Protein Bars
Protein bars can contain many different forms of protein, each will differ, but the most common form of protein found in a bar form would be Whey, generally a whey concentrate. While protein bars can be a quick on the go snack that is high in protein, most also come with a considerable serving of both carbohydrates and fat, and usually not from a good source.
Most protein bars should be considered treats as they are often sweetened with sugars and added fats to make the taste desirable. If you decide to purchase protein bars, it is recommended that you carefully read the labelling and ingredients to make sure it’s suitable to your dietary requirements
Blends
Blends of protein powders simply refer to the use of a combination of various protein sources. The benefits of this are having different digestion and absorption rates by mixing together fast and slow digesting protein sources.
Meal Replacement
Meal replacement protein (MRP) is a protein powder that can be substituted for a meal, as they have added nutrients, containing carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins and minerals. MRP is often comprised of a blend of protein types, both fast and slow digesting proteins. Similar to protein bars, MRP powders can often be packed full of cheap fillers and it is advised to carefully choose your product to make sure you are getting quality ingredients.
MRP powders are often marketed as fad “shake diets” in chemists and supermarkets; “Opti-Fast”, “Celebrity Slim”, etc. are cheaply made MRP powders, steer clear of these products. There are many great MRP products on the market, do some research and find a proper supplement retailer for a good MRP powder, do not shop in your local supermarket or chemist for protein powders, ever.
Lean Protein Powders
Lean protein powders are products that contain protein with minimal carbohydrates and fats. Lean powders are often marketed towards consumers looking to lose fat or keep their caloric intake low; these powders are often protein isolates that contain minimal fillers and additional ingredients.
Hard gainer / Bulking Protein Powders
“Hard gainer”, “Mass Gainers” or “bulking” protein powders are products designed to include a large supply of calories, usually in the form of carbohydrates, in addition to the protein per serving. These powders are created to help people put on weight through liquid shakes. “Mass gainer” powders are used as meal replacements due to the large quantity of carbohydrates, fats and additional nutrients that are usually included in these products. While these products are similar to meal replacement protein (MRP) powders, they contain significantly more calories and carbohydrates per serving, than regular MRP powders.