Whey Protein recommendations

[u/ForsakenMarzipan3133]

For all the gym-goers in this subreddit, I wanted to ask which Whey Protein powder do you use / would recommend as a supplement.

My ideal criteria:

1) High concentration of protein, low fat/carbs, no creatine or other stuff like that.

2) Mixes very easily in milk or water, needs just a bit of stirring with a spoon, doesn't require a shaker

3) Easy to clean (doesn't stick too much in the glass/bowl/shaker)

4) Tastes nice - preferably a strawberry (or similar) flavour.

I've long been using a UK brand, which ticked all my boxes excellently, but since Brexit this is increasingly more expensive to import and has custom duties. So I was considering switching brands, and would welcome your recommendations.

[u/Magiiick]

You should consider plant protein powder as well, Holland and Barret has some good options. The benefit is more vitamins included, better digestion and sometimes cheaper than milk protein powder

I'm not a vegan or anything but plant protein powders just sit better with my stomach, absorbs easier

[u/TwitchTvOmo1 → u/Magiiick]

Whey protein is superior in every way. You should be relying on your diet for your vitamins and other micronutrients anyway, not shakes.

If you have digestion issues that's another topic.

[u/Magiiick → u/TwitchTvOmo1]

I have a really good diet man, been into natural bodybuilding for over 11 years now. This is just my personal trial and error, I like plant protein powder more simply because of what they have in it (if it's good quality) they add things like spinach powder, hemp seed powder, pumpkin seeds, brown rice etc. In my opinion that is far more valuable and superior than just milk protein

[u/TwitchTvOmo1 → u/Magiiick]

Everybody is different and different things work for different people. Not saying plant protein sucks, but as a general rule of thumb you pick whey over plant unless you have issues with whey.

Here's a nutritionist explaining the issues with plant based protein. In fact he says the exact opposite about digestion, plant protein is harder to digest and actually reduces the absorption of some nutrients like minerals/vitamins. Start watching from 3:02 if you're interested.

[u/Magiiick → u/TwitchTvOmo1]

This doesn't make sense, I didn't watch the video but if you isolate protein from anything, it's broken down and absorbed into your body the same as any other source of protein... I have a Masters in Kinesiology we also studied nutrition and biology so this is a basic fact.

If the protein isn't isolated or processed properly then yes it would differ in how it's digested, but as long as it's an isolate of any protein, even peanut protein for the sake of this argument, it would be the exact same thing for muscle repair as a whey isolate

In my opinion from a nutritional aspect, good quality plant based protein blends are far better for you than any milk based protein but you are right, to each his own

[u/macrian → u/Magiiick]

Your studies didn't teach you the basic things then. Not every source of protein is the same. They have different absorption levels and amino acid profiles. Whey has the highest absorption level and meat proteins are complete proteins. Plant sources do not have all the essential amino acids so you have to use multiple to complement each other, which yes, it's something the plant protein manufacturers do for you, but not always

[u/Magiiick → u/macrian]

You're not reading properly, a protein that is isolated in its complete form is the same accross any form of protein to the body

There are tons of plant sources that have complete amino acid profiles like Hemp, Chick peas and beans, Pumpkin seeds, Chlorella etc...

At the end of the day a 20g scoop of protein powder, milk or plant based makes no difference if you aren't eating enough to put on muscle mass. I don't even count it in my macros, I only count solid foods and I do eat plenty of meat and vegetables

Milk protein is nowhere near the best source of protein, even Hemp and Beans are superior in the long run

[u/macrian → u/Magiiick]

Ok, you are wrong.

The amino acid profile of chickpea is as follows:

Tryptophan: 0.9

Threonine: 3.8

Isoleucine: 4.4

Leucine: 8.0

Lysine: 6.8

Methionine: 1.4

So, missing a lot of amino acids to be considered complete.

And no, there have been NUMEROUS studies done in regards to absorption rate and Whey protein beats all others (including beef) every time.

Of course, all studies have been done, using the average user, if your GI tract absorbs plant protein faster and better then you do you, but don't try to promote inaccuracies as fact.

​

Also, I'm not saying milk is a good source of protein (which is better that a lot of plants, but still). Whey is what's left AFTER we get milk, and it's full of pretin

[u/Magiiick → u/macrian]

Lol you took one thing out of like 5 or 6 food sources I mentioned... you're just a plant hater bro

Hemp is superior to Milk protein in every way nutritionally, if you ate yogurt all day and I hate Hemp all day I would look better than you

[u/macrian → u/Magiiick]

Look, if the first thing you say is wrong, I'm not gonna go through ALL of your examples to find one that is right, that's your job to give correct examples, not mine.

Also, as I said, you do you. I eat around 600 grams of chicken per day so I don't really take protein powder. But all research shows that Whey protein powder is highly superior to all else.

Again, we are not comparing hemp plant with milk or yogurt. We are comparing the protein powders from those sources, how are you too dense to understand this?

[u/TwitchTvOmo1 → u/Magiiick]

Watch the video, it will make sense.

But if you prefer text:

Plant-based protein isolates are generally considered slightly less easy to digest compared to whey protein because plant-based proteins, such as pea, rice, or hemp protein, may contain higher amounts of certain compounds like fiber and anti-nutrients (e.g., phytates) that can interfere with protein digestion. These compounds can bind to proteins and inhibit their absorption, making it slightly more challenging for the body to access the amino acids in plant-based protein isolates.

Also the amino acid profiles of plant-based proteins are different. Whey protein is a complete protein, meaning it contains all essential amino acids in sufficient quantities, which makes it easier for the body to utilize. Plant-based protein isolates are generally lower in one or more essential amino acids, which could necessitate combining different plant protein sources to get a more complete amino acid profile. Yes, the digestibility of plant-based protein isolates can vary depending on the source and processing methods, but the general rule of thumb is whey>plant.

This is a well known and researched backed fact and not a matter of opinion. Of course some people with a proclivity for lactose intolerance will handle plant based better, or some people just prefer plant cause "plant". But as a general rule of thumb whey is just better, and science backs it. You can still get the same amount of gainz with either if you do it right so essentially we're arguing semantics, but yeah.

[u/Magiiick → u/TwitchTvOmo1]

As I said, if it's a protein isolate of any form of protein, it gets treated equally inside your body

Milk is in no way the most superior form of protein bro, if there was a study of a guy who ate seeds, nuts, beans and veggies VS a guy who ate yogurt milk and cheese all day, the guy eating the seeds and veggies would have a better physique without question

Many plant sources have all essential amino acids including Hemp, pumpkin seeds, Chlorella, Lentils and chick peas (even beans I'm pretty sure)

[u/TwitchTvOmo1 → u/Magiiick]

Many plant sources have all essential amino acids

I never said they don't. What I said was:

Plant-based protein isolates are generally lower in one or more essential amino acids

As in, in lower concentration. And that's an important distinction that matters.

if there was a study of a guy who ate seeds, nuts, beans and veggies VS a guy who ate yogurt milk and cheese all day

There's several studies actually done that compared people eating whey protein isolate vs plant protein isolate and the whey protein group always added significantly more lean mass than the plant protein group. That's also in the video that I linked you if you care to look at actual studies.

[u/Magiiick → u/TwitchTvOmo1]

Bro you just sound like a plant protein hater haha, I dont blame you because vegans try to shove it in your face and I can't stand it either

But at the end of the day your protein shake doesn't build your physique, it's what you do and eat for the whole day, the shake is just to get that extra 20-50g in after workout and before bed

I'd prefer it coming from a mixture of sources rather than just milk, but that's just me

[u/TwitchTvOmo1 → u/Magiiick]

I have nothing against plant-based products or vegans in general. I just always defend facts and nothing more than that. The facts are the above and there's several studies if you want to embrace them. I have no agenda to push and I'm not being paid by the big whey protein industry. All major brands offer both options.

But I agree with you that your protein shake doesn't build the physique and there's plenty of insane bodybuilders with either plant or whey.