I'd like to incorporate protein powders on days when I lift weights. But there are SOOOO many choices. What's good out there? What would you stay away from? I just want to use it to help with muscles and help me become leaner.
I always opt for natural-protein through wholesome and nutrional foods. Dairy/nuts/fish have lots of protein, so do lean meats :-) I make my own natural protein shakes and they include
milk, banana, flaxseed meal, greek yogurt and oats. Depending on what and how much I can put in almost double anything a powder can give me, plus I've power punched 'powder supplement' to the real deal and omega 3's, fiber and loads of electrolytes for recovery!
I use Gold Standard 100% Whey. I get it at GNC. It tastes good and blends very easily. I just mix mine with skim milk most of the time. I rarely take the time to make a full on smoothie with fruit and everything, but when I do it goes well in those too. It comes in quite a few flavors and the nutritional data varies slightly depending on the flavor. Right now I have "Double Rich Chocolate".
If you go to a GNC and tell them which things are important to you - low cal, low carb, good taste, blends easily, certain flavors available, etc. they are usually very helpful and they have a 30 day money back guarantee if you don't like it.
Don't get the Jillian Michaels one, it doesn't mix well and it tastes kinda chalky. I grabbed some cuz it was cheap and I was curious, bleh!
Has anyone tried the wellBEing line at GNC? They have a protein powder that I think is aimed for women. I did try one other at GNC that had 60grams of protein a serving ( which was 3 scoops ) I used it after days that I lifted weights, but with 270 calories a serving AND 60 grams of protein, I made that my dinner.
ok, why isolate? I've heard this before, but I don't even know what isolate is.
Why is that better than others?
The reason that i go for it that it contains the highest level of protein as possible with very little fat and lactose. It's higher quality (more pure) and has a higher bioavailbility. When I want protein, I want protein not a milkshake mix with a ton of fillers.