Reddit reviews Optimum Nutrition Instantized BCAA Powder, Keto Friendly Branched Chain Essential Amino Acids, 5000mg, Fruit Punch, 40 Servings, 13.4 Ounce

This is the one I drank. One scoop was good in ~22 oz bottle of water. If you're into weight training, then there are other benefits to it as well.

BCAA's are just specific amino acid chains (specific proteins) for building muscle.

Honestly, if you aren't using weights yet you really don't need to worry about them, something to look at in a year or so.

When people talk about protein drinks for working out they are usually talking about one of two things. The first is Whey Protein Isolates (WPIs). This is concentrated protein from whey, which is from milk. WPIs digest quickly, and would not help very much in the way of a meal replacement.

The second is Casein which is also derived from milk, but a different part. This is much thicker and digests slower. I have used it as a sort of meal replacement to help with hunger.

Both of these though are just a way of easily getting more protein into your diet. As a guy trying to build or maintain muscle while resistance training, you want a fairly large amount, some say (.8)*(your lean body weight in lbs) = (# of grams of protein to eat). It can be hard to get that much protein from normal foods especially on a deficit, or you get tired of eating a lb of chicken a day, so drinking a protein shake or 2 and getting 25g of protein for only 120 calories is useful.

Also what I linked you are not any dangerous supplements or anything if anyone tries to fear monger them, they are literally just concentrated parts from milk.

What is the recommended dosage for BCAAs for fasted training? I see 10g is what leangains recommends which is like 6 scoops of this. That seems expensive, any advice?

I've tried 2 kinds. My first was Optimum Nutrition. Decent value, decent mixability, but it was like drinking liquid sugar. The lemon lime flavor wasn't quite so bad but fruit punch was almost undrinkable. Better have a sweet tooth with this brand. edit: and now I can't find the lemon lime flavor anywhere. :(

My second brand was Vintage Build off Amazon. It is a LOT more expensive, but it's the absolute best in mixability and drinkability. But that price point...yikes.

OPTIMUM NUTRITION Instantized BCAA 5000 Powder, Unflavored
or
OPTIMUM NUTRITION Instantized Bcaa Powder, Fruit Punch

BCAAs help muscle recovery and add very few calories, it tends to give you an energy boost as well. My wife prefers the unflavoured one mixed with fresh lemon juice. I'll take a scoop or two of the second one in my first liter of water of the day. They're also good for while you work out.

When working out I also like Optimum Nutrition Natural Amino Energy Naturally Flavoured as it also has caffeine.

I'm no good at it, and haven't ever successfully got into the habit, but from reading about it, paying attention to your macro nutrients is also very important. Personally for me, to break any current plateaus it's my next step.

Check your history, good on ya for what you've already accomplished!