What is the best whey protein powder in the UK?
What is the best protein powder available in the UK? If you live in the UK and are a bodybuilder or strength trainer, this guide will answer the question, what is the best whey protein powder available in the UK?
The best whey protein powders in the UK are listed in our article below. We have tested and ranked these whey protein powders on these four factors. Does it taste good? Does it mix well? Is it easy to digest and is it cheap?
What is protein whey powder?
Whey protein powder is a protein supplement that can be mixed with water or milk to make a tasty, healthy drink.
Protein powder is typically made from milk whey but can also come from pea protein, egg protein, rice protein, hemp protein and plant protein.
In this article, we will be focusing on whey protein as this is the cheapest, easiest to mix and most digestible form.
Why use whey protein powder?
If you partake in any strenuous physical activity, you are going to break down muscle fibres. Protein is essential for repairing these fibres and recovery from exercise.
We get protein from the food we eat every day but we can supplement it with whey protein powder so that we can recover quicker and become stronger.
Protein powder is especially useful if you are a bodybuilder or strength trainer as you are regularly breaking down muscle fibres with each workout.
Bodybuilders and strength trainers need a higher amount of protein than the majority of other athletes and this can be hard to obtain from just-food sources.
This is where whey protein powder can help. One whey protein shake can give you 50+ grams of protein for less than 200 calories making it great for hitting your RDA of protein.
When should I use whey protein powder?
Whey protein is a fast-acting, easily absorbed protein making it a great option for immediately after your workout. It will get into your bloodstream quickly and kickstart your recovery faster than whole foods.
Protein powder should be used to supplement a healthy diet and not as an alternative to food. As a bodybuilder, eating healthy, protein-rich foods should always be the preference where possible but protein shakes do have their place.
In addition to post-workout, protein shakes can be used throughout the day to make sure that you are hitting your daily intake goals.
If you want to help your muscles to repair at night whilst you sleep, drink a shake made from casein protein. Like whey, casein is a dairy protein but it releases slowly so it repairs and stops muscle breakdown as you sleep.
How do I use whey protein?
The easiest way to use protein powder is to mix it with either water or milk and drink it, especially if it is being used post-workout. Whey protein powder is very versatile and can be used in other ways...
- Smoothies with fruit, greens and oats
- Cookies
- Flapjacks
- Cakes and brownies
- Overnight oats
- Bread
- Ice cream
- Protein fluff!
- French toast
There are cookbooks, Vlogs and websites all dedicated to cooking with protein powder and the options are endless.
What are the best UK whey protein powders available today?
Protein powders vary from country to country due to different manufacturers and food regulations so in this article we are purely focusing on supplements available in the UK market for the UK consumer.
The powders listed below are not in any specific order but will clearly display the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision about which one will suit you. If you wish to purchase any of them, simply click on the link!
1, AMFIT Whey Protein.
Amazon seems to have their fingers in everything these days so it is no surprise that they are now producing its own brand of health supplements under the name of AMFIT.
In fairness, they have done a great job with their whey protein powder.
Many flavour options
Very cheap
Easy to digest
Low calorie (121 calories for 22g of protein)
Some flavours do not mix very well
2, MyProtein Impact whey protein.
MyProtein has quickly become one of the biggest supplement companies in the UK. They supply and sponsor many professional bodybuilders, strongmen, strongwomen and other athletes.
The ethos seems to be on affordable protein without the gimmicky branding.
Mixes well
Tens of flavour options
Easy to digest
Very cheap
Low-calorie options available (103 calories for 18g of protein)
Some of the flavours are a little strange (tiramisu for example)
3, Bulk Powders whey protein.
Despite the name, Bulk Powders whey protein offering is relatively low in calories compared to weight gainers yet higher than the other offerings listed.
There are over 20 flavours to choose from and they all seem to mix well with milk but are a little chalky when mixed with water. This is probably the cheapest protein supplement available in the UK today.
20+ flavour options
Easy to digest
Very cheap
Higher in calories than other options
Does not mix very well with water
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4, PhD whey protein.
Diet whey from PhD is the lowest calorie option available in the UK and it contains thermogenic such as green tea extract making it great for weight loss or cutting.
Many flavour options
Very low in calories
Mixes well with water and milk
Can be harder to digest
Some of the flavours use a strange tasting, artificial sweetener
5, Protein Works whey protein.
Protein Works are a relative newcomer to the supplements world and, although they do not have a huge range of options, they do have some unique flavours.
Reasonably priced
Unique flavours
Some flavours do not mix very well
Some of the flavours leave a strange aftertaste (Vanilla for example).
Limited range of flavours available
Information on calorie content is not visible
6, Applied Nutrition diet whey protein.
\Low calorie (101 calories for 20g of protein).
Mixes very well
Easy to digest
Good texture and taste
Very limited flavour range (only four flavours)
What are the alternatives to Whey Protein Powder?
There are many alternatives to whey protein powder, including plant-based protein powders. These powders are made from ingredients like rice, peas, or hemp and can provide all the same benefits as whey protein. In addition, they are often easier to digest and are less likely to cause allergies.
Another option is to make your own protein powder at home using ingredients like nuts, seeds, and oats. This can be a more expensive option, but it allows you to control the quality of the ingredients and avoid any artificial sweeteners or fillers.
Whatever protein powder you choose, be sure to read the label carefully to avoid any unwanted ingredients.
Conclusion.
There are many brands of protein powder available to UK consumers but the above options are the ones that we feel represent the best value for money.
Bigger brands such as Gold Standard are great but because they are usually manufactured in the US, they are generally more expensive and do not represent better quality.
Take the time to look at reviews and ingredients before jumping in and buying whey protein as it is not cheap. Some flavours are well advertised and look great but the reviews will give you an honest opinion.
We hope that you have found this article useful. Please leave us a comment with your favourite whey protein available in the UK.
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