If you were shipwrecked and could swim to an island - but could rescue only one type of protein/carb supplement powder for muscle growth (type, not make), which would you pick?

I want to stop cutting, and start increasing soon, but can't afford to spend much on protein/carb supplements, and I just wondered what 'one' blend that I should pick for muscle growth.

Sorry if its a dumb question...

No need for supplements, whole food is better for you anyway.

If you were going to get a powder get just a protein powder and put some dextrose in it or even some powdered Gatorade. As far as which powder I would recommend anything by Optimum Nutrition. Froggle it for the best deals.

Thank you Leigh - I was especially thinking about pre and post workout nutrition - if I should buy any particular blend of protein/carbs, or if I could get away with just buying whey - and adding some sort of carbs when the need arises.

There are no magic supplements to gaining weight except for roids. However, roids suck and mess up your body badly as you may already know.

My advice to you would be to just eat a lot. Don't eat a lot of junk, but eat a lot of good stuff. Try to eat at least 1g of protein per pound of bodyweight. Make sure you eat enough carbs too because you don't want to go into a state of ketosis. With carbs eat whole grain breads,pastas and vegetables.

My third word of advice is to LIFT LIFT LIFT. But do not overtrain. Work different muscle groups everyday and allow 48 hours of recovery per muscle group. Do your cores, Bench, Squat, and cleans. Those 3 exercises help out a lot with weight gain. Curls don't add pounds...just aesthetic value.

Matt

I use whey for pwo and mixed into certain foods, like oatmeal. I really like the Optimum Nutrition line.

Tony - thats just what I was looking for! I can get whey easy enough, and I can add oats to it (I eat porridge most days - I love it!) for the carbs.

On the same subject. I have added honey to my whey shake for post workout carbs. Now, I get a feeling that this isn't such a good idea, is that right?

It can be done. Here is a quick recipe someone passed along to me a while back. I cut it in half though.

The Orgasmatron: Ed, Edchap
Ingredients;

80g (1 cup) rolled oats
1 large banana
2 scoops Optimum Nutrition 100% whey, chocolate flavor
1 tablespoon honey
1.5 cups 2% fat milk3)

Preparation;
Put 2 scoops of ON chocolate whey into the shaker bottle (must go in first) Add 80g of oats
Chop up the large banana into small slices and add to the shaker bottle
Add a tablespoon of honey
Pour in the 1.5 cups of milk

The trick is NOT to blend this, add the ingredients into the shaker bottle, put the cap on, and shake it, this means that the ingredients mix but the oats and banana slices remain relatively in tact.

Once the ingredients are all mixed up, add water until you reach the desired consistency. Once you’re happy that the shake is mixed and has enough water simply drink the sweet, chocolate, milky liquid. Once you’ve drunk the liquid get a spoon and eat the rest like a cereal.

4)
a. 903 calories
b. 71g protein
c. 120g carbohydrates
d. 11g fibre
f. 17g fat
i. 7g saturated
ii. 6g monounsaturated
iii. 3g polyunsaturated

Nice one! I tried that today (but using water instead of milk) after strength training.