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Man, are there a lot of protein powders out there. But among this sea of protein powders there is truly only one category that really matters. If you’re looking to build muscle, boost your performance, and make the most out of all your hard work in the gym, whey protein is the way to go. It’s because science backs whey protein. So why whey in the first place? One of the major benefits of using whey protein is that it contains a wide range amino acids not seen in plant-based protein products, like pea or hemp proteins, says Marie Spano, M.

With any plant-based protein, it’s not a complete protein,” Spano says. It doesn’t have all amino acids necessary for muscle growth and repair. Pea protein, for one, is a decent pick. There is also an abundance of essential amino acids in whey protein, one of which is leucine. Leucine is needed to ‘turn on’ muscle building at a cellular level, according to Mike Roussell, Ph.

What Are the Differences Between Whey Protein Powders? As its name suggests, the protein in here is concentrated. WPC maintains more nutrients than other types of whey because of the processing methods,” says Monica Auslander Moreno, M. Since most of the fat has been removed, so are a lot of the fat-soluble vitamins,” says Auslander Moreno.

Still, check the label if you have trouble with lactose. It also can sometimes taste bitter because of processing methods,” says Auslander Moreno. How Much Protein Powder Should You Take? We tend to recommend consuming 30 grams of protein per sitting. It is important to note that whey protein alone won’t lead to muscle building,” Roussell notes. So keep in mind—you need to put in the work in the gym for your whey protein powder to actually help you build muscle.

But also note that doesn’t have to be all from protein powder. While the ease of whey protein powder lends itself to on-the-go options like shakes, you can use it to boost the protein content of real food, too. When it comes to incorporating whey protein into meals, Spano suggests adding it into foods like yogurt or oatmeal because the moisture makes for easier integration. What Should You Look for in the Best Whey Protein Powder?

Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate it. So if you’re looking for which whey protein powder is the best to buy, we got you. Here are the 10 options us shake-guzzling editors here at Men’s Health love most. Think of this tried-and-true whey protein isolate as a dependable, cost-conscious option. Gold Standard Whey is aptly named, as it is the gold standard. One scoop has 120 calories and 25 grams of protein.