The cleanest protein powders you should purchase

Protein shakes have become synonymous with post-workout gains. But when muscle building relies heavily on protein consumption, we all sit around eating spoons of whey protein and never go to the gym. Of course this is not the case. You need the right stimulus - a solid strength and conditioning program combined with a balanced diet high in protein. Protein powder is a must to take your body to new levels. But here's the kicker: you want the cleanest protein powders. t all proteins are created equal, and there are many sub-par options on the market.

What makes a clean protein powder?

Ignore the marketing jargon and look directly at the ingredient label. Here's your checklist for finding the cleanest protein powders:

Whey or a vegetable source of protein should be the first ingredient. Avoid unnecessary fillers and additives.
t much sugar or artificial ingredients should be added (read: under 2g of sugar per serving). If you want to add carbohydrates, add them yourself in the form of milk, fruits or natural honey.
Prioritize powders with at least 20 grams of protein per serving.
Look for a company that lists the amino acid profile on their label or on their website and make sure there is a high level of leucine per serving (at least 2 grams).
If the brand lists where the whey protein comes from, it is a good sign that they are focusing on quality protein.
Choose powders that have been tested by third-party suppliers for guarantee of quality and safety, such as: B. NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Choice. These companies test the products for banned substances and make sure that the product is actually on the label.

Which is better: whey or vegetable protein powder?

Advantages and disadvantages of whey protein

Whey protein is extracted from cow's milk, which makes it a dairy product. During cheese production, whey is separated and isolated. Most dairy products contain two types of protein: casein (80 percent) and whey (20 percent). After that, whey protein is made into whey powder, and this is where it can become unhealthy.

Most whey protein on its own tastes pretty awful, so many manufacturers add sugar and ingredients to make it tastier. To keep it clean, look for powders that are either a whey isolate or Hydrolyzate form.

There are three main types of whey protein powders:

Whey Protein Concentrate: Usually contains the lowest percentage of whey protein. The lower end tends to have 30 percent protein and can be as high as 90 percent. It tends to be low in fat and carbohydrates and better in taste.
Whey Protein Isolate: Ninety percent protein or higher and contains less lactose and fat than concentrates.
Hydrolyzate: This type is considered pre-digested - it has been partially hydrolyzed so that it is absorbed more quickly in the digestive tract. This reduces the allergen potential.

In the past, animal proteins (such as whey protein) were considered a superior source of protein. This is because animal protein - poultry products, beef, pork, and dairy products - is "complete," which means it contains all nine essential amino acids and is most similar to the naturally occurring proteins in the human body. Humans are able to digest, process and use animal protein very efficiently.

When it comes to building muscle, animal protein takes precedence over vegetable protein. Some research shows that vegetable protein is inferior in terms of digestibility and muscle building response to consumption. This is most likely due to a specific amino acid called leucine, which is responsible for starting the muscle building process in the body.

Advantages and disadvantages of vegetable protein

As an alternative to whey protein, plant-based protein powders have become increasingly popular and available due to the increasing popularity of plant or even vegan diets. Many people also have digestive issues when it comes to whey protein (since it's made from dairy products), so plant-based protein can provide relief. These powders are made from vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds. Vegetable proteins often contain only a few essential amino acids or do not contain all of the essential amino acids that are necessary for protein synthesis. Some examples are beans, lentils, and nuts. As such, they are considered a second stage protein source.

Conversely, plant foods provide many more nutrients such as vitamin C, flavonoids, quercetin, catechins, and antioxidants than animal proteins. The choice is yours whether to choose whey protein or vegetable protein powder to add to your diet. Just make sure it's high quality and doesn't have any unnecessary additives, preservatives, or synthetic ingredients.

te: When it comes to supplements, you often get what you pay for. Cheaper brands are often of lesser quality and contain many additives, impurities, lower amounts of actual protein, or unfavorable amino acid profiles.

We did the hard work for you. These are the cleanest whey and plant-based protein powders you can buy.

Courtesy Image

1. Significant essential grass-fed whey protein

Current claims to have some of the cleanest, most transparent nutritional supplements available. You can find out where each ingredient comes from on the website. You won't find any unnecessary additives or preservatives in its grass-fed whey protein, and everything is NSF certified for exercise and informed choice (checked for banned substances and contaminants like lead). If you want a plant-based option, the Essential line offers some of the highest quality vegetable proteins on the market, combining optimal ratios of pea protein isolate with rice protein concentrate to maximize the amino acids available. The taste is unrivaled.

($ 55; livemomentous.com)

Got it

Courtesy Image

Grass-fed, hormone-free dairy is the only dairy that uses Levels to make their whey protein. Quality matters: no sugar, bleach, fillers, or artificial flavors or sweeteners are added.

($ 30; levelsaa.com)

Got it

12. KOS Organic vegetable protein without taste

KOS Organic Vegetable Protein offers a combination of pea protein, flaxseed protein, quinoa trim, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds for a variety of amino acids and added nutrients. This powder contains helpful digestive enzymes to aid digestion and absorption, as well as nutrients from real foods like broccoli, apples, carrots, tomatoes, cranberries, and mushrooms, which also makes it a source of multivitamins. It's USDA organic and comes with a 90 day guarantee if you're not entirely happy with it.

($ 45; kos.com)

Got it

Jordan Mazur, M.S., R.D., is the Nutrition and Team Sports Dietician Coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

Subscribe to YouTube for access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more!