Recommendations for a good protein powder and how to use?

[uddershirt]

I am currently trying to lose weight I am counting my calories, doing a mix of cardio and strength training over 6 days each week. I have fair bit to lose but things are going well but I need to up my protein intake and I think I need to add a protein powder as a vegetarian I am finding it hard to get in enough protein through food alone even adding in extra cottage cheese, eggs etc.

I do eat dairy so I could use whey or plant based. I want to keep my protein up to try and maintain as much muscle as I can while losing body fat. I think I need at least 100g of protein a day.

I have ordered a cheap amazon's own powder to get started but I am clueless about this kind of thing. Any recommendations and also how is it best to use it?

I buy Free soul ,but it tastes a bit powdery. I also like Applied Nutrition Casein protein, this one keeps me full for ages, tastes better.

I'm vegetarian too and this is the best one I've found. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000QSO3FO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&th=1 It dissolves very easily. I have a spoonful in the morning with my muesli and I'll also have it in a shake with fruit and oat milk or milk after I've come back from the gym.

As with all, the amount you pay will show here. Form Nutrition is ace, blends well, tastes good and the macros are good. I’ve tried so very very many. It’s the only one that doesn’t make me bloat and that I don’t dread drinking.

I use protein works which I found cheaper than huel - I used to buy strawberries and cream and vanilla but recently discovered the blueberry cheesecake and salted caramel which are yummy. I blend it with a mix of water and half a small cup of oat or almond milk and it’s delicious.

I put on 5 pounds in May due to various events ( may have been water weight and alcohol weight) and so it wasn’t a lot I wanted to lose just the 5 pounds so I cut out alcohol for the last two weeks and went low carb combined with protein works - I also restarted doing a home Pilates workout which I forgot how amazing could be for toning.( Blogilates) I lost the 5 pounds over the course of 10 days.

I also like hiking and found the Pilates actually helped with my core muscles when hiking up a hill :)

I like my protein. Usually buy the vanilla or cinnamon bun flavours. I occasionally use it for a drink but it's more usual for me to mix it with my overnight oats or Greek yogurt and fruit.

I would try a few different ones, most companies sell sample packs. I wouldn't just go and buy one as I found some are very sweet which I didn't like.

protein powders aren’t a regulated market, they can contain all sorts of stuff. They are unlikely to be necessary for the average person. Friend of mines GP has told him to stop as his kidneys have been affected by them.

You are far better eating protein rich foods. Honestly. It’s cheaper better for you and the companies who are pushing this to become mainstream will move on to something else.

@BigDahliaFan According to the article I need at least 100g of protein a day which is very difficult to get as a vegetarian a cup of lentils is 18g and I'd be unlikely to eat a whole cup of lentils, even an egg only has about 6 g of protein. I like tofu but it is expensive and time consuming to make. I am not keen on fake meats but I do eat them but again they are expensive and not even that high in protein. A single serving of whey protein is about 20g of protein or more. I'd prefer not to have to take it but the reason why they are so popular is because they are a relatively cheap easy way hit your protein targets. I need to do this to prevent a ton of muscle loss and other tissue loss as a lose a large amount of weight. I do appreciate your warning though I will try to find something that has been tested and is known to be clean.

Thanks everyone, I will look into all these brands and see if I can buy samples to try different one's out.

@ukku I do keep seeing that brand recommended but I'd like to try it out before buying a big supply, I will see if I can get a smaller sachet.

@Thecatlady82 Congratulations on your weight loss! I did look at the Protein works but there were some bad reviews but that was the case for all of them! I suppose it is just trial and error!

I really like the squash protein from my protein (there is always a discount somewhere!). You mix it with water and they have so many great flavours. I found protein powder too blergh

I love My Protein! They mix well and have a nice range of flavors. The clear protein is just like drinking squash, and they have one that tastes just like vimto.

I tried Protein Works but the texture is really grainy and their customer service is non existent.

Watching as need to do this too!

Just stay away from the gimmicky ones like snickers. I use collegen powder as well which is around 20gs extra on top. Drink loads and loads of water. I need 130g and it would be impossible to get that from food alone tbh.

The clear protein from myprotein is great - I tend to mix it up with extra water and ice as it can be sweet but I just sip through the day like squash.
The pineapple is lovely and so is the orange and mango.
Good luck on your weight loss journey x

Not sure if we are allowed to post discount codes?

Thanks everyone I have saved all these and will see if I can find samples or will just try then in turn. Too bad I can't take the collogen, or perhaps there is a veggie version?