I decided I would like to try some protein powder, so I ordered sample packs of the Vega Sport brand in vanilla and berry. Each serving contains 20g of protein (nutritional info here).
I haven’t tried them yet, but wanted to ask you guys a few questions!
Have you ever tried/do you use protein powder? Do you notice any benefit from using it? When do you use it and how (in a shake, just with water, etc.)?
I am anxious to see how this stuff tastes, and if I notice any effect from using it.
For the Healthy Living Summit, they gave us the chocolate flavor to try. I really like putting a little in my oatmeal for extra protein in the morning- since I’m not much of a shake person. I bet the vanilla is really really good!
Amy! That is an excellent idea! I have oatmeal nearly every morning. I will have to try that. Thanks!
I do not use protein powder but you’ll have to let me know how it is!! I would probably use it after workouts, probably just mixed with water since it’s easier (and I’m usually at work post workout). But I like Amy’s idea of putting it in your breakfast!
I bought a chocolate hemp protein powder at Trader Joe’s a while back. I rarely use it. My coach has tried to kind of push protein bars/shakes, but I really prefer to get as much from real, whole sources as possible. The protein powder, though, was decent for me mixed with almond milk. I just don’t find it as satisfying as having something to munch on…Also, I tried adding some of the powder to oatmeal for a protein kick and that tasted yucky!
I am wondering how much protein I eat in a day because I eat SO. MANY. BEANS. I think a little protein powder every now and then will help!
wow those look great! i may have to go out and try them myself! xoxo great post
I use Sun Warrior and I mix it with Almond milk. It’s pretty good – especially if you freeze it slightly and it turns in to a milkshake.
Are you gearing up for your NY trip??
Is that kind vegan?
When going to the gym I used to use whey protein. I would put it in milk (I guess Soy would be fine too). I liked the chocolate flavor and I felt like I was drinking a shake. Not bad at all!
I use hemp protein powder and usually just stir it into soy milk after a weight workout – so maybe twice a week. It’s not great but I think of it as functional food. Sometimes I blend it with a banana, soy milk and some instant espresso powder and a bit of cocoa powder – now that tastes like a real treat!
I have some that I’ve mixed mainly into oatmeal (vanilla) which makes the fullness from oatmeal seem to last longer. I also throw it into fruit smoothies, but it’s been too cold (under 80F, ha) that I haven’t had smoothies in a long time.
But really, protein powder seems so expensive, I’m still on the same canister I broke down and bought several months ago. I’m a cheepskate for sure.
I use soy protein but not whey protein because whey is dairy based and gives me a tummy ache.
It could be all in my head, but it seems like a little extra boost of protein keeps me fuller longer. I enjoy sprinkling it in oatmeal as well, baking with it, and yes, using it in smoothies. I always just use the plain or unflavored variety–it definitely changes the texture but you get used to it.
Putting it in oatmeal is a good idea. Also, both of the weight lifting books I’ve read said that you should drink a protein smoothie after strength training because it helps your muscles recover faster. And I know that after a long or hard run you should eat or drink something with a combination of carbs & protein so sometimes I have a protein powder smoothie then, too.
You can just stir it into soy milk or even water or add it and shake if you don’t have a blender but the powder won’t always dissolve evenly that way so you might have a slightly gritty or chunky drink.
I’ve used protein powder for 10+ years. At first just in shakes but now I sneak it into pancakes, french toast and even cookies so the kids get more protein.
I buy the big bag of Muscle Milk Whey Protein from Costco.
I definitely recover better/faster if I have a protein shake right after a hard workout.
Thanks for the tip! I am anxious to see if I feel like I recover faster too!
I like to add a scoop into my green monster smoothies. I find that the protein gives me the feeling of being fuller longer. Also, I struggle to eat enough protein as it is, so I always mentally feel better by adding in a scoop to my smoothie. J. Alabama likes to put a scoop into his oatmeal. I have never tried it, but I think it’s a good idea. I’m curious to hear your take on it once you’ve tried it.
I have a protein shake for breakfast just about every morning. I put in frozen fruits and use water mostly. ON some days I use my daughters Almond Milk. I try to find the one with the lowest sodium but is whey and good enough amount of protein. Biochem is available at whole foods and is pretty good.
Interested in everyones answers as I’m new to the protein supp. world too
i use it in smoothies in the summer. and i did it while marathon training and not eating much meat…. tried it in oatmeal a few times, but it was a no-go. if ya’ want the smoothie recipe just hit me up.
Does the recipe require a blender? We don’t have one 🙁
I didn’t know Vega had little protein packets like that! I rarely use protein powder but I do own some – a soy brand which I never use and a pumpkin seed protein powder which I love.
I like protein powder. I just drink some with water in a shaker cup about an hour before or a workout. It’s also good mixed with almond milk, a banana, and ice as a shake. You can add it to a yogurt parfait to give it more staying powder. Or add it to oatmeal but AFTER you’ve cooked the oatmeal.
Never tried them! Let us know how it goes. I am hungry ALL the time so it would be super if I could find a way to make that go away for at least part of the day.
I haven’t jumped on the protein powder bandwagon yet because it seems expensive,and the jury still seems out about its actual benefits. Now that I’ve decided to do more strength training, I’ve just been having chocolate milk after workouts.
It is expensive! That is why I ordered these small packets to try. Honestly, I am not sure how much protein I get in, so it might be good for me to have a serving every few days. Maybe?