Gym-goers swear by protein powders - and all for good reason! This nutritional supplement has experienced a massive gain in popularity because it helps people reach their nutritional goals, be it muscle gain and retention, weight loss, or simply raising their protein intake.
However, most people believe that people who work out should only use protein powder. Well, they couldn't be more wrong!
Given that protein majorly contributes to our tissues' structure, regulation, and function, everyone (including children) should have the appropriate daily intake.
On average, a person who doesn’t exercise should intake about 0.36 g of protein per pound of body weight, and this requirement is usually met with a balanced diet.
In contrast, people who regularly hit the gym or do some sort of physical exercise can benefit from a higher protein intake because it will help them reach their goals faster.
In other words, the amount is doubled, meaning that gym rats should generally consume around 1 g of protein per pound of body weight.
Here comes the tricky part! Reaching the recommended protein intake may be challenging since most of it comes from specific foods like chicken breasts, canned tuna, and, of course - eggs.
Additionally, vegetarians and vegans may find this especially difficult since plant-based protein is considerably lower in volume than its animal counterpart. This is exactly where protein powder helps! However, as you start researching, you may get confused since many types of protein powders are available. In turn, this poses the question - which one is right for you?
Types Of Protein Powders
Before we jump into the types of protein powders, there are a few things that we should clear up.
Firstly, men require much more protein since they typically have a larger build than women. Consequently, the needs can also vary depending on dietary needs and fitness goals.
Furthermore, protein powders are not a replacement for a meal but rather a supplement that can assist you in achieving your desired goals. We’ve heard thousands of instances where people replace breakfast with a protein shake simply because they believe that it will have the same effect.
As you can imagine, this is quite false since the foods you ingest daily are filled with other essential nutrients for proper body function. With that in mind, if you’re having a couple of eggs or some yogurt in the morning, add a scoop of protein powder to your meal, thus making you one step closer to your goal.
Now, we’re going to cover the types of protein powders available on the market. Hence, you get a better understanding of which one(s) are most suitable for you!
1. Whey Protein Powders
Coming as the most common type, whey protein powders come from milk, meaning that they contain some lactose, while isolate versions contain very little of it.These protein powders are ideal for people who do heavy lifting and intense exercises because they increase muscle strength and also assist in recovery. Additionally, whey protein powders decrease fat mass and lower appetite, resulting in the feeling of fullness.
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2. Egg Protein Powders
Unsurprisingly, egg protein powders are one of the most popular varieties, and they come with a number of benefits. For one, they have the highest PDCAAS score, and they also contain all nine essential amino acids that the body can’t produce by itself.
Also, these protein powders promote the feeling of fullness but considerably less than the whey counterpart since the yolks have been removed. This is also an excellent choice for people who have dairy allergies!
3. Casein Protein Powders
Like whey protein powders, casein proteins also derive from milk but are absorbed much slower. As a result, your muscles are gradually exposed to amino acids, thus reducing the rate of protein breakdown.
This type of protein is greatly suitable for people who do strength training, and because of their “slow” nature, they are ideal for those late-night workouts.
4. Pea Protein Powders
Considered a favorite among vegetarians and vegans, pea protein powders are made of yellow split pea that is rich in fiber and contains all nine EAAs.
In addition, they contain a lot of BCAAs, which are recommended for people who want to improve their muscle strength and body composition.
Pea protein powders are commonly compared to whey proteins because they show similar results, though more extensive research is needed.
Simply put, if you’re looking for a plant-based protein that shows promising results, these powders can be a great option!
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Volume Eating
5. Brown Rice Protein Powders
Protein powders made from brown rice are another excellent vegan variety, but their “strength” is considerably weaker compared to the whey counterpart.
Additionally, they contain all EAAs, but since their lysine levels are quite low, brown rice protein powders are not considered a complete protein. Still, they greatly contribute to improving body structure and can work well for people who do resistance training.
6. Hemp Protein Powders
While the name may worry some, rest assured there’s no need for that! Hemp protein powders have no traces of THC, but they’re rather rich in omega-3 fatty acids in addition to EAAs.
However, just like the protein powders made of brown rice, the levels of lysine and leucine are low, meaning they’re not complete proteins. Either way, research has shown that hemp protein powders are well-digested and can help you achieve your desired goals.
Because we cleared up the types of protein powders available, it’s time to answer the question that we believe most of you have on your mind - which protein powders are the best?
Well, there is no concrete answer to this! All of them have a concentrated source of protein, but some are more effective than others. For instance, whey protein powders are ideal for building muscle, while casein ones can contribute to weight loss.
Furthermore, vegan protein powders take longer to digest, meaning they promote the feeling of fullness, which can greatly help your journey to shedding a few pounds. As a rule of thumb, choose the ones that comply with your goals since there isn’t a certain type that benefits all goals.
Our Picks For The Best Protein Powders
We know that choosing a suitable protein powder can quickly get overwhelming since the market is greatly over-saturated.
For that reason, we at MuscleTech want your journey toward your goals to be as straightforward as possible, so we’re bringing you our top 11 protein powders that will surely benefit you!
1. Nitro-Tech Whey Protein
Coming in as our first choice, the Nitro-Tech Whey Protein Powder is excellent for everyday fitness enthusiasts whose main goal is improving muscle mass and strength.
In fact, this is the number one choice for pro athletes and bodybuilders! The formula contains a blend of protein isolate, peptides, and several other ingredients that promise greater results than other whey protein powders.
Specifically, the formula is built of 30g of protein, a macronutrient essential for building mass, as well as 3g of creatine, which helps muscles produce energy. Finally, the 6.8g of BCAAs and 5g of glutamine will make recovery much faster!
2. Platinum 8-Hour Protein
Want to know the best thing about this protein powder for mass gain? It can be at any point during the day, whether after your workouts, in between meals, or just before bedtime!
The premium blend comes from 7 protein sources, improving your strength and lean muscle. Also, this protein powder speeds up recovery, so you can kiss muscle soreness goodbye!
Despite its numerous benefits, consumers of the Platinum 8-hour Protein love its taste - coming in sweet vanilla cake and the richest milk chocolate.
3. Nitro-Tech Ripped
Another great addition to the Nitro-Tech line, this weight-loss protein powder will help you easily shed those excess pounds! On top of that, this supplement also contributes to building lean muscle due to the unique blend of whey peptides, isolate, and concentrate.
The added m, L-tartrate, and MCTs help promote a lean physique, and the meticulously designed dose of C. canephora robusta will lead you to a slimmer figure. And if that’s not enough, the green tea and rosehip extracts have antioxidant properties, making this protein powder an all-around perfect choice!
4. Mass-Tech Extreme 2000
Gains, gains, and ever more gains - that’s what you can expect from this excellent protein powder for mass gain!
This supplement has shown exceptional results for people who want to increase their muscle mass due to the 80g of protein included.
Moreover, this protein powder with creatine boosts strength, so those weights that seemed impossible to lift might not seem so heavy anymore!
So, if you want extreme gains in a much shorter time, you already know that Mass-Tech Extreme 2000 is the way to go!
5. Nitro-Tech 100% Whey Gold
The final entry from the Nitro-Tech line, the 100% whey protein powder is just the thing you need for building muscle mass. The high-quality, innovative formula contains 24g of protein, which is also high in amino acids that not only contribute to an improved physique but performance as well.
By taking this supplement, you will instantly feel a boost in energy thanks to the 4g glutamine and precursor, while the 5.5g BCAAs support rapid recovery, making your whole journey much more enjoyable and ache-free.
6. Plant Protein
Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about vegans and vegetarians! While all of the protein mentioned above powders are animal-based, this one comes directly from the heart of nature.
Right from the start, you’ll feel no difference in the taste and texture since we created this vegan protein powder with flavor in mind.
Furthermore, the 25g of protein will enhance your recovery and help you build muscle, while the Optizome P3 Hydrolizer enzyme will significantly boost your performance. That said, don’t be surprised when you achieve your desired result much faster than expected!
7. 100% Mass Gainer
The name says it all - if a mass is what you want, the 100% Mass Gainer protein powder will help you get it! This supplement is packed with 60g of protein and muscle-fueling creatine, proven to deliver exceptional mass and strength gains.
The formula is also designed to help you achieve your results much faster, and since it’s easily digestible, you’ll have no trouble consuming it! Simply mix a scoop with 2 cups of skim milk, and you already have 1500 calories in your system! Incredible, right?
8. Grass-fed 100% Whey Protein
There are a number of reasons why you should take grass-fed protein powders, but we’ll keep that for another blog.
For now, you should know that this protein powder is free from additives, artificial flavors, and sugars. Because of this, this supplement is much easier to digest, making it ideal for people who experience dietary problems.
Also, this powder was designed with taste in mind, meaning you have a lot more options to include it in all kinds of recipes, including smoothies, puddings, and even coffee!
9. ISO Whey Clear
Want a bit of zest added to your workouts? Maybe the ISO Whey Clear protein powder is just the thing you need! The clean formula comes in two flavors - lemon berry and orange - which is extremely easy to mix and is also quite light.
The 220mg Prohoydrolase included helps break down protein easily and is clinically proven to boost BCAA absorption by 20%. Lastly, no fats or sugars are included in the formula, and the ~1g of carbs boosts the cleanliness, thus helping you push your limits even further!
10. Whey + Muscle Builder
We’ve spent decades perfecting the formula to bring you exceptional results for gaining lean muscle and strength, finally culminating in the form of this protein powder with creatine.
Additionally, the formula contains 6.6g of BCAAs in addition to the 30g of protein, thus preventing muscle breakdown during exercise.
11. Mass-Tech Elite
As the final entry of the best protein powders from MuscleTech, the Mass-Tech Elite is jam-packed with ingredients that will help you achieve your results in no time!
Namely, the formula comes with 80g of protein, 10g of creatine, and 17g of creatine, so you can expect your workouts to be much easier and more effective!
Choose The Ideal Protein Powder
Now that we’ve shown you our top picks for excellent protein powders, the only thing left to do is to make your choice, depending on your needs! You have a wide variety to choose from, so rest assured that whichever option you go for, results are guaranteed!
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Want to know how you can improve your fitness journey? Check out the rest of our blogs!
- The Complete Guide to Workout Supplements
- 19 Time Tested Workout Supplements for Men
- Protein on a Budget
- A-Z Guide on the Best Plant Based Protein
- Slow vs Fast Absorbing Protein and When to Take Each
- Post-Workout Nutrition: What to Eat after a Workout?
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