Which is the best Multi Vitamin? and Protein Powder?

[DeniseGoldberg]

...As far as vitamins are concerned, just read the label. If there is 100% of everything - then its good.

I've switched from using name-brand vitamins to using store brand. Most of my drugstore purchases are at CVS, and after comparing the ingredients / list of vitamins contained in the multi-vitamins between the name brands and the CVS brand I found they contained the same nutrients - for less money.

I also take extra calcium, per my doc's recommendation - and for that I use the CVS brand too.

[alison_in_oh]

I use generic One-A-Day (CVS brand). I am not comfortable with my calcium and iron intake from dietary sources, so my multi has 45% of my RDA of Ca and 100% of my Fe.

Protein powders are mostly for people whose lifestyle involves a lot of damage to their cells, requiring that they get a large amount of protein to fix their cells and grow new ones. This amount of protein would require vast amounts of calories to provide through food, so they drink the additional protein. So, basically, unless you're a bodybuilder or otherwise lifting a LOT of weight you don't need it. (Also, bodybuilders and powerlifters think they need a "boost" of easily assimilated protein right after a workout to ensure their muscles "grow". I'm not sure of the justification of this, but it's another reason to drink protein.)

Per the ADA position paper I gave you, "Plant protein can meet requirements when a variety of plant foods is consumed and energy needs are met. Research indicates that an assortment of plant foods eaten over the course of a day can provide all essential amino acids and ensure adequate nitrogen retention and use in healthy adults, thus complementary proteins do not need to be consumed at the same meal."

I find that it's incredibly easy to meet basal needs for protein without thinking about it on almost any diet. (Staple grains have a surprisingly large proportion of calories from protein, and the amino acid deficiency is easily corrected with a mild amount of variety -- it's even been proposed that your body can assimilate sloughed intestinal cells to stave off methionine deficiency.) But when you begin stressing your body with endurance exercise, simply putting thought to getting a good protein source at every meal (legumes or animal products, mostly) will do the trick.