What's the real difference between Meal Replacements and Protein Shakes? Are they really worth using instead of just using a whey shake?

Do they actually help to make you feel full?

And what makes do you guys actually recommend?

MR's usually (usually, not always)

1) taste better because of the carbs

2) are thicker due to the carbs & fats, thus more filling

3) have other stuff added in...for example...I never knew this till the misses bought some, but Pro-MS (the CNP MR for girls), has green tea, CLA, flax seed oil etc. in it that wouldn't be in a shake.

You can do stuff with protein shakes to expand the macro-nutrient profile (e.g. add peanut butter, a banana, and honey...that tastes lush lol!)....but MR's are more specifically designed as a meal replacement.

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what thai said

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OK Thai that makes sense, thanks. So would you recommend the CNP make then?

ORIGINAL: smc203

OK Thai that makes sense, thanks. So would you recommend the CNP make then?

Wouldn't like to make specific recommendations as I only sell the CNP and don't sell some of the other very solid competitors like Reflex Progen (which has a very nice low-GI blend of carbs), Met RX and ON MRP's (which both do versions with variety packs - so you can swap the flavour around and still stay on the same diet).

It's worth having a look at a couple highly rated ones and seeing the pro's / con's.

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ORIGINAL: smc203

would you recommend the CNP make then?

No, i'd recommend the unbranded ones from MT's bulk sponsors.
Unless you want to pay for a name.

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ORIGINAL: daveo

ORIGINAL: smc203

would you recommend the CNP make then?

No, i'd recommend the unbranded ones from MT's bulk sponsors.
Unless you want to pay for a name.

There's a lot of added value in brands which is a topic I've discussed before - not just on "nice" things like flavour, texture etc., but also they've often had other bits added in and blended in a way to make them edible. E.g. with Pro-MS, that has Green Tea in....which if you've ever had the raw version of it, you'll know tastes rank just popped into a protein shake.

Most of the time you save money going for bulk (not all the time however, again a point I've made in other posts), but branded products are generally not designed with a price in mind. They're designed to be the best of their breed - e.g. several manufacturers I can think of but won't name (as it's a bit cheeky given my position), simply make their products to be the "best of the best". Ingredients are decided by what works well, what proportions it's best put in, and what will be the most beneficial. Price is what they end up with after the costs and some margin (which is necessary to sustain a successful business).

In terms of a name, anyone flicking through a copy of Muscle & Fitness or Flex this month will see that "bulk" suppliers trade on their name just as much as any "brand" ever did - otherwise they wouldn't be doing 2000 pound full page adverts in each of the glossys.

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I cannot compent on other brands as the only one i have had is MyProteins one which is IMP & Whey Isolate and Barley and oats plus Flax and vits and nurt's. At 75p per 80g Packet i find it great vaule. 40g Pro and 35g Carb per packet add more oats if more carbs needed.

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CNPs Pro-MRs have a high ratio of 50/50 casein to whey, where as other brands contain a much lower amount of casein. I personally think the more casein the MRP contains the better it is. Ive tried most top brands aswell as bulk supplement MRPs and i do find most never really fill me, digest far to quickly. Pro-MRs however do seem to keep the hunger at bay alittle more than others.

Pro-MRs can be used as a pre-bed shake too.

 

ORIGINAL: Clubber Lang

CNPs Pro-MRs have a high ratio of 50/50 casein to whey, where as other brands contain a much lower amount of casein. I personally think the more casein the MRP contains the better it is. Ive tried most top brands aswell as bulk supplement MRPs and i do find most never really fill me, digest far to quickly. Pro-MRs however do seem to keep the hunger at bay alittle more than others.

Pro-MRs can be used as a pre-bed shake too.

Have you ever tasted the Pro-MS? I know it's the girly one...and includes soy....but since the misses had some, i was pretty surprised how tasty it was for something that contains those list of ingredients - e.g. the green tea, cla, flax seed, white mushroom etc etc.

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ORIGINAL: ThaiFighter

ORIGINAL: Clubber Lang

CNPs Pro-MRs have a high ratio of 50/50 casein to whey, where as other brands contain a much lower amount of casein. I personally think the more casein the MRP contains the better it is. Ive tried most top brands aswell as bulk supplement MRPs and i do find most never really fill me, digest far to quickly. Pro-MRs however do seem to keep the hunger at bay alittle more than others.

Pro-MRs can be used as a pre-bed shake too.

Have you ever tasted the Pro-MS? I know it's the girly one...and includes soy....but since the misses had some, i was pretty surprised how tasty it was for something that contains those list of ingredients - e.g. the green tea, cla, flax seed, white mushroom etc etc.

my gym sells them but never tried one, yet.
From what the staff have told me the ladies prefer the taste, aswell as using, the Pro-MRs instead. You can buy single sachets of Pro-MS with free delivery on the CNP site.

 

ORIGINAL: Clubber Lang

ORIGINAL: ThaiFighter

ORIGINAL: Clubber Lang

CNPs Pro-MRs have a high ratio of 50/50 casein to whey, where as other brands contain a much lower amount of casein. I personally think the more casein the MRP contains the better it is. Ive tried most top brands aswell as bulk supplement MRPs and i do find most never really fill me, digest far to quickly. Pro-MRs however do seem to keep the hunger at bay alittle more than others.

Pro-MRs can be used as a pre-bed shake too.

Have you ever tasted the Pro-MS? I know it's the girly one...and includes soy....but since the misses had some, i was pretty surprised how tasty it was for something that contains those list of ingredients - e.g. the green tea, cla, flax seed, white mushroom etc etc.

my gym sells them but never tried one, yet.
From what the staff have told me the ladies prefer the taste, aswell as using, the Pro-MRs instead. You can buy single sachets of Pro-MS with free delivery on the CNP site.

the fiance's tried the MR's which I have, and bought a pack of the MS. She much prefers the MS and tends to mix it with berries. Must admit, it's quite sweet, but more of a normal taste than the MR's if you know what I mean? Tastes like an M&S fruit smoothie lol!

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Just noticed that thai has added cnp pro mr to the samples - http://www.bodybuildingwarehouse.co.uk/cnp-pro-mr-x-1-sachet-sample-401-p.asp

sorry to hijack the thread but I was wondering which would be better, a homemade MR shake which contains oats, banana, whey, and milk or a store bought MR powder. I have been making my own because I was low on money to buy anything but now I can afford it.

ORIGINAL: shiddy

sorry to hijack the thread but I was wondering which would be better, a homemade MR shake which contains oats, banana, whey, and milk or a store bought MR powder. I have been making my own because I was low on money to buy anything but now I can afford it.

homemade MRPs are fine

only time i use MRP sachets is when im working away or taking afew on hols.

 

Yeah i use MP's one at work as im on the go and cant stop for more than 5mins so ideal.

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