With all the health food and sports supplement stores popping up on every corner, shopping for the best protein powder for weight loss can be a challenging task. How do you know which protein powder is going to meet your personal health goals? It’s important to know the difference between available protein powders on those towering shelves.
Protein powders are a quick way to help ensure that your body is nourished and satisfied. People use them for a variety of reasons — to lose weight, to improve sports performance and build muscle mass, and for overall wellness.
How to Pick the Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss
Trying to pick a protein powder that would accommodate your weight loss goals is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, if you don’t know what you are looking for. In the best case scenario, the staff may be able to help you, but then you are simply left trusting someone else’s opinion…
I decided to write this blog, so that you show up to the health store well equipped and ready to purchase the best protein powder for weight loss!
Mass Gainers vs Protein Powders vs Meal Replacement Shakes
First, you need to understand that not all powders on those shelves are created equally.
A mass gainer is basically a powder that includes proteins, carbs and fats.
Meal replacement shakes are similar in this manner.
Although, all three of those macronutrients are required in a diet, when picking a protein powder, a person should never purchase a mass gainer if they really only want a protein powder.
Common confusion I see with this is with the plant-based Vega line. Vega One is there meal replacement shake with equal quantities of protein, carbohydrate and fat, whereas Vega Sport Protein is the protein powder with primarily protein. Two very different products and uses.
Some people who are new to lifting often make the mistake of purchasing one-of-these-so-called-protein-powders not knowing that they are also consuming much more than just protein which may contribute to excess fat gain due to the excess calories.
The Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss Will Be:
- Low Fat (1-3 grams is ok)
- Low Carb (1-5 grams is ok)
- High Protein (normally about 20-30 grams per serving)
Protein Isolates will be the closest to this criteria. Protein concentrates will have more of the fats and carbs. As a rule of thumb, isolate is the best protein powder for weight loss, as it contains the least amounts of carbs and fats and digests quicker.
Natural, Pure Powders
The quality of a protein powder is more important than the total quantity of protein.
Always look at the label when deciding on a protein powder and make sure it doesn’t contain any more that 7-10 ingredients. Also, try and find a powder with more natural ingredients. Typically, if you have a hard time pronouncing all the ingredient names, that might be a sign to put that one down and look for another one.
Sweetener sources is another thing to consider if this is important to you. I generally recommend stevia as a safer sweetener option that cuts the carbs.
When choosing a powder, it is also important to never get pulled in by advertisements that state it has so called “added ingredients” that will promote even more muscle growth or fat loss. Supplement companies use a dirty little trick where they will include a small trace amount of an extra ingredient that may be helpful in promoting results, but the amounts they include in their product is not enough to make a significant difference. When they do this, the price is normally inflated and not worth considering.
Protein types and uses
Whey protein is one of the most commonly used proteins and is best for day-to-day use. It contains all of the essential amino acids and is easily digested. It helps recovery and meeting your goals without the extras. Soy protein is another common choice. It helps reduce high cholesterol and can ease symptoms of menopause for some women. It can also help with osteoporosis by helping build bone mass.
Other types of protein include:
Egg protein = released more slowly than whey, can be taken throughout the day.
Milk proteins = help support immune function and enhance muscle growth.
Rice protein = 100 percent plant-based, is a good choice for vegetarians or for people who don’t consume dairy products. It’s also gluten-free.
Pea protein = highly digestible, hypo-allergenic and economical.
Hemp protein = 100 percent plant-based. It’s a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. This is also a great option for those whose digestive tracts aren’t a fan of other formulas.
Stay Away From the Hype
Supplements manufacturers are notorious for hyping up their products with unrealistic claims and promises. DO NOT buy into the hype of major companies that price their product above and beyond what you really need to pay.
I am not saying their products are not good or that you will not see results with them, but rather, they are just not worth the cost they are charging. Take the time to compare ingredients, and do not let the hype influence your decision.
I get my protein powder from a very generic company. The packaging is simple and there is not any excessive marketing tactics behind the product. The product is simply composed of high quality ingredients and I stick to the principles outlined above. That’s all that matters.
I hope that the tips above will help you to pick the best protein protein powder for weight loss, and that now you are equipped with enough knowledge to demand only the best for yourself at the health store!
Supplements are integral part of any weight loss journey. Make sure to book a free consultation with me – I will be glad to put together a supplement plan to accommodate your goals and get the most out of your diet plan!
