I'm new to protein powder...questions?

I mix my powder with PB2, cocoa powder, and a splash of vanilla extract and mix it with a cup of unsweetened coconut milk and a cup of water. If I wasn't using a sweetened powder I'd add some maple syrup for sweetness. Once I've mixed it up I put it in the freezer for about 30 minutes to thicken it up even more.

Personally I find this more filling than half a chicken breast as a snack, especially as I can sip at it for a good hour while the chicken is gone in much less time than that Plus it's nice if I'm low on protein but also in the mood for something sweet!

justlosingtheweight wrote: »

I want to buy unflavoured undenatured protein powder, because all the flavoured protein shakes are way to high in sugar (usually around 20g sugar per serving!)

What will mix well with it that is low sugar but taste okay?


Thanks

There is a reason by protein powders have sugar (mainly dextrose and maladextrin). Fast acting sugar will causethe body to release insulin and stimulate muscle protein synthesis. This will allow your body to uptake on nutrients like protein and rebuild muscle. The quick spike is beneficial so your body doesnt have to use the amino acids on other processes.

Having said that, protein timing is less important to those who are not very lean and those who are not highly trained. And in the end, a good protein powder is the one you enjoy. But I wouldnt even buy one unless you struggle to get adequate protein.

it's pretty hard to know what will 'taste great' to another person. it really really really annoys me when i see it on package labelling too.

i use vanilla whey protein. initially i had trouble with the slightly barf flavour that any whey has, so i started dosing my shakes heavily with plain, unsweetened yogurt. not the greek kind, which a) tastes like spackle and b) doesn't have the sour bite i was looking for to overpower the whey.

so then from there, i started adding frozen fruit to tone down the yogurt tang just a bit. it works for me but i think shakes and smoothies are highly subjective and preference-based. kind of thing even best friends probably shouldn't share/make for each other.

you would also be AMAZED at what you can get used to and even come to 'require' once you've reached that used-to-it-point. i kind of have a 'you bought it, you use it' mentality and it's certainly surprised me the kinds of things i find myself 'missing' when a brand i thought i hated finally runs out and i move myself to something else.

SideSteel wrote: »

Any whey with 20g of sugar is not really a protein shake LOL. That's basically 20g of carbs to go along with the protein.

That's a ridiculous amount if the goal is to consume protein.

If I were you I'd look at Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard. It's 24g protein or so, and 1g sugar and 3g carbohydrate. The vast majority of calories come from protein.

I dont thing GNC is in the UK.. i could be wrong.

myprotein.com think they're based in the UK. Strawberry Cream & Chocolate Mint are good.

I alternate between Optimum nutrition and Quest protein powders. Both have decent amounts of protein (24g) and 1-2g sugar and taste great.
Have the ones you've seen with 20g of sugar been meal replacement shakes? Either that or they're low quality protein powders..

HiCarol1 wrote: »

When it comes to protein shakes you don't really need something more than 20g/serving. Studies have shown that as little as 10g of protein post workout has a positive effect on muscle healing. Anything more than 20 starts to have a downward trend. Hope this helps. (Sorry I don't have the articles available but a quick search on PubMed will show studies with similar results)

It's higher than this most likely. See research by Stu Philips and leucine threshold.

cronus70 wrote: »

justlosingtheweight wrote: »

BecomingBane wrote: »

Most people seem to shoot for a good quality whey protein powder to meet the criteria you express.

There are also lots of protein powders that use artificial sweeteners as well. Maybe one of those will meet your criteria and still taste enjoyable?

I've been searching for flavoured ones but can't seem to find any sold in the UK, I might just buy the unflavoured one and give it a go I'm getting bored of eating the same food for protein and cant really afford to keep buying meat, so powder seems like a pretty good idea

MyProtein do quality, value for money protein powders and they also do calorie free flavdrops. My preference is an unflavoured Micellar Casien with the strawberry flavour drops.

I was just gonna say...love their flavor drops.

SideSteel wrote: »

psulemon wrote: »

SideSteel wrote: »

Any whey with 20g of sugar is not really a protein shake LOL. That's basically 20g of carbs to go along with the protein.

That's a ridiculous amount if the goal is to consume protein.

If I were you I'd look at Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard. It's 24g protein or so, and 1g sugar and 3g carbohydrate. The vast majority of calories come from protein.

I dont thing GNC is in the UK.. i could be wrong.

Good point.

Then check PEScience

I like PEScience. 33g scoop, 110 calories, 24g protein, 1g of sugar for the Snickerdoodle and it's the BOMB...though really sweet.