Clear away the clutter
I’m so confused! We hear it all too often; people are so confused about what is the right thing to do when it comes to nutrition. It’s probably the one topic that we have been heavily consumed in since time began and yet we still have questions over the best way to appropriately fuel the body. With so much information on nutrition and being spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the right protein powder for you. Let our resident nutritionist, Gareth Nicholas, give you the low-down on which product is the right one for you.
New to Sports Nutrition?
The old adage, more than one way to skin a cat, is perfectly aligned with nutrition (perhaps more than one way to eat a kiwi, is better) and explains the best diet for you. We are constantly told that we should eat more fruit, vegetables, and fibre, whilst limiting high-fatty food, sugar, and processed products. Fat is no longer the devil we were brought up to believe. It’s also about balancing those carbs, eating less beige foods, and maxing out on protein. In truth, I would promote all of that, but how you get there, what you eat, and when you eat it, may all vary from person to person.
Food First Approach
The best dietary approach has always been and remains one that is food first. At MaxiNutrition, we too believe in this method, but we understand that some people can gain further support from sports nutrition or food supplements being included as part of their daily diet. Some of that reasoning may well be convenience-based or simply a way of scrutinising or boosting particular nutrients, such as protein. There are also some ingredients that we struggle to meet the requirements from food alone, such as Vitamin D, Creatine, and other performance-related ingredients. Some people also find a benefit in utilising food supplements to help replenish a nutrient deficiency or support a dietary restriction.
Let’s talk Protein Products
At first glance, our protein powder range may look confusing but follow the below table to give you an idea of what is the best product for you. That’s not to say that you couldn’t use any of the below products, but we have tried to formulate specific protein powders to provide you with exactly what you want and need.
From a nutrient perspective, protein is protein irrespective of the source, but to delve a bit deeper, protein is the collection of varying amounts of amino acids – the building blocks of any protein. The amino acid construct determines how the body utilises varying sources of protein, its bioavailability, and its uptake. For example, choosing whey protein isolate instead of whey protein concentrate, as a superior source of whey. This is just thinking solely about protein and all protein-containing foods contain other nutrients that need to be considered.
Going beyond protein, we should never take an ingredient in isolation as foods and supplements can have further nutrient benefits, or in the case of some supplements less of the unwanted nutrients. Our advice is to find suitable sources of protein, ideally a variety of sources, that provide you with at least 46g for women and 56g for men (based on the Institute Of Medicine recommendations for protein to support health).
More than just protein
So far in this article I have just shared information as to why you might pick one of our whey products over another, however, we also have other protein-based supplements that offer further specific goal support. For example:
- Cyclone – with added Creatine, Glutamine, Zinc, HMB, and vitamin B6. Cyclone is considered an all-in-one designed to support strength and muscle growth.
- Progain – with a higher protein content and carbohydrate. Progain is considered a high-protein muscle gainer with more than 500 calories per shake.
- Promax Lean – with added B Vitamins, Green Tea Extract, L-Carnitine, and Caffeine. Promax Lean is packed with whey protein isolate to remove more of the fat and sugar to support lean muscle development.
These products are more geared towards those with a specific exercising goal, but could be used to support a healthy life change, such as using Promax Lean added to your diet when trying to lose weight.
Which is the right product for you?
Hopefully, this has helped you identify the right product or products for you. Perhaps this has just been more thought-provoking for the next time you are shopping for protein. At MaxiNutrition we believe that a protein powder goes beyond just protein, as our products have been created with a specific person or goal in mind. Always scan the ingredient information and nutritional table to help you make the best choice. If in any doubt contact us, either through our customer service team or via our various social channels. We would be only too pleased to help.
