Pros And Cons Of Plant
Alternatively to whey protein, plant-based protein powder and vegan protein powder have become increasingly popular and available due to the rise in popularity of plant-based or even vegan diets. Many individuals also have digestive issues when it comes to whey protein , so plant-based protein can remedy that. These powders are derived from vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Plant proteins are often low in some of the essential amino acids, or dont contain all of the essential amino acids required to build proteinsome examples being beans, lentils, and nuts. As such, theyre deemed a second tier protein source. You want to prioritize complete protein 9 types of amino acids you need to get from food .
Conversely, plant foods provide many more nutrients like vitamin C, flavonoids, quercetin, catechins, and antioxidants that animal proteins dont. The choice is yours whether you choose whey protein or plant-based protein powder to supplement your diet. Just make sure its high quality and free of unnecessary additives, preservatives, or synthetic ingredients.
Something to consider: Oftentimes when it comes to supplements, you get what you pay for. Cheaper brands are often lower in quality and contain many additives, contaminants, lower amounts of actual protein, or unfavorable amino acid profiles.
If youre curious about the amount of protein per day you need, consult our guide.
Legion Whey+ Chocolate Whey Isolate Protein Powder
Image courtesy Legion
Legion’s protein powder is perfect for those who are looking for a chocolate-flavored option. It’s made with grass-fed whey protein and is free of gluten, soy, and dairy.
If you’re someone who is always on the go and doesn’t have time to prepare meals, protein supplements are a great way to get the nutrients your body needs. Protein powders can be mixed with water or milk and taken as a drink, or added to smoothies, oatmeal, or baking recipes.
Is Stevia An Artificial Sweetener
Stevia is not an artificial sweetener. It is a sugar substitute that is naturally sourced from the stevia leaf.
However, it isnt as simple as grinding up the leaf. Instead, the sweetener is quite highly processed with the glycoside compounds in the leaf being dehydrated, purified, and extracted.
The result is a sweetener that can be labeled as natural, is much sweeter than sugar, and is also much lower in calories.
Like monk fruit extract, it is recognized by the FDA with a GRAS status meaning “generally regarded as safe.” Its an excellent substitute to sugar in moderation and certainly safer than artificial sweeteners are.
Recommended Reading: Orgain Organic Protein Powder Vanilla
The Eat This Not That
Whether you’re a protein powder connoisseur or a first-time buyer, you’re just as likely to be overwhelmed and confused by the countless options and label trickery. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of the best sugar-free protein powder brands available to you.
To whittle down the list to the cream of the crop, the Nutrition Twins recommend going with the more simple protein powders with shorter ingredient lists because “there is less room for ingredients that could contain contaminants or pose an allergy threat and it allows our clients to mix in whatever they prefer.”
The following protein powders are completely free of any sweeteners, including sugar, artificial sweeteners, non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit extract, or sugar alcohols.
NOTE: You may see that some powders list 1-3 grams of sugar. These are naturally-occurring sugars that are from the protein source. None of these grams of sugar are from added sweeteners.
We’ve split them up into plant-based/vegan and dairy protein, so you can pick according to your dietary preferences.
Any Side Effects With Protein Powder
Protein powder is generally safe and has few side effects.
The most common side effect is bloating. This is caused by the bodys inability to break down and digest all the protein. To avoid this, start with a lower dose of protein powder and increase it gradually.
Other possible side effects include:
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Allergic reactions
If you experience any adverse effects, stop taking protein powder and consult your doctor.
Also Check: Can Protein Shakes Make You Lose Weight
Transparent Labs 100% Grass
If youre sick of trying to wrap your head around different complex protein shake recipes each day just to mask the unpleasant flavors you get from other powders, Transparent Labs is the answer.
This ultra-clean protein features inventive flavors without the risk of artificial flavorings.
Heres why youll like it:
High Protein by Weight Ratio Transparent Labs boasts a protein by weight ratio of 88%. That means youre getting 28 grams of pure whey isolate protein per scoop.
- High protein yield at 28 g. per serving
- It is sustainably sourced from hormone-free dairy cows
- Does not contain preservatives
- Does not contain dietary fibers
Summary: One of the biggest issues I have with this product is that it doesnt contain dietary fibers. And since whey protein powder is naturally notorious for causing stomach distress like bloating or gassiness, it isnt at all impossible for you to experience these side effects. It features one of the cleanest formulas the supplement industry.
Can Protein Powder Be Used As A Meal Replacement
Because protein powders contain mostly protein and limited amounts of other nutrients, they are generally not designed to be used as a meal replacement.
Some products, like GNC Lean Shake 25, are fortified with vitamins and minerals and may be used as such, though they are often too low in calories to substitute a full meal.
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Our #1 Protein Powder For Elderly & Seniors
Many study results have shown the direct impact of increased protein intake on lean muscle mass and bone density of the older population.
With reduced strength and mobility being a concern for many seniors, its important to get the right combination of nutrition and physical exercise.
Based on my research and work with my dietitian, I recommend trying out Transparent Labs.
It delivers a high dose of whey protein while reducing calories from carbs practically to zero. Many of my older clients reported it helps with planning meals to avoid messing up a diet, and none of them had any digestive issues.
Our #1 Recommendation
Pros & Cons Of Pure Label Nutrition Whey Protein Powder:
PROS:
- You will experience no bitter aftertaste at all.
- No chalky residue is found.
- It can be used in a variety of recipes, including baking recipes also.
- Its taste is superb for kids, even when it is mixed with fruit juices.
- It provides a 100% money-back guarantee.
- This powder can mix with beverages so smoothly.
CONS:
- Some palates may reject the taste and texture of this product.
- It was mentioned by a few users that the taste and texture are inconsistent. It is changed with every new purchase.
Also Check: Fairlife Nutrition Plan High Protein Shake Stores
Orgain Simple Protein Powder
Orgain Simple Protein lives up to its name as one of the cleanest, stevia-free protein powders on the market. It does not contain any artificial ingredients, gums, thickeners, or fillers. Its also completely organic and non-GMO, and its also free of gluten and soy. It does contain natural flavors, which can be somewhat vague and suspicious to picky customers, but this one product we love for its minimal ingredients and great taste.
Orgain Simple Protein is available in three flavors, Creamy Chocolate, Creamy Vanilla, and Peanut Butter. Its mildly sweetened using organic coconut sugar and has a delicious, smooth taste. Its also highly accessible, as you can find in most large grocery stores and a number of places online.
See the full Orgain protein review of this product or buy it now on .
Naked Whey By Naked Nutrition
If you want a protein supplement thats as close to nature as possible, then youll want to check out Naked Whey by Naked Nutrition. As the name suggests, this whey protein powder is free of any artificial sweeteners, flavorings, or colors. Its also non-GMO and gluten-free.
Naked Whey is made with grass-fed whey protein isolate that is sourced from cows in California. Its also very low in lactose, so its easy on the stomach. One scoop of Naked Whey contains 25 grams of protein and 5.9 grams of muscle-building branched-chain amino acids.
Naked Whey is a great choice for those who are looking for an all-natural whey protein powder. Its also a good option for those who are lactose intolerant or have sensitive stomachs.
You will notice that Naked Whey is a bit more expensive the others on this list, that is because it comes in a giant tub that contains 76 servings, so while it costs more, you get more.
Read Also: Make Your Own Protein Shake
Ghost Whey Protein Taste
We tried a few different flavors. First of all, the milk chocolate flavor was excellent. Normally it takes a whole lot of artificial ingredients to make a protein powder that tastes great with water, but Ghost tastes fantastic with water. With whole milk, I found it just a little too sweet and creamy, but I think it would work really well with low-fat milk or almond milk.
Then we tried the cereal milk flavor, which is intended to taste like the milk thats leftover from a bowl of childrens cereal like Capn Crunch®. Thats pretty much what it tastes like some say that its like a vanilla flavor, but theres definitely a sweet, corn-like flavor too, like youd taste in Corn Pops®.
Finally, we tried the blueberry toaster pastry flavor. Personally, I find that blueberry-flavored protein powder can be pretty hit or miss but Ghosts protein was actually pretty good. It didnt make me think I was drinking actual blueberries, but it was pretty close.
And then there are the pastry pieces. Its actually got crunchy chunks of pastry throughout the whey, even though it only has one more gram of carbs and half a gram more of fat compared to the chocolate flavor. Its great, but dont chug it those pastry pieces wont feel great flying down your gullet.
Pure Label Nutrition Whey Protein Powder:
This protein is also 100% pure whey protein isolate that is sourced from grass-fed cattle that is free from chemicals, GMOs, and hormones. This protein has zero artificial sweeteners, bulking agents, and additives with a grass-fed whey protein.
This is fully packed with essential amino acids, and its per serving offers 24g of protein with only 122 calories, 2,5g fat, and 1g of carbs. It is considered a keto-friendly supplement due to low calories and carbohydrate content. This supplement may also use in weight loss plans. This can be a perfect supplement for athletes to build their muscle mass. This protein powder is also fantastic as pre or post-exercise snacks.
Read Also: 1800 Calorie Meal Plan High Protein
Keyto Collagen Protein Powder With Mct Oil
Image courtesy Keyto
Keyto’s protein powder is perfect for those who are following a ketogenic diet. It’s made with grass-fed collagen peptides and MCT oil and is free of gluten, soy, and dairy.
If you’re someone who is always on the go and doesn’t have time to prepare meals, protein supplements are a great way to get the nutrients your body needs. Protein powders can be mixed with water or milk and taken as a drink, or added to smoothies, oatmeal, or baking recipes.
Keyto’s protein powder is a great option for those who are looking for an alternative to whey protein. It’s made with grass-fed collagen peptides and MCT oil and is free of gluten, soy, and dairy.
Is Stevia Safe In Protein Powder
Millions of American athletes are gulping protein powder, and its easy to understand why: Powdered foods are better for us than full-fat meals because theyre smaller, easier to digest, and better for protein absorption. But could popular powders make us fat? Thats the claim made by vegan athletes such as Kiana Horton, who is sponsored by the vegan protein brand Vega. The company makes plant-based protein shakes and bars with powder made from stevia, an extract of sweet leaves that is thought to help limit calories, boost satiety and give you energy. But not everyone is convinced that stevia is as safe as Vega and other companies suggest.
Also Check: How Many Carbs Protein And Fat Should I Eat
The Best Whey Protein Isolate Without Artificial Sweeteners
To be clear, you’ve landed on this article because you are not that type of consumer and are interested in procuring the dress-up ingredients yourself. At AGN Roots, we believe it is best to steer clear of products containing ingredients like “natural flavors,” sugar, or high-intensity artificial sweeteners.
The Best Protein Powders Of 2022
- By Daniel Preiato, RD, CSCSUpdated OnDecember 02, 2022
What to Eat Before a Workout | Creatine Timing | Protein Timing | Best Pre-workout Supplements | Best Post-Workout Supplements | Best Creatine Supplements | Best Protein Powder Supplements | Best Peanut Butter | Best Greek Yogurt
While our diets should meet the majority of our protein needs, regularly supplementing with protein bars or protein powder has been shown to support recovery from strenuous exercise, as well as promote healthy muscle mass. Plus, supplements are great for buying in bulk, while other sources of protein may go bad. That said, not all protein powders are created equal. In recent years, new protein sources have emerged, some of which lack scientific backing. With so many options on the market, it’s difficult to choose which one best aligns with your specific goals. In this roundup, the ACTIVE Reviews Team does the heavy lifting to help you select the best protein powder to maximize your recovery and performance.
Why Trust Us?
Also Check: How To Get Protein Out Of Urine
Quest Nutrition Protein Powder
Quest is a well-known brand and while their bars are very popular, they have some good powders too. With only 100 calories per serving and a respectable 24g of protein, Quest protein offers the perfect muscle-building and fat loss combo. Theres no fat, no carbs, and only < 1g carbohydrates too.
Whey isolate and micellar casein protein are a good combination to support your goals.
You can mix it with anything or have a few shakes throughout the day and youll still be well under your daily caloric intake. But even if you wanted to add some extras , itd still be low-calorie. Quest powder is also a great multi-use powder as you can cook and bake with it and they tend to have good flavors for the most part.
Product highlights
- Few complaints about taste
Ingredients
- Whey protein concentrate
Who makes it
Naked Whey products are loaded with essential amino acids and contain no artificial sweeteners or colors, or additives. They make pure products that are top quality.
While Ghost’s Branding Might Be Hip We Were Also Pleasantly Surprised By The Nutrition In This Product
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Weve got a lot of protein powders on our shelves, but none of them stand out the way Ghost does. Most protein powders are housed in serious black tubs emblazoned with block letters and terms like ultra-premium and extreme muscle, but Ghost comes in a cream-colored tub with ghosts, monkeys, and funky, graffiti-like branding scrawled across it.
The brand, which overall is more focused on pre-workouts than protein, hopes to be the worlds first lifestyle sports nutrition brand and their website includes music playlists, fitness articles, and short documentaries about the founders. They dont just sponsor athletes, they sponsor DJs and entrepreneurs.
This protein powder comes in unique flavors like ice cream, toaster pastry, cereal milk, and more. Each rounded-single-scoop serving sports 25 grams of protein and 130 calories.
To sum it up, Ghost is cool, cool in a way that no other self-serious supplement company manages. The branding pops, and we were happy to find that the product itself held up: it delivers a lot of protein per calorie, it digests effectively, and its one of the few protein powders that taste great with water.
Read Also: Halo Top Protein Ice Cream
Nature Fuel Keto Meal Replacement Powder
Image courtesy Nature Fuel
Nature Fuel’s protein powder is perfect for those who are following a ketogenic diet. It’s made with grass-fed collagen peptides and is free of gluten, soy, and dairy.
If you’re someone who is always on the go and doesn’t have time to prepare meals, protein supplements are a great way to get the nutrients your body needs. Protein powders can be mixed with water or milk and taken as a drink, or added to smoothies, oatmeal, or baking recipes.
Garden Of Life Organic Plant Protein Smooth Unflavored
Garden of Life Organic Plant Protein Smooth Unflavored is in fact very smooth and transparent to the taste buds. Theres no stevia or sugar, so its not sweet at all. So if you want an unflavored vegan protein powder that doesnt taste like anything, then this one is for you .
The real edge to this stevia-free protein powder is that its grain-free. For those who are seeking a paleo-friendly protein powder with grains as the primary source of protein, then this is a solid product to try.
However, because theres not much going on with this product taste-wise, the overall experience can taste bland. As such, I recommend using Smooth Unflavored in more flavorful applications, like a fruit smoothie.
Want to try it? See our full review or take our word for it and .
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Nuzest Good Powder With Stevia
This Nuzest pure and lean golden pea protein powder caught our attention the moment we tried its ultra-smooth and creamy. The taste and the texture are quite unexpected from a vegan protein powder for muscle building.
Its a pure serving of nutrition and proteins designed to help with evolving your muscle, diet, and well-being.
Youll find that its both smooth and delicious. Surprisingly, it contains zero added sugar, stevia .
Take a look at its best quality:
Low in Carbohydrates, High in Protein Nuzest is certainly not the leader when it comes to clean lean protein per serving yield, but it still packs a decent amount of protein. Whats more, it only contains 2 grams of carbohydrates per 25-gram scoop.
- 20 grams of protein per portion
- Under 2 grams of carbohydrates per scoop
- 90 calories per scoop
- Might cause bloating
Summary: This pea protein powder is ideal if youre specifically looking for a pea protein supplement that delivers great results for minimal consequences. Its reasonably priced and features a great flavor profile as well as a smooth texture that is uncommon for pea protein powders in the market. However, if you have a sensitive stomach, you might want to be careful since pea protein might cause bloating.