Many factors are important in choosing a protein powder supplement, even before you get into the benefits of various sources such as whey, casein and soy. In my opinion it comes down to taste. Quite simply, if you don't like it, you won't drink it. You can have the most technologically advanced protein powder in the world in front of you, but if you don't like the taste, the canister will most likely just collect dust on your counter. Taste is often a trade-off with calories, cost and preparation time. A powder that tastes like chocolate-flavored water will probably come out much better in a blender with ice, but that takes away from the convenience factor. Adding frozen fruit, milk or peanut butter to a shake can improve the taste but also add calories. A powder that mixes well in a shaker, and tastes great with water, will always cost more.

The cost factor is number two concern for most people. Whey is Whey, the different is the process of the Whey. Hydrolysis, for example, is an expensive process that prevents most companies from including more than small amounts in their powders. This is why you see so many different process whey ingredients on the back of the label. Different processing will have different affects in the digestion of the whey, and the cost, but not the absorption as claim. The more the company process the Whey, the less your digestion system will have too. Bottom line "why paid for something you can do yourself ?" So is the extra processing really worth it.

The third comes down too how easily does the protein powder mix? Protein's that's "instantized" has been processed to mix and dissolve extremely well without the use of a blender, great no need to take a blender where ever you go, however these "instantized, process" in almost all cases requires extra heating steps, which can actually destroy the quality of the protein. These proteins are also the most expensive proteins. The cost can be doubled compared to the non-instantized. I recommend that buy what you can afford not what you think is the best. It is the amount of daily intake of protein that will bring results.

Fourthly, it’s your stomach. If you are easily bloated or sends you running to the bathroom, it may contain an ingredient that you'll need to avoid, such as lactose. Protein powders react differently on different people, no matter how advanced the product is. I find that some people who take protein powders on a regular basic say certain brands don't cause them any uneasiness while others cause gas or diarrhea. I have recommend hundreds of people a certain brand without any problems but there is always one person that comes back who can’t tolerate that same brand of protein powder. If you have used one brand for months and suddenly starts causing you problems, stress or illness can also affect how your body tolerates a protein. Changing what you mix it your protein drink can help. Milk and ice can cause gas or diarrhea.