Supplements are part of many of peoples diets who get serious about lifting weights and getting their body molded in top shape. There are literally thousands of supplements on the market at any given moment, despite our current terrible state of economy and that major loser I call the recession. I’m going to save your precious time here right now, along with a bit of money (and probably tons of aggravation) by hashing out my all-time greatest, most credible, and worthy supplements in the form of 4 versatile protein powders!
Of course, I’ll further note & emphasize, this assumes that you actually apply our tips with an honest effort, and choose only those that you believe will be of greatest benefit to your body type and unique conditions/fitness goals.
If you don’t know the stats of your own body’s data, it’s definitely a perfect time begin your quest for truth and facts in achieving fitness and health goals in 2009! Beginning that journey right here on FitHacker.com amidst our growing archive of healthy fitness hacks and advice (hint: try our search box) is probably not a bad idea since you’re here now anyway, reading us for your health.
Moving on, I’ve managed to build a solid personal impression/opinion of these 4 proven, most effective, and worthy protein supplements over time, which allows my genuine testament to greatness behind each product below! So please, get that pen ready or your memory flicked on and churning for the latest product FitHacker.com product review on the most valuable protein supplements!
Often, it can be difficult and discouraging when deciding which, as previously mentioned, sort of protein supplements are best amongst those THOUSANDS on the market, grasping for your hard-earned dollars. Who can be trusted to provide a safe, consistently enjoyable protein experience for your optimal diet if there’s endless product saturation and misinformation lurking about?
Throughout the years, I’ve tried a decent variety of whey powders–ranging from the type with caffeine, from those wacky creations such as creatine-protein together in one tube (ON makes one.) There’s also those with bonus nutrients, and not surprising, the kinds containing pointless waste additives blended to jack consumer prices and line the wallets of greedy CEO’s.
I could continue this game for a good hour, but pressing on…I’ve learned over the past decade , to praise and love a select group of 4 protein powders regarded as my favorites. Not only do these supps. below possess the ability to accommodate a major flexibility in your diet and fit goals, but it always arrives with continuous quality and delicious taste, no matter which type of diet I’m following.
Read on for review #1 and the first powder supplement in my winner’s list of drinkable protein!
Cytogainer
Overall, my experience with Cytogainer was positive and one of the main things I recall, after seeking to gain around 5-10 pounds and continue an impeccable body shape, I was there and then workingabove my original goals after experimenting for 3 months. I gained 7lbs. of fresh, solid muscle and still kept a relatively low body fat percentage. I also was able to build strength as well throughout this entire workout span, leaving my opinion in cement–Cytosport is simply a great weight gainer that gets the job done with pure ease. I suggest those who are considering Cytogainer to definitely purchase at least 1 jug to trial–it’s a smart choice for those constantly seeking help in packing on noticeable weight & mass gains.
Flavor(s): I tried the vanilla and thought it tasted great, which led me to continue using this flavor until switching up my type. It was extremely easy and tasty to ingest, so I can see a couple other flavors being delicious as well! A few different Cytosport flavors the company produces are Mint Chocolate Chip, Banana Creme, and Cookies ‘N Cream. You can find these flavors and more Cytomax products at the lowest prices on the internet (that we could find, and we’re pretty cheap) that means it’s cheaper than your local store or mom and pop vitamin store, plus you’ll most always avoid paying sales tax, as another bonus.
Mix Factor: It mixes easily with both water and milk, but will definitely taste better if you toss in some of your favorite cow milk. Even if you go 1/2 water and the other 1/2 milk, the taste will only improve.
Muscle Milk
- Yes, more Cytosport products! Muscle Milk is one of those supplements I used for years, and was overly satisfied time and again. It contains 350 calories per serving and 9 grams of fat. Muscle Milk also wasn’t too high in sugar, clocking in at 5 grams per serving with a total hefty 50 grams of protein to service.
Additionally, you’ll get many vitamins and minerals as well as your key amino acids. I thought it tasted perfect and was super easy to drink, something appreciated by those people often found choking down whichever supplement falls in rotation that month, partially mixed and slathered from a used Dasani bottle.
Whether you want a great protein drink or a solid meal replacement option, Muscle Milk is a perfect choice for those folks. I suggest this for those of you who remain happy with their current weight and are looking to feed their bodies a healthy protein drink without much sugar and fat to worry about.
Taste: Excellent taste, I had numerous friends both male and female who agreed this tasted great. Vanilla was my flavor of choice once again, and yeah…didn’t give me much reason to switch for another flavor. You can also obtain Chocolate Milk, Chocolate Mint Chip, Cookie ‘N Cream, and Stawberry Crunch flavors.
Mixing And Results It mixed very well with both water and milk or even in smoothies.
Muscle Milk Light
- This is a lighter version of the original Muscle Milk as you probably guessed by now, and yes, it’s another Cytosport offering! This lighter version of the popular protein supplement has less calories than it’s standard counterpart, notching in at 195 calories and 25 grams of protein with each serving. It’s very low in sugar at a mere 2 grams/serving and contains just 6 grams of fat! You’ll gulp numerous vitamins and minerals too with this one!
I found many good reasons to begin using Muscle Milk Light as I got older, despite my rather excellent adherence to a strict diet. I was lookin’ to get lean as possible, while still feeding my muscles the protein and nutrients needed. This is an excellent protein drink amongst the slim versions offered today, and offers the appealing low fat/calories combo, making it a hot choice for the masses!
While on Muscle Milk Light, I effectively reduced my body fat to less then 10%, even breaking the 7.9% mark–while still putting on both strength and size in my muscles. I suggest this powder to anyone who has an excellent diet and is looking for a very lean protein drink . Also, this works great for those who are super focused on keeping their body fat percentage as low as possible, which leads to a smart meal replacement choice that’s lean to boot!
Taste: Tasted excellent as well, I tried vanilla, banana cream, cookies and cream and chocolate. I enjoyed all flavors.
Mixed: It mixes great with milk or water.
Gold Standard 100% Whey
- This is as lean as you can get in terms of protein powders! Optimum Nutrition puts on this supplement called Gold Standard 100% Whey, which features 120 calories and only 1 gram of fat per serving! Now that’s super lean! ON’s Gold Standard also works in 24 grams of that good stuff we call protein, perfect for adequately fueling your muscles!
The best part though? This protein only contains a single, 1 gram unit of sugar (similar to competitor above,) which is great for people who like choice but also seek to slim-own any portions of every meal as well.
Currently, I’m taking Optimum’s Gold Standard, and remain overly impressed by the results and overall value in every bottle purchased of this pure whey powder thus far. I switched from Muscle Milk Light because I have an excellent diet and was looking to reduce my fat intake and become the absolute leanest. Although, you won’t find the vitamins and nutrients that Cytosport’s “Milk” products contain, I still high recommend the Gold Standard as you should alreay be taking multi-vitamins instead of relying on your protein to do it.
If you’re thinking of meal replacement options here, too, it’s probably best to squash that idea and exclude Optimum Nutrition’s powder as insufficient for such duty. This is only because it lacks some vitamins and nutrients only real foods will provide, though, it does contain essential amino acids and whey isolates, which are beneficial for health. Whey isolates are the purest and most expensive forms of whey protein that exist. Most serious lifters who are looking for the leanest protein powder and folks with excellent diets are recommend most for this supplement.
Taste: The taste is good but not as good when compared to protein powders I’ve tried before. I bought the french vanilla and will most likely switch to a different flavor next time I need a fresh tub. It is still enjoyable and goes down easy enough, but there’s a good chance one of the other flavors will taste better, and you should always try if curious or unsatisfied with current powder taste! Optimum Nutrition also offers Chocolate Malt, Apple Pie, Sugar Cookie, and Egg Nog flavors, amongst roughly 20 others!
Mix Factor: It mixes good with both water and milk or even yummy in your fruit smoothie.
For my current diet and strength goals I am continuing with the “Gold Standard:”Optimum Nutrition’s 100% Whey, for now, anyway. With that said, I highly suggest all the products above with utmost sincerity for all you fellow FitHacker’s out there willing to give some attention in refining their diet and brand of protein supplement.
The products shared above are equally invaluable, and your ultimate choice boils down those things mentioned before–unique variables true to your diet and physical health goals considered in your overall plan. With common sense, an open mind, and a few months experimenting to fine-tune and tweak your training program/diet, supplement research will seem like cake forever out!
In conclusion, a random sort of tip–protein does no good when over-consumed, so don’t use more than your body can process and utilize. Otherwise, you’re just throwing greenbacks down the sewer, and possibly damaging your body in the process.
Good summary. I’ve never taken any of these. I get my protein from a website called Sports-Nutrition.net. It tastes good and has a good level of protein, low levels of carbs and low levels of fat. They’re quite cheap too.