Protein powder suggestions?

JLE529
JLE529 Posts: 3
in Food and Nutrition
I've been looking to add some protein powder to my morning/after workout smoothie but there are SO MANY options I have no idea which one to choose! From what I can tell they all come in different flavors (probably going to go with chocolate...obviously :) But is there an unflavored option? Also need to go lactose free. The more natural the better, don't most powders have a lot of chemicals mixed in? I'm completely clueless, so any suggestions you have would be very much appreciated! Also, I'm in the Chicago area, does anyone have any tips on where to purchase, other than GNC? Thanks again!
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Replies

  • ladyark
    ladyark Posts: 1,101 Member
    I use muscletech whey isolate protein.. I get it at Sams club. I get the chocolate and add it in smoothies, oatmeal and i love to put it in plain greek yogurt , its like chocolate pudding.
  • peggymoney
    peggymoney Posts: 126 Member
    Plant fusion, gluten free natural protein powder. They have an unflavored one as well

    I buy mine on amazon.com or vitacost.com
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Omega Nutrition Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder. It has no flavor and is beautifully green. It didn't affect the taste of my smoothie at all.

    http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Nutrition-Pumpkin-Protein-21-Ounce/dp/B004L3VLFK
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    ...But is there an unflavored option? Also need to go lactose free. The more natural the better, don't most powders have a lot of chemicals mixed in?

    Yes, most powders have a bazillion ingredients, mostly related to flavorings, sweeteners and preservatives. I can't have casein (milk protein) so I use a vegan blend with a complete amino acid profile from Sunwarrior. It's a blend of pea, hemp and cranberry proteins. You can also get brown rice protein, but it's not as good in my opinion. I get it in both unflavored and unsweetened, so I have to blend it with almond milk, frozen fruit and stevia to make it not taste totally blah and boring. I like it. I emailed them and they sent me free samples...:drinker:
  • kuntry_navy
    kuntry_navy Posts: 677 Member
    I like Carnivor Beef Protein. The chocolate tastes amazing and it's lactose free.
  • stef_monster
    stef_monster Posts: 205 Member
    I haven't experimented with too many brands of protein, but I've been using Body Fortress Whey Isolate in vanilla. I just can't hack the regular whey stuff- I'm quite lactose intolerant, too. The whey isolate has almost no lactose at all. It's also not so bland and icky if you just blend it with water, but I like to use low-cal almond milk or water plus a serving of Greek yogurt to make it smoother.

    Best of luck!
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I like Carnivor Beef Protein. The chocolate tastes amazing and it's lactose free.

    I prefer chicken or turkey myself, since I have a digestive disorder and red meat inflames my intestines, but sometimes you just gotta have a shake, man. :flowerforyou:
  • annasor70
    annasor70 Posts: 187 Member
    I love Nutribiotic organic rice protein vanilla powder...it's vegan. I make a shake with this and raw cocoa powder, berries, kale, amla, ginger and fresh pressed juice ...delicious and super healthy :)
  • RiesigJay
    RiesigJay Posts: 151 Member
    http://www.truenutrition.com/c-54-proteins.aspx
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    Omega Nutrition Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder. It has no flavor and is beautifully green. It didn't affect the taste of my smoothie at all.

    http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Nutrition-Pumpkin-Protein-21-Ounce/dp/B004L3VLFK

    I use this also.
  • Mrsallypants
    Mrsallypants Posts: 887 Member
    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/tietge9.htm

    A review of mainstream protein powders. Get whey protein isolate, generally most if not all of the lactose and carbs are filtered out.

    A link to understand the different types of protein powder out there: http://sportsnutritioninsider.insidefitnessmag.com/3771/show-me-the-whey-concentrates-vs-isolates-vs-hydrolysates
  • Tedebearduff
    Tedebearduff Posts: 1,155 Member
    I've been looking to add some protein powder to my morning/after workout smoothie but there are SO MANY options I have no idea which one to choose! From what I can tell they all come in different flavors (probably going to go with chocolate...obviously :) But is there an unflavored option? Also need to go lactose free. The more natural the better, don't most powders have a lot of chemicals mixed in? I'm completely clueless, so any suggestions you have would be very much appreciated! Also, I'm in the Chicago area, does anyone have any tips on where to purchase, other than GNC? Thanks again!

    http://www.kaizenprotein.com/

    ^ The one I've used for over a year lowest calroie count to grams of protein I could find, tastes AMAZING and no GMO's . You can get it at Costco never seen it sold anywhere else.
  • Mezzie1024
    Mezzie1024 Posts: 380 Member
    http://www.truenutrition.com/c-54-proteins.aspx

    I'm seconding this. True Nutrition is the only place I know of where you can get the protein powder without any additives. I LOVE that mine is unsweetened and unflavored. I also love that I get to design my own mix of protein sources. It's good stuff. :)
  • kingtermite
    kingtermite Posts: 82 Member
    http://foodbabe.com/2012/12/13/the-healthiest-protein-powders-on-the-market/
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    when i got my first container, the guy recommended vanilla because you can make it taste like anything you want. add cocoa and it's chocolate.
  • michellechawner
    michellechawner Posts: 892
    I think you just need to do your research.

    I use doTERRA Trim shake Vanilla Protein, but that's just me. I used to use GNC Pro Performance AMP Amplified Wheybolic Extreme. When I did Crossfit I used Progenix.

    All just depends on what you are looking for.
  • FoxyLifter
    FoxyLifter Posts: 965 Member
    I'm a big fan of About Time, gluten free, vegan, sweetened with stevia, short ingredient list, etc. I LOVE their chocolate flavor. Right now, I'm drinking birthday cake. :)

    http://www.amazon.com/Whey-Protein-Isolate-Birthday-Pounds/dp/B002UTNTAW/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1368410431&sr=1-4&keywords=about+time+protein
  • barbaramitchell101
    barbaramitchell101 Posts: 360 Member
    I used a soy based protein powder for almost 2 years and lost maybe 30 lbs with it, but ended up sensitive to soy...after this I discovered that soy can have a neg effect on the thyroid, causing it to NOT produce the hormones necessary...I changed to a completly ALLERGY FREE protein powder...gluten, soy, dairy free...hypo-allergenic and non-GMO....it comes in chocolate but I prefer the vanilla...
    you can mix it with water or milk as you prefer, but either way it tastes great...without the milk, it has 84 cals and 16 gr of protein....it comes in a 2.2 lbs pkg for about $38.00, and is available from Vita-cost...it is called SUNWARRIOR BLEND RAW PROTEIN PLANT BASED complete Amino Acid Profile...I started using this after becoming gluten and soy sensitive....it is very good and I start my day with it...you can add anything you wish to it when you mix it up...but I just like it plain:smile:

    oh and NO PRESERVATIVES OR ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS..actually it says ORGANIC STEVIA as the sweetener...
  • jonipaxton
    jonipaxton Posts: 5
    Hello,

    If your in Chicago give Vitamin World a try, they have a wonderful whey isolate (choc, straw & vanilla) that has BCAA's included, it's light & tastes great!

    The Vitamin World also has a free membership, great coupons & rebate rewards back each quarter!

    Good luck & success to you :happy: !!

    Joni
  • kuntry_navy
    kuntry_navy Posts: 677 Member
    I like Carnivor Beef Protein. The chocolate tastes amazing and it's lactose free.

    I prefer chicken or turkey myself, since I have a digestive disorder and red meat inflames my intestines, but sometimes you just gotta have a shake, man. :flowerforyou:

    Carnivor is a protein shake it's beef isolate. I don't know if it would have the same effect as eating red meat on your intestines. I definitely hear you as far as having a shake. I find it's the quickest, easiest way to get some protein in your anabolic window, if you work out away from home :)
  • jen_zz
    jen_zz Posts: 1,011 Member
    I just tried Nature Best's Isopure Dutch Chocolate this morning, not bad to have 50g of protein with 220 calories.

    It's not as tasty as Labrada's chocolate but it seems Nature Best's list of ingredients is "better"
  • JLE529
    JLE529 Posts: 3
    Thanks everyone! Sounds like I have more research to do :)
  • marceyabrons
    marceyabrons Posts: 14 Member
    I use Intek Evolution Protein. It has 34g of protein, 1g of sugar and 2g of carbs. Not to mention it's the best tasting protein I have ever had, and I have tasted a variety.
  • beyondjupiter
    beyondjupiter Posts: 247 Member
    This has a lot of good info. I was going to post my own thread but I guess I don't have to now.

    I only eat meat 2-3 times a week and the protein I get from other items such as plants, beans, and nuts only puts me around 50g of protein per day. I am pretty sure I need to be up in the 120s? (I weigh 250) I looked at hemp powder but it was only 10g per scoop which isn't as much as say whey. However, I read that whey can have some funky stuff in it like heavy metals :ohwell:

    I'm still not sure what kind to buy. I'd like to stay away from soy and dairy or animal products if possible.
  • savoiaS1
    savoiaS1 Posts: 129
    Whatever is the cheapst if u dont care about taste. Whey protein is protein. Wal mart has cheap stuff that works. If youre going for taste I like Cellucor Cor series Peanut butter marshmallow, cinnamon swirl or cookies and cream and Iforce makes a red velvet cake which is delicious.
  • fishnbrah
    fishnbrah Posts: 550
    iForce Protean>all protein powders.

    i like gaspari myofusion cinnamon roll too
  • DatMurse
    DatMurse Posts: 1,501 Member
    Whatever is the cheapst if u dont care about taste. Whey protein is protein. Wal mart has cheap stuff that works. If youre going for taste I like Cellucor Cor series Peanut butter marshmallow, cinnamon swirl or cookies and cream and Iforce makes a red velvet cake which is delicious.

    different protein powders will contain different quality of residual products.
    such as heavy metals.

    ON was tested by consumer reports to have the least
    muscle milk had the most and then costco pulled their line off the shelves.
    cytosport also didnt comment on the fact they were being accused so I am assuming it was true.

    another thing is that they were doing tests to see how much protein content was actually in the protein than what was stated. There are alot of companies ****ing people over.

    LOL @ GLUTEN FREE!
    Advertisin to pull people in. its like saying my milk or apple is gluten free. There is no wheat, no ****
  • majasmi
    majasmi Posts: 133 Member
    i use ON whey double choc. pretty good taste and mixes well which is great since i can save time in pulling out/washing the blender. and already includes BCAA's.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    Here's the truth:

    Most distributing companies DO NOT manufacture their own products. They rely on a 3rd party to manufacture it for them. They just slap a label on it and sell it to the consumer. So what you get from one company, is probably the same ingredients for another company. And since most 3rd party manufacturers look to make a good profit, they use raw materials they may not be the purest.

    This is personally why I chose Optimum Nutrition products. At the very least they formulate and manufacture their own products in the US.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • DatMurse
    DatMurse Posts: 1,501 Member
    i use ON whey double choc. pretty good taste and mixes well which is great since i can save time in pulling out/washing the blender. and already includes BCAA's.
    BCAA is guaranteed with forms of animal protein.

    They are making it sound better than it is. It is good regardless...

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