By Team Muscletrail
10 September, 2022
What’s in Your Whey? What to Look For in a Quality Whey Protein
Protein supplement is an athlete’s best friend. But with so many protein brands on the market, how do you choose one? While you may be tempted to pick up just any whey protein brand that you see on the counter, it is important to put thought into the protein you choose for your particular body and its needs. And to do this, you need to know the whys and hows of why protein, which I have listed down below to make the process a little less intimidating for you.
Why use Whey Protein?
The requirement of whey protein is not a necessity for the body. Then, why do people use whey protein so widely? Here are some reasons why –
- Although the body can get protein from food items, the total protein required by an athlete’s body cannot be fulfilled by whole foods alone. Therefore, a protein supplement is a great addition to their diet.
- It is convenient to use whey protein powder when you can’t eat whole food meals. People who lack the time to consume so much protein through foods can opt for protein powders.
- People who travel can also benefit from consuming protein in whey protein powder form to fulfill their requirements.
- People who lack appetite can simply consume protein. A person trying to gain weight and struggling to improve their intake can benefit from protein powders.
- People aiming to improve their athletic performance use whey protein powders to meet their nutritional requirements.
An important thing to note here is that not every Multi Vitamin protein powder will suit everybody’s requirements and fitness goals. So, you must study your requirements and match them with the best available protein powders. While you're on the hunt for the best whey protein, let me tell you what you should look for in your whey protein.
What to Look for in the Best Whey Protein
- Quality of the protein
Quality matters when you're looking for health supplements in Canada. A poorly made supplement can do more harm to your health than food. So, it is necessary to do in-depth quality checks, make sure the protein is sourced from a reliable brand with good hygiene standards. For some people, where the protein is sourced from matters. If you're allergic to any food items, you would definitely want to browse through the total ingredients of your supplement patiently before consuming it.
- Protein Digestibility
Not everybody digests every protein equally well. Protein digestibility is a factor that you should put thought into when you're choosing a suitable Whey Protein for yourself. Again, check through the ingredients properly to see if there's an ingredient that may cause indigestion for you.
- Personal preference matters
Personal preference matters when it comes to picking proteins. Some people are picky about their ingredients, others are picky about their brands and whatnot. You don't have to choose a protein just because someone else told you to. Go with your preference and find the best fit for you.
- Protein powder variety
When we talk about milk-based protein powders, Whey is a popularly recommended high-quality protein. It is made from milk and is rich in BCAAs. It digests easily. Another milk-based protein is Casein, which is the best protein powder to consume at the end of the day before bed because it digests slowly. The other popular milk-based protein comes in the form of Blends that include both whey and casein. What you choose among these is up to your personal preference, based on your rate of digestion.
On the other hand, Animal-Based Protein Powders are a bit different. Some popular animal-derived protein powders are egg white protein, which is a milk-free source of protein. Collagen, which is a supplement that benefits the skin, bone, joints, and gut. This is mostly derived from fish. Meat-based protein powders, which are derived from beef but are similar to collagen in terms of their amino acid profile. Bone broth is also a popular form of protein made by cooking bone and ligaments under high flame to make a broth. Then, it is made into powder. Although it is not to be used as a protein supplement, it can help improve your protein intake.
Then there are Plant-based protein powders which are made from soy protein, rice protein, hemp protein, blends.
Conclusion
While these were the major factors that may impact your preference, there are other factors like the processing method of the protein, and of course intolerances, sensitivities because of ingredients, or quantity consumed. The key is to take your time, do your research and then pick the Isolate whey protein that you think is the right for you.