Earlier this week, Mr. Handsome asked me to buy him a new container of whey protein powder for working out. During a Walmart run yesterday afternoon, I stopped by the vitamins/supplements section to choose a product but noticed that every single one was advertised as “naturally and artificially flavored.”
Glancing at the ingredients lists, I was shocked to find a host of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Discouraged, I headed home and spent about 20 minutes researching all-natural why protein powders. I found one on Amazon that was a decent price and had great reviews. Mr. Handsome said he was game to try it, so I placed the order.
Thanks to Amazon Prime, our Bodylogix Natural Whey arrived the following day. We both tasted it and thought it was great!
What are your thoughts on protein powder?
Anonymous
Just curious, why do you prefer whey protein? I haven't tried it.
I am a marathoner, and an active yoga practitioner, so post workout nutrition and recovery is very important to me, especially after a long run.
The brand I use is Vega, which is vegan and the most natural you can get. Apparently it was created by a professional vegan triathlete. I really like their products and what they stand for as a company, promoting whole nutrition.
It's a bit pricier, but I feel good about what I'm putting in my body. They have smaller bags of it if you don't want a tub, and it's lasted me awhile.
Anonymous
I love Vega! I use it too and especially like the chocolate. I can't have dairy or soy because it makes me break out like crazy and I can't do wheat because it bothers my belly. Limited diet here! Lol but it is a great product.
Anonymous
Vega is my preferred protein powder, too. Whey protein is hard for a lot of people to digest, including me, so my preference is always for the plant based variety, and I am also very picky about eating as cleanly and organically as possible. Another thing I like about it, as compared to most others I have looked at, is that it doesn't have any added sugar.
I like their all in one shake better than just their protein powder, it has a very complete nutritional profile, and I like how it tastes, especially the French vanilla and the chocolate ones.
It is more expensive than most of the other ones, but I think of quality food as one of the most important investments you can make, so it's worth it to me.
Sometimes you can get good deals on it through Anazon.
Alisha
I feel you! (I'm the original commenter). I'm not celiac, but feel gluten intolerant. I wish more people knew about Vega!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
I'll have to look into Vega. Thanks!
Ellie
Anonymous
It's sold at many natural/health food stores. It seems to be a bit pricier at Whole Foods
Anonymous
I would not ask my kidneys or liver to process that much protein. If you're prone to making kidney stones, you sure don't want to add extra soy. I don't see any reason for the average person to be taking these supplements. Not like you can't get enough protein from your diet, if you eat animal proteins. What sort of workout is he doing that would require this? Body-building?
Anonymous
Anyone that works out or lifts weights (not body building) needs a fast absorbing protein to help repair the muscles. Unfortunately this is very hard to find in other forms of food so that is why a lot of people do protein shakes. Protein also helps make you feel fuller for longer periods of time and can be used to help manage weight.
Anonymous
Many athletes use protein powder to supplement their workouts. For many runners like me, post-run protein (as well as carbs) are very important for refueling. We burn a lot of calories and our muscles take a beating-such is that if you don't consume adequate protein after, your legs can feel fatigued after. The better nutriton post workout, the better you'll feel for the next one.
I do get enough protein from my regular diet (eggs, cheese, lean meat) but making a smoothie with protein and fruit only takes a few minutes.
Here's a great article to answer more questions on why protein is important for athletes:
http://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition/eat-more-proteincom
Best wishes 🙂
Anonymous
Correct me if I'm wrong but he's a dentist, right? So if anything, a weekend athlete? Can't imagine him training so hard (to stand all week fixing teeth?) that he's beating his body into needing all that extra protein. What he should be doing is protecting his back. The dentists I've known complain about lower back pain from bending over a bit while looking into mouths for decades.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
We work out 3-5 times a week, and he does like to lift weights. The powder only has 24 grams of protein per serving, which is only slightly more than Greek yogurt. But I agree that it's important to be careful with your kidneys. There are certainly supplements on the market that aren't safe.
Ellie
Anonymous
My dentist seats in a chair to clean teeth he does stand.
Anonymous
Not enough protein from his eggs, sausage, and cheese non-casserole?
Anonymous
If a man is working out and lifting weights he can need around 150 grams of protein a day. That's why supplements are needed.
Anonymous
My husband works out every day and is extremely fit and strong and is a mountain climber (including Denali) and has never ever taken a supplement. I like your blog, Ellie, but it's important to understand that this is not necessary and could cause harm if used in excess.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
thanks for the reminder. He doesn't use it every time he works out. 🙂
Ellie
Anonymous
I've never tried this stuff. But then again I'm not a very healthy eater to begin with. Gotta run, late for my french fries!
Anonymous
Lol
Anonymous
At least you're running to go get your french fries, that's something
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Haha! I do like French fries… 🙂
Ellie
Anonymous
I would have gotten it on from Walmart. The artifical colors won't hurt you. That's the stuff they use on Big Brother and I haven't seen them get sick.
Anonymous
My daughter used protein powder after she was 18 and got a severe case of acne for the first time in her life😢.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Oh my! That's a crazy side effect.
Ellie
Anonymous
If she used a dairy or soy powder that's probably why. Dairy and soy gives me terrible cystic acne. Have her try a plant based protein powder instead.
Anonymous
You can buy whey protein isolate at the bulk barn and make your own.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Neat! I'll have to look at that.
Ellie
Melissa
I don't think they have Bulk Barn in Nashville…
Anonymous
Can you explain the reason body builders use this product? Just knowing the principles gives freedom to meet the real reason with anything that does the job.
Anonymous
Not always necessarily body builders, but athletes of any kind may use protein. Especially endurance athletes
nashvillewife@gmail.com
When you work your muscles, it strains them, so your body needs protein to build them back up. But my husband says it's definitely important to use protein powder in moderation.
Ellie
Anonymous
i notice that this drink still contains whey and soy and sugar. a more healthier choice would be using a protein drink derived from plant based sources. Dr. Schulze very explains the problem with whey, casein, and soy. He also makes a 100% plant based protein drink: SUPERPROTEIN PLUS
here is what he says:
"WHEY is a waste by-product of cheese manufacturing. It is the thin liquid that drains off the cheese. I call it “Liquid Meat”. It is dried and then concentrated, because it is less than 1% protein.
CASEIN is also a by-product of cheese manufacturing, and is mainly used in making glue, paint and plastic. It is made using genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), and after you eat it, it forms a clot in your stomach, which slows its absorption.
Soybeans have been a food source for thousands of years. But today, 94% of soy grown in the USA is genetically-modified. Soy Protein ISOLATE is so far removed from the soybean that Wellness Today calls it, “soy’s heavily processed stepchild” and says you should avoid eating it all together. It is so highly processed and refined most health authorities consider it toxic. Just Google “problems with Soy Protein Isolate” and within 5 minutes of reading about the chemicals involved, the GMOs, and the aluminum tanks, you’ll probably throw your old Protein Powder in the trash."
Anonymous
How tall are you, Ellie?
Anonymous
They use protein powder on Big Brother.
Anonymous
We had this issue when looking into protein powders. So many sugars and artificial sugars. We decided to go with Bob's Red Mill 100% Whey Protein. It is cheaper and has one ingredient. We throw it in smoothies every day. Because it has no flavor on it's own it can be added to a lot of things without compromising flavor.
Anonymous
Where do you buy this? can you tell me more information on it? please?
Anonymous
I buy it in the section with the other powders and protein bars of my local grocery store. I found it on amazon though. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2/159-9046230-9603655?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bob%27s+red+mill+whey+protein
Anonymous
I am all for protein powder! I use it for my daily morning smoothie. I drive about 35 minutes to work and I'm not a morning person so I make a smoothie and drink it in the car. I've tried a few different ones (spirutein, kaizen, vega…). And I've got to say that Kaizen is my favourite (though I think they have the same producer as Body Logix). I think it is all about balance – I'm not having protein powder 3x/day but if having it once a day helps me reach my nutritional goals, I'm all for it.
Anonymous
Go vegan! The Hallelujah Diet (myhdiet.com) has a delicious organic vanilla-flavored one, and I recently found a coupon for another one, but have lost the coupon, and can't remember the name! I have heard that too much animal protein is not good for you, and the concentrated amounts in the regular protein powders might be too much animal protein. I would go with vegan, myself.
Anonymous
Smoothies…protein shakes…doesn't anyone chew food any more? I'm sure a dentist would be all for using those teeth he works so hard to preserve.
Anonymous
I guess soups are out of the question? 😉
Anonymous
Chunky soup are OK. Pureed soups will set our mouths back several eons in evolutionary time. 😉
Anonymous
People need to eat not just have a protein shake. I also hear that you shouldn't eat red meat it's not good for you . I only eat Chicken,Turkey
johnowenquotes
I love this! so good!
Anonymous
Good for you! I am surprised at ingredients in food items too, but grateful that better alternatives are available.