There are many whey protein supplements around on the market, and this can sometimes be quite confusing the the beginner shopper of protein. On one hand, you want to find cheap whey protein but on the other, you do not want to spend too much on your supplements. While it is possible to find supplements which is both low in cost and of high quality as well, in general you still get what you pay for.
Why whey protein?
Whey Creatine
There are many types of protein supplements out there on the market, and unless you're highly lactose intolerant, whey protein is your best bet. About a decade ago, the most common protein supplement on the market was casein protein which was derived from a similar process to whey protein. While casein does help with muscular growth, whey protein was been proven by scientists to be far more effective by scientists when being absorbed by the body and building muscle.
Concentrate or isolate?
You will find that it is most likely either whey concentrate or whey isolate which is found in most protein supplements. The difference is in how they are made and how much protein there is in the product. Whey concentrate is the most common product but it varies from 20 to 80 percent protein. Whey isolate always has over 85% protein. While it may be tempting to think that whey isolate is consistently the winner in quality here, high quality whey concentrate is pretty much similar to whey isolate and is also similar in cost as well.
When choosing whey protein it is always important to look at the ingredient labels at the back and the overall protein content. Obviously, the higher the protein content per serving the higher quality the protein supplement in question is. Other things to look out for is what sweetener is used. Many protein products used to use aspartame but after much negative press concerning the sweetener many supplements are now using alternative sweeteners. This is especially important if you are allergic to any sweeteners since some people experience adverse effects when ingesting sweeteners.
When to take whey protein
Many people have different opinions on when is the best time to take your protein supplement. In general, as long as your protein supplement is used to top up your daily protein requirements it is fine. However, many fitness and bodybuilding experts believe that protein supplements are best taken in the 15 minute session right after your workout. This is when your muscles are most receptive to more protein and will ensure maximum growth.
Good forms of protein
You don't necessarily have to take whey protein to have a good source of protein. Other good natural sources of protein include dairy, poultry including eggs and fish. Red meat is a good source of protein and should be taken once a week for the creatine boost. You shouldn't take red meat too often however, because it is typically higher in fat than other types of meat.