Points to consider for choosing the best protein powder

Posted by Linda Share on August 29th, 2016

Protein powder has gained its popularity over time and it is the most preferred food supplement for the athletes, bodybuilders and gym enthusiasts. This is quite effective for building muscle mass and stronger muscles. You may use them both as pre workout and post workout supplements that provides amino acids and gets absorbed quickly by our body. It is also a very convenient (you just need water and a shaker) to consume. There are different kinds of protein powders available in the market today and choosing the one that will suit you may seem a bit confusing. This article will help you to choose the best protein powder suitable for your requirement.

There are several types of protein powder available and you must decide the type you should go for. For example, whey protein is ideal for the people who want to build muscles and lose weight at the same time. On the other hand, casein is not that effective for muscle building but it is a good source of glutamine that reduces muscle protein breakdown. There are other kinds of protein like milk protein which allows sustained release of amino acid. Egg protein provides amino acids that are good for protein synthesis. It is important to keep in mind the goal you have set and then choose the best protein powder as per your requirement.

Another important factor for choosing the best protein powder is the time of the day when you are going to consume the protein powder. If you plan to take it before or after workout session, whey protein powder can be ideal as it gets absorbed by the body very fast and provides the glucose that your muscles need. On the contrary, if you plan to take protein powder in between meals, casein would be a good choice as it takes longer time (as long as 6 hours) to get absorbed. As a result, it will keep the hunger level low and you can avoid having food in between.

While choosing best protein powder, it is also important to see how you are going to have it. Are you planning to mix protein powder with water, milk or juices? There are some powders that do not mix with that well in milk as in water. There are also different flavors of protein supplements available namely vanilla, chocolate or strawberry. Choose your favorite flavor and enjoy the drink. 

The next important parameter is your budget. Whey protein powder is cheaper than the casein-based protein powders. Also, isolates (higher concentrated version) are more expensive than regular versions. Though isolates offer more protein per serving, you may choose to opt for regular concentrates if you have budgetary constraints. There are some protein powders that contain additional ingredients like glutamine, vitamin complexes, creatine etc. which increase the prices. To conclude, you can choose the best protein powder that suits your requirement and in general your goal (muscle building or fat loss or regular protein supplement), type of protein powder, time of consumption and of course, budget.

The best protein powder for one person may not work for you and therefore you should consult an expert before selecting your protein powder.