Hi, I have been lifting for a few weeks but now really want to focus and get my diet and stuff perfect so that i can see max results.
I am only 5'6 - 5'7 and still growing and weigh 9.5 stone so i dont think my calorie intake should be too much per day.  I am not fat but i am also very weak as i have only just started caring about muscle and lifting.  I want to know a few things about diet that i have looked around for but i couldnt find such as:
 
How much protein can your body take in at one time?
How much should i be getting a day?
Is this best to aquire through whey protein?
When is the best time to take protein supplements?
What else in my diet is really important to see top results?
 
My main aim is to bulk up a lot within about 5 months and then cut for 6 weeks prior to my holiday.  As its not that long i dont mind making sacrifices such as cuttin things i love out of my diet.
 
Oh yeah and you'd better know, im a vegetarian (well, sort of, i still eat fish) so i have slightly different eating habits to most.
 
Thanks a lot.
Connor.

Hello tarros.
 
9.5 stone would be about 133-lbs. At 5'-6" tall, it's probably a good thing to try and gain some lean mass. You understand, of course, that that will involve eating right AND adequate muscle stimulation (without overdoing it). Right?
 
Contrary to popular "bodybuilding" ideas, a ton of protein is not required for responsible growth. Can you estimate the amount of body fat that you're currently carrying?
 
Whey is simply one (high quality) source of protein. There are alternatives. Frankly, it matters little what the source is ... particularly for the average "Joe" or "Jane". The fact that you're a vegetarian should not preclude respectable increase in lean body mass. You've indicated that you do eat fish. Do you eat dairy as well?
 
What do you currently eat?
 
How do you currently exercise?

Thanks for all the help so far.
 
I lift 3 days a week at the gym using a - chest and tris - back and bis - shoulders and legs split.
 
I have never really paid that much attention to what i eat before as ive never really needed to.
 
It is usually just eat if im hungry snack between 3 meals a day kind of thing and only now am i deciding to change it.
 
I cant really estimate my bodyfat but i can tell you i am relatively 'slim' but by no means 'skinny'.
 
If you need anything else let me know.

How old are you tarros? Are you in a position that you have control over grocery shopping and meal preparation?

no, not really.

I am only 16 you see. I usually make my own snack-meals ie peanut-butter sandwich but my main meals are mostly made for me. I have just got some whey protien so would like a bit of advice with that.

Very generally, you should make sure that you supply your body with the nutrition that it needs at any particular time. For example, if you're going to do weight training, then make sure that your body has the necessary energy on hand (or "in stomach" ... ) to effectively perform your routine. When you're winding down for the evening, heading towards bedtime, watch that you don't pig out on pizza (for example).
 
If you'll avoid 1) stuffing yourself with excess food, and 2) not go hungry for long periods of time, then you'll get the best fitness results in the long run.
 
As far as dietary protein goes, if you'll spread your intake across 4-6 relatively even increments (every 3-4 waking hours), then you'd be doing pretty well. For you, I would "guestimate" about 100 grams a day.