Maybe you want to add a little boost to your daily workout, or you just want to start making some healthier lifestyle changes. Often, on the road to health, we get stuck in a rut and fail to see progress. Grass fed whey protein can be an excellent way to give your body the kind of boost it needs.
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The Difference Between Whey Protein and Other Protein Powders
You might think that most protein powders are the same, and while they serve some of the same primary functions, whey protein is different than other protein powders.
You might remember the nursery rhyme with Little Miss Muffet “eating her curds and whey,” and may have always wondered, “What’s whey?”
Whey makes up about 20 percent of milk, and it’s the watery portion of milk (most common during cheese production). Most of us rarely see whey (or would know what it is if we saw it) but it can often be found on top of yogurt before you stir it up.
Once the whey is separated from the milk, it is processed and then added to as a valuable protein to powders and other protein-rich products.
While whey protein is one of the most popular types of protein used in powders, some powders may also be made out of soy or synthetic proteins. Grass fed whey is one of the most natural proteins used in protein powders.
Benefits of Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder
Like most protein powders, whey protein can help an individual with weight loss goals, or as a meal replacement. It can also play a role in building or maintaining muscle and is best consumed after a workout.
Grass fed whey protein has a higher concentration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). BCAAs include leucine, isoleucine, and valine and they make up about one-third of muscle protein and can be beneficial in intensive workouts. BCAAs can also prevent and slow muscle breakdown.
The benefits of whey protein surpass increasing muscle or shedding a few pounds. Various research and studies have suggested that whey protein can help prevent cancer, osteoporosis, and food-induced allergic reactions.
It may also help reduce or treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. Whey protein has been known to be beneficial in individuals with HIV, and it can help keep one’s immune system healthy overall.
Who Benefits From Consuming Whey Protein?
While many people can reap the benefits from whey protein powders, you may want to make sure how much extra protein you actually need. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams for every kilogram of body weight; this is the minimum you need.
The amount of protein you whey protein you could benefit from varies on your weight, sex, activity level, age, and even health needs. A good way to find out how much protein you need is to talk with your doctor or a nutritionist. You can also check out USDA’s online protein calculator.
If you’re starting a workout program or trying to “boost” your results, extra protein can be beneficial. Other people who may benefit the most are teens, an injured athlete, or someone who eats a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Even if you don’t fit into any of these categories, check to see how much whey protein you can safely consume.
Is Whey Protein Dangerous?
While grass fed whey protein has numerous benefits for athletes and non-athletes alike, consuming too much might have adverse effects.
Consuming more protein than your body needs won’t necessarily give you bigger muscles or help you lose even more weight. Instead, it may throw your diet off balance and rob you of other essential nutrients.
Although there’s more long term research needed, excess protein may lead to kidney issues. So while whey protein is healthy and comes from natural sources, it’s always good to talk to your doctor or a nutritionist before incorporating whey protein powder into your daily diet.
How To Choose Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder
Whether you’ve been using protein powder for a while or have never tried it, the market is full of various protein powders. Initially, your options may feel a little overwhelming.
One of the challenges that some people face when purchasing a protein powder is that it’s hard to determine how it will taste. Whey protein powder typically comes in a variety of flavors and blends nicely with liquids; other kids of protein powder (such as soy) can have an unpleasant flavor.
Through a lot of our own taste tests, we selected whey protein powders that we thought were some of the best tasting protein powders on the market and we think that you may like how they taste, too.
Other than taste, how do you choose the right grass fed whey protein powder? As with other types of health and fitness products, it’s important to read labels to get a better understanding of what’s in the powder.
Many protein powders containing whey have added sugar and chemicals; depending on your health goals, you may want to avoid these. Some of the best grass fed whey protein powders are free of GMOs, pesticides, and hormones.
You can also look for whey powders that are cold processed, have a protein concentrate (rather than a protein isolate), and are naturally sweetened. A high-quality whey powder is also highly digestible (it should have medium-chain fatty acids).
Our Top Recommendations
Raw Grass Fed Whey protein powder, which comes in a five-pound bag, is 100 percent cold pressed and has no fillers, artificial sweeteners, or flavors. Unlike other protein powders on the market, Raw Grass Fed Whey is NON-GMO, Soy free, rBGH/rBST hormone free, and gluten free.
The whey protein is sourced from grass fed free range Jersey cows that live on US small farms that are 100 percent sustainable. To use this powder, mix one serving with 8 to 16 oz of your favorite drink (such as a smoothie).
This powder is a great option for someone who wants all-natural whey protein without any added or unnecessary ingredients. May be appealing to someone who eats a “clean” diet.
- Jersey cows graze solely on wild grasses and clover, no filler
- 12 oz. bags are available for people who want to “try it out” first
- Only one ingredient: whey protein
- Not available in flavors, so it tastes best blended with something else
Garden of Life Sport Whey Protein Isolate is cold-pressed and comes in a 23.7 oz container. It’s free of gluten, soy, and GMOs. There are no added hormones, antibiotics, or added sugars. Garden of Life Whey Protein comes from sustainable Irish family farms where grass fed cows live, graze, and roam in a natural habitat.
Available in two flavors, chocolate or vanilla, each serving (one scoop) has 24 grams of protein. To use the protein powder, mix one scoop of powder with an 8-ounce glass of water.
This grass fed whey protein powder may be a good option for someone who does intensive training or is very athletic. With a higher amount of protein than similar products, the powder may be a great option for those in need of more protein in their diets.
- Powders are flavored, so no extra food or drink is needed when blending
- Sustainable farms use half the size of average global carbon footprint
- Smaller packaging means frequent reorder
- Some consumers may not want whey protein from farms outside of the US
Natural Force whey protein powder is available in a 2-pound container and is cold-pressed, which leaves the protein molecules more intact. The whey protein comes from family farms in California that raise free range cows who graze year-round only on organic pasture.
Natural Force is USDA certified organic is free from hormones, soy, gluten, GMOs, and other fillers like sweeteners. In addition to being certified organic, the powder is certified Paleo friendly, certified kosher, certified humane, and non-GMO verified.
One 26 gram scoop contains 20 grams of protein and can be mixed with 12 to 16 ounces of water or milk.
Another “clean” protein option, this whey powder is may be a good option for someone who is interested in incorporating more protein into his or her diet or workout routine. It’s also a good choice for an “eco and socially conscious” person.
- Available in a smaller bag (15-servings) which may be ideal for people who want to try it out
- Can be added to foods and other drinks for a flavorless protein boost
- No added ingredients, just whey protein
- Taste may be unpleasant for some
- May not mix thoroughly without a blender
Conclusion
Although we found the goat whey protein to be intriguing and a great alternative to cow’s milk whey protein, our pick for the best grass fed whey protein powder is Raw Grass Fed Whey. With only one all-natural ingredient, it’s a versatile protein powder for anyone from a growing teen to an athlete in training.
We like that there are no “fillers” or sweeteners which means that the “no nonsense” formula can work more effectively at building muscle, boosting immune systems, and improving one’s health overall.
While it doesn’t have as high of a protein content of others, it’s a great addition to a healthy diet (which already includes protein). We also like that the whey protein comes from cows who are raised on family farms in the U.S. and only graze on pasture.
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About the Author:
Our team at The Fitness Tribe often collaborates together to produce content. Many times the content is not written by a single author, instead it is usually a team effort.