With more prominent benefits such as increasing muscle mass, reducing body fat and managing appetite, protein powder has become increasingly popular in the fitness industry in recent times. More people are turning to this supplement to enhance their gym routine and achieve better results.
But it’s not as simple as grabbing the first product on the supplement aisle. They’re not all created equal, with some containing more sugar, artificial flavours and fillers than actual protein. Other options, like vegan or plant-based powders, may not have as much protein per serving compared to their whey counterparts.
Places to Shop
When on the hunt for the best protein powder out there, shop from well-stocked and reliable protein shops to meet all your needs. However, finding the best supplement store can be a challenging task with so many new shops popping up constantly. To help you choose the right store, there are some important factors to remember.
Begin your search by investigating the many protein stores in your neighbourhood. Look for past customer reviews and look for a list of things each company sells on their website. To ensure you’re receiving the greatest bargain, make sure you read about the brands they sell, the authorisation certificate, the quality of their food, and a valid food licence number. You should also compare rates.
Whether in-store or online buying, never hesitate to contact the store with enquiries, either in person or over the phone. This is your opportunity to get in-depth information about their product selection or related topics. Purchasing products at a protein store isn’t the only thing to do; you should also expect a specialised shopping experience catered to your requirements. Inform the staff if you’re searching for something in particular or unique, and they might be able to help you find it.
After determining the supplement stores that best meet your requirements, the next thing to do is look into their web presence. To get a feel of their environment, food quality, and customer service, check out their Google scores and read online reviews. This can help you choose whether or not it’s worth purchasing. Furthermore, using social media profiles can provide you with information on the kinds of goods offered at each location as well as any ongoing promotions they may run.
Many protein shops have different promotional offers on specific days, particularly during slower periods. Additionally, if you buy a sufficient amount of a specific product, they could give bulk discounts. By conducting thorough research to find these offers, you can ultimately save a significant amount of money and transform your typical protein store into an inexpensive treat.
Types and Benefits
There are big differences across brands in terms of flavour, price, quantity of protein per serving, and additives. Thus, while selecting protein powders, avoid those that have additional ingredients like sugar or artificial sweeteners and flavourings to enhance flavour, as well as preservatives, fillers, and additions that boost solubility.
Animal Sourced Proteins
The eggwhite powders are manufactured from egg whites, as their name suggests. They contain fewer vitamins, no cholesterol, and almost 70% as much protein as an egg. In addition to providing protein to smoothies, eggwhite powder can be used in general baking. It is especially useful when making meringues and frostings in place of raw egg whites.
The liquid milk that remains after making cheese is called whey. Whey is a water-soluble protein that can be easily blended into smoothies and contains all nine of the essential amino acids that your body is unable to create on its own. In other words, whey is a complete protein.
The three main types of whey protein are the concentrate, isolate and hydrolysate versions. The first one has a higher amount of fat and carbohydrates than the other two options. Isolate and hydrolysate are considered purer forms of whey protein as they have undergone more processing to remove additional fats and carbs.
Vegan Sourced Proteins
Despite being made from the pulverised seeds of the cannabis plant, hemp is not made with the same psychoactive ingredient as marijuana—THC. Despite being a complete protein, scientists are still comparing hemp to other complete proteins such as soy and whey. One of hemp powder’s most well-known flavours is nutty.
Moreover, protein powders can be made from any high-protein grain, rice, nut, fruit, or healthy green, including quinoa and cranberries. Pea and soya powders are equally valuable vegan choices as well.
Use and Dosage
Now that you know about the many varieties, let’s talk about how to use a protein powder. It is most commonly used as a supplement after working out to help with muscle building and rehabilitation.
It can also be used as a snack or meal replacement if you’re trying to lose weight or just want to increase your protein intake. Protein powder can be combined with water, milk, or any other desired liquid to form a shake. All you have to do is throw it in the protein shaker and shake it. It can also be added to cereal, baked goods, and smoothies for an extra protein boost.
The FDA recommends that people take in 50 grammes of protein each day. But it’s always better to eat healthily and obtain your protein from actual sources. Dieticians generally concur that most people may easily obtain adequate calories from a conventional diet in this regard.
