EAS or other protein drinks---Do they work?

1. Do they work on building muscle?

2. How often do you use them for maximum benefit?

3. Any bad side effects from using them?

4. Is EAS the best or are other brands good/better?

I really like the taste of EAS. I was drinking a chocolate one after my workouts. I was still unhappy with my results so I talked to my doctor about protein.  My goals are proably different than yours (I want to loose weight), so I don't know if this will be helpful. But I was told that their are too many calories in these shakes and the serving size is too big. I was told that the best after workout thing to drink is 4 oz. of chocolate milk. I started drinking 4 oz. of chocolate Silk after my workout and my body fat percentage dropped (32% to 25%).

 

I have never heard of any bad side effects from protein shakes...and EAS is the best tasting brand that I have tried.

Pinkchubbymonkey, any particular reason your doctor suggested chocolate milk over regular milk? Also, were you drinking the light or low carb protein shakes or the full calorie ones?

I was just drinking regular EAS choclate shakes. I have no idea why chocolate milk though and not reqular milk.

After working out i always drink optimum nutrition whey isolate mixed with chocolate milk.  reason for mixing it with milk is after working out, milk hydrates the body better than water or sports drinks, when i find the study i read i'll post it on here.  the optimum nutrition protein, has only 120 calories for 24g of protein, also 5g of bcaa's and 4g of glutamine. it's about $30 for 3 pounds, pretty good bang for your buck.  i drink protein, when i first wake up, before and after a workout and a casein protein shake before bed(i'm a big dude, i'll need more than the average human).   there really are no bad side effects, ofcourse it could depend on what chemicals each company might add to the protein as filler, we're all different.  A lot of people will suggest muscle milk, i feel it has to few proteins to calorie ratio.  For me and Optimum Nutrition is the way to go.  I'm not really the only one though, it's won number one supplement something like 5 years in a row on bodybuilding.com along with other awards.  shouldn't sweat too much on what brand to get, they won't differ a whole lot, they'll all build muscle if you put in the work to do it.

Original Post by pinkchubbymonkey:

I have no idea why chocolate milk though and not reqular milk.

Chocolate milk has more carbs than regular milk, which makes it a better recovery drink (especially after endurance training). 

Original Post by miket53:

1. Do they work on building muscle? They won't build muscle on their own, but can be useful in building muscle.  Think of your protein intake as bricks and your muscles as a building, if you have tons of bricks the building isn't going to grow on it's own, but if you don't have enough bricks, the building growth will be limited.

2. How often do you use them for maximum benefit? A protein shake is usually recommended within a half hour or so after a workout, taking them at other times of day can also be useful if you are having trouble meeting your protein goals with real food.

3. Any bad side effects from using them? Assuming your have healthy functioning kidneys, probably not (anyone with impaired kidney function should watch their protein intake).  If your lactose intolerant, milk based protein powders (whey, casein) could upset your stomach.

4. Is EAS the best or are other brands good/better? I don't know much about EAS, but I second the recommendation for Optimum Nutrition and I've heard good things about Muscle Milk. I'd recommend getting protein powder over pre-made shakes since powder is much cheaper and you don't get as much of the added sugars and other fillers (and greatly limit the amount of packaging that ends up sitting in landfills).

 

 

I like the EAS Chocolate - I mix mine with a frozen banana and usually that's my dinner and maybe a salad or some other veggie.

I also liked the George Foreman Life Shake - not only high protein it also had a high concentration of vitamins and minerals more like a multivitamin with extra B's and the protein.  Hard to find though. 

I've also used a Energy shake I found in a health food store geared toward diabetics - it was pretty good and also had lots of vitamins and minerals and it mixed quickly

I do like Muscle Milk Light, but I suppose you're right about the calorie to protein ratio in EAS. I think I'll try it out once this container runs out. Musle Milk light is 195 cals/25g protein, so looks I'll be saving some cals with EAS. Does it taste good and not like dirt?

Instead of using chocolate milk, I use plain skim just to thicken it up but I add dextrose, which is a simple sugar that your body can use immediately. This replenishes your body so that you don't go into a catabolic state where your body starts eating muscle to fuel. I got a bag of it at a cooking store for like $3 dollars. I got the idea from this website:

http://www.intense-workout.com/post_workout.h tml

zeema976- I am currently taking Muscle Milk Light myself... and find that my EAS drinks tasted a whole lot better, much more rich and creamy... not so "typical protien shake-y" if you will. I would definitely try it! : )

For real!!! That is awesome.  Did you change anything else like the workout  or frequency of your workouts or your calorie amount?  I am thinking that today I will be getting some low fat chocolate milk.  The commercial does say milk will help the waist line.  Lauri