Dave Draper’s Musclebuilding Q&A

I would like to know a little more about your Bomber Blend protein. What are the main ingredients and are there performance enhancers? Also, how much protein can we take in a one sitting?

Bomber Blend is very popular with the davedraper.com readers and forum members, and the regular customers keep coming back for more… a good indicator of its value and quality and taste.

There are no added performance enhancers; just what you see, and those ingredients have been carefully added to improve the proteins tolerance and absorption and muscle building attributes. Vanilla is the preferred taste as it can be flavored as you desire — banana, peanut butter, fruit juice, milk, water.

The blend of casein (long-chain molecule) and whey protein (short chain) assures immediate and extended performance values. Substantial BCAAs and a heavy B-complex have been added for tough muscle repair.

Priced right, too, cuz there are no middlemen, distributors or advertising costs to jack up the price, although shipping costs keep ratcheting up the price. It’s the best, in my honest opinion…been using it at least once a day for over 15 years.

How much protein we can take in varies from person to person depending on the health of metabolism, genetics, protein quality and needs. The number commonly tossed around is 35 grams at a sitting. I get double and triple and quadruple that amount to assure sufficiency and satisfy energy needs. Is that the right way to go? Who knows.

I calculate less and go with the feel, common sense and high hopes.

Dave

I wanted to get your opinion about creatine and your thoughts about how to use it, including cycling and loading. And do you have any suggestions on what to mix with creatine to make it taste better?

Creatine is tasteless to me. I take a teaspoonful followed by a chug of water. I wonder if you might do better with a different brand. Anabol Naturals is the one I’ve used for nearly 30 years. It’s a pure powder with no taste at all.

Try it, you’ll like it. I’ve been taking it moderately — 2 tsp per day (am, pm or anytime) for many years. You might retain intramuscular water, which is good for cellular activity; you won’t retain water subcutaneously, which is not good. I’ve heard some women gain the water weight quickly and don’t like it…fewer women like it than men, I think.

Helps last rep and satisfying pump.

I don’t cycle and don’t fuss too much over when and how I take it. Get it in the system and keep it well supplied. Before the workout for certain availability and after for certain replenishment is a good scheme. AM and PM works well for me and I take larger heaps on training days and smaller heaps on non-training days.

Push that iron… DD

Given all the different protein supplements available, is there really any inherent advantage of any one particular type over another?

Like leaves on a tree, the landscape is full of protein powders and meal replacements. Each, of course, by far better than the other if you listen to the salespeople.

Whey protein from milk has been underlined as the best and casein has been relegated to a less important position on the scale. Marketing and product sales – the buck – has brought about this exaggerated commentary. Truth is, both whey and casein are very good, often of complementary biological value. Because of molecular structure, whey protein seems to be rapidly absorbed (catabolic), yet often lost to energy provision. Casein, on the other hand, is more slowly absorbed and offers a long-term amino synthesis (anti-catabolic).

Both whey protein and casein provide beneficial effects. We chose to put both in Bomber Blend because of the different absorption rates.

This is good for starters….

Dave

I’ve tried your Bomber Blend a few times over the past 10 years. Recently I wanted to order, but the shipping cost is high and I’m thinking of going back to a product I can pick up at the local GNC. Can you tell me how Bomber Blend is better?

For me the important aspect of Bomber Blend is its high protein content and potent nutritional additives for muscle building, recovery and repair. Protein shakes are most valuable for breakfast, pre and post workout. When you realize their muscle building and energy benefits you’ll agree they are worth the investment. Be sure that investment is in a quality product.

Bomber Blend is very popular among its loyal users because it tastes great and is highly assimilable. (The vanilla outsells the chocolate because it is more versatile in mixing — fruit juices, milk and so forth.)

Shipping costs have been increasing, but the fulfillment warehouse was able to work out new pricing recently. I hope the cost to ship the Bomber Blend is not prohibitive. It is extremely popular for a variety of reasons: taste, purity, wholesomeness and training and anabolic efficacy the toppers.

After decades of trying various protein powders, it’s still my fav.

dd

What do you think of nitric oxide? Does it work?

There have been plenty of studies on NO and many are positive. The supplement seems to work for those who need the ingredients and no dif is noticed by those who don’t. I experienced no changes. I was also taking creatine and eating a lot of red meat at the time I tested it (when it first came out), so that may be why it didn’t work for me.

Give it a try and see for yourself.

Dave

I’m interested in your Bomber Blend protein powder, but am wondering about milk allergies. What can you tell me about your protein?

I don’t think there have been ten consumers in the past 17 years who have had an allergic response to the mixture. Give it a go — we’ll take it back for a refund if it doesn’t work for you. Most of the powders on the market are some form of milk product, although there are a few egg white proteins. Here’s one from Super Spectrim.

I made it for me, personally, with input from a doctor and several protein scientists, to get the best ingredients for muscle building and health in a protein powder. It is a combo of casein, a long chain milk protein for slower absorption, and whey, a short chain protein for quick absorption. This assures more efficient protein, amino acid, usage — immediate energy and steady muscle repair.

There’s lactase to offset the small amount of remaining lactose, and that’s probably why some people with mild milk allergies are able to use it. It’s high in B-complex and added BCAAs for muscle repair, enzymes for assimilation and digestibility, antioxidants and grape seed extract, necessary vitamins and minerals and colostrum. Sucralose is the sweetener we chose.

The cost was never an issue. Bomber Blend is the result. Everyone loves the flavor and digestibility. Were we to sell it on the retail market it would be at least $20 more per tub once advertising and distributing costs were added.

It’s great for added valuable protein, breakfast, pre- and post- workout drinks. Super convenient and inexpensive food when you calculate how many meals you get from a jug (20 servings). I just add the very mixable (instantized) vanilla powder to water in a shaker and presto.

God’s speed and strength… Dave

What do you think about NO2? Is it worth the price?

The literature on NO2 is fascinating, but after taking the product at the request of its original designer some years ago, I was disappointed. No change in performance, no everlasting pump, nothing.

As I recall, Tom Inceldon gave an explanation why the product doesn’t do in real life what it is intended to do in theory. My thinking was that those of us already taking creatine might not be seeing results. Apparently some people do notice it, so you could give it a try with one bottle.

No good word from people at the gym who were taking it either… and they would have been squealing.

God’s speed… DD

I was reading a recent IronOnline article and you mentioned you have some of your protein mix before and after each workout. I was wondering on days that I don’t work out, would I still take some or just on days I work out? I like your chocolate Bomber Blend and it works great, but was also wondering if you would make an unflavored version, and my training partner asked about other brands.

I use Bomber Blend for breakfast always and on off-days for at least one meal when eating is inconvenient or when I don’t have an appetite, but need to feed the body.

If the powder you have works great, why look elsewhere?

We don’t have a flavorless powder, but the vanilla is quite agreeable and mixes well with different liquids. However, when people ask about flavorless, we suggest they try Just Protein from IronMind.

I recommend four different key times and leave it to you to choose:

Perfect for breakfast — quick, convenient and nourishing
Before your workout — easy to digest, energizing and muscle building
After your workout — muscle repair and energy
Any time of day when a meal is necessary yet not possible — meal replacement

One or two scoops in water, juice or milk according to need and taste

I love the stuff and am thankful for it…

Carry on… God’s might… Dave

How much protein should I take after I train? I’m 240 lbs, about 24 % bodyfat.

Good to fuel yourself with a protein drink before and after your workout for fuel and repair. I like about 45 to 55 grams of protein and BCAAs plus valuable muscle building nutrients and antioxidants from Bomber Blend, my personal protein mix. Bomber Blend is the greatest — taste, quality, musclebuilding efficiency and price.

My MO has always been to make a large protein shake and drink half before my workout and half after training on my way home.

Train hard and God’s strength… Dave

What do you think of creatine? Is it safe, and do you load or cycle it like they say?

I like creatine and it’s as safe as aspirin or chewing gum.

I don’t concern myself with the loading or cycling. I make it simple and take a teaspoon in the AM and PM every day, 60 minutes between serving and coffee… not that critical.

Be sure to invest in a quality brand for purity. I like Anabol Natural products — first class.

Push that iron… God’s might… Dave

I want to try your protein blend but am hesitant because I can buy another protein for about half the price per serving. Can you give me some reasons why I should make the switch?

Regarding Bomber Blend:

There’s the taste and mixability (especially the vanilla — the chocolate has cocoa, which takes a few extra stirs) that the consumers commend.

There’s B-complex needed for utilization and tissue growth, antioxidants, expensive addition of BCAAs for tissue repair, and essential enzymes for digestion (absorbability and assimilation).

Whey, a short-chain molecule for quicker assimilation for muscle energy, and casein for slower absorption for muscle rebuilding, ideally combine for the musclebuilder’s needs.

We have almost no overhead. No staff, distributor, advertising = no costs added. Big companies have huge costs and begin to compromise product ingredient and production cost to realize a good bottom line. When it’s priced right for the consumer, it’s cheap to make. I believe that’s indisputable.

Quality above cost of protein is first. With Bomber Blend you get both.

Users rave about confidence, results, flavor and etc… there you have it… God’s speed… Dave

Reading some articles on the above protein on another popular US Site dedicated to that golden period of the 60s &70s, your name cropped up as using It. Was Rheo Blair’s protein really as good as these testimonial articles were saying, especially mixing it with cream? Could you let us know when you took it, how you took it, and your experiences of whether it worked for you?

The truth is I took Blair’s protein in the trial size I was given and did not adhere to his cream and protein diet for any significant time period. I instead became hooked on a product called Nuprochol — half milk, half glandular –developed by a Valley health food store owner and nutritional whiz.

In those foggy days one’s name got tangled up in an endorsement if you merely smiled at a product maker.

Still can’t believe anything you read or hear in the mags.

IronOnline speaks truth: Bomber Blend is terrific.

Bombs away… DD

I’m trying to decide if I need a protein powder, and if I do, which I should buy. Can you tell me how to decide?

A high quality protein powder is particularly valuable in supporting trainees who have difficulty consuming enough protein in their diets — vegetarians, light eaters, suppressed appetites, limited protein available. It is also convenient, transportable, perfect for quick and substantial meals, breakfast, pre- and post-workout energy and repair food and daily pick-ups.

Protein powder appears expensive when we calculate it as a supplement and not as real food itself, which it is. It is correct to consider it as a part of our food budget.

Bomber Blend is the best for the buck cuz’ we selfishly prepared it — with wise input from a chemist and two doctors, experts in protein and muscle growth — for me and my friends seeking total absorption, maximum nutritional and musclebuilding value, adding the finest anabolic ingredients regardless of cost.

We have no staff, distributors or advertising expense. You and I save those enormous expenditures. Besides, we’re not greedy and want to spread the good stuff around.

Determining how and when a protein powder works is based on observation and one’s instinctive and common senses. I suspect you will score high in determining the best.

Our customers are like you in many ways — fitness value first and smart consumers — and they are repeat buyers based on super satisfaction. They love it. One or two don’t — they just like it a lot.

God’s speed… DD

I read an article by Bill Starr where he suggested making our own protein by mixing dried milk, ice cream, milk and yogurt, and said that would be 50 grams of protein per serving. Protein powder costs a lot, so what do you think?

The suggestion by Bill Starr is a good way to increase your protein intake by using available foods. The combo is a typical bulking drink for athletes.

However, think about this: You have a lot of sugar and carb in the mix.

This is no doubt more expensive than a fairly priced fortified protein powder.

It’s not a quick-fix and convenient food addition.

It’s liquid and it must be refrigerated.

Some of the qualities and benefits of a superior protein powder don’t exist in Bill’s formula.

Protein powder appears expensive when we calculate it as a supplement and not as real food itself, which it is. I think it’s correct to consider it as a part of our food budget.

Check out Bomber Blend, my fav.

God’ speed… DD

When we read about bodybuilders, every single one of them seems to be able to tolerate loads of milk, cream, eggs and such. In your many years of training, have you ever encountered someone who built a quality physique who could not tolerate any diary, and how did they achieve this in light of all the powders and supplements geared to those that can? Except for soy, do you know of any powders that would fit these requirements?

The milkman knocketh twice…

You don’t need — that is, must absolutely hafta have — a powdered protein food supplement to get huge and great. Powders definitely add delight, convenience and ease to the chore, but good ole-fashioned food will do the trick.

If I were you I’d look into Beverly International for a glandular supplement you might find effective, or you might go the isolated amino acid route in products by Anabol Naturals or Super Spectrim.

Though not effective in bulking, these are exceptional sources of protein, each having its own unique offering other sources do not have; isolated amino acids are absorbed totally through the intestinal lining, not liver-hydrolyzed and glandulars are big on B-complex and endurance factors.

Muscleman Motto: Give the soy to the dog and eat red meat.

Bombs away… DD

Could you explain how your protein is better than what I can buy at the supermarket? Also, when should I use protein powder?

A high quality protein powder is particularly valuable in supporting trainees who have difficulty in consuming enough protein in their diets — vegetarians, light eaters, suppressed appetites, limited protein available.

It’s also convenient, transportable, perfect for quick and substantial meals, breakfast, pre- and post-workout energy, repair food and energy pick-ups. Protein powder appears expensive when we calculate it as a supplement and not as real food itself, which it is. I think it’s correct to consider it as a part of our food budget.

Bomber Blend is the best for the buck cuz’ I selfishly prepared it — with wise input from a protein scientist and two doctors, experts in protein and muscle growth — for me and my friends seeking total absorption, maximum nutritional and musclebuilding value, adding the finest anabolic ingredients regardless of cost.

We have no staff, distributors, advertising (advertising is the art of hype) expenses and low storage cost. You and I save those enormous expenditures. Besides, I’m not greedy and want to spread the good stuff around.

Determining how and when a protein powder works is based on observation and one’s instinctive and common senses. I suspect you will score high in determining the best.

Our customers are like you in many ways — fitness value first, and smart consumers — and they are repeat buyers based on satisfaction. They mostly love it, although one or two don’t. They just like it a lot.

Thanks for reading and writing.

Dave

I’m wondering if it would be advisable to take your Bomber Blend protein and creatine at the same time. I don’t want to compromise myself or the compounds.

I have no problem with this MO.

Overeating and stuffing one’s system is out of bounds, and is one place where high level bodybuilding goes wrong — where I went wrong over the years from a health standpoint.

I use common sense and less science. I don’t like too many rules and regulations dictating my sport and lifestyle.

Push that iron… God’s Strength… Dave

I am planning to use the tuna/water diet to propel myself back into shape. During the three-day tuna-only time, would taking a protein shake mixed with water hinder the effects of the diet? Is there a type of protein better than the next? Since this is a pretty extreme diet, I’d hate to have something hinder the effects after all the effort. Also, after the third day when salad is integrated into the diet, are there specific groups of veggies that you recommend and do you have any suggestions for a dressing?

I come from another generation (1960s) and culture (Muscle Beach), and barely view the diet as extreme. It’s just three days out of a long life, and it’s not total fasting while robed in sackcloth.

I’d say the addition of a protein powder mixed in water is a good idea to achieve your goals. And, as a friend and not as a self-serving salesman, whey and casein is my favored protein powder combo. Furthermore, my Bomber Blend is fortified with B-complex, BCAAs, lecithin, antioxidants, enzymes and fiber, and I consider it the best. I made it for me (and you) with expert consultation and a money-is-no-object attitude. People love it.

I eat lots of salads of my favorite cut vegetables, including cherry tomatoes, red peppers, cucumbers, carrots, broccoli and leaf spinach.

I eat the salads plain or with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

You’re doing great, hang in there.

dd

I have just purchased your protein powder (vanilla). Can you tell me how often I should use it?

Bomber Blend is an excellent source of musclebuilding protein and other valuable nutrients, and serves well as a pre-workout and post-workout drink (1 or 2 scoops each serving in juice, low fat milk or water).

I use the blend liberally as breakfast in the morning, and during the day when a meal is needed yet unappealing or inconvenient. It’s a food and not a supplement and, therefore, I treat it as such.

It serves as a very inexpensive, tasty and convenient, yet high-quality meal. Worth sacrificing a few treats here and there to assure your training and health are being well attended.

Push that iron… DD

Dear Mr Dave, I am 13 and I am following the workout you and my gramps gave to me in January. I have gone from 139 to 150 since January, and it seems to be in my arms,chest and some in my legs. Now my question is about your muscle powder. My dad uses it and lets me use his. In a blender I put milk, ice cream and 3 scoops of your powder. My mom says she read that there are things in it that a 13-year-old should not have, but dad and gramps say I can have as much as I want, as long as I eat first. Do you know if 3 scoops at night is ok?

Good for you, my young friend. Remember: Persevere and be patient and be sure. Reap the great rewards of the weightlifting discipline.

There are a lot of cheap powders and hyped junk ingredients in muscle mags and your dear mom is looking out for you. I think she would be super happy for you if she realized the quality and wholesome food Bomber Blend is.

Muscle and might can’t be rushed. I suggest you use your share of the Bomber Blend wisely. The best times for Bomber Blend appetite satisfaction and enjoyment, energy and repair are morning breakfast, pre- and post-workout drinks (split one whole drink, 30 minutes before and after training) and a medium shake the last hour before bedtime, or when a meal is missed.

Skip the ice cream (sometimes), and add ice and a banana instead. Mo Beta.

I have about 4 scoops a day. Love it, need it, want it, gotta have it. Hug your mom and coax her to try a scoop of vanilla stirred in a small (6 oz) glass of milk or cold water. Pure and tasty.

Scuz me… time for a hit of DD’s Blend, or zoom juice as I call it…

Chins and dips and a high five to your dad and gramps… Dave