One of my readers contacted me to ask if I had any recommendations for protein powder. Todd is working on strength training, and was especially interested in protein powder that did not contain crystalline fructose, or any other artificial sweetener. Furthermore, if they did contain sucralose or fructose, he wanted to know which ingredient would be the “lesser evil?”.
I hadn’t used protein powder prior to the Six Week Body Makeover. I don’t use it for building extra muscle per say (I’m not a body builder – I do strength training to build “regular” muscle), but just for something different. I actually prefer my protein from real food, but a smoothie made with protein powder is fun once in awhile. I only had two recommendations for Todd, and it turned out that he came up with a much better alternative than the ones that I gave him!
First, I would not recommend any protein powder that contains crystalline fructose. Actually, I don’t recommend that additive/sweetener/sugar, or any of the sugars derived from corn. When choosing between Sucralose (Splenda) or fructose/corn sugars, I would go for sucralose, simply because I haven’t had any problems with it like I’ve had with corn sweeteners and aspartame (Nutra Sweet).
As far as my recommendations for protein powder, here are the 2 that I’ve used:
1. Designer Whey (chocolate) protein powder – sweetened with Sucralose (19th ingredient)
2. Optimum Nutrition’s ON 100% Whey Gold Standard (vanilla ice cream) – Sucralose isn’t listed on my container (it lists artificial flavor), however I think that it is sweetened with it, because their other protein powders are. Upon closer inspection, I did find a small part of the label (not the main ingredients) that was highlighting their 100% whey ingredient, and underneath it I could see sucralose listed.
After learning of the protein powder that Todd found though, I would recommend it over the 2 that I have used! Todd found
I do see that it contains phenylalanine (an essential amino acid), although from what I’ve learned about it, it is hazard to your health when it is combined with the other amino acid that makes up aspartame (aside from those who have PKE).
While protein powder isn’t recommended as a regular substitute for whole protein on the 6WBMO, especially during the weight reduction phase, some people use it once in awhile. I’ve found that it can be especially useful during travel if you have limited options.
the value of his protein powder.
The first 2 proteins that you listed are also my favorites. But I have never heard of Jay Robb’s protein powder. May have to give it a shot.
This was the first I’d heard of it, too. Since writing this post, another reader has contacted me and said that Jay Robb’s powder is great, although it is more expensive than the 2 I listed.
I’d like to give it a try, also! 🙂
Hello, thank you for info on CF. I have been wondering about it for some time now. I have a smoothie every morning for breakfast using frozen fruit and berries, yogurt, juice, soy milk and a banana. I also add a scoop of Nature’s Plus Source of Life Energy Shake in Creamy Granola flavor. It’s second ingredient is CF but it also has a ton of vitamins, minerals, plant extracts and stuff called whole food concentrates. Considering I put it with real fruit, would this help my body metabolize it correctly? I love this powder because of the vitamins and minerals (don’t really care about protein content). Are there any others out there that don’t have CF but have more then just protein in them?
Thank you for your post!
Hi Kenzie,
What I can tell you about the crystalline fructose is that it’s almost the main ingredient of your shake since it’s listed second, so I wouldn’t say that by adding real fruit to it that it helps to metabolize it better, although I don’t know the scientific breakdown of how that would all come out in the wash.
I personally wouldn’t use that powder because the corn sugars (hfcs, crystalline fructose, corn syrup, corn syrup solids, etc.) at best are just cheap sugar. There’s no nutritional value in it and you could take vitamin and mineral supplements if you’re only looking for that component of the shake.
I don’t know right now about other powders that don’t have any sugar whether that’s cane, corn sugars, beet, molasses, honey, etc. etc. I think the Jay Robb looks like the best protein powder out there and while I still haven’t tried it (I really like to just eat whole foods instead of make smoothies), it’s really a good thing to have the protein in your smoothie, especially if that smoothie is the only thing you’re having for breakfast. You need the protein to balance out the fruit to keep your blood sugar even.
Let me know if this helps or if you have any other questions. 🙂