Choosing The Best Protein Powder For Your Needs

As the protein market has grown, nowadays you can find a wide range of protein powders available out there. However, that availability can lead you to become confused when you need to buy protein powder products. To avoid standing confused in front of a wall of protein powders in a health food store, find out here how to choose and buy protein powder products that will be able to match your needs.

Step 1 – Function

First of all, define what nutritional function the protein powder will play in your daily meal plan.

• It will replace a main meal or snack?
• Will you use it before your workout for nutrient support during you session or after training for recovery?
• Will you use it to increase your protein intake to help build or tone your muscles?

If it is going to replace a main meal, then you will need a protein powder product that offers enough energy per serve provided via adequate levels of protein and carbohydrate, moderate to low total fat and fortified with at least 25% RDI – for essential vitamins and minerals. This will allow you to get the right balance of nutrients to replace a regular meal. If what you want is a protein powder to use before or after-workout, then you need to make sure that the powder has adequate carbohydrates to fuel your body during training and replenish carbohydrate energy stores after exercising. However, if what you want is just gain lean muscle or muscle tone, a protein powder that has higher protein to carbohydrate ratio is the best option. You can use these powders before and after-workout and also between meal snack or at any other time of the day.

Step 2 – Protein Type

Different types of proteins include Whey Protein, WPI, WPC and Hydrolysed Whey. But, do you know what do these actually mean? Lets get to understand a little about them.

• Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) – A protein powder that contains less fat and lactose and more protein per serving. It has fast digestion rate which makes it rapidly absorbed by the body. WPI is a great choice for before and after-workout.
• Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) – A protein powder that contains slightly higher amounts of carbohydrate and fat than WPI. However, these nutrients still at relatively low levels and the natural sugar level in WPC makes it more palatable. Consider a great everyday protein, it is also a more popular choice due to its lower price.
• Whey Protein Caseinate – Known as a slow release protein, this type of protein takes a lot longer to be absorbed and digested by the body. In some cases it can be used to your advantage. Its most common use is to aid muscle recovery overnight.
• To find great deals on this product, buy protein powder online. Online you will be able to find a larger variety of option at much affordable prices.