The Deets on What to Look for in a Protein Powder
which protein powder is best for me
I have spent so much time lately researching one question: which protein powder is best for me? I swear, I thought it was gonna be such an easy thing. Like, researchers know a ton about which proteins our body can use most easily, and I know from personal experience what works in my body. Whey protein, for example, can give me digestive issues, so I try to steer clear of it.
But when I set out to try to find out which protein powder is best for me, I was kinda shocked. Even when I knew what I wanted, I had the hardest time finding it! For starters, a ton of protein powders out there have a bunch of junk I don’t want in them, like sugar or additives. And then some of the ones with cleaner ingredients just tasted so bad — seriously, like chalk!
It made me realize that there are all these not-so-great products out there because people don’t really know what to look for in a protein powder. And I want to change that!
But first, here’s a question I get from a lot of girls:
Why do I need protein?
Protein is basically the building block of your body. Lots of women think that it just bulks up your muscles, but that’s so not true! Yes, protein plays a big role in your body’s ability to build muscle. But you also need protein for your hair, bones, nails, connective tissue, and more. Basically, protein is completely critical for you to look and feel your best!
And not all protein is created equal. You need something called complete protein, which means the protein has all nine of the essential amino acids that your body can’t make by itself.
When you’re getting enough protein and getting all of the right amino acids, you get:
- Healthier hair, skin and nails
- Lean muscle
- Stronger bones
- A better-functioning immune system
Plus, getting enough protein can actually help you lose weight! So, yeah, it’s pretty important.
The good news is that adding a protein powder to your routine can help you get the clean, complete protein your body needs. And I have some tips to help you pick the right one.
How do I know which protein powder is best for me?
Basically, I’ve distilled everything I want in a protein powder down to these four things:
Plant-based
Back in the early days, a lot of protein powders were dairy-based (whey comes from dairy, for example). The problem? Dairy-based protein powders can often come with tummy troubles.
Fortunately, you can find plant-based protein powders today to get the protein you need to feel awesome without the potential digestion issues.
One thing you should know, though, is that a lot of plants don’t provide complete protein. But some protein powders blend two plant-based sources together in order to get all nine essential amino acids in there. I personally love a brown rice and pea blend because it’s a great source of plant-based complete protein that my body doesn’t have any trouble digesting!
20g protein per serving
There’s one big question you should ask if you’re wondering, “Which protein powder is right for me?” Here it is: how much protein should I look for in each serving?
My rule of thumb is to pick a protein powder with at least 20 grams of protein a serving. This is going to be enough that you can get the remaining protein you need through your meals and snacks without too much trouble.
By the way, you can multiply your weight by 0.36 to figure out roughly how many grams you should be getting each day. And if you’re working out a lot (which I know you are, my LSF babes!), you probably want quite a bit more than that.
Basically, starting with the 20-gram mark means you’re going to get a good chunk of your daily protein needs met right away, and that’s going to help support you throughout your day and during your workouts!
Clean ingredients
This is a big one for me, and it’s pretty simple. Look up the ingredients in the protein powders you’re considering. If you don’t know what something is and a quick Google search still leaves you scratching your head, you probably don’t need it in your body.
Not chalky, chunky, or too sweet
When I’ve been wondering which protein powder is right for me, it’s easy to get caught up in the health side. But let’s be real: if it tastes gross, I’m not going to use it. Like, sure, if I’m making a really tasty smoothie, I might toss some in. But sometimes I’m so busy I just want to be able to throw my protein powder into some water and run. And that makes chalky, chunky, and overly sweet protein powders a no-go for me.
Don’t be afraid to be picky with your protein powder and the way it tastes! You’re a whole lot more likely to make it a regular part of your routine — meaning you’re giving your body that critical complete protein it needs — if you actually like drinking it.
Okay, clearly, there’s a lot to look for in a protein powder. And it can feel a little overwhelming. I’ve spent a lot of time hunting for the perfect one, so I decided to make my own! Of course, it checks all of these boxes, and I am so excited for you to get your hands on it!!
The post The Deets on What to Look for in a Protein Powder appeared first on Love Sweat Fitness.
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