Finding the Best Protein Powder is no less than a hassle for most athletes. So we took some time out and did the research for you but before we get into the list it would be better for the beginners to understand what protein powders actually are before they start using them.
What are Protein Powders?
Protein powders come in all shapes and sizes. The main three are Whey, Soy and Casein. Whey is the most well known and used protein used among them all. As it is water soluble and that means it is easier to consume and digest. It is also a complete protein meaning it has all the nine important amino acids required for the dietary needs.
Soy protein is mainly for people that would prefer a vegan diet. Although, it is noted that the taste is a bit unfriendly and it does not dissolve well in water.
Different Protein powders come with different price tags. An athlete would be required to consume certain proteins depending on his training that would need him to be picky about his proteins. On the other hand if you are a casual user then the price would not matter, as you could get the results from less expensive and easily available proteins as well.
Protein powders are a complete and a good quality source for proteins. On the contrary, one thing should also be kept in mind that most individuals, even athletes can get everything from consuming lean protein like meat, chicken and dairy products.
So the real question comes up. When would you be required to consume proteins?
The answer is in the following points:
- When you are a Growing Teenager: Between the age of 13 -18, we see teenagers going through a growth spree. The growth tends to consume more proteins, therefore if a teenager would want to work out he would require additional sources of proteins.
- Switching to a Vegan Diet: If you are planning to go vegan, you would be reducing some common protein intake like chicken, meat and fish. So in order to compensate for the lack of natural protein intake you would have to get proteins.
- In the Beginning of a Program: For those who have not experienced hypertrophy or have any sort of exposure to gym routines. Their bodies would not be used to the intense exhaustion and would give up easily. Such people would be required to consume proteins to keep on going.
- Reducing Recovery Time: Athletes that are recovering from an injury would be required to take in more protein to increase the recovery and heal properly.
- Taking the Workout on Another Level: If you have an irregular gym routine and you are a casual gym goer but now you plan on taking things seriously. Maybe working out for a competition or a marathon you would be required to take additional proteins
All of them are reasons to consume proteins in the form of supplements. Now let’s see what are the best protein powders that money can buy.
The List for the Best Protein Powders of 2020
Best Protein Powder for Building Muscles
Nitro Tech 100 Whey Gold
Reasons to buy:
- Whey peptides and isolate
- Free of artificial flavors and colors
- Low in sugar and fat
- Large value size available
This protein powder is the best at what it does that is building mass. It has a high muscle absorption rate making it the best.
It is a clean formula meaning you would not have to deal with additional amounts of carbs and fats that you intake while consuming similar products. While it’s easy to mix and therefore easily digestible. Lean Mass is the single purpose behind the designing of the product. Unlike other products which are responsible for more than one result.
The reason this protein is the best is because of the clever formulation. Through which you intake 5.5 grams of BCAAs (the amino acid responsible for Muscle Protein Synthesis) per every scoop (24 grams) of protein but whey peptides are what sets it apart. They are responsible for better recovery after a tough workout.
In short, it helps in crushing out hard workouts and allows you to recover quickly, so you can hit the gym again.
The value to price ratio is worth mentioning, not to mention the creamy flavor.
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Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss
Dymatize ISO100
Reasons to Buy:
- Clean, simple ingredient list
- Lower in calories
- Fast-digesting hydrolyzed protein
- Light and clean feel
- Stevia-sweetened flavors available
This whey protein isolate is a super pure, highly absorptive protein used for muscle growth. Purity, Flavor and Quality is what makes ISO 100 internationally recognizable. Moreover, It is made from pre-hydrolyzed protein sources that would allow it to be more easily digestible and would be easy for the body to process.
A single scoop (25 Grams) would include 5.5 Grams of BCAAs, which would help in less muscle fatigue and faster recovery time. The production involves a multi step purification process. Which allows for there being less Cholesterol, Carbohydrates, Lactose and Fat.
ISO 100 is recommended for lactose intolerant people. If you want to consume protein powder and you are concerned about your weight. As this product gets you the best results.
It can easily withstand the most demanding training program. As it is as pure to protein as you could get.
Our personal preference on flavors would be Chocolate Peanut Butter or Strawberry. With water it would taste best and we thought it gets too sweet and creamy with milk (though it is your personal preference if that’s how you like your proteins).
Best Sugar Free Protein Powder
ON Platinum Hydro Whey
Reasons to Buy:
- Increase recovery
- Increase performance
- Helps in digestion
- Improve muscle pumps
This whey is a premium quality hydrolyzed protein. Which allows for isolates to enter the body much more quickly. Thus, making this one of the most effective post workout proteins.
The premium quality and the premium price complement each other. While the hydrolyzation process breaks huge proteins into smaller ones making it easier to absorb. It is one of the perfect high end products out there.
A single scoop includes 30 grams of proteins, which includes; 2 grams Carbohydrate, 2 grams Protein, 40 mg Sodium and Amino 2222 Blend. With only just; 1 gram of Fat & less than 1 Gram of Sugar per serving.
We would recommend the turbo chocolate flavor because mixing it with even water made it taste like chocolate milk. So if that’s how you like your proteins to taste (I know I do). Then definitely go for it.
Furthermore, the company claims that a spoon is all you need to mix virtually anything with Hydro Whey. It is one of the most soluble proteins out there.
Finally, If you misplace your shaker bottle at home, this has got your back.
The Best-Tasting Whey Protein Powder
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100%
ON Gold Standard 100
Reasons to Buy:
- Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) Main Ingredient
- Whey Protein Microfractions from Whey Protein Isolates & Ultra-Filtered Whey Protein Concentrate
- Over 4 Grams of Glutamine & Glutamic Acid in Each Serving
- More Than 5 Grams of the Naturally Occurring Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine in Each Serving
- The “Gold Standard” for Protein Quality
This is the gold standard, the benchmark for all other proteins. The ingredients used in the formulation allows this to be the best tasting protein powder money can buy.
The powder gets its sweetness from a tiny pinch of sugar (1 gram per serving) and acesulfame potassium, which is an artificial sweetener also known as Ace-K.
A single serving contains; 120 calories, 1 gram of fat, 3 grams of carbs, and most importantly 24 grams of protein. Which combines to get you one of the most tasty and flavorful proteins out there.
This Product is quite popular among the beginners and advanced athletes alike. Due to it’s equitable and refined formulation.
Additionally, there has been some speculation about the change in formulation or people not getting original products off amazon.
Therefore we at gladious can guarantee that the products that we offer are of genuine quality.
And we proudly stand by that claim.
Best Casein Protein Powder
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein
ON Gold Standard 100 Casein
Reasons to Buy:
- Protein comes wholly from casein
- Has digestive enzymes
- Lower in cholesterol than some competitors
This is definitely not the cheapest, when it comes to caseins. But there are still fans out there for it as, all the protein in this is micellar casein. Also it has Aminogen that provides for and extra boost when it comes to absorption.
Aminogen is a blend of enzymes that gives a boost to the nutrient absorption rate. Men who took Aminogen with whey concentrate have an increased absorption rate. As calculated by the amino acids in their blood and urine. So a lot of people would prefer Aminogen and other digestive enzymes.
But beware, if you have trouble digesting soy, gums and artificial flavors or artificial sweeteners, then this is not going to be the best option in the market.
People enjoy mixing up a casein pudding with ON. Personally, We would suggest the vanilla flavor.
A single serving includes, 32g of the powder contains 24g of protein, which is sourced from premium micellar casein to ensure a slow delivery to your muscles over time, making it the ideal option for a pre-bedtime shake.
We will be posting about the difference in whey and casein proteins soon.
Finally, Do let us know what you think about our ratings and if you think we missed something please let us know in the comments down below.