Powders are for snorting. If you want protein, you should be eating real food.

You know my views on shortcuts, and protein powders undoubtedly belong in that blender. I get my protein in a form my body recognizes, via the flesh of humanly raised animals. But I’ve finally cracked. For you, not for me, I’ve researched the best protein powders on the market and am now prepared to deliver the results of my digging. I comprehend that you and I are a unit, and I’ve received enough inquiries regarding powders that I feel the need to step up my teammate game.

Skip down the supplement aisle at your “health food” store and your whistling will undoubtedly cease upon being overwhelmed by the barrage of available powder filled jugs. To make sense of the overload of information, start by selecting the type of protein you desire. Each has its merits, but keep in mind, these are all, by definition, highly processed substances.

Your three main options are whey-, egg- and plant-based powders. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.

Whey protein:

Whey is the liquid created as a byproduct from cheesemaking. Specifically, it’s everything left over after they coagulate the milk.

Pros:

1. Contains more leucine, a branch chain amino acid, compared to soy, milk or egg protein. Leucine promotes fat loss, according to the University of Illinois McKinley Health Center. BCAAs help to build and maintain lean muscle tissue while promoting fat loss.
2. Quickly absorbed by the body.

Cons:

1. Whey contains lactose, so if you’re lactose-intolerant, whey will probably be indigestible for you.

Egg:

Egg protein is simply highly processed egg whites. It is separated from the yolk, pulverized, and dried into a powder. Like with all eggs, the quality you get is dependent on the source of the eggs.

Pros:

1. Lactose free.
2. In addition to a digestible source of protein, egg powder can be a good source of vitamins A, B, D and E, though only if made from free range and pasture raised chickens.

Cons:

1. Because this is an animal product, the source matters. Eggs from factory farmed hens raised in battery cages may contain traces of antibiotics, hormones and other chemicals.

Plant Based:

Plant based protein is derived from, drumroll please, plants. Sources include soy, hemp, peas, spirulina and more.

Pros:

1. Vegetarian and/or vegan if you’re into that sort of thing.
2. Studies have shown soy protein powder to be equally as effective at assisting in muscle building as whey protein powder.

Cons:

1. Some plant-based proteins are not “complete,” that is, they are missing at least one of the 9 amino acids our bodies require.

Which type you choose is a personal decision. I did some research to find the brands that received the most consistently positive feedback. Additionally, all of these options use higher quality ingredients than their competitors. Are they perfect? Hell no. But remember, sometimes a B is the best possible mark for the moment. If you sense my lack of enthusiasm, you’re on point. I promised authenticity, remember? No counterfeit smiles.

Remember – I get my protein from whole, natural, organic food sources. I have not personally tried most of these; I tried one as a taste test for my son. I can’t vouch for them beyond this research.

SunWarrior warrior blend protein

From healthysmoothiehq.com:

The protein content, perfectly balanced amino acid profile, product formulation, easy digestion, absorption, and great taste are what set Sun Warrior apart from the competition. At 85% protein, Sun Warrior protein has the highest (non soy) raw whole grain sprouted vegan protein on the market. This superior protein was designed for the health conscious, athletes, body builders, anyone looking to lose fat, build muscle mass and be extremely healthy and fit.

About time whey protein

From breakingmuscle.com:

About Time proteins are relevant not only for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, but anyone who wishes to supplement with a quality product. I hold the belief that nothing beats real food, but if there is a need to supplement, one should utilize products with the most straightforward list of ingredients. As someone who is extremely cautious about additives, non-food ingredients, and chemicals, About Time seems like a feasible option.

Philosophie Whey Natural Protein

From allwomenstalk.com:

This product is the best of the best when it comes to whey protein options. It contains no sugar, soy, artificial preservatives, artificial flavors, GMOs, salt, artificial colors, flavor enhancers, chemicals, antibiotics, hormones, trans fats, binders, dyes, fillers, MSG, corn, gluten, yeast, hexane, or casein. Whoo! Are you impressed yet? This whey protein is from grass fed cows in New Zealand, where antibiotics and hormones aren’t administered to cows like they are in the US. It is also 99% lactose free, making it easy to digest. This protein powder is also cold-processed, biologically active, unrefined, raw, and only contains whey protein from grass/green pasture cows, all natural vanilla beans and raw stevia leaf extract for sweetness. Philosphie also produces three superfood blends, two of which are vegan and one of which contains this fabulous whey protein powder.

Bulletproof Upgraded Collagen Protein

From bulletproof.com:

Upgraded Collagen is the gold standard for achieving the fastest possible healthy tissue repair, muscle matrix, bone renewal and recovery after exercise! It can boost mental clarity, reduce inflammation, upgrade your skin, and it mixes easily with a neutral taste.

Tera’s Whey

From bestproteinpowdertips.com:

Tera’s Whey is sourced from family dairy farms that follow organic practices when raising their cows. Each serving delivers a minimum of 20 grams of protein and 120 calories. This is a good choice for after-workout recovery if you work hard but want to make sure you stay organic. You can find a variety of unique flavors from Tera’s Whey, including acai berry, blueberry, and wolfberry. Standard chocolate and vanilla are available as well.

Raw Organic Whey

From bestproteinpowdertips.com:

This product is probably the simplest whey protein powder on the market. It is a bag of pure organic whey sourced from grass-fed cows raised on sustainable farms in the United States. The protein is processed at low temperatures without acid treatments. There are no hormones, preservatives, or fillers, so this is your go-to protein source if you believe in eating clean and natural.

Now Sports Egg White Protein

From bestproteinpowdertips.com:

This is a trusted brand name offering a pure egg white protein powder with no added ingredients. It does not even contain flavorings, so you may want to cook with it or add it to other ingredients that will give it some life for your taste buds.

I trust that this post has helped you zero in on your protein powder choice. I’m going to eat a swordfish steak.

Blend away,

Kap