Choosing the Right Protein Powder

Men's Domain note: This guest article is from Corey Beckmann , Corey Beckmann is a Fitness   industry leader, International Model and trainer with over 10 years in the Health, Wellness, Fitness and Nutritional industries.

I run into people from all walks of life that make their way into gyms in all parts of the world for many different reasons.  Whether it be life changing events that brought them there, or they’re there to change their lives in one way or another, most enter with little knowledge of how important the intake of proper nutrients are to their growth and fitness levels through out the day.

The biggest no, no that I see is the guys in gym everywhere who buy garbage protein powder because it’s cheap.

Just because it says Mega Gynormous Mass 4000, Mega Mass Super Gigantic Mega Mass, and you get 5lb of protein for $40.99. doesn’t mean you got the deal of your life and your going to clean up at the next summer games..  Buyers beware!!!…

I’m here to tell you that you cannot get up to 5lbs of pure Whey Isolate, the kind of Isolate your body needs a gram of per pound of body weight per day to keep you at optimal fitness levels for that cheap.  It is NOT possible. 

That’s right, you heard me correctly.  1 Gram of “Pure Whey Isolate” protein per pound of your carcass, so that you do not waste away, your muscle doesn’t atrophy and you always perform at your best.

 Most if not all protein and macronutrient recommendations these days are made based on pounds of total bodyweight, not pounds of lean body weight.

The most common calculation you hear in fitness circles is, to eat 1 gram per pound of body weight.  Why???

It falls into reason that protein recommendations are commonly given in pounds of total body weight probably because the RDA (or Recommended Daily Intake) is based on total bodyweight (kilos, not pounds, but still total bodyweight not lean bodyweight), and in saying so, giving protein recommendations in grams per pound seems to have become the standard unit of measure mostly by default, and not because it’s the superior method..

This being said, I represent the most reputable companies in the world on protein powders and boat loads of other products.  My knowledge comes from experience, from study and from years of taste testing, working with and seeing the best in the business operate.

I get asked this question a million times over, and over, and over again...

“What’s the best protein powder out there that I can take?  Is there a best one out there?”…

My answer: “There isn’t.”    

“Buy the one that tastes best, with the best product profile.  With the right amount of vitamins, ingredients and protein for you needs” 

Also, try to find if you can, where the manufacturer gets their raw ingredients from.  Germany, the U.S.,  U.K and Canada are all the most reputable places where the most pure forms are made.  I can get into some nasty stories about China but I have more respect for their manufacturing capabilities than that, and it happens everywhere quite frankly.

Continuing on,

I live in what I believe is one of the cheapest cities in the world, the North American equivalent to the Indian black market,  where people will drive clear across town and spend $10 in gas just to save $5 on an item they could have purchased within a block of where they lived.  Case in point:

These gym monkeys, as I call them, come to me everyday and tell me the wicked deal they got at the nutrition store down the street as they bought 10 POUNDS of Whey Protein Isolate for $70.  Sounds too good to be true?  Well it is…

I then proceed to watch these guys strut around the gym bellies aching, complaining about their gut rotting, Cracker Jackin’ their way through the whole gym (my girlfriends word for flatulence).

People, what you take into your system should not upset it in the least bit!

A wise man once made a video from an article he once read that stated:

Enjoy your body,  use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own!..

Thank you Baz Luhrmann…

I see people on the cheapest of the cheap protein powder wondering why their gains and fitness levels are stagnant and the other big question is why their not loosing fat!.

These are the same people that are taking in too much protein.  Ladies and gentleman read the next line VERY CAFEFULLY. (I’ve even italicized it for you)

Our bodies can only absorb and use anywhere from 21 to 32 grams of protein per serving.

The rest,  it all puts on as Mega Super Gynormous Mass 4000 BODYFAT !!

It all falls back on the gram per pound of body weight calculation. 

Like a finely tuned engine you give your body the exact amount it needs or else it runs too rich… You give it the best fuel or it spits it out…  Makes sense?..

I hope so.  I can also tell you that it’s near impossible to “Eat” that much protein in a day without taking in some sort of protein shakes.  A 200lb athletic male would have to scarf down 6 to 8 chicken breasts a day just to hit that calculation with no protein shakes. Whey Isolate is the common best choice among elite athletes, as your body uses up to 92 % of it.

And remember, you get what you pay for. Beware the deal maker who tells you that its high grade for that low, low price.

If your trying to lean out, drop fat.  Choose a protein with a low fat and carb profile.  But this can be deceiving too as different products have different types of fat.  Muscle Milk for instance has what’s called “functional fats”, or:

LEANLIPIDS, which are pre-digested, trans-fat free medium chain-triglycerides or (MCT's).  These are more likely metabolized for muscle energy and or heat than stored as fat. And, Long-chain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids from Sunflower/Safflower and Canola Oils which are less likely to be stored as fat. The lipids in Muscle Milk are additionally functional, since they enhance mineral retention.

Picking reputable products are essential because there is so much crap out there.  Some companies and not that I’m endorsing the likes of Muscle Milk and Cytosport, have been around 20 years or more, and longevity in the health, wellness, fitness and nutrition industry means something.  Because I can tell you, I’ve been in it for quite awhile and seen companies come and go like revolving doors.

Rule of thumb:  “Hard Core” companies never last; they have a shelf life of 6 months to a year.  Either that or they’re sponsoring the Hell out wrestling or MMA organizations which tend to be “money pits” for them with no returns on their advertizing dollars.

I can also get into little tricks that companies do to save them money on the production line, which actually rips you, the customer off.  But that’s a whole other can of worms.