Protein.
It’s the ultimate fitness buzzword from the past five years. Wherever you look in the world of health and fitness you’ll find it. In powders, bars, balls, and just about anything else you can think of. We’re told it’ll make us stronger, healthier, fitter.
But how do we know what’s the best protein powder on the market when there’s so many options to choose from, and an overload of information being thrown at us about them?
We think it’s important to break down the facts and go back to basics, so you can truly understand why protein is such an important part of your nutrition, how it benefits you, and how you can get the best quality protein out there.
Why do we need protein powder?
So why do we need protein? Well firstly, it’s a key component of every cell in the body, and we use it to build and repair tissues. But we also need protein to make enzymes, hormones and other crucial chemicals in the body, while it’s an important building block of your bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood.
How much protein do we need?
In terms of how much protein we need, the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) is set at 0.75g of protein per kilogram of bodyweight per day for adults, and the amount we need changes during our lifetime and whether we're exercising or not.
Different foods contain different amounts and combinations of amino acids (the main building blocks of proteins). Foods from animal sources (like meat and dairy) contain the highest concentrations of protein when compared with non-animal sources, but vegetarians and vegans are able to get the full amount of protein they need by eating other sources of protein, like cereals, grains, pulses and meat substitutes.
The benefits of taking protein powders
However, if you don’t want to rely so heavily on foods like meat to get your protein, or you just want an easy option that provides you with a high concentration of protein, then protein powders are a convenient and popular alternative. Not only are they loved for providing people with an easy way of getting their daily recommended intake of protein, but they also have several other health benefits.
One of these is muscle growth. A 2018 analysis of 49 studies supports the use of protein supplementation for growing muscle. The research suggests that protein supplements significantly improve muscle size and strength in healthy adults who do resistance exercise training, such as lifting weights.
Another way in which taking protein powder supplements can benefit the body is by contributing to recovery after exercise. Protein helps repair damaged muscles and tissues, and therefore many people use protein powders to speed up this recovery process and diminish feelings of muscle soreness and aches.
While most people can actually get enough protein from their regular diet alone, it’s widely known that protein keeps us fuller for longer, hence why many of us have gone in search of higher-protein foods and supplements in recent years. What’s more, protein powders are now so popular that you can find them tailored towards almost any diet, whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, or eat just about anything.
How can you get started with protein powder?
So now you’re clued up on all things protein, you’re probably wondering where you can start when it comes to upping your daily intake. Let us introduce you to The Fit Protein.
Formulated in partnership with leading nutritionists, this protein blend was developed for people who regularly push themselves further than most but don't want to let that compromise any other aspect of their lives.
Featuring 31g of protein per serving, we’ve used a blend of vegan pea and brown rice protein, that contains all the essential amino acids your body needs for repair, recovery and muscle development. But what sets The Fit Protein apart from others on the market is the plethora of added ingredients that contribute to a range of positive health benefits.
Here’s what else you can expect to find:
- Cocomineral: Powdered coconut water packed with potassium to rehydrate and ensure optimal function of body and mind.
- Maca: A Peruvian herb which helps reduce stress while boosting energy, performance and libido.
- Magnesium: A mineral that plays a vital role in energy, recovery, cardiac function, and bone and muscle health.
- Rhodiola root: Flowering plant that can help reduce fatigue, increase serotonin levels and improve mental function.
- Pink Himalayan sea salt: Rock salt from the Punjab region of India, containing 84 trace minerals and elements that help rehydrate the body.
Here's how to take protein powder
There’s plenty of ways to take The Fit Protein. Firstly, there’s three delicious flavours to choose from; smooth chocolate, creamy vanilla, and summer strawberry. We love it as a must-have post-workout refuel, ideally to be taken within 45 minutes of exercise or as a nutritious drink at any stage during the day.
The most simple way to take The Fit Protein is in shake form. Add up to 40g (4 scoops) to 250-350ml of water, milk or plant milk (we recommend oat or almond) and shake until the powder has fully mixed with the liquid. You can put the mixture in a blender if you prefer. Adjust the amount of liquid for your desired level of sweetness and thickness. Drink up.
However, there’s plenty of other ways you can take The Fit Protein if you’re looking to switch things up a little. Why not mix into your porridge in the morning for a protein-packed breakfast that’s perfect for before or after the gym, or even just on a regular day for something that’s a little more filling than a slice of toast. Give this recipe a go if you’re in need of some inspiration.
But if porridge doesn’t tickle your fancy, try some of these instead:
- Chocolate fudge protein brownies
- Chocolate overnight oats
- Protein pancakes with blueberries and manuka honey
Is this the best protein powder on the market?
We like to think so. But it’s not just us who think we’ve nailed the protein game and really got it down to a T when it comes to the best protein powder. In 2020, we were thrilled to be awarded The Best Protein at the Men’s Health Sports Nutrition Awards for The Fit Protein. So if it’s good enough for a panel of leading nutritionists and fitness editors, we’re pretty sure you’ll love it too.
And if you’re wondering how good the rest of our products are, then check out some of these other awards and accolades we've received:
- The Energy Booster - Best Pre-Workout at the Men’s Health Sports Nutrition Awards 2020
- The Health Protein - “Innermost’s The Health Protein blend is more than just a post-workout supplement. At the core of the formula, pea and brown rice proteins work together for lean muscle repair, recovery and development.” Best vegan protein powders to fuel your home workouts in GQ
- The Relax Capsules - “The closest you’ll get to an actual chill pill.” Best sleep supplements for a restful night’s sleep in GQ
- Innermost - The Gamechanger Award at the Men’s Health Sports Nutrition Awards 2018
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Innermost - “This tastes a bit like a liquid Kinder Bueno, but it's packed with lots of goodness like pink Himalayan sea salt for rehydration and magnesium, which helps you wind down after a massive cortisol high. It uses whey instead of pea protein, containing a higher number of muscle-building amino acids.” The best protein shakes for a post-workout pick-me-up in Tatler
To check out our full range of products, just click and explore our protein collections. And if you have any questions about any of our products or ingredients, just drop us an email or start a live chat and one of our team will get right back to you.
