Finding the right protein powder is a little like finding the right partner in life. Sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to find the right one.
A protein powder needs to support your goals, suit your diet and taste great. And not all proteins are made equal — some have a complete amino acid profile, some are suitable for those who are lactose intolerant, and some contain added vits and minerals.
With all that in mind, wouldn’t it be great if someone could match you to the right protein powder and skip out all the trial and error?
Good news on that front — Myprotein product technologist Katie Brown is here to do just that. Here's her advice on how to pick the best protein powder.
How much protein do you need?
The UK government recommendation for adults is 0.75g of protein per kg of body weight per day. That’s about 55g per day for the average sedentary man and 45g per day for the average sedentary woman. The recommendation increases according to your activity level.
Impact Whey Protein
The OG. I won’t get too technical (mostly because it's pretty confusing), but Katie’s explanation sums up what whey protein is pretty well.
“Whey is an all-natural byproduct of milk, and whey proteins are isolated from this during filtration.”
And whey is the OG for a reason — it’s got excellent digestibility, a complete amino acid profile and an optimum absorption rate.
Whey protein has upwards of 20g of protein per serving and is low in fat, sugar and under 100 calories too. It’s great for all types of training — if you’re bulking up, simply add an extra shake to your day, if you’re trying to build lean muscle, stick to just one.
Whey Isolate
This is the ideal option for anyone who wants the benefits of whey’s amino acid profile and high protein content but without the extra couple of grams of fat.
Whey Isolate is filtered more than whey concentrate, meaning most of the fat and lactose is removed in the filtration process.
Each serving comes in at under 100 calories too, so better for anyone looking to boost their protein to aid a weight loss journey.
Clear Whey
Ah, the juiciest option of the bunch.
Made from high quality hydrolysed whey protein isolate, it has all the benefits of a complete amino acid profile and high protein content while being a light and refreshing shake.
Ideal for summer and anyone who struggles to get a creamy shake down pre or post-workout.
Vegan Protein Blend
If you’ve ever tried a vegan diet, you might have found it more difficult to hit your protein goal every day.
Vegan Protein Blend combines pea protein, brown rice protein and hemp protein, which creates a full amino acid profile within a vegan shake.
Coming in at 110 calories, 22g of protein and a smooth and creamy texture, this one’s a winner.
But if you don’t fancy the blend, you can pick up hemp, pea and brown rice protein individually too.
Weight Gainer
No prizes for guessing who this will be best for.
If you’re looking to gain mass, you need lots of calories and lots of protein. Our Weight Gainer blend contains 30g of protein per serving and over 50g of carbs, to boost your protein intake and calories all at once.
Collagen Protein
A bit of a wildcard, collagen protein’s main function isn’t to support muscle growth, but to support different tissue types in the body, although it does still support muscle growth too.
Collagen breaks down as we age, so adding a supplement into your diet is ideal to keep those levels up.
Our Collagen Protein contains 18g of protein and supports hair, skin, nails, joints, bones and muscle.
Take home message
We know the protein world can be confusing and at times overwhelming. But once you’ve found the right protein for you, you’ll never look back. Whether you prefer a lighter, juicier shake, or you’re looking to bulk up without all the faff of meal prepping, we’ve got something for you.
Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you're concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.
