The Best Whey Protein (And The Worst)
“What’s the best whey protein?” the gym-going newbie asks.
Well, as I’ve said before, whey protein is one of the most effective supplements for building muscle. It’s perfect right after a workout, because it’s fast digesting – it gets your muscles the protein that they need in just 30 minutes (compared to a meal, which takes around 2 hours).
But it’s not that simple – not all whey protein is created equal. This is one of the first things that I learned from working at a supplement store in college. There’s cold processed whey, grass-fed whey, casein blends, isolate, concentrate…how do you know what to choose?
Well, I’ve tried probably 50 different whey protein supplements and distilled down a few of the best so that you don’t have to waste your time and money. Here’s the best whey protein supplements, in my opinion.
What You Should NOT Do
Most people start off by going to bodybuilding.com or some other niche site and get their supplement recommendations from there. They read all about how “MUSCLETECH IS THE BEST WHEY PROTEIN OF 2016!” or some nonsense.
This is by far the worst thing that you could ever do.
Why? Again – one of the first things that I learned from working as a supplement salesman, going to different gyms, networking at shows, and talking to local bodybuilders, was that the fitness industry is incredibly political.
In other words, these websites recommend whichever product will pay them the most.
You could have an absolutely amazing, 100% pure, cold processed, nutrient-dense whey protein, but if some shitty company that’s loaded with filler pays bodybuilding.com $2,000,000 to recommend their product, then it’s going to recommend their product as the best whey protein in existence.
To be fair, I don’t blame them all that much, because that’s what companies do – they want the most profit. But, you need to realize that they are not always (read: they’re not ever) recommending things that are in your best interest.
All Filler, No Killer
Because the supplement industry isn’t regulated, it’s extremely important to source your whey protein from a quality source. I would say that roughly 65% of whey protein has some sort of filler in it. Then maybe 25% is just plain garbage (denatured protein from heat processing, artificial crap, no digestive enzymes, etc.). The remaining 10% is what’s actually decent.
So how do you know if a whey protein has filler in it? It’s actually pretty simple: it’s dirt cheap.
You know that cheap ass whey you see at Walmart or Costco in the pharmacy section?
Yeah – that stuff. Don’t buy it. It’s absolute garbage and will probably give you diarrhea for the next 3 days (not even joking).
Fuck GNC
Again, one of the biggest mistakes that newbies make is they go to GNC – and I can’t blame them, because I did this too. GNC tends to have a good reputation amongst old people and people who know nothing about bodybuilding. “Oh, dude go to GNC! They have the best whey protein!” shouts the 80 year old man.
GNC is overpriced, overrated, and completely clueless when it comes to supplements. I cannot tell you how many times I was recommended absolute bullshit by some Indian guy with a thick accent who didn’t even lift. I probably wasted close to $500 there when I first started lifting.
It’s not that their supplements don’t work at all. They work just enough to keep newbies (and old people) coming back, but there’s tons of other whey protein brands that are higher quality and that cost less.
Whey Protein That Isn’t Shit
The quality of a whey protein is determined by several criteria:
- Are there any fillers?
- Are there any toxins or artificial ingredients that will hinder my performance?
- How pure is it? Are there unnecessary ingredients or chemical additives?
- Is it cold processed or heat processed?
That’s basically it. So, with all of these things in mind, here are some recommendations:
ON Gold Standard 100%: Best Whey Protein For Beginners
Gold Standard Chocolate Whey
I recommended this whey protein in 4 Fundamental Supplements for Building Muscle, because it’s just that: the most fundamental whey protein that there is.
It’s the best bang for your buck. It isn’t cheap, but it isn’t too expensive either; and it’s a quality whey protein. It’s pure, there’s no fillers or adulterants, and it’s also easily digested by your body.
It’s also a blend between concentrate and isolate, which is a good thing if you’re trying to bulk up. Whey protein concentrate is higher in fat than isolate, and they both have their pros and cons. Isolate is easier to digest, but concentrate is better for post workout recovery. ON Gold Standard mixes the two for, just that…optimum nutrition.
Isopure Low-Carb: Best Cutting Whey Protein
Isopure – Dutch Chocolate Flavor
Remember what I said about whey protein isolate vs. concentrate? Isopure is 100% whey protein isolate, which makes it ideal if you’re trying to slim down but still recover after the gym.
It has less calories than whey protein concentrate, and it has a higher protein content – both of these are crucial for cutting down while still maintaining muscle mass.
And if you have issues with digestion, whey protein isolate is the best whey (haha, not funny) to go. Digestion issues with whey protein are caused by the fat that comes with it, and since there’s almost zero fat in whey protein isolate, it’s incredibly easy to digest.
Isopure – Alpine Punch Flavor
You can also buy individual bottles of isopure.
It’s not as good a deal, but it’s more convenient than having to store a giant tub of whey protein, put a scoop in your blender bottle, wash it afterwards, etc.
In my opinion the alpine punch is the best flavor, but they have a pretty wide variety.
Bulk Supplements Grass Fed Whey – My FAVORITE (Best Whey Protein Overall)
I’ve been a huge fan of bulk supplements for a while now, due to their low prices and high quality products. Their whey protein is the best whey protein on the market. Why?
- It comes from grass fed cows. Studies have shown that whey protein from grass fed cows is higher in micro-nutrients, boosts your immune system, and has a higher omega-3 content.
- Grass fed whey is also way lower in toxins, antibiotics, and hormones.
- It has just one ingredient: 100% whey protein. No artificial sweeteners, toxins, fillers, or ANYTHING.
- The price is extremely competitive, to non-grass-fed whey proteins.
Personally, when I consume grass fed whey vs. “regular” whey, I feel the difference almost immediately. When I switch back to regular whey protein I feel sluggish, and foggy; none of that happens when I consume grass-fed whey protein.
I’ll be writing an article on how to make your own protein shake in the future, but for now try the following recipe:
- 5 tbsp of Bulk Supplements Grass Fed Whey
- 2 tbsp of organic cacao powder
- 3 drops of liquid stevia extract (a safe, natural alternative to sugar)
Blend it all together in a blender bottle, and enjoy. You can even mix it with milk (I recommend raw milk) for some extra calories if you’re trying to bulk up.
Pour Conclure
As I said before, whey protein is perhaps one of the most important supplements when it comes to building muscle. It will sky-rocket your performance and decrease your recovery time.
If you’re trying to get jacked, whey protein is a must – if you’re new to working out, I suggest reading my article here on the best beginner’s routine.
If you have any recommendations, let me know. I always love trying new supplements 🙂
Until Next Time,
-Jon
About the Author Jon Anthony
After learning to successfully trade the market, build a six pack, start a social circle from scratch, and increase his IQ by 15 points, Jon Anthony has decided to teach others how they can, too. He plans to move to Las Vegas next year to invest in real estate and live it up.
