Originally Posted by
Carbonfiberboy
I've been buying Optimum Gold in 10# bags for many years, but that Impact Whey Isolate recced by labdoor looks very good, too. A very important quality, and an individual one, is palatability. To keep the calories down, it actually has to taste good mixed in plain water. My practice is to have 15g whey in ~6 oz. water 1/2 hour before meals. That's only 60 calories and it knocks the appetite back quite a bit. "Spoils your dinner," as my mother would have put it. I'll also usually have some whey in water in a recovery drink after a ride workout, with varying amounts of sugars, depending on the ride or workout, meals, and when the next workout is.
I use Optimum Gold as well.
I think there's some overthinking going on here. Yes there are "horror stories" (usually from people who just failed a drug test) about additives to their protein power, but I don't think these are all that common in reality. Any reasonably large brand is likely okay.
Get something that tastes good, doesn't give you gas and is reasonably priced. For me, the Optimum Gold Whey (vanilla) does this. Assuming you're not lactose intolerant, whey tends to be a good choice. I wouldn't get too worked up in the whole "protein quality/bio-availability" thing, or the quick (whey) vs slow (casein) stuff. It's not likely going to make a noticeable difference one way or the other IMO.
One other piece of advice: usually, but not always, the simpler flavours (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry as opposed to something like "s'mores and butterscotch ice cream") tend to taste better. At least, that has been my experience.