This article is designed to help you choose the right shake, bar, or other protein supplement for your lifestyle and fitness goals. Protein isn’t just for bodybuilders, and whether your chief concern is how to build muscle quickly, lose weight, or train for a marathon, there are all sorts of nutritional options available to enhance your diet and fulfill your needs.
Protein powders – Used to make protein shakes at home, powders are one of the most popular types of supplement. You can mix them with milk, soy milk, water, or juice and by changing up the amount of powder you put into your shake, you can control how much protein you consume in each one. Powders give you the most control over what the “inactive” ingredients are in your nutritional supplement, but they can also be messy. However, this “con” is counterbalanced by the “pro” of how inexpensive and cost-effective protein powders are compared to the other supplemental forms of protein.
Premixed protein shakes – These are more expensive than protein powders, but they’re more convenient too. The price difference between premixed protein shakes from the store and powders alone is essentially the cost of having the manufacturer mix them for you ahead of time. Premixed shakes are more consistent and homogeneous, free of chalky clumps, and generally tastier than mix-your-own protein powder shakes. But they cost a lot more, and they aren’t as portable as powder alone.
Protein bars – The most portable of all three types, protein bars are also quite dense in protein. But their cost-per-gram of protein is usually about the same (or sometimes even more expensive) than premixed protein shakes, so bars don’t compete with powders on cost. Still, without liquid to spill, glass to break, or containers and separate ingredients to worry about mixing in, protein bars are arguably the most convenient solution to protein needs for on-the-go lifestyles.
There you have it–the three main types of protein supplements, examined and explained based on their individual merits to match your lifestyle. Specific flavors, ingredients, and protein densities vary based on brand–so don’t be afraid to try a few!
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