When it comes to health and fitness, first and foremost it’s important to remember that there really is no substitute for good nutrition. Yes, in this article we are going to be looking at sports supplements, and yes, if used correctly these supplements work wonders. Before you consider investing in a supplement such as whey protein however, you first need to ensure that your diet and nutrition is in-check. Once you’re happy that it is, then you can begin looking into supplements. Protein powders, especially whey protein, are incredibly popular, and these powders alone generate millions upon millions in profit for supplement companies every single year. Protein powders help you to build muscle, to recover after exercise, to stay full for longer, and to increase your nutrient intake. That is why it’s so important that you find the right protein powder for the task at hand. To ensure you choose the best protein powder possible, here is some very useful advice.
Know what you plan on using the protein for – As mentioned, there are many different protein supplements available to choose from, which is why you need to ensure that you choose the right one for you. Some protein powders, whey protein for example, are fast-absorbing, so if post-workout nutrition is important to you, a whey protein should be looked into. Others however, like casein, are digested and absorbed much slower, so if you’re looking for a protein to keep you going for long periods of time, casein protein will obviously work much, much better than whey.
Avoid going for the cheapest option – Yes, we know that some protein powders are expensive, and we also know that many of you will be on fairly tight budgets. You certainly don’t need to look for the most expensive brand of protein powder that you can find, but at the same time, you also shouldn’t deliberately look for the cheapest option. Many budget protein powders are garbage if we’re being brutally honest here, so you would be best spending slightly more and getting a fairly good protein instead. The reason why cheap protein powders cost so little is because they contain far less protein than they should. Ideally you want a protein powder that provides at least 80% protein per serving, whereas many cheap bargain basement powders are considered good if they provide 60%.
Be wary of protein spiking – Recently, a number of supplement companies have been found guilty of protein spiking, which is basically a shady practice in which they replace pure whey protein, with cheaper amino acids like taurine, glycine, and even with creatine in some cases. They are able to do this because these compounds all contain nitrogen and are all found naturally in protein molecules, so technically it is not illegal. They do this to help stretch their protein stocks further and cut down on manufacturing costs, with the end result being a protein powder that does not actually contain all that much protein. Want to know why bargain basement protein powders are often so cheap? Well, there’s a good chance that it is because their proteins have been spiked with cheap amino acids. Basically, read the label and be wary of protein supplements containing glycine, taurine, or even creatine in some cases – though creatine can be beneficial in good quality protein.