Thread: what do you look for when buying protein powder?

Calories and protein per serving, to calculate the purity.

is that all the information needed to bother looking at?

Originally Posted by dsc123

pretty much as the title says just wondering what you guys look for when you buy your protein powder?

I'm hooked on Optimum Nutrition because of all the flavors. I want something without a lot of sugar, or calories in general. 100% Whey. Most have Glutamine and BCAA's. The ON I take has 24g of protein with next to no fat or sodium, and only 3 carbs per serving. Only 120 calories per serving. Just don't want a lot of extra stuff you don't need. Most of the better brands are pretty close. Also, I like to use a shaker, so it's good to have something that mixes easily.

Originally Posted by dsc123

is that all the information needed to bother looking at?

That's all I look at. I don't buy concentrates because the purity sucks. So I end up buying isolate, purity is great, price sucks. Always some trade off.

Originally Posted by MDR

I'm hooked on Optimum Nutrition because of all the flavors. I want something without a lot of sugar, or calories in general. 100% Whey. Most have Glutamine and BCAA's. The ON I take has 24g of protein with next to no fat or sodium, and only 3 carbs per serving. Only 120 calories per serving. Just don't want a lot of extra stuff you don't need. Most of the better brands are pretty close. Also, I like to use a shaker, so it's good to have something that mixes easily.

See i would have a problem with this protein. 120 calories per serving 108 calories from protein&carbs where did the other 12 calories come from? I'm probably just anal about these things

I use Dymatize's Elite Whey Protein Isolate. Even though it uses artificial sweeteners, it at least has a great taste and zero sugar.

I base the most of my judgement on reviews by others. I don't care if it's pure, if it tastes like crap I'd rather not have it.

Originally Posted by PushAndPull

See i would have a problem with this protein. 120 calories per serving 108 calories from protein&carbs where did the other 12 calories come from? I'm probably just anal about these things

I know that extra 12 calories could really come back to bite me in the ass. 1 gram of sugar and 1 gram of fat. Seems like they coulda just gone for zero. Does one gram really make that much of a difference in flavor? Seriously though, I know what you mean about Isolates being spendy. I love the internet. Lotsa good deals out there. Can usually find this particular brand for 40 bucks for five lbs.

Originally Posted by PushAndPull

See i would have a problem with this protein. 120 calories per serving 108 calories from protein&carbs where did the other 12 calories come from? I'm probably just anal about these things

The FDA permits rounding the number of total calories.

ON 100% Whey Gold Standard has 1g fat, 24g protein, 3 gram carbs. That's 117 calories and is rounded to 120.

Here is the FDA Food Labeling Guide.

Originally Posted by Marat

The FDA permits rounding the number of total calories.

ON 100% Whey Gold Standard has 1g fat, 24g protein, 3 gram carbs. That's 117 calories and is rounded to 120.

Here is the FDA Food Labeling Guide.

I didn't know it had the gram of fat, never looked at the ingredients. Why would you round in the first place? The isolate I buy has zero carbs&fat, and all the calories come from the protein. Could that be rounded somehow?

Originally Posted by MDR

I know that extra 12 calories could really come back to bite me in the ass. 1 gram of sugar and 1 gram of fat. Seems like they coulda just gone for zero. Does one gram really make that much of a difference in flavor? Seriously though, I know what you mean about Isolates being spendy. I love the internet. Lotsa good deals out there. Can usually find this particular brand for 40 bucks for five lbs.

Very pricey, and 40 bucks for five lbs is a good deal. I pay 76 bucks for 7.5lbs.

Originally Posted by PushAndPull

I didn't know it had the gram of fat, never looked at the ingredients. Why would you round in the first place? The isolate I buy has zero carbs&fat, and all the calories come from the protein. Could that be rounded somehow?

Interesting question. I didn't know about what Marat just said about rounding. Bottom line, if you are worried about 12 calories, you are a better man than me! Now that's what I call watching your diet! I just figure if the amount is nominal, I'm cool. We have a Vitamin Shoppe right down the street, and they have a great website. I think shipping is free on anything over $100. The store honors the website prices if you need it immediately, so they've been getting my business for awhile.

Originally Posted by MDR

Interesting question. I didn't know about what Marat just said about rounding. Bottom line, if you are worried about 12 calories, you are a better man than me! Now that's what I call watching your diet! i just figure if the amount is nominal, I'm cool. We have a Vitamin Shoppe right down the street, and they have a great website. I think shipping is free on anything over $100. The store honors the website prices if you need it immediately, so they've been getting my business for awhile.

I wouldn't really sweat the 12 calories, I just like everything accounted for. Once I knew about the gram of fat, there's only 3 calories unaccounted for, that's no biggie.

Originally Posted by dsc123

pretty much as the title says just wondering what you guys look for when you buy your protein powder?

1. Calories
2. Flavour
3. Cost

PushandPull, the protein and carbs can be rounded to 0 if it contains less than 0.5g. Fat too.

This is consistent with all items that have nutrition labels and go through the FDA.


Obviously, this rounding is insignificant in practice.

1. Calories: Carbs:Fats:Protien
2. Ingredients
3. Quality
4. Reputable Source
5. Customer Service
6. Taste
7. Mixabiliity
8. Smell
9. Packaging

Which is why I stick with NTBM

1. Flavor
2. Carbs/Fat/Protein per serving
3. Price

hi
in priteen powder i look for calories,calciam,but non sugar

One that says "Protein Powder" on the label.

Personally I like Muscle Milk.

1. The type, I want Whey post workout, blends between meals, and cassien at night
2. Cost (b/c food cards dont work at GNC... come to think of this niether do people with common sence)
3. Forget about taste, just drink it.. Functional eating.

taste.
easy mixing.
most calories
price

thats why I use muscle milk. i like the calories and taste. if calories weren't a concern for me I would use IM's protein for sure

fuck all the hype and packaging . . .I buy 10kg bags of unflavoured WPI. Buy natural flavouring (vanilla or cocoa) seperately. It's cheap, no thrills, effective . .

Whatever has the most shiny label and buff looking roid heads on the back claiming they got that way because of the powder... of course!



I look at the carb/protein ratio and depends if im bulking or cutting I look at the caloresss! Also if its whey or iso or gainer ect. All important

-TG