The question that usually follows 'what is the best protein supplement' is 'when should I use protein supplements?' In reality, because you need so much protein, you should be using the best protein supplements every single day.
The average bodybuilder needs about 1 gram of protein for each pound of bodyweight. You can have slightly less than this as well, but not much less. If you weigh 180 pounds, you need about 180 grams of protein a day. It doesn't sound like much, right? We aren't talking about calories…we are talking about grams of protein. 180 grams of protein is more than you think!
What you must remember that protein isn't the only thing that you will be taking in. If it were, 180 grams may not seem like such a big deal. But when you combine that 180 grams of protein, with all of the other nutrients that you need throughout the day, for a well balanced diet, it really is a lot.
So, how can you consume that much protein in a 24 hour period? You use the best protein supplements that you can find, and combine them with regular meals. The best protein supplements are protein shakes, protein bars, and protein powders.
The great thing about these types of protein supplements is that short of mixing a powder with a liquid, or opening a package, you can consume 25 to 30 grams of protein very quickly - no muss, no fuss. Furthermore, if you read labels, and learn to buy the protein supplements that contain more than protein, you can ingest many of the other nutrients and vitamins that you need for the day at the same time, with the same protein supplement.
Again, it is dangerous and unhealthy to only use protein supplements. You must also eat regular meals. An ideal schedule would be to have a protein shake first thing in the morning, followed by a solid food snack midmorning. Eat a solid food lunch, and have a protein bar before you workout. Have a protein shake immediately after working out (within an hour). Eat a solid food dinner, and make sure that you have a protein shake before bed.
This schedule gives you a nice rounded use of solid foods and the best protein supplements, ensuring that you get enough of everything that you need during the day, without being inconvenienced.
If you work or attend school, it isn't easy to consume the amount of protein that you need each day, because work rules and school rules will not allow you to head over to your favorite restaurant or pull your packed foods out and start enjoying them. Therefore, the best protein supplements are designed for ease and convenience. Make sure that you take full advantage of them, but don't overdo them to the point where you are forgoing solid foods.