What is The Right Protein Powder For You?

What Protein Powder Should You Buy?

There are SO MANY protein powders, so how do you know which one to pick? Here are 5 simple steps to choose your protein supplement:

1. What is your current fitness goal?
2. What are your dietary restrictions?
3. What’s your favourite flavour?
4. Is the product verified and third-party tested?
5. How expensive is the product?

Current Fitness Goal

If you’re looking to lose weight, you need a protein that is low in carbohydrates and fats. As you know, you need to be in a caloric deficit to lose weight. By eliminating carbohydrates and fats in your protein supplement, you eliminate any extra calories that you may be consuming with your protein. With that being said, you can also choose a protein powder with carbohydrates and fats and still lose weight.

That’s another story…

Check for the powders that are sweetened with natural sweeteners, and contain no artificial flavours or colours. When low carbohydrate powders are made, they are often enhanced with artificial sweeteners to enhance flavour.

If you’re looking to gain muscle and increase strength, choose a protein powder that is higher in calories. Any protein with adequate BCAA’s will assist with muscle growth and repair, but the added carbohydrates and fats will give you the energy needed to grow muscle and increase your strength. Mass gainers often contain all three of these proteins and are a great way to get in those extra calories as well.

Dietary Restrictions

Now that you have chosen a goal, are you a vegan or lactose intolerant? Whey isolate and casein contain animal derived products and lactose. So, if you are a vegan or lactose-intolerant you have a couple of different options: pea, hemp, rice, and plant-based.

If you’re worried that plant protein won’t be as effective, this study suggests that rice protein had no significant difference when compared to whey or casein protein powder. Do be cautious that plant-based powders don’t always contain all 9 essential amino acids, although some brands do combine different plant sources to create a blend that contains all 9 amino acids.

Pick a Flavour

Now that you have picked a goal and a milk or plant-based protein… you can choose your flavour! If you have a sweet tooth, there are lots of birthday cake, sprinkle fest, chocolate glazed options. If you are not, unflavoured and the basic flavours are also available. Vanilla and chocolate are best for baking!

Third Party Tested?

Now, verify that the protein powder has been validated by external lab analysis. This information can be found on the product label or the company’s website. If this information is not available, ALWAYS question what is in the product.

Quality protein powders will have a third party certification, which can be recognized by a USP, NSF, or GMP certification.

Since they are third-party quality checks, there will be no bias present when testing the products.

What Are You Willing to Pay?

Say NO to protein powders that are expensive…they shouldn’t be! Fancy protein powders from popular supplement companies will charge more for the brand name or “limited time” products. Understand that up-selling common, and good ol’ Costco protein is just as delicious and effective!