People tend to shy away from the concept of protein powder. They see those big jugs sold at fitness shops and all they can imagine are veiny muscles and testosterone-fueled workouts. We are here to debunk this myth today! The average person requires 0.8g protein for every kilogram, daily.
You may not be aware that you are not getting enough protein, which would explain why you feel fatigued every time after a workout, or take a longer time to recover from muscle aches.
Whey protein is the recommended supplement if you do not eat a lot of protein-rich food like eggs or dairy. It is essential for not just muscle growth, but also muscle repair. So, don’t worry about getting bulky – whey protein is for people who like the toned, lean muscle look, and need the energy for a power-fueled workout! Of course, whey protein is not made just for people who work out. Mothers who are breastfeeding, children, and older people would also benefit from adding a protein supplement into their diet.
Shop our favourites below.
Table of Contents
Why It’s Our Top Pick:
“Optimum Nutrition's brand has been in the market for about 10 years and is the OG when it comes to protein supplements. With 24g of protein per serving, this is a fantastic drink either pre-or post-workout for that boost of energy. The mixability is great, and its selling point is its taste, which has better reviews compared to most whey protein in the market. Since this whey protein contains BCAAs, people who go through strenuous workouts will find it very effective for muscle regeneration.”
Features:
The powder is made up of 100% whey protein isolate, with 24g of protein per serving and more than 5g of BCAAs – including leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Users can simply scoop the powder into a shaker bottle to mix up the drink. One to two scoops are sufficient for one serving, which contains only up to 1g of sugar and 120 calories.
Testimonies:
People who bought the protein powder enthuse over the taste, and a crowd favourite is their double rich chocolate. They also find that it is very easy to mix and dissolve every bit of the powder, which is an issue that protein powders, in general, tend to have.
Whey isolate means – isolated protein. Imagine wringing out sugar and fat from whey protein, leaving only the concentrated version. It is an effective way to consume protein without having to contend with the byproducts that come along with it, like carbs.
Features:
MyProtein’s brand of whey isolate offers more than 90% of protein with just 1% of fat. One serving contains 22g of protein, and it is recommended to be taken 30-60 minutes post-workout for maximum absorption. People looking to lose weight can also try out this product as there are only 93 calories per serving.
Testimonies:
There are generally good reviews about the protein, though some users do find the taste a bit off-putting. The price is also a bit on the high-end, though that is anticipated as it is, after all, a protein isolate.
When losing weight, you want a protein supplement with low to no sugar content, which has the lowest number of calories per serving. This powder only has 1.9g of fat and 1g of carbs per serving – without being stingy on the percentage of protein. The cool part? There are 40 flavours to choose from, including Brown Sugar Milk Tea and Speculoos. You can get your sweet drink fix while also benefitting from the protein pump.
Features:
A serving contains 21g of protein, with 4.5 g of BCAAs and 3.6g of glutamine to aid in muscular development. You can take the product before, during, or after a workout. There are only 103 calories per serving – helpful for users on a calorie deficit. Also, the low amount of sugar contained in the product (1g) will prevent the manifestation of any sugar cravings.
Testimonies:
Reviewers like the versatility of flavours and the mixability of the product. Many find themselves responding well to the drink and many love the white chocolate flavour. It is a great drink to have especially after a high-intensity workout.
You have seen the regular whey protein and isolated whey so far. Now, we introduce hydrolyzed whey protein. The whey is broken down to promote digestion and absorption. If you tend to experience diarrhoea or nausea after consuming protein supplements, this hydrolyzed whey protein from Optimum Nutrition would be best suited for your needs.
Features:
A serving of this whey protein boasts up to 30g of protein! Consumers also gain up to 8.8g of added BCAAs in a cup, making this a product with one of the highest amino acid content. It does come with more calories, 140 calories per serving to be exact, though it is worth it if you need that extra shot of protein. Plus, if your workouts are of high-intensity, the slight increase will not affect you.
Testimonies:
The product is easy to digest, and people who have gut problems or IBS can consume it with no problems. Reviews show that it has a smooth taste and it mixes very well, leaving no lumps at the bottom. They also see a great improvement in their training after consuming this supplement.
RULE 1 Protein Whey Isolate is considered one of the cleanest whey proteins in the market, with no added fillers – while not sacrificing the overall taste. It is made of protein isolate and hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, which makes for great overall digestion. The brand is beloved for its ability to create the simplest formulation packed with a high content of protein.
Features:
There is 25g of protein per serving, with over 6g of BCAAs. It has no added sugar. With less than 1g of total sugar content inside, it’s only 130 calories a drink. Fast-acting amino acids added into the formula will increase the rate of muscle building and repair, so it is a good pick for bodybuilders. One scoop of powder will suffice to prepare a single serving.
Testimonies:
This whey protein is popular amongst gym junkies who prefer it due to the purity of the mix. There are mixed reviews regarding the taste, with some describing it as 'weird'. Gym-goers use it for an energy boost before an intense workout.
EYS's whey protein is marketed not just for gym-goers but is also suitable for growing children, pregnant and breastfeeding moms, elders, and vegetarians. Its versatility helps promote the notion that everyone can benefit from adding protein into their diet, and as it is sugar-free, it will not cause hyperactivity in children or increase your blood sugar level – especially in the elderly.
Features:
At only 99 calories per serving, the whey protein comes with 20g of protein. The plus side is there are vitamins and minerals added into the formula such as Vitamin C and Zinc, which means you can get a lot of nutritional value out of just one serving a day. There are no added sugars in the whey protein.
Testimonies:
Enhanced with natural herbs, this protein powder is suitable for consumption by the entire family due to the nutritional value it offers. It is also vegetarian-friendly.
Overview
A vegetarian lifestyle might not necessarily provide you with a sufficient intake of protein necessary for muscle growth and processing essential nutrition. So, what should you do? Include the One Shot Whey Protein Isolate into your diet of course!
This dietary supplement provides you with the protein you should have in order to support your muscles, done so with the ingredient pure whey protein isolate. Now, you don’t have to worry about muscle loss without eating protein from meat or soy products.
Details
- Amount: 500g
- Protein per serving: 20.5g
- Calories per serving: 98 kcal
- Ingredient: Whey Protein Isolate (WPI 90)
- Lactose, fat, rBST, and sugar-free
Who is it for
Suitable for seniors or elderly people with an active lifestyle, and who don’t want to consume meat or soy products but don’t want to compromise the necessary protein they need.
Overview
If organic whey protein is a more appealing option to you, then try out the Garden of Life Sport Certified Grass Fed Clean Whey Protein Isolate. Made with non-GMO whey protein, it’s the perfect supplement for athletes to help with their post-workout recovery.
In each serving, it comes with 24 grams of grass-fed whey, 4 grams of glutamine, and 6 grams of BCAA, giving you what your body needs to help refuel and repair your muscles after a long workout.
Details
- Amount: 2kg
- Protein per serving: 24g
- Calories per serving: 120 kcal
- Ingredient: Truly Grass Fed Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate 85%, Milk Protein 15%)
- No added hormones, antibiotics, or sugars
Who is it for
This is perfect for those who are more health conscious about what they’re consuming, as this product is certified clean and contains no additional ingredients or additives.
Overview
Most protein powders contain some form of dairy, making it unsuitable for those with lactose intolerance. In that case, a lactose-free option like Vital Performance Protein Powder is the answer to those problems.
The lactose content is reduced and made easier to break down in order to make this suitable for those who can’t consume dairy but want an extra boost of protein and collagen to support their active lifestyle.
Details
- Amount: 761g
- Protein per serving: 25g
- Calories per serving: 130 kcal
- Ingredient: Lactose-free milk protein isolate, collagen peptides
Who is it for
Best for those with lactose intolerance and whose bodies cannot naturally break down the lactose enzymes with ease.
Overview
This MuscleTech Nitro Whey Protein is able to pack 30 grammes of protein into each serving to support your muscle building needs after training. This high-quality powder has been instantized to be easily mixed with a shaker cup or a glass and spoon. Without a doubt, you’d find this whey protein to be a delight.
Details
- Builds 70% More Lean Muscle Than Regular Whey
- Whey + Isolate Peptides as Primary Souce
- Amplifies Recovery Performance & Strength
- Contains a Clinically Proven Dose of Creatine Monohydrate & All Essential BCAAs
- Protein 30g, Creatine 3g, BCAAs 6.8g, Glutamine & Precursor (per serving)
Who is this for?
This whey protein is suitable for muscle growth/gain, so if you’re looking for something that can help you gain some lean muscle, give this whey protein a try.
What is whey protein?
Whey is a substrate of milk, made up of pure protein – containing 9 essential amino acids. The whey is separated when cheese is produced from milk and made into powder for human consumption. It's a great option for the lactose intolerant as whey is generally very low in lactose content.
Benefits of whey protein
Whey is not just rich in protein, but also contains branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) – including leucine and cysteine; both of which promote muscle growth and regeneration. When we work out, we get microtears in our muscles. BCAAs help to rebuild those muscles.
Additionally, it works very well for people who want to lose weight, as increased protein intake will fill you up more, making it less likely for you to overeat. Your metabolism also heightens, which results in fat burning more quickly.
Whey protein vs mass gainer
The significant difference between the two is their carbs to protein ratio. Whey protein tends to have higher protein content with the least amount of sugar and calories whereas mass gainers provide you with enough carbs t
o supplement growth in size and weight for bodybuilders during their bulking-up stage. The idea is to grow in volume and then tone down when they reach their preferred size, while whey protein is usually consumed to ensure that your body has enough protein to build or repair muscles. This is why whey protein tends to taste bland, while mass gainers have a more full-bodied taste.
What are you waiting for? It is time to go build up those sweet, sweet muscles.
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