When it comes to protein it can be hard to figure out which kind is best. There are so many different flavors, brands, and ingredients that it can become overwhelming. Imagine walking into a GNC, or any type of nutrition store, and trying to decide between the hundreds of different options. Yes, you can always ask for help but most of the time the workers are high school students who do not know much about the ingredients that goes into these proteins. Protein powders are not just for athletes and body builders, so I am here to help you chose the right one for your personal diet goals.

What is protein and why is it important? Protein is such an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. Your body uses these proteins to help build and repair tissue, so making sure you are fueling your body with a high-quality protein source is very important. If you are currently using a protein powder, I want you to grab the bottle and follow along as I explain what a great protein powder SHOULD have!

If the first ingredient listed is not protein then throw it away! That is your first clue that this powder is not up to code, so you should not be fueling your body with it. There is a difference between soy and whey products, and many people always chose soy over whey because it is the “cheaper” option but they do not understand the real underlying difference. Soy is the most common genetically modified organism (GMO) that makes it easy to say that you are receiving high amounts of protein. Don’t let this trick fool you. The manufacturer is only concerned with the sales, not your health. As you continue to read through the list of ingredients, and if there are words that are too complicated for you to pronounce then a good rule of thumb is to walk away from it. Do not destroy your gut health with artificial sweeteners like Splenda, aspartame, or saccharine. These chemicals cause bloating and indigestion leaving you feeling worse than before. Look for powders that are naturally sweetened with Stevia, LoHan, or Xylitol to keep it easy on the gut!

Now that you know what to stay away from, lets talk about the most popular high-quality protein whey isolate. This protein powder comes from grass-fed cows and most of the carbohydrates, fats, and fat-soluble vitamins have been removed, so that it has a high percentage of protein. Whey protein is considered a “complete” protein as it contains all 20 amino acids. When protein is broken down, they become amino acids which is the building blocks of every cell, tissue, and hormone in your body. A good protein is considered “complete.”

Overall, there are a lot of ingredients to look out for as well as ingredients you want in your powders. In summary, a good protein is cold pressed, macro friendly, has no artificial preservatives/sweeteners/dyes, and is grass-fed (whey). Remember not to fuel your body with bad chemicals because it is cheaper. You get what you pay for! Don’t go cheap on these products!