Protein powders are a convenient option to get high quality protein into your diet when food may not be as accessible.

Finding the right whey protein powder for you is dependent on a range of factors, including budget, ingredients, macronutrients, mixability and flavour. But with so many on the market, it's easy to feel lost in the sports nutrition aisle. The theory used to be that your muscles' ability to absorb nutrients is at its strongest in the hour immediately after your gym session. But, according to our expert, there's no magic window, and consuming protein at any point after a workout will be helpful.

Don’t underestimate the power of flavour and mixability. Choosing a flavour or flavours you enjoy in both your shaker and in the kitchen can be a key factor to ensuring you never miss your daily protein hit.

In the Men's Health Lab, we asked a panel of 200 testers – made up of gym-goers and experts – to try a range of whey protein powders to find the very best on the market. They tested them out for four weeks, before rating them for nutritional content, impact on athletic performance and ease of use. Whey protein concentrate: WPC contains more nutrients than any other type of whey, due to how it's manufactured. Whey protein hydrolysate: 'Hydro whey' to some, WPH is designed to break down proteins into a state that makes them easier for your body to absorb. How Much Whey Protein Do I Need?Ready-to-drink Optimum Nutrition protein shake is a tasty drink which can become a part of your balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Made with 80% skimmed milk, it does not contain any added sugars** and fats. Ingredients: Skimmed MILK (80%), water, MILK protein concentrate (5.4%), flavouring, acidity regulator (trisodium citrate), stabilisers (gellan gum, carrageenan), sweetener (sucralose). So now you know the pros of protein and the differences and benefits of both whey and plant protein shakes, but which one should fill your shaker? Let’s examine some of the most popular whey protein powders in the Optimum Nutrition range and which one may be the right choice for you.

It's worth noting here, however, that the majority of your protein intake, and macronutrients in general, should come from your diet. Supplements are there to do just that: supplement. Real foods contain more nutrients, fibre and minerals and are far easier to digest. When Should I Use Whey Protein? Both whey and plant-based protein powders can provide you with the amino acids you need to support your muscle goals. Your age, goals and weight are just a few factors that will determine how much protein you need to build muscle. Not sure how much is enough? Our complete guide to protein will help. Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein is a great choice if you are a performance driven individual, seeking to support your muscle around training or anytime throughout the day. Its blend of more isolate than concentrate, delivers 24g of premium protein to support your muscle’s growth* and repair*. There is a reason it is the World’s bestselling protein powder Now you understand the why, next you need to understand which protein source best suits your performance and lifestyles goals; a dairy based protein shake, such as a whey protein powder or a plant-based protein option. The benefits of Whey Protein Powder

Which protein powder is right for you depends on which shake fits your performance, body composition and lifestyle goals.

Following a tough session, the rate of protein synthesis will remain raised for 24 hours,' he adds. 'During that time, your body will be sensitised to protein and will automatically build muscle.' How We Test Panic not, because the Men’s Health Lab recruited a 200-strong panel to test some of the most popular powders out there, including Bulk, Myprotein and more. Our list of the best caters for every need, whether you’re after a budget buy, a filling post-workout smoothie or something a little lighter on the stomach. The Best Whey Protein To Buy in 2023We’re proud to be a certified Informed Manufacturer, a global quality assurance program operated by LGC for facilities that manufacture and supply sports nutrition products and ingredients, developed to minimise the risk of banned substance contamination.