Protein is an essential component of a balanced diet. It enables your body to build and maintain lean muscles. It is also a source of energy and keeps you feeling full for longer to bar you from consuming unhealthy snacks.
In a world where people have busy schedules, it can be challenging sometimes to sit down and have a proper meal three times a day. If you are skipping meals, your protein intake will be diminished. The health and fitness industry offers supplements to ensure you get the nutrients you need, even when on the go. Protein shakes have been on the market for a while, but there is an emergence of a new product called protein water.
It consists of water, of course, and whey protein isolate, which digests better than caseinate. There are various brands to consider purchasing. Below is a review of the three best protein water products to keep in mind when shopping.
The required protein intake to build muscle is 0.5g-1g per lb of weight. If you are 150lb, aim for 150g per day of protein. A daily protein drink can help you hit these targets.
Protein Water v Protein Shakes
Protein water is much easier to drink, especially after a workout when you might feel a bit sick. Shakes tend to be thick and more like meal. Protein water is also very low on calories compared to most protein shakes on the market.
Protein and Weight Loss
High protein diets are a great for weight loss if you reduce your carbohydrates accordingly. High protein meals keep you fuller for longer and stop you snacking, water protein can also help.
Premier Protein Clear Drink With 20g Protein
With Premier Protein, you are buying a product with an attractive exterior. It comes in three packs, each having four bottles. This way, with one purchase, you get 12 bottles that should last you a few days. The clear drink refreshes and hydrates your body for a healthier you. About the nutritional value of this product, each serving has 20g of whey protein isolate, which is an adequate amount considering the recommended protein content in a meal is 20-25g. It also contains nine essential amino acids to provide your system with what it cannot produce on its own.
Premier gives your body 90 calories, which is low enough to prevent you from gaining unnecessary weight. Besides, it is fat and sugar-free while offering you only a gram of carbs. Carbohydrates contribute to weight gain that is why the company keeps it at a minimal level. That is not all. This protein drink is soy and gluten-free and has no artificial sweeteners. On the downside, it does not contain vitamins and some users complaining about it after taste.
Besides the nutritional components, this protein drink contains filtered water, the whey isolate, salt, sucralose, natural flavors, and phosphoric acid. The tropical punch in the protein water is delicious. What about flavors? The manufacturer gives you a few options. You can go with the tropical punch, orange, mango, or raspberry.
Protein2o (Coconut Flavor) Protein Water
The product presents a sleek exterior with clear imprints. It offers more than an eye-catching appearance. Protein2o’s coconut flavor drink contains 15g of whey protein isolate, which is 5g lower than Premier Protein, but it boasts of an isolate that has BCAAs. However, it outshines Premier in terms of calories offering 70 calories. Remember, the higher the calories, the more likely it is to gain weight.
Protein2o is available in a 500ml bottle or say 16.9fl oz, and a pack carries 12 bottles. The packaging is compact and sturdy to prevent damage. This protein water contains 0g sugar and 1g carbs. Use it as a workout drink to develop and sustain lean muscles. It is also gluten and lactose-free with no artificial colors or flavors. You do not have to worry about BPA neither because Potein2o does not have it.
The ingredients of the coconut flavor protein drink include water and the whey isolate, natural flavors, and sucralose. The other flavors to try out are wild cherry, mixed berry, and classic lemon. Note this product is not made of natural coconut water, but flavours – coconut water does not have much protein anyway.
>> Read also our guide to brown rice v pea protein powders
Optimum Nutrition (Icy Blue Raspberry) Protein Water
The Icy raspberry protein water comes in a stunning blue container, and a pack holds 12 bottles. You also get Optimum Nutrition in red and orange cylinders. Each bottle of raspberry contains 20 grams of whey protein isolate. The protein water fosters hydration and helps with muscle recovery after working out.
It also offers you 4,5g of natural BCAAs. It is sugar-free while providing 80 calories. The fact that is it lacks stimulants means you can drink it in the evening before bed. It will not affect your sleep. The waterworks quickly to yield results.
Like any other top protein water brand, Optimum’s bottles are easily portable for use when on the go. Simply drink from the bottle, replace the cap, and continue running errands. This is unlike shakes whose drinking vessels are challenging to carry around since spilling is likely to occur.
The ingredients of this product include natural and artificial flavors, sucralose, preservative phosphoric acid, water, and whey protein. Consumers have raised concerns about the drink being too sweet that they had to dilute it. The artificial flavors could be the contributing factor. Besides, this protein water is not lactose-free, making it inappropriate for people with lactose intolerance.
Despite such cons, the good thing about Optimum Nutrition is that they are honest about what is inside their protein drink, unlike companies that hide or lie about the ingredients of their products. Apart from the icy raspberry taste, you can also buy the tropical punch or orange freeze, as alternative flavors.
When compared to shakes, protein enriched waters are not thick, and they do not have issues such as being chalky. If you have been drinking shakes, it is time to try waters instead for a change and see how they perform. You can use them to supplement one of your meals instead of staying hungry just because you are busy. The bottle design of protein waters makes them more convenient to carry when on the go and sip whenever you like.
Final Thought – Best Protein Water?
Besides protein waters having user-friendly packaging, they contain helpful ingredients that give you energy and assist you to build lean muscles. However, it is crucial that you go for the best brands the market has to offer. Check the ingredients list and nutritional value information before purchase.
The calories should range from 60-90 and at most 100 while the carbs should be as minimal as possible; one gram is perfect. Besides, the protein content should be within the recommended limit of 20-25g. If you come across sugar-free protein water with no artificial additives, do not ignore it.
The three products we have discussed above are a few examples of protein water brands worth considering. They are all helpful offering different calories and proteins content. Buy one or two and start enjoying the benefits.
Winner – Premier Protein Water