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Its fair if the first thing that comes to mind is a chalky, barely drinkable shake.
Courtesy of the brands / Catherine Clark
Find the one that suits you best and grab a shaker bottle, and lets get shopping.
Its Klean Isolate powder keeps things relatively simplethe ingredients list is short, and the flavor options are classic.
Reviewers report that it blends particularly well intosmoothieswith frozen fruit.
It contains peas, brown rice, and chia seeds, which provide a complete amino acid profile.
For those concerned about texture, our tester notes that it makes a great smoothie.
And if you need inspo for your blend-ins,we have some ideas.
(Asche and Jones also recommend this brand for the same reasons.)
If you actually want to taste your protein,Nows Plant Protein Complexcomes in delicious flavors like chocolate mocha.
It also contains recovery-boosting tart cherry andgut-soothing ginger.
I use it in my breakfast smoothie every dayits my favorite meal of the day!
From a nutritional standpoint, this vegan powder doesnt just have a high protein content.
Heads up: Our testers recommend mixing this powder with milk instead of water for a better taste.
The powder comes in a flavorless option thats easy to sneak into your smoothies for an extra boost.
Oras pea and rice powder is chock-full of gut-healthy ingredients likechia seedsandacai.
Its made with a blend of whey protein and sunflower lecithin, a stabilizerthats it.
It did mix well, which I liked, one tester said.
It helps support our immune system, build muscle, and repair it, Jones says.
So, while you certainly need to consume enough of it, who needs protein powder, specifically?
One isnt necessarily better than the other, but there are a few key differences to consider.
Animal-based
Most registered dietitians consider wheya component of milkthe gold standard for protein supplementation, Asche says.
Just keep in mind that certain plant protein sources are considered incomplete, says Asche.
But there are a few things that experts suggest checking the label for before making a purchase.
Not everyone will find these ingredients hard to digest, but its something to keep in mind.
Jones recommends blending it intosmoothies, adding it to overnight oats, or even making your own protein bars.
Asche adds pancakes and waffles to that list, and notes it can also boost alreadyhigh-protein foodslike yogurt.
FAQs
Are protein powders healthy?
How much protein powder should I take?
Most protein powders come in serving sizes around that range, so one scoop should be enough.
Still, its always a good idea to get your health care providers input before changing your supplement intake.
Is it okay to take protein powder every day?
LeVeque adds that some medical conditions might make excess protein consumption harmful.
What is the best way to consume protein powder?
Whens the best time to consume protein powder?
If youre not sure whens the best time to drink a protein shake, its actually pretty subjective.
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