(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best bcaa supplements

The stuff that I buy is a little cheaper at my gym, around 50-55 for all 111 servings. There are cheaper options out there, I just really like this stuff and it lasts me a solid two months when I use it daily. It all depends what you want, I buy that because I don't want caffeine that late when I workout and it gives me acid reflux, but few people experience that. You should use them no matter your skill level, even if you feel like you have enough energy. For me, since I workout late in the day I need it to make sure I get as good of a pump as I can. It doesn't hurt to use them, a little extra boost before the gym makes the difference between a good and great workout, and there's no calories hardly so they don't affect a cut at all. Same goes for creatine, you can take it at any point in the fitness process. It has some good health benefits as well. Your cells already produce it naturally, but taking a supplement helps muscle growth.

For men the “neutral calorie” zone is 1800 calories for women it’s supposed to be around 1500. but as your lifting weights don’t focus on that completely, k?

Exercise such as walking helps and is free, a pedometer helps keep track of distance (pacer is a free one), Pokémon go helps distract you from the exercise plus gives you a reward for walking.

Dieting along with reducing and eliminating certain items from your food sources works wonders. Such as: candy, pop, breads, pasta, rice, potatoes, and finally cereal. If you have salad reduce the dressing by half and you will still get the flavor but it won’t destroy your diet. Try to focus more on carbs then calories in my experience it works! try for under 60 max a day

If your hooked on soda (i know i was at my worst three 2litre a day) the only advice i can give you is either slowly cut back or... go cold turkey and change it out with water every time you get a craving you will hate yourself the first week but after that it gets better. If you absolutely need flavor try BCAA Powder it feeds your muscles and helps reduce the soreness and pain the next day and as a bonus it tastes like coolade not chalk!

If your a meat eater eggs, bacon, sausage and chicken are great items.

r/ketorecipes is a great place for tons of recipes that taste great and are super healthy for weight loss and still fill you up

by the way don’t get discouraged... the results Absolutely Will sneak up on you

Supplements

• As far as BCAAs goes, you want the raw version - something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Scivation-Xtend-BCAAS-Raw-Servings/dp/B014A658CE
  
  
• Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard Whey Protein in Vanilla is my go-to. Relatively low in carbs, decent flavor, and I like to make a shake with unsweetened Almond Milk and maybe a bit of the new Halo Top ice cream (I like the chocolate and mint chocolate chip varieties).
  
  
• I also take C4 for pre-workout. It has ~1g Carbs per scoop. I use one scoop. It helps overcome keto-related fatigue during a workout.
  
  Food
  
  
• Nuts can be a surprising source of carbs... Check the labels on tins.
  
  
• Broccoli, Cauliflower, Spinach, Kale, Mustard Greens, Turnips, mushrooms, peppers, squash, avocado, and onion (sparingly) are great low carb veggies.
  
  
• The occasional half a sweet potato won't hurt if you're exercising regularly.
  
  
• Chicken is almost too lean to hit your fat macros, so slather it in cheese, wrap in bacon, and dip in ranch or another fatty sauce.
  
  
• Ribeye, Bacon, Pork Belly, Ham, and 80/20 or 70/30 Ground Beef are some of the best sources of protein/fat.
  
  
• A general rule of thumb is to consume the same amount of fat and protein in grams to hit your macros.
  
  
• Almost all fruit is too carby for most. Some berries such as raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries are acceptable... and really tasty with a stevia-sweetend cream. Dark chocolate is also your friend. 80%+.
  
  
• Use pre-packaged low-carb foods (such as wraps, breads, sweets, candy, etc...) sparingly and make note of any stalls or loss of ketone production after eating them. Peter Pan peanut butter is pretty reasonable carb-wise. I like to have a tablespoon or two in the evening with a square of dark chocolate for a dessert.
  
  

I stopped drinking any kind of soda or sweetened beverages a long time ago so I admit the fun flavors make it like a treat for me ha. The one I find I've liked best I've linked here if interested. I chose it after digging around online for further research and testing. Lots of great options out there!

BCAA Powder

I don't know about "best" because they all taste horrible, but kaged muscle is vegan and it actually mixes decently in water.

True Nutrition is vegan and you can save 5% with code "GOVEGAN"

Micro Ingredients is vegan and pretty cheap.

I've heard people say purple wraath is vegan, but I haven't confirmed that with CL. I have a friend who trains BJJ and he sips on it through his workout. It isn't just BCAA's - it's BCAAs + EAA's + beta alanine + citrulline malate + betaine + ginger. I love the way it tastes.

So if you're trying to add mass/strength, your biggest concern with going vegetarian is probably going to be getting enough protein. I try to take in like ~200g/day. You can calculate what you need here.

I personally get most of my protein from protein shakes. I use pea protein exclusively, this brand. Unfortunately, it comes from China but I can't pass on the price point. I also add peanut flour, cocoa powder, bananas, flax seed meal (good source of omega-3's), psyllium husk fiber (helps to slow down digestion of protein), BCAA's, creatine, and beta-alanine all in almond milk. The reason for some of those supplements can be found here.

Thanks to the fiber and the flax seed, it gets super thick almost like pudding if you let it sit. Usually, I'll mix in cold brewed coffee to get the consistency I want. It's really good. I drink like ~48 ounces a day, every day. Still have yet to get tired of it.

As far as recipes go, I try to eat high protein meals usually with beans/legumes and quinoa. I use tofu or tempeh as meat substitutes quite a bit too. I eat a lot of chili and curries. My instant pot (pressure cooker) is always getting used.

I also supplement with this multivitamin.

In response to the anti-protein focus comment, I guess I would say that I eat at a calorie deficit so it's hard to hit my protein targets unless I supplement. However, you should still count your macros at least at first to make sure you're getting in the range of where you should be.

I honestly have seen a big difference in not being so sore by taking the BCAA’s during and after workouts. It’s helped me be able to get up the next day and not feel fatigued and be able to work out again the next day. Bcaa’s from my understanding provide electrolytes and help reduce soreness and help your muscles recover and rebuild (I bring a small water bottle of BCAA mixed water with me on long runs to help fight dehydration and cramping). It could be placebo effect as well to some extent but whatever it works for me.

This is the brand I like and use. I like the taste and it dissolves quickly. I have it set on auto subscription to mail to me automatically through amazon.

Scivation Xtend BCAA Powder, 7g BCAAs, Branched Chain Amino Acids, Keto Friendly, Pink Lemonade, 90 Servings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M0FLNZY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gHolDbJFQQ7F0

I drink BCAA's in the morning and Mio throughout the day. I got a good flavored BCAA that i really like. I've tried all types of Mio, most are pretty good.

BCAA's

I’ve always taken ON’s BCAAs but I ran across ON’s Superior Aminos and I’m so confused. Is one better than the other? Should I take both?! HELP MEEEEEEE!

I'm doing the same recently locking in at 240lbs which seemed to happen over night. I'm usually pretty diligent on the six pack and all. I try to get in 4-6 cardio sessions a week usually 25-45 minutes at 160bpm. 45 minutes can get monotonous so I started breaking up the cardio session with 25 minutes low impact, elliptical for instance, then 10-25 minutes of rowing or additionally stairs or ladder climbing. Danial Kelly on M&S made this routine which is awesome. Check out Steve Chaw's strength and density routine as well, it's grueling and I only made it a month, give it a shot. As far as supplement I only use a centrum multi-vitamin, MusclePharms Amino 1 BCAA's and Protein.

I take 10 mg of hydrocortisone first thing each morning and an additional 5 mg at 11.

My NP also has me on this:
Designs for Health Amino Acid Synergy - Essential Amino Acids Complex with BCAAs for Optimal Muscle Support (120 Capsules) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040YVU0Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7SwOCb0F14T7A

I believe it helps too.

Short answer YES.
IT will give you a boost of energy, keep you focused, and on point.
But more importantly it stops your body from heading towards a catabolic state.
Catabolism - catabolism is the breaking down of muscle tissue.
This will happen if you lift heavy and fast hard.
I fast from 8pm-12pm approx. I lift at 6:30am. Ergo I am in a fasted state after lifting for 6 hours approx. BCAA is one of my few supplements. Essential if you want to gain / and keep your lean mass.
I take 25g @ 6AM, that does me for the day. You can mess around with the quantities, hgowever, it's difficult to overdo BCAA's, so don't stress bud.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FE6DODU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Plz plz plz do not use supplements from an MLM. None of them are FDA approved, and MLMs typically market things questionably and make claims about their products that aren't legitimate, but use words like "may" or "it worked for me" to skirt truth in advertising laws (head over to r/antiMLM for some examples, and laughs).

I drink BCAA before or during class that gives me energy and helps with my recovery. I also will usually make myself a protein shake afterward if the floor work was intense that day. I linked my BCAA below. Avoid MLMs!

https://www.amazon.com/Evlution-Nutrition-BCAA5000-Premium-Servings/dp/B06XRZ4936/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1524587479&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=bcaa%2Bpowder&th=1

How come you came off? I just came off a 1yr BnC. Currently on week 4 aswell, the frist two weeks were rough, this past two weeks muscles have been filling out and strength has been increasing as well as drive, boners are better now than on BnC.... I did 20 days of 250iu HCG ed, and then 3weeks of 25mg clomid thats it. Try taking nitric oxide supplements before the workout and bcaa during the workout, as a enhanced it didnt make a difference but as a natty its a game changer, give that a shot. I feel great. Links for the 2 supps below. But above everything, walk into the gym with a fucking AGGRESSIVE mentality and put your headphones on and dont get distracted, that 1st PCT month is all in the mind, your body can push thru!

https://www.amazon.com/BodyTech-BCAA-Glutamine-13-8-Powder/dp/B007Q3F4P0/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1506666652&sr=8-2&keywords=bcaa+bodytech

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OEQQQE/ref=sxts_bia_sr_2_a_it?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3182441022&pd_rd_wg=EOpJG&pf_rd_r=NZHSQ882ZZ0FS924NS46&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B000OEQQQE&pd_rd_w=leOXR&pf_rd_i=l+argine+l+citrulline&pd_rd_r=2HS52QCTEF79KBX92HB0&ie=UTF8&qid=1506666730&sr=2

I use Scivation Xtend BCAA + Energy about 15-30 mins before my workouts. It is sugar free and calorie free and has about 125 mg of caffeine.

EDIT: It helps replenish electrolytes as well, so you don’t get the keto flu.

If you want protein plus BCAAs I use Isopure Zero Carb Protein

I used Rock Solid EAA. In addition to EAAs and BCAAs it contains creatine, citrulline, sodium, potassium, taurine. Since I started taking it my workouts and recovery have greatly increased in quality. I love the Cherry Limeade flavor.

​

(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078WFF5BL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

TL;DR: BCAAs are not protein. They're amino acids that are often added to protein powder. You can take BCAAs by themselves, too. If you are eating at a caloric deficit, in my experience, adding BCAAs can significantly help with fatigue. I would suggest slightly more protein, maybe closer to 90, but that's, again, my own experience and I'm 35 pounds heavier than you.

Details:
What I'm about to say here is -strictly- my own experience I am not a doctor. I'm female, 40, 5'7, 178 pounds. I eat at a 300 - 500 calorie deficit per day, having gotten my resting metabolic rate tested and using conservative estimates of energy expenditure. I do cardio to manage my anxiety (helps a lot) and lift fairly heavy 3x a week. According to sports medicine tables, I'm an "intermediate" lifter.

I eat about 90 grams of protein a day, which actually was a recommendation from my psychiatrist to help with my depression. I take drugs, but I also do the diet/exercise thing too. However, I find that supplementing with BCAAs, about 7 grams a day on lift days and 3.5 grams a day on off days, REALLY helps with "the bonk." I have less muscle pain and feel less physically tired. I can complete my lifts better.

My understanding is that when you are eating at a deficit, your body sometimes tries to 'eat' muscle in order to liberate amino acids. Even if you've got a fairly high protein diet, this can happen. Supplementing with BCAAs helps keep your body supplied with aminos. Now, idk how much of that is bro science and I haven't taken the time to investigate, but my own experience is that I feel way better on BCAAs -- fwiw I take the Scivation brand. The "naturally sweetened" variety gives me hellacious gas, so I stick with these.

Other possibly culprits for fatigue and brain fog are low B vitamin levels, easily fixed with supplements, low iron, which again can be supplemented or you can hit the dark leafy greens harder, and low Vitamin D. You can try adding these supplements and seeing what happens, or you can get a blood test. Personally, I'm all about just experimenting with supplements for two weeks ot a month and seeing if I feel better, but it's up to you.

Hope some of this is helpful!

I drink this before morning workouts and I quite like it. It's low-cal and has enough caffeine to propel me through, and I only use half the recommended serving. I've tried the cotton candy and watermelon- both good!

Scivation Xtend BCAAs. I like the strawberry lemonade the best so far, but I've only tried two flavors because I like it so much. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L0ENIM2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_v-ShAbCJFJKSQ

Anyone have a BCAA brand the reccomend? I've started training fasted and notice that I do much better with some BCAA in my system plus I don't eat a lot of meat so I think they're beneficial to me.

Currently using this

https://www.amazon.com/BPI-Sports-Powder-Fruit-Punch/dp/B00G165JZS/ref=zg_bs_10781161_13/144-7447297-4280755?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=FHEC93B4QX1S7M34PCVR&th=1

The flavor is alright but it doesn't seem to mix well for me

Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016SCDVX6/
+
Doctor's Best L-Citrulline https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E19M0IU/
+
Kre-Alkalyn Creatine https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045MLCL0/

> on the edge of cramping

When I do long rides, usually anything over 20 miles I use BPI BCAA powder in my water bottles and drink some of it. Not only do I feel more refreshed but my on set of cramps goes away.
Here is it on Amazon where I get it-
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G165JZS

Oops.
https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Ingredients-Plant-Based-Pure-BCAA/dp/B01HFMYTIY?th=1&psc=1

kaged muscle and true nutrition are vegan.

I find that I actually crave salt on my food now (that is, table salt). I never felt this need before when doing the SAD diet. (Ha, that's a tautology). Sodium has been mis-characterized as the devil in the modern diet because the modern diet seems to adamantly blame our ails on everything but carbs. When, in fact, a high salt intake is not only safe -- but encouraged -- on a low carb diet.


This is one of the many reasons I will happily swap pineapple for ribeye in butter seasoned with sea salt crystals. (;



From what I understand, a ketogenic diet is inherently diuretic, and one can lose their electrolytes. I supplement with this BCAA powder (I sip on it all day) That way I kill two birds with one stone (get my BCAAs in, and my electrolytes) http://www.amazon.com/Scivation-Xtend-Nutritional-Supplement-Nectar/dp/B00EED85VU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396925445&sr=8-1&keywords=scivation+xtend+mango+nectar