Protein Powder Help! *NEW QUESTION ADDED*

Ok, so I went to Trader Joe's and picked up some Aria for Women (it is a blend of soy and whey), and I was just wondering if anyone else has heard of it/had experience with it/has an opinion on blends.  Oh, and I think it's made by Designer Whey, if that makes a difference =)

I always hear whey is best, so I was wondering if switching to 100% whey would be a better plan.  I don't want to build up a ton of bulky muscle as I'm fairly muscular already, but I would like to remain lean, and not get bulky.

Is there anything I should avoid in protein powders that might make me bulky?  And, are there any powders you can recommend for what I want?  Should I stick with Aria since it's made for women?

Thanks for any and all advice!

EDIT: Thought I'd post nutrition on it in case it makes a difference!

Serving Size: ~20 g
Calories: 80
Fat: 1 g
Carbs: 3 g
Protein: 14 g
Folic Acid: 400 mcg
Calcium: 280 mg
Iron: 1.4 mg
Phosphorus: 500 mg
Magnesium: 6 mg
Sodium: 115 mg
Potassium: 35 mg


NEW QUESTION:  I just got really confused... I bought a protein powder and it says its 220 cals for 2 scoops, and 110 for one (obviously =P) BUT I'm confused by how they made the scoop.  It is a big scoop, and it has a clear, barely visible line at the halfway point.  SO, is one scoop one full, actual scoop, or is the scooper set up to hold 2 scoops and one scoop is just that halfway line?  I don't want to mess that up because it really makes a difference in cals!

If anyone has ideas, please let me know!  OR if anyone has used Body Fortress 100% Whey and has experience with this, or could weigh it for me (I don't have a scale =\) I would REALLY appreciate it!

You're a girl, you'll never get bulky. Except for maybe doing some hardcore weight training but even then you'll most likely not develop huge muscles. Eating more protein will definitely not make you bulky either. I drink 100% whey and I love it. It has around 23 grams of protein. If you want to get more protein in your diet than I would guess it would be better for you.

What brand do you use?  

its called EAS. I've only tried the vanilla flavor and I love it. You can get a big bag of it at Costco or Sams Club I forget which one, its around $30.

Ohh ok.  I saw that one at Costco the other day.  I'll be sure to check it out!  Thanks!

I tried to go to the site and it wouldn't work...oh well.

i bought the aria once.  i thought it better-tasting than the designer whey vanilla (which is the one i use pre and post workout). 

the soy protein's slower digesting than whey, so it's not as effective a drink to have 30 minutes prior or during that hour after exercising.  personally i would mix it w/a bit of water in the evening.  casein's an even better protein source for the evenings (cheese) though sometimes i get sick of cottage cheese.  here's an article that rates proteins which i've found quite interesting (tho keep in mind it was published on a site that promotes/sells whey and casein powders):  http://www.t-nation.com/article/supplements/b attle_of_the_proteins

Hmmm...so should I get more than one kind of powder? 

I don't always work out at the same time during the day, so my meals aren't always worked out to where I'm having my protein right after my workout.

Should I get whey to have around for after a workout, and soy for other times I drink it?

It gets so complicated =\

personally, i think if you're just going to get one (which is what i do), stick w/whey protein.  you can always eat a slow-digesting protein later (chicken/eggs at dinner, cheese, etc), but postworkout, a quicker digesting protein is quite important (so there's really sort of no substitute).  often i bring a bottle w/a scoop of powder in my bag.  then after i work out, i fill it w/water, shake.  i still don't know if i have the exercise nutrition think worked out perfectly, but i put enough time into it that i prob won't revisit it for another year or so.  :)

I just got Syntrax Nectar, the Carribean Cooler flavor. It's very yummy

"Is there anything I should avoid in protein powders that might make me bulky?"

-Steroids

"Should I stick with Aria since it's made for women?"

-Is it made for women or marketed to women?

Well it says it's made for women...Here's a link to the info:

Aria

as i'm sure you're aware, flogginsully, just like certain vitamins are "for women," it usually just means it has calcium and a pretty label.  there's nothing totally awful about that kind of marketing, though.  there's plenty worse things being said in the world (just read through some of the threads on this site! )

but deflepfan16, i also wanted to say that there's nothing in ANY food whatsoever that makes you bulk up.  bulking up is a result of a combined effort:  eating a lot (excess calories) and doing a specific type of weightlifting (namely, bodybuilding); some would say that you "bulk up" better when you eat a certain diet over another diet, but one thing's for sure:  if you're eating anywhere near maintenance calories, you have nothing to worry about.  (if you were eating 1000 calories over maintenance and deadlifting 250lbs, i'd say bulking were possible).

I've been using a 100% whey powder from GNC, 110 cal, 21g protein. It's been really helpful in getting my intake on workout days where it needs to be, but I also get al ot of protein in my diet. I've never tried any formulas designed specifically for women. But, I've found vanilla to be my favorite flavor.

http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productI d=2176147&cp&kw=classic+whey&orig kw=classic+whey&sr=1

If you're going to use Whey, make sure it is isolate, not concentrate. Your kidneys will thank you in the coming years (should you continue to use protein supplements) by continuing to work flawlessly.

The difference between the two is purity. Isolate is far more pure, more difficult to yield, and thusly more expensive.

In my opinion, any investment in one's body is a good investment. I recommend Nature's Best whole-heartedly.

this is a really in-depth article that compares 25 different protein powders (cost, amount of protein per serving, etc).  it categorizes them into whey isolate, concentrate, protein blends (like dflepfan16's aria) and "other."  the author seems to be of the opinion that isolate/concentrate isn't really a big deal.  to be honest, i don't know one way or the other; but i thought i'd share the link.

im curious, why do you need protein powder when you can get them from foods? i actually read up that athletes only need a FEW grams more protein than the average person.

peacelovehominy: some athletes don't need any more protein than the "average person." some people try to eat more protein to minimize muscle loss (while they lose weight) or maximize muscle gain (while they gain weight). the real reason to eat whey protein or protein powders of that nature is to get some faster-digesting protein (than soy or chicken or eggs or peanut butter, etc), in order to feed your muscle pre or post workout. check out this article on workout nutrition "top ten postworkout nutrition myths."

i think i linked to this above, but for a "battle of the proteins," see the t-nation article.  it's somewhat skewed (bec t-nation sells protein powders), but almost all health sites agree that athletes should either drink a protein drink 30 minutes pre exercise (or eat a meal 1.5 hrs before) and then refuel w/a protein drink w/in an hour of working out.

 also, whey protein powders tend to have lots of protein in proportion to the number of calories, so it's an easy, convenient way to reach protein needs.

PLH, I drink it because its an easy way to get my protein for the day. I always run short and for that 120 calorie shake with 23 grams, its really easy to boost my protein intake for the day. Sometimes I just don't feel like eating chicken, egg whites, beans, etc. Mainly because I don't care much for any of those foods and I have a huge sweet tooth. So any time I can drink a chocolate or vanilla shake and get more protein which I desperately need, I'm all for it.

After reading the T-nation article I am all screwed up! I have one protein shake a day. On lifting days it is right after the workout. On non-lifting days it is as soon as I get up. Is this the correct way to do it or is there a better way? Due to financial reasons I do not want to have more than one per day. Is whey still the best for me or do I try something else? Just when I thought I had it all figured out!!!!! BAM!!!

Anyone?