Drink Supplements: Recovery Drink vs. Performance Proteins

When looking at protein oriented supplements, there are many different proteins from which to choose. The most readily accessible protein comes from whey based supplements and is useful on days when you're strength training and should be consumed just a short time prior to your workout.
Casein protein on the other hand is a sort of "time-released" protein that takes your body longer to process and utilize, this type of protein is good for endurance athletes to consume prior to bed, to prevent your body from becoming catabolic during your fasting state.
I like myoplex (by EAS) for my meal replacements, but I don't know if that has the carb content you're looking for. It is, however, a quick 300 calories, and solid nutrition. When I was distance running, and as a swimmer, I could definitely tell the difference when I started using a MRS for extra meals during the day (I'm a firm believer in eating at least 6 times daily). And as far as carbs go, I like to actually know where my carbs come from, so that I can make sure they are by-and-large complex (whole wheat products, oatmeal, brown rice, etc.) Increasing your carbs through diet is actually pretty simple.
Finally, a note on "gainers". I don't have much experience with them, but from what I've seen they are marketed for increasing mass in bodybuilders, and I'm not sure that that is what you want as a triathlete (I am familiar with nutrition but not the sport, so I can't be positive of this), and furthermore, that sort of carb and protein "loading" isn't, in my opinion, beneficial as a long term lifestyle.
There's my two cents.

Andrew, seems like an extremely high amount of calories unless you are looking to bulk up. I thought you would be looking at 2136 cals(40%protien 214g/40%carbs 214g/20% fat 47g).
http://www.bodyforlife.com/exercise/calcalc.asp
I couldn't agree more about the amount of meals. I stick to pure whey after workouts also meals when trying to lose or keep weight around same, also this allows me to eat more frequent meals . I will use milk/casein/whey like myoplex adding a serving of rice when trying to gain weight. Consistency is the key, that way you can customize to how your body is, like adding or lowering carbs based on energy or bodyfat. I use rice when I am adjusting carbs per meal, easy enough to measure. Very helpful having a food counter book to break down each meal you normaly eat, it will eliminate all guesing. I have found Myoplex Lite a better fit for my training, one of the better tasting and quality drinks. Good Carbs should come from whole grains,fruits,vegetables or bars if in a hurry. Good luck!

40% carbs ....too low!! He doesn't state that he is trying to lose weight (even so, 40% carbs is still below recommended 45-65%), therefore "body for life's" weight loss calculator should not be used

Edited by SoManyGoals 2007-06-04 6:14 PM

He is correct, most nutritionist's recommend anywhere from 45% carbs all the way up to 70% carbs. Generaly speaking most endurance athletes dont. My point was to find a comfortable medium and adjust carbs to your needs or energy levels. 2-4 grams per pound is recommended. Just remember too many carbs get stored as fat, not enough decreases performance. Low glycemic carbs before training, high glycemic carbs after. I like Accelerade right after workout followed by a protien shake after that. I mix my own protien so that I can add yogurt, fruit and sorbet for added carbs. Hope this was helpful

Thanks, it is greatly appreciated. This gives me a much better idea of what to do. I hope this information is helpful to others as well.