Reader’s Request: Protein Powder
Heyyyy 😀 How’s your Indian Food Wednesday going? Mine has been bueno 🙂 I met with the giant tic tac (aka bod pod) –more on that later- and went to work for a little while. Just chillin’ before Zumba and thought I’d do a reader’s request post that quite of few of ya’ll have asked about..
PROTEIN POWDER!
I’m going to preface all of this by saying
Protein powder shouldn’t be a substitute for high-quality protein in your diet. In other words, instead of relying on protein powder, use it to supplement the protein you get through REAL food, like:
-lean white meats and fish
-eggs and egg whites
-dairy
-beans and legumes
-whole grains
-nuts + seeds
-smaller amounts in fruits and vegetables.. but it adds up!
Protein powder is also processed extremely quickly by the body. You need something with a little more staying power to keep you full and provide optimal muscle recovery. Ron, the other trainer at the gym (who kicked my booty that one time), only uses protein powder to hold him over until he gets home and can have some *real* food. I think this is the best way to think of it—use it to “beef up” smoothies and other foods, but don’t depend on the stuff.
That all being said,
here are my top picks for protein powder and how to choose one you lurve.
- Best protein powder if you can do dairy and taste is #1:
Before my nixing-cow’s-dairy days, I used Designer Whey and LOVED it. The nutritional stats are great,it’s not expensive and it has an awesome taste and texture.
- Best protein powder if you are vegan and taste is #1:
Sun Warrior! This stuff rocks my face off. As a raw sprouted brown rice protein, it’s expensive, but the nutritional stats and ingredients are amazing. Also, it has a smooth taste and isn’t as chalky as other proteins I’ve tried. My protein love.
- Best protein powder if you are vegan and plant-based nutrition is #1
Vega Sport protein. The vanilla flavor was excellent and I love that it contains a mix of plant-based protein (brown rice, pea, hemp, spirulina and alfalfa). It also has a lovely green color.
- Best protein powder you like a “nuttier” tasting protein
Hemp protein is a great source of high-quality plant protein. To me, it kinda tastes like biting into a tree. A little “woodsy” for me – I wish I liked the taste more because the nutrition stats are great- but a lot of people who love it, so that’s why I’m including it in the mix. I say give it a whirl and see if you like the taste and texture.
- Best protein powder for gluten-free gals and guys on a budget
Nutribiotic brown rice protein is not expensive at all (about $13 for a tub?), and I think the vanilla flavor is pretty good, albeit a little chalky. I used to buy this stuff all the time until I discovered Sun Warrior, but in a pinch, it’s great stuff.
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Tips for choosing the best protein powder for you:
-Scope out the ingredients. If there’s funky stuff in there you don’t want to put in your body, put it back on the shelf
-Next, check out the nutritional stats. Most protein powders should be high in protein (I’d hope, right?), moderate to low carbs and lower on fat. It’s easy to add in healthy fat through seeds, nuts and nut butter and carbs through fruit.
-Buy vanilla first. You can always change the flavor up by adding cacao powder or extracts, but you can’t change the chocolate flavor and I’ve found I get bored with it quickly.
That’s pretty much it! 😀 Any protein faves that I’m missing?? What’s your favorite way to use protein powder?
Mine is in a bfast cookie, fo sho 😉
I hope ya’ll enjoyed this reader’s request post! Please send requests my way to fitnessista at gmail dot com (subject: Reader’s Request).
I’m off to Zumba it up!
xoxo,
G$
Something to do: The Fitnessista now has a facebook fan page! <— Check it out, yo 🙂
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thanks for specifying that this shouldn’t be the main way to intake protein…it should come from good REAL food sources over anything else! now i need to go find some so i can make a REAL fitnessista breakfast cookie 😉
What’s your thoughts on soy protein powder? I haven’t looked into protein powder at all, but my mom bought it for my younger sister from TJ’s and I snuck some back with me to school to try out 😉
i’ve tried the tj’s brand of soy protein and it’s pretty delicious! i usually stay away from soy for the most part because of the mixed research (and past breast health problems), but think that’s it’s an awesome protein if you can do soy.
xoxo
It has taken me 10 years to find a protein powder I liked! I have tried every single one under the sun. Unfortunately, I didn’t like SUN Warrior at all and I was so surprised since everyone loves it. I love all flavors of BSN, in all it’s chemically goodness.
hahah sometimes the chemical ones taste the best 😉
I like protein powder mixed into my overnight oats! I find that it keeps me full for HOURS when I do. I just have the Vanilla Whey protein powder thats 365 brand. I like it a lot but have never tried any other flavors. It’s only 9.99 for a tub, too 🙂
Vega Sport Vanilla with a banana, almond milk and some green powder in the blender tastes like cake batter! It’s my favorite so far, but I have some of the Sun Warrior and just haven’t tried it yet…
Great point about not using it as your main source of protein. I think some people get a little dependent on using it that way and they end up short changing themselves.
i use living harvest non-flavored hemp powder…
that’s awesome- i wish i liked the taste more, but the nutritional stats are awesome
i changed my wording a little on that one, so that my hemp protein loving friends wouldn’t think i was dissing their protein. i really do think it’s great stuff
this was such a great post!! now i know what to look for! i admit i used to choose mine blindly. thanks so much for this!
I’ve got my boyfriend and me using the Sun Warrior Protein now after reading your blog. I actually like the taste of it, and he doesn’t mind it either. The ingredient list is a whole lot better than the one he used to use!
good readers request, its nice to see which ones are the best and for each type of diet. I like!
Reader requests are awesome!
Thanks for this!! I have been trying to find a good protein powder to add to smoothies. Currently I am using Spirutein which is made by Nature’s Plus and I really like it!
i’ve had spirutein before- the cookie dough flavor is AWESOME 🙂
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and leaning a LOT. I do wish I had waited about TWO DAYS before buying my first tub of chocolate protein powder. Your point about vanilla is an excellent one.
I just did a Google search on Spirutein because I was curious and found that you can get a free sample, so I thought I’d share that in the comments here for people looking to give it a try:
http://www.naturesplus.com/coupons/spiru-tein/
Thanks for all your great info!
Yah! Love readers requests! This was a great way to see some of the different types of protein powders out there. After trying Sun Warrior Vanilla, I think I’ll stick with it. I’ve tried some pretty nasty tasting ones before 😉 I have never been able to just drink the powder with water. I need it in a smoothie or bfast cookie. Have fun at Zumba!
This is really helpful. I’m almost out of mine and I’d like to try a new brand, so I’m going to try one of your recommendations. Thanks!
I’m not sure if you have this protein powder in the US, but I use EAS 100% Whey Protein powder in Vanilla and it’s awesome because it’s so versatile. Apart from smoothies, my favourite thing to make with it is ‘pumpkin ice cream’ – canned pumpkin mixed with 1 scoop protein, loads of pumpkin pie spice, and a squirt of agave. I throw it in the freezer for about an hour and a half in a plastic bowl, and when i take it out it’s about as frozen as frozen yogurt, and just a little soft in the middle. Delish!
PS the Bod Pod looks very cool!!
YUM, that sounds awesome 🙂
Great reader’s request! I have been looking for a new vegan protein powder, thanks for the tips!
xo
K
I just joined the protein powder bandwagon and have started using Myofusion by Gaspari Nutrition in Milk Chocolate.
In all honesty, I just read the ingredients and there are a few terms I’m not familiar with, but friends gave it rave reviews and it tastes good (for protein powder). So I’m going to look the other way.
I had a scoop this morning with low-fat milk and felt sad when the glass was empty. Who knew?
Thanks for these recommendations though, I’ll look in to trying one of these once I’ve finished up my supply.
Thank you for this post, Gina! I find all the protein powders on the market SO confusing, so this is really helpful. I’ve seen Designer Whey on shelves and always wondered about it. I’ll give it a try now that it has your stamp of approval 🙂
this may be a “duh” question, but what are the benefits of using a protein powder? i guess i try to get them from natural sources as you mentioned, but please expand if you can on why one would use them? (or direct me to another post if you have answered this already)! thanks!!
Christine
hey christine,
they’re good to use as a supplement to your diet, or to up the nutritional status of something.. like a smoothie or oats, which are both pretty low on protein
i agree- vega is probably the cleanest and easiest to digest!
thanks so much! while i don’t typically use supplements often i totally find that navigating all the options is a bit overwhelming at times
I read your post from this morning and forgot you were going to follow up with a protein powder post, but it must have stuck in my brain that I should pick some up while doing errands. I’ve just started doing smoothies and green monsters and have been thinking about adding protein to them! I also track all my foods on htt://www.dailyplate.com and I’m always low on proteins.
I bought the Designer Whey. The price was great for the amount of protein you get per serving.
I also have some hemp chocolate chili stuff I’m using up… I’m not sure how well it would go in a smoothie, but it rocks in oats!
BTW, I love when bloggers review stuff like this. We all have our own tastes on everything, but sometimes it’s nice to be guided by actual product reviews versus sales people. Your site is great!
I just got Jay Robb’s egg white protein. I haven’t been using it that long but I like it. I use it in breakfast cookies and smoothies.
I may need to up my protein this summer and as a vegan I pretty much stick to the whole legume/quinoa, etc thing so I might need to get some Vega or Sun Warrior (you and Veggiegirl love it!). Thanks for the post lady!
thanks for this RR… i’ve been low on protein lately, but unsure of which protein powders to use besides a few old standbys i’m getting tired of. now i have plenty of good ideas!
My fave way to use protein powder is in protein pancakes (chocolate ones…yum!) I do like a good ole run of the mill protein shake when I’m really hot, too.
Jay Robb whey protein in chocolate is my favorite in smoothies, and vanilla is my favorite in oats, by far!
Hey Gina, I’m really sorry if this has been covered somewhere else, but why do you choose goat dairy? Do we process it differently? Do you just prefer it?
Thanks for this post! It was so informative and honest! I’ve been experimenting with a lot of different vegan protein powders since I eliminated most animal products from my diet. Have you tried pea protein powder or have you heard anything about the taste/texture? Also, when you make oats with protein powder, how much powder do you add? Thanks girl!
I use flax seed meal as ‘protein powder.’ Depending on the other contents of my smoothie, I use 2-4 tbsp, which has 60- 120 cals (similar to a ‘scoop’ of powder). The protein is a bit lower, 3-6 grams, but I really don’t use my ‘protein powder’ to get more protein, its more for giving my smoothie more staying power, which flax does without a doubt thanks to the good fats it has in addition to the protein. It also thickens up my smoothie a bit, which I love. Its the cheapest protein powder there is– get it from the bulk bin and grind it up in the bottom of the blender before adding your other smoothie ingredients to ensure its nice and crushed up for optimal absorption.
Thank you so much for this!! I’ve been on the fence as to whether I should invest in Sun Warrior recently. I love Vega, but I’d like to try something new 🙂 You’ve convinced me!!
I love this reader’s request! I’m still finding “the one” for me. I’ll look this post up next time I run out 🙂
i have to say I am a fan of the chemicals that make BSN lean dessert so good!! the cinnamon roll and banana nut bread are at the top of my list!
i also LOOOOVE JAY ROBB! any type and flavor, it is such good quality and delicious! I have been wanting to try “teras whey” have you tried it? it is SUPER expensive but I hear so worth it!
Thanks so much for this post, Gina! And I’m glad to see I’m not the only reader who has been wondering about these protein powders – it’s super helpful to get your opinion on what is the best for each “way of eating” – I think I’m going to bite the $ bullet and order some Sun Warrior! As always, you rock. 🙂
Thanks for the great information! I have been debating which protein powder I want to try and I think I know where to start now! 🙂
Your protein post has inspired me to rip open my VEGA single serving protein pack and toss it into my green smoothie 😉 Let’s hope it’s tasty
Love the Designer Whey Protein Powder too!
Popped in from Erica’s to say hi!
hi!! 🙂
the EAS brand is really tasty too, and you can get a HUUUUGE bag of it at Costco for $29.99. My BF and I have been using the vanilla flavor for marathon training, because neither of us have been able to fill our protein quota.
It’s so hard to know what protein you’ll like! I wish every company did the sample sizes- it’s intimidating to buy a HUGE jar of that kind of product
Katherine
I love the taste and consistency of life’s basic plant protein: http://www.lifetimevitamins.com/products/lifetime_plantprotein.html
I also love vega’s smoothie infusion.
I like to use it for baking. It can make things a lil’ on the gumby side, true, but it’s nice in moderate amounts as a sub for whatever the carb base is. I also like it in the following way: Mix a little vanilla protein powder with a wee bit of H20 and cinnamon and vanilla to make a paste. Spread this paste on a joseph’s flax wrap (preferred, but any healthier wrap/tortilla is bueno), roll it up, cut it up, and bake it crunchy in the oven. Eat while hot and it will be crispy on the outside, and then melty-gooey cinnamon roll goodness on the inside.
Your posts have struck me as extra conversational and hilarious lately, I gotta say. So many just tiny little things make me smile. For example, when yesterday you said “mmmm kay”
happy hump day gina!
oh YUM. i need to get my some wraps so i can try your protein cinnamon creation. that sounds glorious!
thanks girl <3 you know i love when you comment.
have a great night!
My friend and I just had a major discussion on Protein Powder today. I just sent her the link to this post because it completely concludes everything we talked about! Perfect! Thanks for sharing girl.
Great post! I like that you mentioned it as a supplement. I just tried Jay Robb vanilla whey and it was pretty damn good 🙂
Biochem Whey Isolate protein is awesome. Love all the flavors (vanilla, chocolate & berry) and they have no artificial junk. Sweetened with stevia.
They also make a vegan one that is good and makes my smoothies much thicker than the whey. Would love to try the Sun Warrior!
good to know- i’ll be on the lookout for it!
Thank you so much for this post!!! I’ve been wanting to learn more about protein powders. I definitely agree with buying the vanilla flavor, it’s been my favorite because you can make SO many different flavor combinations with it!
Thanks for sharing this awesome information!! I have always had so many questions about protein. I really want to try that sun warrior protein, I know how much you love it.
I really like the Biggest Loser protein powders that are made by Designer Whey. The vanilla flavor was the first protein powder I tried that didn’t make me gag. Always a good thing in my book. 🙂
i just wanted to let you know i tried my first bfast cookie tonight!! i used oats, crazy richard’s peanut butter, tj’s vanilla soy protein powder (i hate it but im using it up in dreams of designer whey!), skim milk, dried cherries, and pumpkin pie spice. random, i know, but i cant wait to try it tomorrow morning! i also spotted espresso powder in my cabinets and i can’t wait to try that in my cookies too!!! (it’s the little things, you know…)
YUM! i’m so glad you liked it 🙂
Is protein powder safe to take while pregnant. I’m 17 weeks along and really struggling to get enough protein (and veggies unfortunately) into my diet.
i’m pretty positive it is, but i would double-check the type with your doc