How To Find The Best Type Of Protein Powder That Is Available
If you are looking to bulk up, you have a few ways to improve your gains. Obviously, there are two main ways to ensure that you don’t have to go through too much difficulty while you are working out, and we will go over them first. These two ways to improve your muscle-building are your diet and your workout regimen.
While we will not go too far into detail about how these factors affect your workout efficiency, most athletes will know the effects of a poor diet or workout plan all too well.
Part of growing as an athlete is learning the best way to optimize your food and beverage intake as well as your plan for exercise.
Today, we are going to be discussing a way to improve your workout that is related to your diet, but it almost occupies a different space. We are going to be looking at the best protein powder that you can invest in. Finding the right brand of protein powder can be hard, but we are here to help you out.
While it may be a little intimidating to find the best protein powder for your needs when you are just getting started with your workout, you will see that it is not as complicated as you may think.
In fact, there are a few factors that should be considered before others when you make your purchase, but we will go over that after our reviews.
Aside from our protein powder reviews, we will also be taking a look at the reasons why you may wish to ensure that you choose the top rated protein powder.
We will save this for after we have completed our reviews, however, so that our readers do not have to go through this supplemental information if they do not feel the need.
There are different types of protein powder which are optimized for various uses. If you want to ensure that you get the best use out of your supplement, you will find that reviews are the best method to ensure that you get a quality product.
Regardless of the particulars, let’s move on to our reviews of the best protein supplements.
Best Protein Powder
To help you make the right purchase, we have compiled a list of some of the best protein powder on the market.
Winner – Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Protein Powder
- Available in a choice of over 20 flavors (flavor reviewed was double rich chocolate)
- There are over 24 grams of whey protein in a single serving of this powder
- Contains 5.5 grams of BCAAs (naturally occurring) and 4 grams of glutamine (naturally occurring)
- Available in the following container sizes: 1 pound, 2 pounds, 5 pounds, or 10 pounds
- Easier to mix than other types of protein powder
If you are looking for the best protein powder, this is one of the best options. Optimum Nutrition is widely known as one of the best brands in the market when it comes to ensuring that you get the gains that you need.
This protein powder certainly upholds their reputation as one of the major players in this industry.
While this protein powder can be purchased in any one of over 20 flavors, we tested out the double rich chocolate. The sweetness may have been a little overbearing, but this protein powder is nowhere near as disgusting as some other popular brands.
Depending on your recipe, your shake may not even have a noticeable tang.
OUR RATING
The choice of container sizes also allows you to ensure that you get the amount of protein powder that you need. Depending on how often you work out, you may or may not find it necessary to invest in larger volumes of powder at a time.
Not many brands offer 10-pound containers, so if you need more than usual, this is the powder to get.
This protein powder contains over 24 grams of 100% whey protein per serving, so you can rest assured that you are getting everything you need out of every shake that you make.
Keep in mind that this protein contains artificial sweeteners, so you may wish to opt for another powder if you are avoiding them.
Runner Up – BSN SYNTHA 6 Protein Powder
- Contains around 22 grams of protein for every serving
- Contains about 5 grams of fiber in every serving
- Contains 10 grams of essential amino acids in each serving
- Designed to be versatile and accommodating for all kinds of workout plans
- This protein powder is made out of quality ingredients
- Features a more natural flavor than much of the competition
Up next on our list of the best protein supplements which are currently available, we are looking at a powder which is made by BSN. This powder is almost as useful as the Optimum Nutrition powder that we just reviewed, but it has a few fewer options when it comes to flavors.
If you do not care much for flavor, you may find that this is a better choice than the ON powder. While it may not contain as much protein per serving, you will see that this protein powder contains other macronutrients in larger amounts so that it can ensure a more healthy lifestyle.
OUR RATING
We would argue that this powder is less of a protein supplement and more of an overall nutritional supplement. If you want to improve your diet measurably, a great place to start is by investing in protein powder which will help you do so while you work out, as you will likely be working out anyway.
While this protein powder may have fewer flavor options than the competition, each of the available flavor options is quite delicious. If you are choosing your best protein powder based on flavor alone, this product is sure to be a strong contender.
While this may not be the best protein powder overall, it is one of the closest to the top.
Alternative – MusclePharm Combat Protein Powder
- Features 25 grams of protein per serving for the building of superior muscle mass
- Features protein which is released over time to ensure maximum effectiveness
- Features only five grams of carbs per serving
- This powder is gluten-free so that those avoiding it can consume it
- Contains a digestive blend which aids with the absorption of this powder
- This protein powder is optimized for the development of lean muscles
If you want a protein powder which will ensure that you not only grow muscle but lean muscle, then this is the best brand to opt for. While the eye-catching tactical visuals may seem a little dated when you consider how many times they have been used on protein shake containers, you will find that this is an excellent formula.
For example, this powder features a list of ingredients which are free of gluten to ensure that it can be enjoyed by the largest number of athletes.
Speaking of the ingredients, there are only five grams of carbs per serving of this powder, so you won’t have to worry about exceeding your carb intake because of it.
OUR RATING
The digestive blend which is worked into this powder is one of its best aspects, as you will no longer have to deal with the bloating and stomach cramps that accompany some other brands. Once you drink a shake made with Combat Powder, you will find it hard to go back to any different brand of powder.
While there are a lot of positives to this powder, there are also some negatives that we should probably discuss. There is nothing too significant, but we found that the choice of flavors is a little bit sparse.
If it were not for this minor downside, you would see this product a little bit higher on the list.
2nd Alternative – Body Fortress Protein Powder
- Features premium ingredients for easier digestion and superior effectiveness
- Contains amino acids and creatine for a healthier blend
- Contains 60 grams of protein per serving for more noticeable gains
- Contains about 12 grams of BCAAs per serving
- This powder does not contain aspartame or gluten
- Includes a recovery blend which aids immensely with muscular regeneration
This protein powder is one of the better varieties for those who want something a little more concentrated. While the trend has edged toward powders that are lower in concentration and higher in volume (over recent years), you will find that there are still some advantages to powder with a high concentration.
While most powders which are heavily concentrated have the disadvantage when it comes to flavor, you will find that this brand is one of the better options in its category.
While the taste of protein is still there, undoubtedly, you will find that it is much better masked in this formula than it is in others.
Source: bodyfortress.com
OUR RATING
This is also a much healthier powder than some of the alternatives. While other types of powders often do not contain any other micro- or macronutrients, since they will cut down on the protein content, this brand instead embraces other nutrients.
For example, each serving contains around 12 grams of BCAAs.
This powder is also healthy for the things it doesn’t include (in addition to the ingredients which are included in the mix).
This powder is free of the artificial sweetener, aspartame, which is in a dubious position when it comes to long-term safety and other side-effects, it is also gluten-free for those with a restrictive diet.
Best Organic Protein Powder
To help you make the right purchase, we have compiled a list of some of the best organic protein powder on the market.
Orgain Organic Protein Powder
- The container size for this protein powder is just over 2 pounds
- This protein powder is entirely natural and based off of plant proteins
- Features a creamy chocolate fudge flavor
- Contains 21 grams of protein per serving
- Does not include soy, GMOs, or gluten and it is also kosher
- Certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
While the other options we have included on this list are valid choices for those who would like a protein powder which is both useful and affordable, this option is a little more specialized.
Unlike the other alternatives, this protein powder is made out of organic ingredients which have been certified by the USDA.
While the container may be a little small for some, weighing in at only two pounds, you will find little else to complain about with this protein powder.
Let’s start with the texture and flavor, the two things that you notice first when you take a sip of any brand of protein powder.
Source: orgain.com
OUR RATING
This protein powder makes shakes that could be considered irresistible when compared to some of the worse options that we have tried.
The texture is creamy, and you don’t get any of the graininess that you have to deal with when using other types of powders and the flavor is present but not overbearing.
This powder is also free of many ingredients which could complicate the buying process for some users. For example, this powder is kosher as well as gluten-free, ensuring that everyone can use it to bulk up.
Why You Should Choose Your Protein Powder Carefully
You should take care when making any purchase at all. In the case of protein powder, things are a little different, however.
You may have noticed that protein powder is subject to a few more regulations than other product types, and this makes sense since it is a product that you ingest instead of merely using.
As with any product which is meant to be ingested, you will find that any flaws in the process of manufacture can result in the consumer becoming violently ill or even having their lives endangered.
These defects can occur at any point in the manufacturing process, from the sourcing of ingredients to the making of the container.
While it is rare for people to have adverse reactions to protein powder, you should keep in mind that it is indeed possible. If you are trying to avoid any potential health complications, you should stay away from disreputable makers of protein powder and other shady businesses such as retailers or distributors.
While it is crucial to stay away from powder which may be contaminated, you will find that finding the best protein powder for building muscle tends to be less about life and death than it is about effectiveness.
You will want your protein powder to be sufficient enough to work when you need it.
While it is usually relatively easy to tell whether a shady outlet sells a powder, you may find it a little more difficult to know whether one brand of powder is better than another.
This is why our reviews can help you find the best brand of protein powder for your needs since we test every product.
While other products may have a level of quality which is easy to distinguish by merely looking at them or just reading the features, you will find that protein powder is a little more tricky.
If you are trying to determine whether or not a particular brand of protein powder will help you bulk up, you may end up needing a little more help.
This help usually comes in the form of the experience of another person who has made use of that particular brand of protein powder and what they have to tell you. Even then, this is hardly empirical evidence on which you can let your whole workout plan hinge.
If you are trying to avoid using ineffective protein powder for months before realizing that you have been wasting your money on it, reviews are one of your best sources of information.
Since we test our products, you will be hard-pressed to find a better source of information in regards to this topic.
On What To Pay Attention When Choosing Your Protein Powder
Here are some other important factors to consider when choosing your protein powder:
Source
The source of your protein means precisely what you would expect it to when you first read it. A source is where the protein comes from, so certain protein types may be more ideal for specific applications.
While some may assume that all protein is the same, there are subtle differences between different strands.
What is the best protein powder? You may be surprised to learn that no single source of protein is superior to the other options, the best one simply depends on what you need out of your protein powder.
If you are looking to gain muscle as quickly as possible, you will not opt for the same protein type as you would if you are looking for something affordable.
For example, whey is the most common source of protein for most powders. Whey is a type of protein which is created during the fermentation of milk, so it must be separated while it is ripening into cheese.
This protein is affordable and quite common since it is an otherwise worthless byproduct of the making of cheese.
There are other reasons why you may wish to know the source of your protein. For example, whey protein is not a vegan type of protein.
If you want to take a vegan approach to bodybuilding, you may wish to avoid the best whey protein isolate and instead look for a type of protein powder which is made out of rice or soy.
Percentage Of Actual Protein
While it is critical to take the source of your protein into consideration before you make your purchase, you may also wish to take a look at the percentage of protein to be found in your powder.
After all, it will be challenging to promote healthy muscle growth if you do not have the proper protein intake.
Knowing the amount of protein that is entering your body is only the first step, but you will be able to do this if you do not know how much protein you are ingesting in the first place.
Products which have their protein content obscured or otherwise hidden are often not to be trusted, as that shows that they have something to hide.
Some protein supplements are better suited for specific applications than others, as we have stated previously, and this is the same for protein powders with different protein content.
If your protein powder contains a more substantial measure of protein, you will not have to make shakes which are as big, but there are also disadvantages.
Some of the best protein powders eschew this approach and instead feature a lower concentration or protein but a more significant overall volume of powder for a comparable price.
Having the same amount of protein spread out over more powder helps diminish the sharp taste which is present in some brands.
Taste
That point brings us to the next aspect which should be considered when you are buying protein powder, and that element is taste. Since you will be drinking the protein shakes that you make with your powder, you will necessarily be tasting them as well, and you will want to taste something which is at least reasonably enjoyable.
Sacrificing taste for other advantages such as price is often not a good idea, even though it may seem so when you first make your purchase.
It is important to consider that it will be considerably more difficult for you to make use of your protein powder if you can’t even stand the taste in the first place.
Good taste is one of the best ways to ensure that your protein powder gets used instead of sitting in your cupboard collecting dust. The best whey protein powder has just the right balance of price, flavor, and overall effectiveness, packaged into one product.
These three aspects are the most important considerations to make when you are looking for the best protein powder for men or women. Quality protein powder does not distinguish between genders.
Conclusion
As you can see, you have more options that you would imagine when looking for the best protein powder. While it may be difficult to tell the difference between protein powder brands when you are shopping for the ideal options, we hope that our reviews have been able to help you out.
Resources:
WikiHow