Choosing the right Protein Powder

In a world of social media, marathons, beach holidays and photographs everyone is more health and image conscious than ever before.

This has made Protein shakes, bars and supplement products fly off the shelf as they provide nutrients your body needs for training, building muscle and act as a meal replacement in some cases.

With the Protein market being so popular it becomes hard to know what brand to choose.  What one packs the better ingredients, what ones are packed with sugar and how much protein each one contains. So how do you choose which one is right for you?

Reading a Protein Powder Label

It is important to know that not all protein powders are equal.  There are lots out there in the market that are just packed with sugar and have obscure looking ingredients on the label which no one ever really knows what it is.  These types of companies just focus on marketing their brand rather than being focused on the science behind the nutrients that go into these shakes.  Here are 5 easy ways to read a protein powder and find one that is right for you.

The Right Protein

Most protein shakes are made of whey or soy protein which will be stated on the packaging.  An alternative option which may have slightly more health benefits would be to look for a vegan protein powder which are made from sources such as pea protein or brown rice.

The amount of protein packed into these is vitally important and is recommended to have a minimum of 20g of protein per serving.

Check the Sugar Content

Check the amount of sugar which is listed in the ingredients, as excess sugar will not be providing optimal health.   Protein powders as a rule of thumb should have 5g or less of sugar per serving.

Check for Sugar Alcohols

If your powder contains 5g or less of sugar, don’t think you are safe as there are many companies that use sugar alcohols which are substitutes for artificial sweeteners.  Sugar alcohols to be avoided are ingredients such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol.

Can you pronounce the ingredients?

If you can’t read out the ingredients then it’s probably not packed with the healthiest ingredients.  A high-quality protein powder should be easy to read.

What are the key ingredients?

To get the most out of your protein powder, you need to look for one which provides vitamins, minerals and macronutrients as well as you Protein.  These powders should be packed with goodness.

Bare some of these tips in mind when choosing your protein powders and remember that this is only part of a healthy diet, and should be consumed alongside other foods necessary to give you a balanced diet.

Click here to read about Labelling Your Protein Powders