What to Look for in a Protein Powder
I am still new to the whole protein powder thing. In all honesty the last few I have tried have made me want to gag they are so bad. I cannot deal with the taste. I never understand why people use them. I thought this would be much easier than it has been.
After all researchers have told us which proteins our bodies need and use. Of course, we must learn things like if whey protein will give us digestive issues or not. Yet, with all the research and information out there it should not be this difficult.
Yet, when I began looking for my protein powder, I found so many that were full of sugar and additives. I do not want or need those things. I get enough of those already. I mean I’m attempting to add soemthing good into my body not worse. Then of course there is the bad, chalky taste.
That has left me on a quest to find the one I love the most. I thought I would share questions I had when I first began searching and that you may have too:
DO I NEED PROTEIN?
The short answer is yes you do, and you are mostly like me and not getting enough in your diet. I was under the misconception that if I had too much protein I would bulk up because protein helps your body build muscle.
It is not true! Protein is the building block of our bodies. It does play a role in building muscle, but it plays a bigger role in our hair, bones, nails, connective tissue to name a few. We need the protein to look and feel out best. That is when it begins to get more complicated though. We need something called complete protein and not just any old protein.
Complete protein has all the nine essential amino acids our bodies can’t make by themselves. Don’t worry I am not going to get much more technical than this. I ‘m one of those people that love information, but I know that you can easily get bogged down in too much information.
WHICH PROTEIN POWDER IS BEST FOR ME?
That is where it can get tricky. One of things I learned is that there are two types of protein powders: dairy-based and plant-based. I caution against dairy-based simply because it can cause tummy issues. If you want to give it a try, then certainly do that but if you notice bloating and other tummy issues then I suggest switching to plant-based.
That doesn’t mean that plant-based powders don’t have their own issues. Check to be sure the powder you select blends two plant-based sources together. The reason is a lot of plants don’t give us the complete protein we need.
HOW MUCH PROTEIN PER SERVING
The easiest answer to this is to multiply your weight by 0.36 and it will give you roughly how many grams you should be getting a day. A good rule of thumb though is to get at least 20 grams per serving. After all you are eating throughout the day and getting some protein from those foods.
PLEASE REMEMBER
I want to remind y’all that I am not a medical doctor or a researcher. I simply share nutrition and fitness information along with my own personal experiences. However, I cannot guarantee that the information shared is 100% accurate. It’s always best to calculate the information yourself. Anything shared on this blog is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor.
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FINALLY…
The biggest thing to look for is taste. You are going to have to want to use this powder every day. So, taste is a huge factor. It can’t be chalky, chunky, bland, or too sweet. It needs to be a flavor that will complement whatever you are putting it in. You may simply want to add it to water and then drink that down. Smoothies aren’t for everyone. Get picky and try different ones until you find the one you love.
