I was recently asked a very difficult question: what is the best protein powder on the market. In a market saturated with protein powders, this really is a challenge. Everyone is selling protein powders these days – from vegan health food companies to Khloe Kardashian – so it’s understandable that we are a bit baffled by the choice.
I could write a whole article on the different types of protein powders out there, which I eventually will. They all have their merits and their downsides - from whey to whey isolate, pea to casein. However, I have decided to concentrate this post on whey, for the simple reason that it’s my protein drink of choice, and probably the most popular.
So what makes a good whey powder? For me, it comes down to the three-pronged punch of taste, consistency and innocuousness. The first two criteria don’t need explaining, but what do I mean by innocuousness? Simply put, the taste of whey is pretty pronounced, and sometimes leaves a distinct aftertaste. So I’m looking for a shake that doesn’t taste too strongly of whey.
The powder that answers all three criteria, for me, is PEScience Select Protein, which is actually a blend of Whey and Casein. Beyond the wonderful flavours that this American brand offers – anyone for Frosted Chocolate Cupcake, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, Cookies n’ Cream or Snickerdoodle? – its winning quality is its lack of whey taste. It can be a little too sweet, but it is more than palatable. PES Science not only ticks the flavour boxes, it is also super macro-friendly and contains a minimal amount of carbs and sugars. The exact macros per 33.5g serving are as follows: 110 Kcals=24g protein, 1.5g carbs and 1.5g fat. If you are inclined to give PEScience Select Protein a try, you can purchase it in a host of sizes and weights from my favourite website, www.proteinpickandmix.co.uk.
Whilst I am sure my pointers are helpful to a degree, in this case I recommend you find your protein powder match yourself. Firstly, do some online research and find out what the millions of whey drinkers out there have to say. The web is rife with reviews and so through them you’ll probably get a fairly clear-cut indication on which to give a go and which to avoid like the plague.
Secondly, I definitely recommend getting your paws on some sample packs. A lot of sellers offer them for free or at fraction of the cost with the hope that you’ll eventually buy the full-size version. This avoids you committing to potentially a kilo’s worth of product that you might end up hating. Most protein powders come in huge bags, and no one wants to stockpile product - especially if you don’t like it.
Thirdly, attend some fitness trade shows. The protein companies set up stalls to lure you in, and you can try pretty much anything. Just make sure you don’t eat a big meal before you get there, as you’ll fill up pretty quickly on all the delicious samples on offer!
So there you have it. I can’t say hand on heart that PEScience Select Protein is the best protein powder out there as it would take me years to try all the brands on the market. However, I’m always up for a challenge, so I will continue to try new brands as they emerge. What is your favourite protein shake and why? Let me know in the comments!