There are a variety of ways to supplement protein to your diet. The most common form of protein supplementation comes in the form of protein shakes. This is available is either a powdered form(which you mix with milk or water) or ready to drink(RTD). Typically whey protein is used, however, some people prefer soy, egg, or cassein protein for different reasons. Protein comes in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. A jar of a cheaper brand of whey protein may cost $12 while a similar sized jar of a "name brand" may cost $4o or more, while having approximately the same contents. One thing I found is that cheaper whey proteins typically yield the same results as the more expensive brands. You don't need to break the bank to have a good protein supplement.
Another form of protein supplementation comes in the form of protein bars. This is where you need to look more carefully. I'm usually very skeptical when it comes to protein bars. I've tried just about every kind of bar you can imagine, and more often than not I've discovered a product that was merely a candy bar that said "protein bar" on the label. Protein bars are typically loaded with fat, sugar, and artificial ingredients. Rarely do you find a bar that contains a high amount of protein, low sugar, and low fat contents. Not to mention taste, that's always a plus.
My advice? Read the label. Don't shell out $4o for a jar of Nitro Tech if it has the exact same contents as the $12 Wal Mart whey protein. Don't assume that a bar has health benefits just because it says "protein bar" as it may be loaded with fat and sugar. Stay informed as a consumer,
Greg, I really like this post. When I can afford to spend a little extra money I usually purchase protein powder to take after workouts. When i'm working a lot and can afford it I like to buy both whey and cassein protein. The whey I take post workout and the cassein I take 15-20 minutes before bed. The cassein protein is slow digesting so it feeds the muscles overnight. Also, what many people do not know about protein bars is that many of them are considered meal replacements. However, instead of replacing a meal with them many individuals eat them between meals. This means they are taking in substantial amounts of sugar, carbohydrates, and fats.
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