Back in 1992 i was studying to be a plumber and in my class there was a bodybuilder who competed for Mr Montreal he was 34 at that time 5 foot 6 and 170 pounds, I trained with him and i saw what he was eating.
Food is food, there is no going around it a calorie is a calorie, you can do fasting, low carb, keto, carnivore its all the same thing calorie in calorie out. Unless you have an hormone imbalance, thyroid, testosterone etc.
My friend ate carbs, a moderate amount of protein from meat, chicken, eggs, he did not drink protein shakes, after is workout he drank 1l of milk, i remember that. When competition time came he ate the same exact thing except less and did 20 minutes 3 times per week of stationary bike for cardio. He trained 5 times per week volume and went heavy.
I started getting confused back in 1996 when i read Dan Duchaine bodyopus and the CKD diet, 5 days low carb and 2 day refeed. I am back to eating normal now, I got some plant base protein shakes at home but after i finish those i am done with protein powder, honest since i went the 1g per pount of bodyweight i gained weight. And i am not that big, the weight was around the mid section i am 48 so i guess body is changing with age.
I started reading Mike Mentzer training and diet and i really like how brutally honest he was, food is were its at. Not supplement a part creatine the rest.
I got the Kashi go lean cereal high in fiber protein and i mix those with Greek Yogurt, usually does the trick. Cutting out junk like empty calories sugar, fast food etc will make a big difference.