In the past, I have offered my opinion on Protein Powders several times. Although others might disagree, my opinion is largely based on:
- It’s counter-productive to take protein supplements if they are loaded with a long list of ingredients/sugar
- Unless you are body building or an athlete, it is entirely possible to meet the recommended “0.8-2.2 grams/per body weight (kgs)” through a varied diet, vegetarians/vegans included
- Protein supplements can contribute to weight loss or a generally fit body but not singlehandedly
At the risk of coming across as a hypocrite, I wasn’t sure whether to discuss my recent purchase of Sunwarrior Protein Powder.
While I still stand by my above views, I am more open to adding protein powder into my current diet. Especially since I’ve started weight training recently, I am making a conscious effort to eat more protein for both muscle repair & recovery and to keep my hunger levels at bay. Protein seems to be the only thing which keeps me full and let’s be honest, there’s only so many eggs I can eat, chickens I can grill, or glasses of milk which I can drink.
My main “issue” with protein powders is the ingredient list but fortunately Sunwarrior has, badabing badaboom, merely 5 ingredients…all of which I have heard of and that I can pronounce:
- Whole Brown Rice Protein
(Bio-Fermented Raw Sprouted Whole Grain, Brown Rice Protein) - Vanilla
- Pectin
- Xanthan Gum
- Stevia
I’m also a big fan of the nutritional stats:
As someone who needs to try a number of fro yo flavors before ‘committing’, I was initially hesitant about dropping £45 on a bag of Sunwarrior without being sure I liked it. I went with the vanilla flavor because part of me hoped that it would taste like a McDonald’s Vanilla Milkshake. It definitely did not live up to my expectation nor was it love at first sip: it wasn’t chalky at all but I found a whole scoop too sweet! Reducing my intake to only half a scoop per serving seemed to do the trick because it has more than grown on me. I’m a big fan of the flavor and creaminess which it adds.
Flavor aside, I love the extra sleep time it affords me in the morning: finally a smoothie which actually keeps me full and can be drunk en route to work. From what I’ve read, protein powder has potential in recipes beyond smoothies. My favorite concoction yet is with cereal:
Cheerios + soy milk + 1 teaspoon Sunwarrior Vanilla = tastes just like Lucky Charms sans the marshmallows
If you’re a fan of “cereal milk” (i.e. thinks milk tastes way better after cereal has been infused in it), you would love this! Besides cereal and smoothies, I’ve also mixed it into Greek yogurt and muffin batter and am definitely looking forward to playing around with it even more.
Sorry if my opinion offended you but I would love to hear your thoughts on protein powder? Any protein powder recipes you want to share?
I’ve been tempted by sunwarrior protein powder but tbh the price does put me off. oh I used to love lucky charms. btw tagged you in a blogger survey.
Thanks for the tag :)!
This one will change your life – http://fitnessista.com/2010/08/serious-cereal/.
My sister and Vishnu are pretty much hooked! Happy Friday, K!
I made something similar the other day and I was hooked- definitely going to try her method :)!
I love Gina’s recipes using Sunwarrior, too 🙂 Fantabulous!!!
I’m not a big fan of Sunwarrior either, I like Dymatize ISO-100 whey the best 🙂 Protein powder smoothies and mixing it in cottage cheese or greek yogurt with peanut butter are my favorite ways to have it!
Cottage cheese would be killer with protein powder- good call!
I have the same views as you – I’d rather just eat normal foods, but you’re right there are only so many chickens and eggs you can eat 😉 hahaha
I love using cottage cheese, greek yogurt and other high protein milk products after a workout. smoothies are good if you add some kale or spinach too!
I’m yet to get on the green monster bandwagon but for what it’s worth, I’ve been eating celery on the side of my smoothie lately 😀
I used to make protein shake for myself, but I don’t anymore.
I would rather get my protein intake through normal foods.
It does sustain you a while though, when you add protein powder to drinks, etc..
It’s great before/after work out when you don’t feel like eating 🙂
It’s definitely good for post-fueling when nausea kicks in!
hmm.. i’ve never really tried protein powder.. i’m paranoid of the ingredients. I don’t know what to do.. a couple times i’ve gotten protein smoothies and they tasted so good. 🙂
I know what you mean – I will only take protein powders if I am aware of its ingredient list!
I’m not a big fan of sun warrior, but I do like a good whey protein without too many crazy ingredients! I usually only use it in baked goods to up the nutrition or after workouts, when I know I need more protein.
If you have any baked goods recipes which call for protein powder, please share!
I’m pretty anti-protein powders or supplements of any kind, myself. I’d so much rather just eat real food 🙂 But, like you, I have made an exception: when I was doing a cleanse, I did put hemp protein in my smoothies.
Good call- I’m trying to solely use it as a meal enhancer as opposed to a replacer..real food all the way!
I have never tried this particular kind but I am intrigued! I don’t use protein powders too often but they really are helpful for getting in extra protein of course
Other than a taste of another protein powder (the name doesn’t come to mind but it was terrible), Sunwarrior is the only one I have tried and I’m more than impressed!
When I started doing BFL last year, that was the first time I started taking protein powder – it was an easy way to get protein after training and yes it helped with the protein fatigue (really cannot eat that many eggs etc!!).
I don’t MIND them, but like you think that a whole food, clean eating diet is much more productive for you because you get a whole lot more nutrients and satisfaction from it. You’ll find that the BFL community pretty much use it all the time, but totally ok to use ‘real food’ and you won’t miss it.
I’m still looking for the ‘perfect’ PP – I’ve heard good things about sunwarrior and I like they have minimal ingredients. I use a whey powder – BNS Lean Dessert – seriously the taste is AMAZING and low is sugar. However, not a huge fan of the multiple ingredients.
Now that I’ve started using it, I am trying to limit myself to max one scoop a day as I don’t want to compromise eating real foods merely because this is the easier route. Thanks for your tips and pl keep shedding light on BFL from your past experience 😀
I have absolutely never thought about protein powders, their pros or cons but what you are saying seems to be facts which I am sure you have learnt over a period of time i.e basically during your weight loss days…I think I am a little too far on commenting on this 🙂
Thanks for still anyways leaving a comment 😀
I’ve always been tempted to buy protein powder especially when I see the fun flavored ones like cupcake batter (!) but I always feel like I can get enough protein with a natural diet. It would be nice to have some around just in case I make some smoothies, though!
Some of the flavors I’ve come across sound unreal- red velvet, peanut butter cup, cookie dough…but of course those are also loaded sugar which immediately burst my bubble!
I’m on completely the same page as you – I think it’s entirely possible to get all the protein you need without protein powder, but I’m not really against protein powder because it’s a good way to add protein to a meal that otherwise wouldn’t have as much protein (like oatmeal or a smoothie made with almond milk). So I definitely don’t think you’re being a hypocrite or anything. 😀
Thanks Chelsey :)! I am enjoying the protein boost and increased satiety!
I’m a little bit dubious about protein powder – I’d rather get my protein from the whole foods, that said I would love to try sunwarrior and vega (because I’ve seen them around so much). I don’t see it as essential but it’d nice to have every once in a while to add to smoothies etc!
Check out Gina (fitnessista)’s recipe for breakfast cookies – I usually make them using shelled hemp seeds but the original recipe calls for protein powder. They are incredible and SO good for on-the-go breakfasts. I always make them when I know I’ll be pressed for time in the morning (9 o clock lectures = bane of my existence), and they never disappoint.
Her breakfast cookies are great! I tried the recipe ages ago without the protein powder and loved it, so I am definitely going to give it a go with Sunwarrior…and 9am lectures are rough! In my 3 years of uni, I only had one 9 am lecture and that alone made me miserable!
I’m with you–I think protein powders are a great supplement, but they aren’t necessary and can be a bad thing if you aren’t really reading the ingredients. I have some plain hemp protein powder I love to toss into savory baked goods, and I’ve been enjoying vega smoothie powders after particularly tough workouts. I’d love to try sunwarrior, but EEK, that price scares me–plus I sometimes have trouble with fake-sugar-containing stuff.
I wasn’t too hot on the price of Sunwarrior either but I used the whole “You’re investing in your health” argument when it came to authorising my card payment 😉
Haha, good move! I always have to do that one when I buy running shoes…I cringe at the price, but remind myself that my knees and ankles will thank me now and later.
I’ve never tried protein powders but I’ve been asked to add them to my diet since I started working out so intensely. I still need to get my head around all the different types that are available so I can find one that works for me. Very helpful post.
I am a protein powder amateur so can’t help you with which is best but I am definitely a fan of Sunwarrior in terms of taste and ingredient list! I know many others are a fan of this kind too!
Please don’t go for other protein powders. Get Whey protein or Whey Protein Isolate. One scoop contains a 28-30g of protein.
Protein should not be considered as a meal replacement.
Whey is a milk derivative. It wont harm you. It is just superior than other powders like protinex which are given to kids or pregnant mothers.
Other forms of proteins should be only from eggs, chicken, fish or low fat dairy and not Peanut Butter which has lot of carbs along with protein. If on fat loss you should hv only organic peanut butter which is not available everywhere.
Your protein requirement depends on your physical activities.
Thanks for your input. I think you are mistaken about peanut butter- it has a lot of fat as opposed to carbs. As for meal replacements, I am using Sunwarrior as a meal enhancer 🙂
I love Sun Warrior.. especially the Chocolate flavor.
Been a Vegan for 12 years and i have never been successful finding a great protein suitable for me. I was introduced to Sun Warrior through a naturopath and BOOM!
I am now dowing 2 mugs daily for the extra energy without the heavy bulk. Am still a UK size 8!!!
I got mine from SunWarrior Singapore website cos they offer me a great deal for every 3 packs. I dont really trust Vpost shipping from USA via iherb as they screwed my order with a burst pack, a pack that is lumpy and taste weird and 1 pack wrong flavor.
Try the Chocolate with Bananas and Granola…Fantastic!
Glad that you find a protein powder that you enjoy, Nika! Have you tried Vega One? It’s vegan too but I personally prefer Sunwarrior! I order my stash from Amazon to my place in the UK and luckily I’ve never had a problem!