PROTEIN supplements may have been a gym bunny obsession a few years ago but now they have gone mainstream.
Across all sports nutrition products, sales in supermarkets were up 47 per cent this January compared to last year, according to data from Kantar.
Today I’ve put three protein supplements to the test . . .
PEANUT BUTTER
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C4 Energy has launched its first range of protein in collaboration with confectionary giant Hershey’s.
It has a great 25 grams of whey protein in each serving, with zero added sugars.
There are two flavours – Reese’s Peanut Butter & Chocolate and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate.
I tried the peanut butter. Each 37g serving – taken with 200ml water – comes in at 128 calories with 2.3g fat and 1.8g sugar.
It tastes like the real deal without the guilt. It mixes easily in water and tastes even better with milk.
13 servings, £20, hollandandbarrett.com
LATTE
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THE protein iced matcha latte from More is a mix of 60 per cent whey protein concentrate, 18 per cent calcium caseinate (basically milk protein mixed with calcium), ten per cent matcha powder, plus cream powder, thickener and emulsifiers.
There is also glucomannan – a fibre from the konjac plant known for helping keep you regular. It doesn’t have added sugar but does have sweeteners.
The drink has 20g of protein per serving.
You mix 25g powder with 300ml of cold water, milk or dairy-free alternative to create your drink. With water, there is 52 calories per 100ml, 2.3g fat and 0.4g sugar.
Great on a morning because you’ve got the caffeine from the matcha to give you a boost.
It mixed well, with virtually no residue left after stirring and was thick and creamy.
£35.99 for 20 servings, morenutrition.co.uk
STRAWBERRIES & CREAM
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GRENADE’S Strawberries and Cream Protein Shake is a summery way to up your intake.
It is sweet without being sickly and very decadent.
One of five new flavours, it has just 7g of sugar, 184 calories and 4g fat per 330ml bottle.
Grenade claims this is up to 68 per cent LESS sugar than competitors – and there is 26g of protein in each shake.
I liked that you could buy these ready-made, which saves the hassle of mixing up a powder if you are on the go.
They do contain 0.34g salt, which might be important if you are watching your intake.
Other flavours include Cookies And Cream, Fudge Brownie and Chocolate Salted Caramel. Handy that they are finding their way into supermarkets now, too.
Pack of eight 330ml bottles, £20, grenade.com
