Arrrrrgh! I have protein powder (whey) questions!!

[K Praper]

I almost bought some today, (to use in cooking/recipes) but I wasn't sure if I was buying the right thing. None of them said "protein powder" on the label...
And everything has such different ingredients!

Six examples:

Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Peptides, Lactoferrin (Milk Protein)) , Artificial Flavor, Acesulfame Potassium, Aspartame
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Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Peptides) , Vitamin & Mineral Blend, Natural Flavor, Artificial Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Acesulfame Potassium, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Sucralose, Oligofructose, Dextrose
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Calcium Caseinate, Whey Protein Concentrate, L-Glutamine, Natural Flavor, Artificial Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Sucralose, FD&C Red #40
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Whey Protein Concentrate, Mega Whey™ Amino Acid Blend (L-Glutamine, L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine) , Natural Vanilla Flavor, Artificial Vanilla Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Sucralose
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Whey Protein Isolate, Mega Isolate™ Vitamin and Mineral Blend (Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Molybdenum Glycinate, d-alpha Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacinamide, Zinc Oxide, Selenomethionine, Copper Gluconate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Glycinate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Pyridoxine HCl, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Chromium Picolinate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Phytonadione, Cholecalciferol, Cyanocobalamin) , Xanthan Gum, Natural Flavor, Artificial Flavor, Sucralose
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Whey Protein Concentrate, Ion-Exchange Whey Protein Isolate, Hydrolyzed Whey Peptides) , Artificial Flavor, Lecithin, Salt, Acesulfame Potassium, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum
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:::brain about to short-circuit::::

Am I supposed to look for Whey Protein Concentrate, or Whey Protein Isolate? What about that one that had Calcium Caseinate as the first ingredient, is that good or bad?
I plan on avoiding anything with aspartame...

But can somebody tell me what the first 3 or 4 ingredients should DEFINITELY be?? Or what ingredients to avoid?


Thanks!

~K

[woodswoman]

A lot of people here use this one:

http://www.netrition.com/designer_page.html

Whey protein isolate is more concentrated than this powder. I buy the natural and chocolate and it covers most of the recipes here. I don't know about any ingredients to avoid.

[Lee140]

I bought some "zero carb" whey protein isolate from GNC, and I really don't like it. I think it's "too pure" for cooking. I bought some Designer Whey Protein and I like it much better.

[auntie3]

I get my natural Whey Protein powder at my favorite kitchen store. It costs about $8.00 for about 2 liters!

I get my Vanilla Whey Protein Powder at Costco. The brand is R & L Health, made in Canada, and it says in bold red and blue letters Whey Protein. It is natural Vanilla flavor. This is what the ingredient list states:

"ProZyme Complex (R&L Health's proprietary complex blend of pure, concentrated and isolated, micro ultra-filtered whey proteins with papain, bromelain and lipase enzyme), natural vanilla flavour, guar gum, and sucralose.

WheyProtein does not contain sugar, aspartame, acesulfame K, artificial preservatives, colours, flavours or genetically modified ingredients. Contains less than 1 gram lactose per serving."

Bottom line, I think the fewer ingredients, the better. I would avoid the one with oligofructose and dextroe, and definitely the one with the Mineral Blend! To me, the third one, and the last one sound the best. JMHO!

[PaminKY]

I only use the Designer Whey. I have used the plain, chocolate, and vanilla. I have the strawberry but don't really like it, it's too fake strawberry tasting, I'm trying to use it up but it kind of makes me gag. The price on Netrition is the best I've seen.

Pam