Whey protein is a complete protein and, in supplement form, delivers all the benefits of protein without the fat and carbohydrates of eating meat, milk, dairy products and cheese.
Protein powder is well-known among athletes looking to support endurance and muscles; and among vegans and vegetarians who abstain from consuming animal products but need to supplement their diets with complete amino acid sets and whole proteins.
Finding a protein powder that caters to your dietary needs isn't difficult, once you determined a few simple facts. First, many smoothie products masquerade as high-grade protein powders but contain processed and raw sugars are high in calories and fat and often low in whey protein amounts. Stay away from these. Secondly, you don't have to pay big bucks for a good protein powder supplement, as quality whey and casein protein powders should cost in the $20 range or less for two to three pounds. Do some research; try a few different products, and whey the benefits of protein powder in your diet.
I've tried several of the whey powders from vitacost and other nutrition outlets. Isogenix is by far my favorite but is a pyramid marketing thing that I had to get out of. On this site, I've really liked any of the Jarrow flavors, as well as Biotech's Greens and Whey (prefer chocolate to vanilla there). Beware that some of the other brands contain artificial sweetners that have not been on the market long and who knows what havoc they wreck (sucralose, Acesulfame K, Acesulfame potassium). Also, I recently tried Metabolic Response Modifiers Whey Pumped Dutch Chocolate and seem to get stomach cramps/nausea which could be linked to the ingredient "Nitrozyme" although that is entirely a conjecture at this point.
Source Naturals, although spendier, is one of the higher quality whey proteins and I believe the milk used is even from grass fed cows. The taste is not bad, but not great and I find myself mixing it with a sweeter one like NSI Chocolate.
Posted by: kristin schroeder | October 05, 2008 at 02:31 PM
In view of the expanding world-wide recall of milk products containing Chinese ingredients (because of melamine contamination), it seems prudent to ask: do any of the whey products sold by VitaCost come from China, in whole or in part?
In particular, how about Biochem Sports 100% Whey Protein Powder?
Thanks!
Posted by: Martin Nemo | September 26, 2008 at 02:47 PM