead, should i start back up taking mvi?
Thanks for all your help.

[lillyo]

mygirls: I mix my protien powder in with the oatmeal as it cooks...it helps it blend better. I make a batch on Sunday and take to work in a tuppie...So if I make 5 servings of oatmeal I add extra water and put 5 scoops of protien powder in. I also know folks who mix the powder in with each serving *as* they eat it...either way would work well.

One scoop on top would most likely make you use a spoon to scrape the roof of your mouth off for 20 minutes after the first bite.

Milk is confusing as it qualifies as a protien and a carb. I stay away from it except my free day since I am trying to reduce my caloric load...but there is great debate as to whether you can use it during the week. That might be a question for the hotline to know for sure. I eat a calcium chew (viactiv) each day because my logic is I would rather have too much than not enough of this one.

As for a multi, I take it even with my variety of foods and supplements on my challenge. I have always taken one, so I have just continued. I also take a fiber pill as my body needs one whether I like it or not--even with all the water on BFL.

Hope that long rant helped.

[mygirls]

You are AWESOME! Thank you soooo much. Can I ask you what kind of protein powder you buy? I will go out and get some quickly. Do you use any EAS or supplements? I'd rather not as long as I'm not losing any benefit. I will follow your tip on the oatmeal....I LOVE oatmeal anyway (does the pp have any flav?) Yes, maybe I will drink some milk on free day also. I feel I'm getting enough calcium w/ all the cottage cheese and yogurt I eat so I think I'm ok in that area. I'll have to think about the MVI. I don't need any extra fiber...I'm good there!
Thank you much!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by mygirls

I've been drinking a myoplex lite every am after w/o and usually 1 myolite bar as a meal per day......if I could skip these w/out losing any benefit and save some $ that would be great. I haven't tried any protein powder...a "plain whey powder" is all I'm looking for? So putting a serving (I assume a scoop or something) on top of 1/2 cup oatmeal would be sufficient for a meal? Would it be just as good as a bar or shake? So you said Chris, you grind oatmeal then make a shake? So you add protein powder and ?.....water? I thought milk was out? I haven't been drinking ANY milk at all. Is that wrong? This can be overwhelming....I just am grateful for all your help. Also, I haven't been taking a MVI since starting BFL b/c I simply thought if i was using my supplements, there wasn't a need for a mvi....if i stop using supplements and go to protein powder instead, should i start back up taking mvi?
Thanks for all your help.

OK there's a lot here I want to comment on...
Oatmeal: 1 scoop and 1/2 C oatmeal is a meal, yes. I read recently that you shouldn't cook the whey too long, so I just add it at the end.

Shake: Yes, I grind up 1/2 C oatmeal, add 1 or 2 scoops of protein and then my milk. I hate shakes made with water. Skim milk only adds 80 calories. After a workout though I always make my whey with water and slam it back. The thought of milk on workout stomach makes me feel icky. Be sure to pair it with a carb though (like oatmeal or fruit or something else)

Milk: The reason milk isn't on the list is b/c it doesn't fit into any single category. It's a balanced drink in iteself. It adds carbs and protein in roughly equal amounts. I think milk is my friend for only 80 calories per cup. IF you can handle water with your shakes, that's 80 less calories (5-10 minutes on treadmill depending on speed). It's probably best to not drink a lot of milk, but don't be afraid of it either. 1-2 glasses per day is fine.

Vitamins: You need more than the recommended daily amount for most of your vitamins for several reasons. You are probably working out harder than you ever have in the past. Your muscles need the iron, your body needs the b for energy, the c for anti-oxidant, and these are just a few examples. IMO you should have a multi whether you drink myoplex or not. It can't hurt. Another reason is the quality of food we eat. Chicken breast might be one of the leanest things you can eat, but it's not loaded with nutrients (like zinc in dark meat) so we need to supplement our diets. It's the trade off for eating less bad fat.

I hope this covers all your questions, I'm happy to offer more input if needed...

[Chris]

Wow you guys made lots of comments while I was typing, sorry for repeats...

[lillyo]

I can't remember the brand I use (I'll look tonight)...but any whey PP is good...my store sells it in the bulk foods section. Yay!

I do eat myoplex shakes (lite) quite a bit...but only cuz I am not always able to be near my blender.

Personally, I can't eat protien bars as they leave me feeling...unsatisfied and cranky, even.

[mygirls]

Great Stuff - Thanks to ALL!

[jaybird]

so I can get away with Whey Protein mixed in with oatmeal in the AM and in a fruit smoothie (I use skim milk) in the afternoon right?

[lillyo]

Jaybird...that is absolutely okay...and just to clarify, after all the skim milk discussion, I went and downloaded the latest Entry Guide from Body-for-LIFE and it lists skim milk and lowfat cheese as acceptable foods "authorized." Gopher it!

[jaybird]

phew, it is a lot of pressure to know if you are eating "legal" food

On that score, what is everyone's thoughts on the following:

1) Creamed Spinach made w/ 99% FF Cream of Mushroom Soup. Is that legal? It is one of my favorite healthy foods to eat. I imagine that counts as a carb though right?

2) Grilled onions and portabello mushrooms cooked w/ just Pam spray. Is that a vegetable? Again, one of my favorites and I am not sure it counts as either a carb, protein, or vegetable.

Thanks for the advice!

[Chris]

First, both should be approved. They are fine.

The creamed spinach is probably not the best thing you can eat, but it certainly isn't junk food. Lots of sodium though. Maybe you can try making your own cream sauce with less salt.

#1 would probably be a carb, #2 is a veg (and something I eat quite a bit)

I know it feels like a lot of pressure now, but soon you'll be able to disect any recipe and judge whether it's approved. You'll get there before long.

[lillyo]

I used to love cream of mushroom soup (healthy request) on top of chicken and also had wondered if it's "legal."

[jaybird]

I use "Healthy Request COM" soup and that mixed w/ frozen chopped spinach makes great creamed spinach. Combine that with a small tenderloin and some grilled onions/mushrooms and you have a fantastic meal that (at least per my math) is "legal".
Tenderloin = Protein
Creamed Spinach = Carbohydrate
Spinach, Onions, Mushrooms = Veggies

Right? I question it b/c it seems too good to be true

[gnash]

Originally Posted by Chris

OK there's a lot here I want to comment on...
Oatmeal: 1 scoop and 1/2 C oatmeal is a meal, yes. I read recently that you shouldn't cook the whey too long, so I just add it at the end.

Shake: Yes, I grind up 1/2 C oatmeal, add 1 or 2 scoops of protein and then my milk. I hate shakes made with water. Skim milk only adds 80 calories. After a workout though I always make my whey with water and slam it back. The thought of milk on workout stomach makes me feel icky. Be sure to pair it with a carb though (like oatmeal or fruit or something else)

Milk: The reason milk isn't on the list is b/c it doesn't fit into any single category. It's a balanced drink in iteself. It adds carbs and protein in roughly equal amounts. I think milk is my friend for only 80 calories per cup. IF you can handle water with your shakes, that's 80 less calories (5-10 minutes on treadmill depending on speed). It's probably best to not drink a lot of milk, but don't be afraid of it either. 1-2 glasses per day is fine.

Vitamins: You need more than the recommended daily amount for most of your vitamins for several reasons. You are probably working out harder than you ever have in the past. Your muscles need the iron, your body needs the b for energy, the c for anti-oxidant, and these are just a few examples. IMO you should have a multi whether you drink myoplex or not. It can't hurt. Another reason is the quality of food we eat. Chicken breast might be one of the leanest things you can eat, but it's not loaded with nutrients (like zinc in dark meat) so we need to supplement our diets. It's the trade off for eating less bad fat.

I hope this covers all your questions, I'm happy to offer more input if needed...

Hey Chris..

This is a very good post.. Right on the money...

gnash