Protein Powder
Things to look for in a Powder
Picking a protein powder is a common complaint among newcomers to working out. There are tons of brands to choose from, natural vs artificial, etc. and this is going to be a guide on what you should be looking for in a good Protein powder.
- Natural (No artificial ingredients i.e colors, sweeteners, flavors)
Natural protein powders are the ones you want to be looking for. They should be void of any artificial ingredients (sucralose, AceK, saccharine, Advantame, Neotame, artificial dyes, etc.).
There is research that supports the safety and use of the ingredients but at the end of the day, everyone is different and everyone reacts differently to things. Many consumers are sensitive or are flat out intolerant to these ingredients. Its easier to avoid any potential problems of health issues that could come from using the artificial ingredients and just use a natural powder.
- Metals
Consumers would be surprised at the amount of toxic metals( Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, Bisphenol -A, etc.) contained in artificial protein powders. These metals are usually a byproduct of the products processing method as well as the ingredients used. Its recommended to use a more natural protein powder made in an ethical approach.
- NON-GMO's
Genetically modified organisms A.K.A GMO's are organisms or ingredients that have ben modified in a way that does not occur naturally. There isn't a lot of long term research about GMO's as they haven't been a thing for a long time but it commonly believed that GMO's can have harmful effects on the body based on the amount of research we do have. Consumption of these ingredients can cause disease/illness that can't be deterred by antibiotics. It's easier to just avoid GMO's and for powders that are labelled NON-GMO.
- Processing
One thing to always remember is that protein powders are inherently a processed food. Processed foods aren't the best and because of this, its best to choose powders that have gone through as little processing as possible. Powders that have gone through little processing are a sign that the company is very unlikely to add things like additives an fillers to their products. It would be best to go for a plant based protein. The more natural the protein the less potential health risks.
- Ethics
A significant amount of consumers ( 40% according to the IFIC 2020 Health and Nutrition Survey ) are interested in the the process of how their food was made and want to know that there food was made using an method that will have a lower impact on the environments wellbeing. Make sure to find a powder that was produced in an ethical way that made with raw materials coming from a sustainable farm or plant.
- Recommended powder
The main powder used at our private gym is XP-Labs ISO XP Grass Fed Whey.
This is a NON-GMO, horomone free, plant based, clean protein. Its made from natural ingredients that don't have negative effects on the body and are New Zealand Whey approved ( contains only whey protein isolate that is sourced from 100% New Zealand dairy. The ingredients are from natural sources and It's grass-fed, pasture-raised dairy that are free from artificial growth hormones (such as rBST and rBGH). Uses natural stevia leaves as a sweetener instead of artificial sweeteners.
