Best protein for weight loss and muscle gain

If you're trying to improve your fitness results, and have decided that whey protein is the right supplement for you, then you've come to the right place.

As the market is chock full of options to choose from, it can be hard to work out which one is worth your money. Plus, you want to make sure that the protein powder you choose is going to give your body what it needs to build muscle faster and help you reach your fitness goals.

After a workout, we lose a lot of the important nutrients needed to help our bodies quickly recover. And this includes anyone who is toning up, losing fat or building muscle.

For those who have opted for whey protein, it's important to understand the types of the stuff there are - and we've outlined them for you below.

The three main types of whey protein:

• Whey protein hydrolysate - Breaks down peptides to help with fast absorption

• Whey protein concentrate - A concentrated protein that retains more nutrients

• Whey protein isolate - Similar to concentrate, but has a higher protein percentage

The main thing to remember is the recommended dietary allowance for protein is around a gram for every three pounds of body weight. So, if you're 120lbs you'll need around 40 grams of protein per day and so on.

Best whey protein powders

1. Pure Whey Protein, £7.14 for 1kg

This protein powder is a great place to start, if you're looking for an ethical product that has as many benefits as it is cost effective. It's also vegetarian friendly and gluten-free.

The whey is sourced from European grass-fed cow's milk and contains a whopping 80% whey protein, it also has five grams per serving of vital branched chain amino acids (BCAA).

You can choose an unflavoured or flavoured supplement, the advantage of going unflavoured is you're getting the full 80% protein.

The flavoured ones tend to drop the percentage by between 3-5%. If you don't mind the slight drop in protein, they have over 20 delicious flavours to choose from including salted caramel, birthday cake and peaches and cream.

Price: £7.14, Bulk - buy here now

2. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein Powder, £44.99 for 2.27kg

If there's any reason to go with this whey protein option, it's that it's widely used and favoured by professional athletes. If you want to be the best - use what the best use, right?

With 24 grams of protein and 5.5 grams of BCAAs in each serving you can be sure each shake is giving you nothing but pure muscle-bulking nutrition.

It doesn't have as many flavour options as Pure Whey, but 17 options is a fair amount of choice, even for the pickiest of gym-goers.

Price: £44.99, Amazon - buy here now

3. Healthspan Elite Complete Vegan Protein, £21.99 for 1kg

If you're looking to start your gym journey and need a vegan appropriate whey protein to help you on your way - this is one for you to try.

Elite complete is formed from a healthy combination of pumpkin, peas and brown rice - providing a culmination of essential amino acids.

With around 20 grams of protein in each serving you also get 100% of your recommended dosage of vitamin B12 (notoriously difficult to obtain on a vegan diet).

The batch comes unflavoured, but there are also four available flavoured drops that you can add to your purchase free of charge to give you a more pleasant taste.

Price: £21.99, Health Span - buy here now

4. Innermost The Fit Protein, £29.95 for 600g

Innermost The Fit Protein

Our writer tried this first hand and was pleasantly surprised by the rich but deliciously good taste of the Creamy Vanilla Blend

If you're someone who tends to lack energy, this whey protein blend has been developed for people who regularly push themselves, but still need a bit of an energy boost of other areas of life too.

Boasting a champion blend of seven ingredients to restore energy, as well as supporting muscle growth and repair.

Price: £29.95, Live Innermost - buy here now

5. Natural Nutrients Whey Protein Isolate, £33.99 for 1kg

Natural Nutrients Whey Protein Isolate

This strawberry flavoured fitness supplement is perfect if you're wanting to increase you muscle mass, or if you're just enthusiastic about maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regime.

It's also gluten and soya free, so perfectly inclusive for anyone intolerant to those ingredients and it's also a huge source of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant bound to give you an added health boost you need when training.

No artificial sweeteners, colours or flavours have been used in the product, so you can rest assured you're fueling your body with something nutritious.

Price: £33.99, Amazon - buy here now

6. MyProtein Weight Gainer Blend, £26.99 for 2.5kg

MyProtein Weight Gainer Blend

If your goal is to add a few pounds or build up some muscle, the weight gainer blend from MyProtein is well worth a try.

Per serving you can expect around 31 grams of protein (more than any on the list so far) as well as 50 grams of carbohydrates equate to around 388 calories. If you're eating a balanced diet, along with a couple of these shakes in between - you'll be on your way to your goals in no time.

This particular protein supplement doesn't come with all the fancy flavour options, you can have it unflavoured or choose chocolate, vanilla or strawberry.

Price: £26.99, My Protein - buy here now

7. PhD Nutrition Diet Whey Protein Powder, £17.99 for 1kg

If weight control and management are your main focuses - this industry leading diet protein supplement is a top contender.

Each serving contains 17 grams of protein and under 100 calories when shaken up with water. Vital health-boosting ingredients like green tea extract and flaxseed are mixed in the product, making it super healthy and natural.

Choose from an array of delicious flavours like cherry bakewell or chocolate orange.

Price: £17.99, Amazon - buy here now

8. Innermost The Strong Protein, £29.95 for 600g

Innermost The Strong Protein

Innermost have created a super inclusive whey protein to rival some of the top brands in the industry. As well as being suitable for vegetarians, it's also halal, kosher, soy and gluten free.

Seven active ingredients in this product work together to maximise muscle gains and enable you to repair and recovery a lot quicker.

It's also rich in BCAAs and essential amino acids, so you can be sure you're getting the vital nutrients you need after a big workout.

Price: £29.95, Live Innermost - buy here now

9. Naked Whey Protein 80, £12.79 for 500g

If natural ingredients are important to you and they should be, Naked Whey protein is an innovative product that will give you just what you're looking for from a protein powder.

The plant-based protein is packed full of essential amino acids and a mixture of plant derived proteins like: sunflower protein, white hemp protein and faba bean proteins.

For as many vitamins that are packed in, the same cannot be said for the fats; with virtually all the fats stripped out of this supplement (less than a gram per serving). So if you're trying to gain weight this may not be the best option for you.

Price: £12.79, The Protein Works - buy here now

10. Organic Whey Protein Pure Unflavoured, £22 for 400g

Organic Whey Protein Pure Unflavoured

Part of overhauling your lifestyle is what you put into your body. An organic whey powder is a great way to boost your health kick, whilst still providing you with the vital nutrients you need for workouts.

Each serving contains just shy of 20g of protein and is made in low temperature filtration, using fresh whey from organic grass-fed cow’s milk.

The formula is suitable for vegetarians and is hormone free, gluten free, soya free and GMO free.

Price: £22, The Organic Protein Company - buy here now

Keen to set up your home fitness equipment to help you stay in shape? Check out the best desk exercise equipment to keep on top of work and fitness at the same time.

We have also rounded up the exercise bikes under £200 for home use that are perfect if going to the gym isn't your cup of tea or you're stuck inside due to the UK lockdown.

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