When I started, I was having something like a Myoplex shake in water. Then I switched to A dextrose containing drink and a whey protein. Therefore, I was just adding a little of both (compared to the old myoplex drinks). I wasn't really dieting at the time...just sort of winging it. I am pretty good at guessing the amount of calories I take in without even counting, due to the fact that you just get used to them (the numbers) after working with them so long. I was probably eating somewhere close to maintenance. This was a few years back. I did see a great difference compared to the myoplex drinks.
When I started dieting, I would just figure out my calories for the day and follow a zone type (40/30/30) diet. The 40 was my protein intake, and I would consume half of my protein calories for the day after my workout. I would also have half of my carb intake after this meal. The rest of the carb and protein calories were distributed throughout the day with my fat intake in small meals.
Of course, when bulking, I don't really add up calories since fat gain will be relevant anyway. Therefore, I usually just have a postworkout drink with between 100-120 of each added on to whatever else I am "winging" on my eating...lol. I do have to admit that I AM a little on the "anabolic" side at the moment. If i were not, then I would probably be a little more precise with my counting...but then again, I probably would not eat much over maintenace anyway, thus fat gain would be slower (don't know if that made sense, but it is kind of irrelevant to your original Q).
Lately, I have been really big on EAS's "Creatine Plus" carb drink since it is only like $14 at Wal Mart, and it taste so damn good. I believe it has something like 33 grams of dextrose mixed with 5 grams of creatine per scoop. I'll have 3-4 scoops with 24-30 oz of water when i get into my car after working out. When i get home, i'll shower and have my whey and water. I only have these meals after I workout, which is usually 3-4 times per week.
Not sure if I answered your question...let me know. Take it easy bro.
BMJ