One of the major challenges people have with their diets is getting enough protein to reach their goals. Here we are going to talk briefly about protein powder supplements and how to choose the right one for you.
There are many different kinds of protein powder. The most common are whey and casein. These are both milk proteins, and the ones we’re going to concentrate on. If you want to know about another one, let me know.
Whey protein is the poster child of proteins. It’s cheap, absorbs quickly, and tastes better than most. Choosing whey protein is the simple choice. Whey however can be broken down into three categories: whey concentrate, whey isolate, and whey hydrolysate.
Whey concentrate is the least filtered and broken down. It usually comes with slightly more carbs, fats, and other less than optimal ingredients. However, whey concentrate itself is a fast absorbing and great protein supplement.
Whey isolate is my protein of choice. It has a higher protein ratio than concentrate. It’s absorbed faster, filtered better, and mixes smoother. I generally like the taste better if that matters to you.
Whey hydrolysate is the most refined, quickest to be absorbed, and cleanest whey protein. In my opinion, the additional benefits aren’t that great. The protein ratio is just slightly above isolate, has fewer flavors available, and costs more…blah blah, not my thing.
The best thing about whey protein is its absorption rate. It’s extremely fast, which makes any whey protein a great pre and post workout protein. Taking whey after a workout is a great whey to stop cortisol release and and start rebuilding broken down muscle. Like I said, whey isolate is my favorite – but the difference between the three types aren’t that big of a deal, especially if you’re just trying to up your protein for the day.
Casein is also made from milk but has a very different absorption rate. Casein is a slowly digested protein which supplies your body with amino acids for far longer, but at a much slower rate.
Casein is often the preferred protein to cook with for snacks like protein pancakes and cookies, or whatever you like to throw together. People tell me it works better, but protein pancakes aren’t my thing.
Casein is best used when you’re going to be protein-less for an extended period of time, like before bed or when working long hours without a break.
The key is to always have protein available when your body needs it. Supplementing your diet with powdered protein might be a more reliable and attainable option to accomplish your goals.
The proteins I recommend along with a 10% discount are available here.
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