Brand/Type of protein, no (artifical) sweeteners, and...

[Merrida]

I have read a number of posts where we're all touting our favorite types and brands of protein. I bagged soy because of the potential estrogen effects (someone please correct me if I'm wrong),...but in general, I've always felt whey protein was superior -- (Isolate, not concentrate). But lately I've noticed that my gut doesn't tolerate "some" dairy products so well and I get either bloating, fullness, pressure, upset stomach or digestive problems... The problem is, in trying to figure out a "new" source of protein powder for my PWO's, I need some guidance. I'm trying to avoid casein and lactose, as well as stuff like high fructose corn syrup, (some of these have this stuff listed as the second or third ingredient,...bah).

I prefer non-flavored protein (I'll doctor it up myself), but it seems incredibly hard to find. I found a brand called NOW (but I never heard of them before). I also found unflavored soy (but again, see above).

Regular protein powders (where carbs are not an issue) STILL all seem to contain sucralose (which gives me severe headaches), and those lower in carbs, also contain sucralose and/or maltitol (digestive disruptions that are,....uhm,...unpleasant). Acesulfame also seems to be in every protein powder I've checked out (another headache-producer).

So given it seems like everything is bugging my system, and there are times when whole foods (like chicken and rice) are just totally not going to be possible within the course of my day, I DO need an alternative.

Anyone have any suggestions that might help me work around this?

I looked at one whey protein that very specifically stated it was formulated to not cause all the stomach problems associated with many dairy related proteins,...but this was the one that had sucralose as a third ingredient.

There must be an alternative.....something that's probably obviously but is escaping my search?

Does anyone have any recommendations re: type and brand?

Since I'm having to switch up my established PWO's -- I am in unchartered territory.

[.V.]

Wish I could help. But I'm not that picky so I don't know much except to look for whey isolate and try to get the 20g protein/scoop kind.

I did find this online, and it seems to fit what you've described.

http://valuenutritionstore.stores.ya...ris10puun.html

Have you ever tried ProteinFactory.com? They have a great selection of powders (all forms of whey, soy, egg, etc) that come unflavored. You choose the flavoring and sweetener (or none if you are so inclined) as well as the ratio's of the different types of powders you want in your mix (or simply one kind). Their prices are within reason too.

Oh yeah, click on Individual Powders in the top menu!

[EliteLift]

yes i think i have exactly what you need in my supplemant drawer i'm going to check the ingredients right now. ingedients:high alpha lactbumin, lecithin, medium chain triglycerides, guar gum, and its sweetend with stevia.
it say lactose free, contains no artificail colour or flavor, no aspertame and it is whey isolate. per 2 scoops (33g) there is 25g protine, 2g fat, 2g carbs, 0.3g fiber. this is by far the best protine powder i have ever tryed (and i have tryed lots) the quality is unmatchable in protine powders. it used to be calledd fat wars wich is when i first started buying it but the name has been changed to (ultimate protine blend) because people thought it was a weight loss supplement only wich is not true at no point in my life have i ever wanted to loose weight or lower body fat. you can go to www.awakenyourbody.com to learn more about it. on the down side it is expensive compared to most protine powders and the lagest amount you can buy is 840g containors.

[EliteLift]

the site says they only have vanila or chocolat but there is also unflavored at my local heal food store.

[Merrida]

IronMan, thanks for the link and tip! I like the ratio control,...I scoped out some of the potential combos, and didn't like the pre-made ones. Wow, that is good news. And nope, I hadn't heard of them before.

I've always ordered from netrition.com and found their prices great and delivery fast and a good selection of stuff. But, in this case, I'm taking you up on your suggestion! My thanks!

[CF-OC_gal]

Egg protein is nice.

[Merrida]

I've had no experience with egg protein. It sucks that everything keeps steering me towars whey isolate with CMF implying I will not get those nasty side effects that I had experienced from whey in the past. PF also makes some of the blends looks good (no concentrate in any of the blends, btw).

The more I read, the more compelled I feel to get a PWO and a MR,.....preformulated, or self-created? Ahh, that is the question!

That is an incredible site, and I'm impressed at what they offer.

Glad you like it Merrida. I feel like I did my good deed for the day, lol.

[Merrida]

Originally Posted by IronMan

Glad you like it Merrida. I feel like I did my good deed for the day, lol.

Oh yeah you did alright! I especially like Mmmelissa from the Lab! - -

The only "problem" is,....I think my brain cramped up last night (not to mention my neck looks like a CD tray stuck in the eject mode) from being glued to the computer reading all that info! To say they're very comprehensive is putting it lightly.

Have you ordered from them for long? You trust their sources of product and their sources of information?

I've ordered from them on and off for probably 6 or 7 years now. Not so much now but more back when I was eating a ton of protein powder every week. They have changed a great deal in that time - the web site has gotten very professional and their selection of products has grown too. Yeah, I trust them. I've found their ad copy to match their claims as far as taste and what not is concerned. I've never sent their products to the lab for testing (I don't have that kind of money, lol) but I'm pretty sure something would be on other boards if their products were bogus.

[Lady C]

I use All-The-Whey's isolate. I am lactose intolerant and I cannot stomach most whey concentrates OR bars (similar stomach issues you've described). I have had no issues with this isolate for several years.

I have tried the egg protein but it is tough to make it taste good. I used to use only soy until I could find a whey that I could stomach.

[gdawg0987]

If you're looking for a place that you can make your own blend, another option is trueprotein.com. I've ordered from them in the past and they are a very good company. I've been very wary of protein factory after their owner got caught in a series of lies. Protein Factory's products might very well be of top quality like they say, but I just can't trust them anymore.

If you just want an unflavored isolate with no artificial sweeteners though, you would be better off going with All the Whey like Lady C mentioned, or Anabolic Innovations.

[akuma]

Originally Posted by Lady C

I use All-The-Whey's isolate. I am lactose intolerant and I cannot stomach most whey concentrates OR bars (similar stomach issues you've described). I have had no issues with this isolate for several years.

I have tried the egg protein but it is tough to make it taste good. I used to use only soy until I could find a whey that I could stomach.

I"ll have to second All the Whey,great products and no stomach probs.Im pretty sure their unflavored proteins are all artificial sweetner free,their flavored blends are sucralose though.Also for PWO you might try the hydrolyzed isolate far as easy on the stomach.Plus they have great prices on creatine,etc.Pretty funny Im posting on this right now,not even 30 minutes ago I ordered 15lbs milk protein isolate and 1000g CEE,for $117.00 shipped.You may also want to have a look at www.nutrabio.com All of their stuff is unflavored,their whey isolate is about the purest Ive found,26g serving yields 24g.Plus they do the custom mrp as well.

Originally Posted by gdawg0987

I've been very wary of protein factory after their owner got caught in a series of lies.

Do have a link to backup on this statement?