What is your favorite protein powder?

[CrazyCatLady]

I've been drinking Eas Advant Edge Carb Control Protein Shakes (two a day since I've started this diet), and while I really like them, I'm getting burnt out on the 3 flavors they have. Also, as much as I like the ready to drink shakes, I know a powder would be more economical. I've tried the Chocolate Designer Whey mixed with coconut milk, and I really like it, but I haven't tried many others and was interested to hear what everyone else likes.

Here's a little Elvis smiley for no reason...

[Jessica1129]

I like the Designer Whey also. I get the vanilla, and mix different things with it on different days for a variety. Its really good with coffee, or with the davinci sugar free syrups. I use an immersion blender to mix it, and I throw a hand full of spinach in with it and you can't taste it in there.

[CrazyCatLady]

Hmmm, that sounds good! Do the davinci syrups not get it too sweet? I've been using the Torani sugar free vanilla syrup in yogurt and cottage cheese, but I've never thought about trying it (in a different flavor) in a shake that is already sweetened.

[Jessica1129]

I use just enough to taste the flavor in there, and it really doesn't sweeten it much. I'm not sure if maybe the added spinach helps cut the sweetness some. I've also used SF hersheys syrup in it and it tastes like a chocolate milkshake. My clinic says I need to have a veggie with every meal, so if I'm having a shake they want the spinach in it lol my counselor gave me that idea.

[ravenrose]

just add various other flavors to a plain or vanilla protein shake.

either something like DaVinci or Torani syrups or just extracts.

you can have almost infinite variety that way.

[CrazyCatLady]

Okay, so DaVinci syrups and Hershey's SF Chocolate syrup, those are good ideas. I guess you could mix them with either the vanilla or the unflavored. But does anyone have a recommendation for the powder itself (other than Designer Whey)? Does everyone use coconut or almond milk, or something else? Thanks!

[miker295]

I use Optimum Nutrition Casein powders. I make them with half water, half unsweetened almond milk and add in a few tablespoons of coconut oil. The coconut oil really helps that particular brand of shake taste better and avoids the need (for me at least) of adding sweeteners.

Casein is a type of protein that digests slowly, which is why I pick that over whey powder (which digests quickly). Athletes typically consume whey around workout time and casein at night before bed. I favor the casein all of the time because my completely unscientific rationale is that if it digests more slowly, it will keep hunger at bay longer. Generally I've found this to be true, but it could be the coconut oil doing that.

For whey powder, I like Dymatize ISO-1000 and Gaspari Nutrition MyoFusion. I only use these if I am actively lifting weights.

All of these are more expensive than the protein powders you'd generally find in the stores, but my experience has been that they work better too (and are probably still cheaper than pre-mixed shakes). I've used Muscle Milk in the past (which is found in most supermarkets) and didn't have good results, but I wasn't low carb at that time.

With any powder, be sure to check the sugar content. Good luck!

Mike

[Jessica1129]

Ok so I don't have Designer Whey, sorry!! My husband got it and I thought that's what it was, until I looked at it tonight LOL! Its EAS 100% Whey Protein, vanilla flavored. He got it at Sams Club in a 5lb bag. I use the unsweetened vanilla almond milk with it.

[CrazyCatLady]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll look into those. :-)

[eptexy]

Trader Joes has a soy protein powder with 0 carbs and 120 calories for 2 scoops. It is UNsweetened so you would have to add in stevia and such. I make green smoothies with it every mornings.

[CrazyCatLady]

Ooh, I like that idea eptexy! One of the top problems I have with the protein shakes is them being too sweet, or disliking the particular sweetener they use. I like sucralose if its not over done (some use way too much for me). I haven't checked out the new Trader Joes yet, but I've been meaning to. Now I have a good reason! Do you have any other recommendations from there?

[eptexy]

Trader Joes is a-m-a-z-i-n-g!!! You have to go but go around 11:00 or so or parking is insane. Their produce is really really good. Bag lettuce lasts forever. They have natural and nitrate free meats, low fat cheese, greek yogurt, almond milk, organic eggs, etc. Frozen meats like grilled chicken strips, turkey burgers, salmon burgers, chili lime chicken burgers. Once you get to maintenance their steam in the bag organic brown rice is to die for. I don't know what they do differently but it just has more texture if that's possible?

There are also really good really SINFUL things there that I will not mention.

[CrazyCatLady]

Wow, cool! Yes, I would have gone by now if it weren't for the horror stories I've heard about crowds and parking - its literally down the street from me. But I decided to wait for the hoopla to die down.

I already go to Sprouts on Hulen, they seem to have the least expensive produce. I'll be glad to have another option though. I like Aldi's for some things, but I'm not too crazy about their produce section. I did recently discover that their lowfat cottage cheese has 80 calories and 4 grams of carbs per half cup. That's even better than Daisy (90 calories and 4 grams of carbs). I like their frozen blueberries and strawberries too.

[Caterpillarinn]

Love Trader Joes. They have great vinegars, seasonings. I found an olive oil based mayo/mustard sauce that we have been using on almost anything. 10/cal for 1 tsp

I like fish, so I buy fish there too.

Now, protein shakes. I had been buying a generic store brand by a local coop that shows up in My tracker as Wegman's. Do you have a Wegman's near you? It was lower in calories, fat & sodium but higher in Protein than Medi's. I use the PB2, Jello, syrups, SF Coffee Mate, yogurt to flavor them

I even tried a recipe for pancakes made from the shakes. Egg white, cottage cheese & protein powder.

I am trying a new one from Whole Foods that is Vegan. I was told Whole Foods will take returns if you don't like it. This one is gritty but that might help you try new ones.

Jay Robb was also good, but pricey. I liked that it was not sweet but very high protein.

[CrazyCatLady]

I don't think we have a Wegman's. I do have a Whole Foods though, its by the Trader Joes! I've never been there because I figured they were expensive, but I like the sound of returns if you don't like it. I'll have to check them out too.

I've heard Jay Robb is good, but I've been held back by the price. A good one might be worth the investment though (at least to work into rotation).

Thanks!

[Fit2010]

I like Jay Robb. Recently their packaging got a little smaller for about the same "old" price. Hmmph! But it is good and good for ya.

[emgee]

Isoflex Chocolate/Chocolate Chip mixed in a proper blender with 1 cup of Almond milk.

[lapickleo]

Shakeology is pretty good.. High in carbs though. And jay Robb is pretty good also.

[Bahet]

Cryosport Complete Whey and Pro Elite Series Whey Isolate Protein are the 2 I have right now. The Cryosport is cookies and creme flavor has 110 calories/scoop and 3 carbs. The Pro Elite is chocolate fudge flavor has 110 calories/scoop but only has 1 carb. I make a pot of coffee at night then in the morning I put a scoop into cold coffee. That way I get my coffee and the drinks have a bit of a mocha taste to them too. I especially like them with flavored coffee. My latest is a chocolate mint coffee with a few drops of mint extract (a few drops in an entire pot) then the protein powder. That's my breakfast every day. Although now that it's getting cooler out in the mornings I may g back to hot coffee. Not sure how that will be with the protein powder but I'll let you know!

[CrazyCatLady]

I've actually tried chocolate protein powder with hot coffee and it makes a really yummy mocha. One time, however, I had accidently gotten egg protein without knowing it, and when I heated it, it cooked the egg! I couldn't figure out what was happening at first, I thought it was just lumps and scooped it out and continued heating it. But it got worse! Finally I looked at the bag and saw 'egg' on it instead of the usual 'whey' and I had to laugh at myself. I found the egg protein worked really well in the pancake recipe though (protein powder, egg & cottage cheese or cream cheese).

[CrazyCatLady]

I recently tried the Kroger brand Whey & Soy Protein in Chocolate and really like it! It's 120 calories, 2.5 carbs and 25 grams of Protein. It's nice and chocolatey, and not too sweet (sweetened with sucralose). I usually mix it with Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk at 30 calories and 0 net carbs, but I recently bought some Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Chocolate at 45 calories and 2 net carbs, and they are sooo good together! I add a tablespoon of Torani Vanilla for a little extra sweetness, and it's chocolatey creamy goodness!

I was a little afraid of trying Soy Protein, mainly because of my memories of lunchroom soybean burgers as a child, but I'm finding I like it so far. I've even started eating roasted edamame (immature soybeans in the pod). Very yummy!

[Fit2010]

I've been buying the Kroger vanilla whey w/ soy protein lately and mixing it with fruit and Blue Diamond Almond Breeze (Unsweetened); and today did Kroger vanillla with coffee, almond breeze, and a splash of kaluaha sweetner. yum!

[CrazyCatLady]

Yum, that sounds good! I'm going to try the vanilla next, but I just bought my second container of the chocolate. I like it better than Designer Whey, and it's cheaper. But that's just my personal preference. One of the things I like about it is that it has a milder, less sweet taste.

[AllisonB]

I like the chocolate and chicken soup flavored protein powders from Unjury. I also really like the Syntrax powders. The Mint Cookie and Cappuccino flavors are my current favorites.