Protein Powder is a Waste of Money (DUMB)
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Date: 2023-04-10
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Comments and reviews: 14
Christian
Just to be clear, the price per gram shown here for the Athlean-RX protein is based on the current ON SALE price, so without the discount, it kicks the price up to 7. 7 cents per gram, by far the most expensive of the lot.
Someone in another comment mentioned this, but Costco has an 80 serving bag of Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey [it's an Isolate & Concentrate blend if this is relevant to you] that comes in either EXTREME Milk Chocolate or Vanilla. Obviously prices differ from place to place, but here in New Mexico, this bag cost me 65, contains 80 servings, and has 24 grams of protein per serving.
At that cost, 65/(80 24) = 3. 3 cents per gram vs. the 7. 7 cents per gram for Athlean-RX.
Here's the thing: I'm a nutritionist that has worked with over 100 clients to help put mass on. Purchasing the highest quality protein is going to make a negligible difference to your physical changes. Some may be better quality than others, but they will all get you where you are going. Consistency in your diet is far more impactful than expensive supplements. If you have money to burn and want an exotic flavored, delicious protein powder, go for it, they can be really tasty. But if you are struggling financially (like most Americans, 60% of which are living paycheck to paycheck) and you simply need an affordable way to get the necessary macro nutrients in, don't fret about purchasing high quality protein, this is a marketing gimmick. If you are a casual lifter looking to size up, buy what you can afford. The marginal differences in supplement quality is only going to be relevant for those competing at the absolute peaks of their ability, we are talking physique competitors. A 1% improvement is the difference between 1st & 2nd at the top of competition, but if this is a casual lifestyle for you, you can improve dramatically in other more relevant areas, like more effective programming or variations to your current regiment (tempo, range of motion, reduced rest between sets, pause sets, etc.
Sorry for word vomit, but hopefully someone finds this helpful!
reply
Just to be clear, the price per gram shown here for the Athlean-RX protein is based on the current ON SALE price, so without the discount, it kicks the price up to 7. 7 cents per gram, by far the most expensive of the lot.
Someone in another comment mentioned this, but Costco has an 80 serving bag of Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey [it's an Isolate & Concentrate blend if this is relevant to you] that comes in either EXTREME Milk Chocolate or Vanilla. Obviously prices differ from place to place, but here in New Mexico, this bag cost me 65, contains 80 servings, and has 24 grams of protein per serving.
At that cost, 65/(80 24) = 3. 3 cents per gram vs. the 7. 7 cents per gram for Athlean-RX.
Here's the thing: I'm a nutritionist that has worked with over 100 clients to help put mass on. Purchasing the highest quality protein is going to make a negligible difference to your physical changes. Some may be better quality than others, but they will all get you where you are going. Consistency in your diet is far more impactful than expensive supplements. If you have money to burn and want an exotic flavored, delicious protein powder, go for it, they can be really tasty. But if you are struggling financially (like most Americans, 60% of which are living paycheck to paycheck) and you simply need an affordable way to get the necessary macro nutrients in, don't fret about purchasing high quality protein, this is a marketing gimmick. If you are a casual lifter looking to size up, buy what you can afford. The marginal differences in supplement quality is only going to be relevant for those competing at the absolute peaks of their ability, we are talking physique competitors. A 1% improvement is the difference between 1st & 2nd at the top of competition, but if this is a casual lifestyle for you, you can improve dramatically in other more relevant areas, like more effective programming or variations to your current regiment (tempo, range of motion, reduced rest between sets, pause sets, etc.
Sorry for word vomit, but hopefully someone finds this helpful!
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SubnetMaskedMan
PVL Labs has the best protein per serving ratio. You should always divide the grams of protein per scoop by grams in a serving. PVL has 28gs in a scoop of 32grams of powder, that means there's over 85% protein in that scoop, which is a VERY VERY VERY good ratio. Many companies have 25G of protein in a scoop of 36grams of powder, that's only 69% of protein in that one scoop. If the number is below 80% do not get that protein because there's alot of filler trash ingredients your liver doesn't need.
I always only buy 85% or higher, and I get that from PVL Labs's ISO Gold Whey, however I am not a fan of their other products.
Also don't forget stay away from protein matrixes in the ingredients list like Jeff showed in that screenshot at 7: 19, and stay away from high protein concentrate levels, that's cheap shit.
Also secret patented blends, stay away from blends!
Also do not buy protein with Creatine in it, that creatine also shows up in tests as protein so if they way that their protein has 25G per scoop but it includes creatine it could really be only 19G of protein but the creatine can bring it up to 25. If you must have creatine with your whey buy creatine monohydrate seperately then buy your whey, throw them in a blender with some strawberries and blueberries and have it all together, just buy them seperately.
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PVL Labs has the best protein per serving ratio. You should always divide the grams of protein per scoop by grams in a serving. PVL has 28gs in a scoop of 32grams of powder, that means there's over 85% protein in that scoop, which is a VERY VERY VERY good ratio. Many companies have 25G of protein in a scoop of 36grams of powder, that's only 69% of protein in that one scoop. If the number is below 80% do not get that protein because there's alot of filler trash ingredients your liver doesn't need.
I always only buy 85% or higher, and I get that from PVL Labs's ISO Gold Whey, however I am not a fan of their other products.
Also don't forget stay away from protein matrixes in the ingredients list like Jeff showed in that screenshot at 7: 19, and stay away from high protein concentrate levels, that's cheap shit.
Also secret patented blends, stay away from blends!
Also do not buy protein with Creatine in it, that creatine also shows up in tests as protein so if they way that their protein has 25G per scoop but it includes creatine it could really be only 19G of protein but the creatine can bring it up to 25. If you must have creatine with your whey buy creatine monohydrate seperately then buy your whey, throw them in a blender with some strawberries and blueberries and have it all together, just buy them seperately.
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Damian
I have a big appetite and live on a farm, I eat 1kg of grass fed beef every single day plus eggs and chicken and I find it easy.
Protein powder is a fitness industry scam. You piss most of it out - not all protein is equal, not all calories are equal - despite current day monkey medicine.
Protein powder is unnatural, usually high sugar, processed, causes digestive issues, relatively nutritionless when compared to real food, and without the fat content that is neccessary for optimum absorbtion. Fat doesn't make you fat - sugar does.
What most people fail to realize is that just because it says '50 grams of protein per serve' on the tub, it doesn't mean you'll absorb 50 grams worth of protein. It's like how nuts are so nutrient dense but you crap most of it out. I laugh at people carefully working out their macros and daily protein. It's more something you just have to feel out, different food works differently for different people.
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I have a big appetite and live on a farm, I eat 1kg of grass fed beef every single day plus eggs and chicken and I find it easy.
Protein powder is a fitness industry scam. You piss most of it out - not all protein is equal, not all calories are equal - despite current day monkey medicine.
Protein powder is unnatural, usually high sugar, processed, causes digestive issues, relatively nutritionless when compared to real food, and without the fat content that is neccessary for optimum absorbtion. Fat doesn't make you fat - sugar does.
What most people fail to realize is that just because it says '50 grams of protein per serve' on the tub, it doesn't mean you'll absorb 50 grams worth of protein. It's like how nuts are so nutrient dense but you crap most of it out. I laugh at people carefully working out their macros and daily protein. It's more something you just have to feel out, different food works differently for different people.
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Mr
Protein powders are great if you are already at a decent body fat percentage and you want to bulk up, but if you are trying to cut body fat or maintain your current body fat ratio whilst building a bit of muscle it's a waste of calories drinking a shake when you could be getting the protein and calories you need from a satisfying tasty meal. I've trained for 20 years plus and tried all sorts of diets, macros, protein powders etc over the years. And what I've found keeps me in best shape is a 16 hour fast. Eating two big 1200 calorie meals at mid day and at 7pm. Both meals have at least 90g of protein in them. Basically I just skip breakfast and make sure I don't snack and am strict with 0 calories in my fast, but my two meals are awesome and leave me feeling full from lunch to the evening meal and then full until I go to bed so I only ever feel a bit hungry mid morning before my lunch. I've found it works a treat.
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Protein powders are great if you are already at a decent body fat percentage and you want to bulk up, but if you are trying to cut body fat or maintain your current body fat ratio whilst building a bit of muscle it's a waste of calories drinking a shake when you could be getting the protein and calories you need from a satisfying tasty meal. I've trained for 20 years plus and tried all sorts of diets, macros, protein powders etc over the years. And what I've found keeps me in best shape is a 16 hour fast. Eating two big 1200 calorie meals at mid day and at 7pm. Both meals have at least 90g of protein in them. Basically I just skip breakfast and make sure I don't snack and am strict with 0 calories in my fast, but my two meals are awesome and leave me feeling full from lunch to the evening meal and then full until I go to bed so I only ever feel a bit hungry mid morning before my lunch. I've found it works a treat.
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DUAL
Just bought 5lb of pure isolate on a heavy discount for 60.
85% protein. 0. 03 a gram.
Lol, feels good.
EDIT: Watched a video till the very end. And I gotta say I'm very disappointed. I always thought that when it comes to supplements and nutrition, there are much better info sources out there than Jeff. And he once again proved my point by just stating that whey concentrate is so much worse than isolate. For a regular person who doesn't have digestion/lactose issues, a pure concentrate is absolutely sufficient and will yield same results as overpriced isolate. Yeah, I just bought it myself. But because of huge discount, total net protein content and price per gram similar to whey concentrate at regular price.
EDIT2: just checked nutrition label of his protein that he's promoting here. Turns out, it's a blend while he's advocating pure isolate in this video. Next level hycoprisy.
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Just bought 5lb of pure isolate on a heavy discount for 60.
85% protein. 0. 03 a gram.
Lol, feels good.
EDIT: Watched a video till the very end. And I gotta say I'm very disappointed. I always thought that when it comes to supplements and nutrition, there are much better info sources out there than Jeff. And he once again proved my point by just stating that whey concentrate is so much worse than isolate. For a regular person who doesn't have digestion/lactose issues, a pure concentrate is absolutely sufficient and will yield same results as overpriced isolate. Yeah, I just bought it myself. But because of huge discount, total net protein content and price per gram similar to whey concentrate at regular price.
EDIT2: just checked nutrition label of his protein that he's promoting here. Turns out, it's a blend while he's advocating pure isolate in this video. Next level hycoprisy.
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Fierz
I think overall this was unbiased and fair. But the one thing that jumped out at me is that Jeff specifically says not to look at price per serving, saying that you need to look at grams. But, then immediately flips and says that his protein is the only one that gives 30 grams of protein per one serving. the Pro30G protein is 38. 6 grams of powder per serving (30 grams protein, while the next one on the list (Optimum Nutrition) is 30. 4 grams powder (24 grams of protein. If you took a 38. 6 gram serving of Optimum's protein, you'd get 30. 5 grams of protein, so they are actually quite comparable in that regard. Personally, I would trust Jeff's protein, I've trusted him for years. But, the argument that it's the only one that gives 30 grams per serving is not a factor that would push me towards it.
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I think overall this was unbiased and fair. But the one thing that jumped out at me is that Jeff specifically says not to look at price per serving, saying that you need to look at grams. But, then immediately flips and says that his protein is the only one that gives 30 grams of protein per one serving. the Pro30G protein is 38. 6 grams of powder per serving (30 grams protein, while the next one on the list (Optimum Nutrition) is 30. 4 grams powder (24 grams of protein. If you took a 38. 6 gram serving of Optimum's protein, you'd get 30. 5 grams of protein, so they are actually quite comparable in that regard. Personally, I would trust Jeff's protein, I've trusted him for years. But, the argument that it's the only one that gives 30 grams per serving is not a factor that would push me towards it.
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Derek
i'm not sure if i missed it in the video, but another important factor to look at is consumption.
To me it is 10x easier for me to down a 30 gram protein shake than it is to eat 4oz's of lean chicken breast. Through out the day I can get hungry enough again to down another 30 grams. Eating a lb of dried white chicken breast a day, while i'm sure is the cost of cutting weight, isn't necessarily something everyone can commit to. It's much easier to pop flavorful shakes than it is to eat extremely clean.
also eating an entire lb of beef is pretty difficult as well and consuming enough vegetables/fruits to push that amount of meat through your body as well. expect loads of constipation.
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i'm not sure if i missed it in the video, but another important factor to look at is consumption.
To me it is 10x easier for me to down a 30 gram protein shake than it is to eat 4oz's of lean chicken breast. Through out the day I can get hungry enough again to down another 30 grams. Eating a lb of dried white chicken breast a day, while i'm sure is the cost of cutting weight, isn't necessarily something everyone can commit to. It's much easier to pop flavorful shakes than it is to eat extremely clean.
also eating an entire lb of beef is pretty difficult as well and consuming enough vegetables/fruits to push that amount of meat through your body as well. expect loads of constipation.
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Eddie
Thanks Jeff! It may not have been your intention, but you actually just convinced me to stop buying protein powder. At 2. 79 per pound and about 139g of protein per pound according to nutrition information found online, chicken breast costs 2 cents per gram of protein. It could cost up to 8. 37 per pound and still be a good value vs protein powder. PLUS it s way more enjoyable and satisfying to consume. In addition, it doesn t cost any extra calories, as protein powder has 5 calories overall for every gram of protein and chicken breast has 4. 92 calories per gram of protein. I never thought to do the math before, but I d always rather eat chicken than drink protein.
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Thanks Jeff! It may not have been your intention, but you actually just convinced me to stop buying protein powder. At 2. 79 per pound and about 139g of protein per pound according to nutrition information found online, chicken breast costs 2 cents per gram of protein. It could cost up to 8. 37 per pound and still be a good value vs protein powder. PLUS it s way more enjoyable and satisfying to consume. In addition, it doesn t cost any extra calories, as protein powder has 5 calories overall for every gram of protein and chicken breast has 4. 92 calories per gram of protein. I never thought to do the math before, but I d always rather eat chicken than drink protein.
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Elthenar
Not to rain on Jeff's parade here but Bulk Supplements protein is the way to go for cost effectiveness. 33 dollars for 33 servings with 30 grams of protein per serving. It's only got 2 ingredients in it, whey protein isolate and Sunflower Lectithin. So 100% of that protein is from whey isolate. The downside is that there is no flavoring at all added, so just mixing it with just water is not advised. I personally mix it up in a shake with some banana, oatmeal, blueberries and almonds. The one I make in the morning has my creatine in it. The bang for the buck is damned hard to beat.
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Not to rain on Jeff's parade here but Bulk Supplements protein is the way to go for cost effectiveness. 33 dollars for 33 servings with 30 grams of protein per serving. It's only got 2 ingredients in it, whey protein isolate and Sunflower Lectithin. So 100% of that protein is from whey isolate. The downside is that there is no flavoring at all added, so just mixing it with just water is not advised. I personally mix it up in a shake with some banana, oatmeal, blueberries and almonds. The one I make in the morning has my creatine in it. The bang for the buck is damned hard to beat.
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KentuckyMan
I talked to a dietician at a local hospital and she told me a person needs 1 gram of protein for every 2. 2 pounds of body weight to maintain muscle size and 1 gram of protein to build muscle. She said any more than that is just wasted and that the body just gets rid of it. She also said that eating massive amounts of protein isn't good for the liver. Mike Mentzer even said that one did not need all the protein that the protein hucksters lead a person to believe. Just saying what I was told from the dietician and what I've read from the books and articles of Mike Mentzer.
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I talked to a dietician at a local hospital and she told me a person needs 1 gram of protein for every 2. 2 pounds of body weight to maintain muscle size and 1 gram of protein to build muscle. She said any more than that is just wasted and that the body just gets rid of it. She also said that eating massive amounts of protein isn't good for the liver. Mike Mentzer even said that one did not need all the protein that the protein hucksters lead a person to believe. Just saying what I was told from the dietician and what I've read from the books and articles of Mike Mentzer.
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Brandon
I heard a pro bodybuilder say this a long time ago in a interview. They asked him what protein powder he takes. He said none because you don't know what's in them and the only way to get consistent reliable protein is through real food. Over the years I've also heard many athletes say the same thing. The reality is consistency which you will not find in any supplement because it is to expensive to monitor in every batch that is made. There is no replacement for real food is all I'm saying, now how hard or expensive that may be for you to reach is up to you.
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I heard a pro bodybuilder say this a long time ago in a interview. They asked him what protein powder he takes. He said none because you don't know what's in them and the only way to get consistent reliable protein is through real food. Over the years I've also heard many athletes say the same thing. The reality is consistency which you will not find in any supplement because it is to expensive to monitor in every batch that is made. There is no replacement for real food is all I'm saying, now how hard or expensive that may be for you to reach is up to you.
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Bob
I did the math on this a couple months ago. Here is what I came up with:
1) Legumes: Lentil, black bean, chickpea 1 = 37g
Note: may need to consume preclusive volume, high fiber
2) Fish: canned fish is cheap 1 = 32g
3) Dairy: liquid Milk is cheap, but high volume 1 = 28g
processing decreases volume at cost
4) Chicken: the less processed the higher return
1 = 26g
5) Nuts and their Butter 1 = 20g
7) Eggs 1 = 18g
8) cheap cuts of meat 1 = 12g
9) Whey Protein Isolate 1 = 10g
10) Quinoa/Oat/Amaranth 1 = 7g
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I did the math on this a couple months ago. Here is what I came up with:
1) Legumes: Lentil, black bean, chickpea 1 = 37g
Note: may need to consume preclusive volume, high fiber
2) Fish: canned fish is cheap 1 = 32g
3) Dairy: liquid Milk is cheap, but high volume 1 = 28g
processing decreases volume at cost
4) Chicken: the less processed the higher return
1 = 26g
5) Nuts and their Butter 1 = 20g
7) Eggs 1 = 18g
8) cheap cuts of meat 1 = 12g
9) Whey Protein Isolate 1 = 10g
10) Quinoa/Oat/Amaranth 1 = 7g
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RSV
Don't forget all the other crap they put in protein powder. They even have a website called the clean label project that documents brands that have heavy metals and bpa in them, which has been found in the top 53 brands. I used to use protein powder in my early 20's but now that I'm older and care about what I put in my body I've changed my diet over the years, started eating good whole foods, I am much healthier and stronger than when I was young and just pounded powders and supplements.
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Don't forget all the other crap they put in protein powder. They even have a website called the clean label project that documents brands that have heavy metals and bpa in them, which has been found in the top 53 brands. I used to use protein powder in my early 20's but now that I'm older and care about what I put in my body I've changed my diet over the years, started eating good whole foods, I am much healthier and stronger than when I was young and just pounded powders and supplements.
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Ash
The price of protein powder started to skyrocket at the EXACT time that the word protein started appearing on snack bars and cereals in normal supermarkets and convenience stores. And I mean on the front of the wrapper/box, not halfway down the nutritional information table on the back or side. These are just normal products someone threw a bit of protein powder in and now sell at a huge markup. And you can bet your ass the markup is far bigger than the cost of that added powder.
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The price of protein powder started to skyrocket at the EXACT time that the word protein started appearing on snack bars and cereals in normal supermarkets and convenience stores. And I mean on the front of the wrapper/box, not halfway down the nutritional information table on the back or side. These are just normal products someone threw a bit of protein powder in and now sell at a huge markup. And you can bet your ass the markup is far bigger than the cost of that added powder.
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