This week’s Friendly Feasting blog is a little different. Instead of sharing a recipe, I am dedicating this blog to protein shake and bar options. Monday, we begin Bootcamp 23. Undoubtedly, I’ll spend Bootcamp’s first week or so as a nutrition accountability coach reviewing all the various forms of protein my clients already use or purchased in hopes that the product fits the program. For all new, vet, and future clients, here are the most commonly consumed, go-to options for purchasing protein that you know will be on plan:
Shake Powder
- Metabolic Drive - http://www.t-nation.com/store/products/metabolic-drive-low-carb
- People RAVE about the banana…if you like banana that is!
- Optimum Nutrition - http://www.optimumnutrition.com/
- My fave is Mocha Cappuccino but they have dozens of flavor options!
- Muscle Pharm Combat - http://www.musclepharm.com/
- Cookies & Cream is very popular at the studio
- EAS - http://eas.com/
- Basic chocolate, vanilla
- Beverly International UMP - https://store.beverlyinternational.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=22
- Vegan Options: Vega One, Vega Sport Performance Protein
- I’m personally not familiar with these, but other NGPTers use them
Pre-Made Shakes
- EAS Carb AdvantEDGE - http://eas.com/
- Must be this variety
- Pure Protein - http://www.pureprotein.com/
- Premier Protein - http://www.premierprotein.com/
- Shakes are approved, bars are not!
- New Whey - http://www.newwhey.com/
- Available at Walmart
- ½ tube = 1 protein serving
Protein Bars
- Pure Protein - http://www.pureprotein.com/
- Simple Truth (be sure to get the PROTEIN bars, not “meal” or “energy” - http://www.simpletruth.com/products/snacks/health-wellness-bars/double-peanut-nutrition-bar/
- Quest - http://www.questnutrition.com/protein-bars/
Purchasing Locations
- See product websites above
- Check www.amazon.com
- www.allstarhealth.com
- www.vitacost.com
- www.bodybuilding.com
- Walmart
- Sam’s Club
- Kroger
- IronPit gym
Purchasing Tips
- Don’t be afraid to order a large quantity. You will use it!
- If you’re looking to save money, protein powder will always be your most cost-efficient option.
- Order ahead – all my protein powder is ordered online. When I get low, I look out for deals and order 2-3 large tubs at once. It’s never fun when you run out and are waiting on a shipment.
- Watch for Pure Protein bars to go on sale 10/$10 at Kroger. Lately I’ve been getting coupons in the mail based on my purchases to save something like $1 on 3, so when I can combine those two deals, it’s pretty cost efficient!
- Samples: NGPT is a strong, caring community. You mention the word protein powder and dozens will tell you their favorite flavors and offer a sample scoop so you don’t waste your money on a flavor you dislike.
- Shake Swaps: I did this with a crew of bootcampers once. We each picked a flavor we knew/figured we’d like and bought a tub (we did one big order). Then we gave 2 scoops of our flavor in a little baggie to each person in the group. When all the swaps were done, we each had 4-5 other flavors to try.
I hope this helps you find and purchase the best protein options to fuel your body throughout the day. If you have a particular protein powder or bar other than these that you’re interested in, I advise checking with Adam or Trish for the final say. As I tell my clients, Adam’s the one educated in nutrition and knows what works for the Meltdown, which he created. I only use and recommend the brands of protein powder that he specifically suggests! Feast on powder, feast on pre-mades, feast on bars, but as always…FEAST ON (high protein) !!!
~Coach Lauren
