Need an affordable & good protein powder

nicolemstevenson

I am new to using protein powder after my strength workouts in the morning, and I am told that it's essential to have good protein right after a workout. A friend is trying to sell me the product she sells, which is $100 a tub (it equals out to $3/scoop) but under my student budget, I simply can't imagine spending this much on protein powder. I looked at the store and there was a big selection of tubs being sold for about $20, except I don't know which ones would be the best. So what is a good and affordable protein powder?

Ninkyou

I get Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein Powder. It's like $15ish at Walmart and my grocery store.

I haven't tried other brands yet because I don't do protein drinks all that often. It's more of like using vanilla in pancakes nowadays, haha.

VegasFit

I'm sure you'll get varying opinions because everyone has their favorites. I like Optimum Nutrition, Dymatize and BSN, Depending on where you're located the best prices can usually be found on line but I would still go into my local GNC or whatever other nutrition stores you have in your area to ask for samples before you commit and purchase a flavor you may not care for. I tend to stick with vanilla, chocolate based flavors because they work well with mix ins since I tend to have one for breakfast a couple two or three times a week and vanilla also works added to my oats.

Keep in mind you don't have to use protein powder, you could just do food. I just find powder is easier and more convenient for me. But $100 a tub does sound a little redic in price!

All_Out_Attack

I've been using Isopure for a while, but it's on the expensive end. IMHO, Optimum Nutrition has the best flavors, but Dymatize is yummy, too, and I think it's usually about $0.70 per serving for the larger tubs.

I'm using Isopure because of the high quality, taste, and bioavailability. I started out using the cheap whey concentrates and ended up with my face covered in acne, poor performance, sore joints, and other symptoms of systemic inflammation. The very "cheap" brands are extracted in a cheap way and that is reflected in the price, but also the quality. Find a good quality whey ISOLATE (has low fat and carbs) and go from there.

badbcatha05

I use TerasWhey. I think it was around $25 for a canister. But grassfed cows (so they advertise), and to a lesser degree organic, is important to me.

PikaKnight

Well, if you aren't able to meet your protein macro through food (which probably would be the most cost effective when you think about it)....then there are protein powders at Wal-Mart that are pretty cheap. I get Optimum Nutrition Gold Whey Isolates which is 120cals per scoop (at 24g of protein). It costs me around $58 for a 5lb tub.

ironrat79

I've been using Isopure for a while, but it's on the expensive end. IMHO, Optimum Nutrition has the best flavors, but Dymatize is yummy, too, and I think it's usually about $0.70 per serving for the larger tubs.

I'm using Isopure because of the high quality, taste, and bioavailability. I started out using the cheap whey concentrates and ended up with my face covered in acne, poor performance, sore joints, and other symptoms of systemic inflammation. The very "cheap" brands are extracted in a cheap way and that is reflected in the price, but also the quality. Find a good quality whey ISOLATE (has low fat and carbs) and go from there.

I'm with you on the ON gold standard. My fav nut shop uses Dymatize in their shakes and it's great too. I'd rather pay a bit more for quality powder and taste.

KateRVA

Muscle Milk Cookies and Creme tastes good. It's vanilla tasting for the most part. I use it in my morning oatmeal and it's awesome.

somefitsomefat

Go to Walmart. Six Star, Pure Protein, and Body Fortress are all pretty cheap. Six Stars flavors seem to taste the best to me. Just my 2 cents.

EDIT: By cheap I mean $17-22 bucks.

beertrollruss

Be sure to shop at the most affordable place. Your friend is definitely charging you too much. If you have Costco, their protein is a decent option. If you don't mind mail order, bodybuilding.com or nutritionexpress.com are good choices. Amazon also has protein. A 5 pound tub of protein will cost enough to get the free shipping from Amazon. Avoid GNC like the plague. If you're in a store that sells a 5 pound container of Optimum Nutrition Whey Gold Protein for more than $60, leave and check somewhere else.

arabianhorselover

I use Pure Protein from Walmart. I have used the Body Fortress chocolate, but prefer the taste of the Pure Protein.

SnuggleSmacks

A lot of them taste very, very bad, or have hardly any taste at all. Body Fortress at Walmart is good (especially chocolate peanutbutter), Muscle Milk is delicious, but can be pricy, and the Vitamin Shoppe's brand BodyTech is usually good (they actually have a tasty vanilla which is apparently difficult)

mortuseon

Don't know if you get it in the US but I use Myprotein and it works just fine, tastes pretty good too. I pay just under £30 (say $46 as it's roughly £28 with my student discount) for 2.5kg which is equivalent to 50x50g - it's cheaper if you buy even more though. 50g is 2x scoops or 40g protein per 2 scoops.

StraubreyR

I like the EAS Lean 15 from Walmart. About $20 per container, 100 calories, 15 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber per serving. And it mixes really well.

jkwolly

Well, if you aren't able to meet your protein macro through food (which probably would be the most cost effective when you think about it)....then there are protein powders at Wal-Mart that are pretty cheap. I get Optimum Nutrition Gold Whey Isolates which is 120cals per scoop (at 24g of protein). It costs me around $58 for a 5lb tub.

Depends on where you live.

I can easily get way more of my macros from protein powder and cost WAY less than lean meats, which can cost lots on your grocery bill.


ANYWAYS - back on topic! I love Kaizen Natural Whey Isolate! Can find in grocery stores, and is very well priced for not having tons of fillers in it!

allbarrett

Bulk Barn sells whey protein (chocolate and vanilla only) in bulk with virtually no packaging. I don't recall the price but it was cheaper than the same stuff at GNC (20 g protein per scoop at 85 calories I think).

arabianhorselover

A lot of them taste very, very bad, or have hardly any taste at all. Body Fortress at Walmart is good (especially chocolate peanutbutter), Muscle Milk is delicious, but can be pricy, and the Vitamin Shoppe's brand BodyTech is usually good (they actually have a tasty vanilla which is apparently difficult)

Funny. I thought I would like the chocolate peanut better, but I didn't.

nicolemstevenson

Thanks everyone! I usually don't get my protein well from meat because I'm on the go a lot to class and I'm not a huge meat person anyways. $20-30 is affordable for protein so I will look at the brands you guys all said at WalMart or GMC. I appreciate all the suggestions

fitladybug

I use the chocolate Muscle Milk and its very good.

crevices

bought my first protein powder recently from target for 20$, Pure Protein Whey Isolate in vanilla cream. so tasty, 130kcal, 1g carbs 1g fat and 30g protein per scoop :drinker:

SuziQGettinFit

I use PGX Double Chocolate - sooooooo good. I use the Vegan one because it's gluten, dairy, sugar and soy free