When deciding on a protein powder, you want to be sure you are getting the densest nutrients for your money and your calories. While you can go with a basic whey protein powder, having a few added minerals can elevate the health quality of your supplement.
Trader Joe’s Whey Protein Powder provides a protein supplement that also helps with your daily recommended value of specific minerals that aid in muscle function. This protein powder is one option for those who are looking to get a bit more out of their protein powder.
Things to Consider Before Buying
For those who want their protein powder to do more for them than just increase their protein, this powder offers that with the addition of some essential minerals.
This product is not ideal for those trying to watch their sugar intake or need to get a higher amount of protein from their supplement.
Keep in mind also that this product is not approved by the FDA, as is the case with most supplements.
Do you have a sensitivity to lactose?
True of any whey protein powder, lactose is included. Some people have a sensitivity to this milk-based sugar and need to avoid it in favor of plant-based protein powder.
Are you trying to keep your sugar intake low?
With sugar being an added ingredient in almost everything these days, you may be trying to minimize the amount of added sugar you consume. This protein powder does pack a total of four grams per serving with three of those being added from cane sugar and dextrose.
Do you need a higher protein supplement?
While this protein powder does provide you with 16 grams of protein, most protein powders are closer to 20-25 grams per serving. If you need a higher protein count from your supplement, this may not be the right choice for you.
Trader Joe’s Whey Protein Powder Review
This whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate blend provides you with 16 grams of protein per serving. In addition, it contains five minerals that are essential to your body’s everyday functions. By adding a protein supplement to your daily diet, you can help curb hunger cravings, be fuller longer, and reduce muscle soreness after a workout.
Your purchase of the 16-ounce tub of protein powder gives you about 18 servings.
Ideal for those who want to increase their protein intake during the day without counting macronutrients in their food every day, this protein can help you get there.
Pros:
- 16 grams of protein per serving
- Low in carbohydrates
- Only 100 calories per serving
Cons:
- May contain traces of allergens like egg, soy, wheat, and tree nuts.
- Only 18 servings per container
- Includes 3 grams of added sugar
Features & Benefits
Protein is a macronutrient that helps your body build and repair muscles in addition to satisfying hunger, helping you avoid sugar cravings, and keeping your blood sugar level. This protein powder offers a few more specific benefits.
Made with whey protein blend
Since whey protein is considered to be a complete protein, you will get all nine of the essential amino acids by using a protein powder containing whey. Amino acids are what make up protein, which your body breaks into usable sources. The essential amino acids are ones your body cannot actually make on its own, so having them in a supplement like a protein powder ensures your body is not lacking them.
Whey protein is a faster-digesting protein, which means it is ideal to have after a workout to help your muscles recover. With the tiny tears that develop in your muscles during a workout, having a way to fuel those muscles and start repairing them is vital.
Since whey is made from milk and the main sugar is lactose, some people have stomach issues when consuming it. If you know you have a lactose sensitivity, you may want to stay away from whey. You can check out the best lactose-free protein powders here.
Otherwise, give it a try and see how you react. Most people do not have side effects to whey.
16 grams of protein per serving
For each serving of this whey protein you use, you are getting 16 grams of protein into your diet. The recommended daily allowance of protein for a sedentary woman is 46 grams while for men it is 56 grams.
While you can eat your protein allowance for the day from regular foods, it can be more difficult to reach that number without a focused diet. Having a protein powder in a smoothie or shake means you are getting that much closer to your goal without constant protein counting.
If you plan to use your protein powder after a workout, which is a good idea to do with a whey-based protein, then you are aiming for 20-40 grams of protein post-workout. Combine your protein shake of 16 grams with a handful of almonds at 6 grams and you hit that threshold with 22 grams of protein for your muscle recovery.
Contains minerals
This particular protein powder has some vital minerals added to really boost the nutrition profile. You can find calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium in your supplement.
The RDA recommends 1,000 milligrams per day of calcium. Calcium is essential to your bone health and this protein powder gives you 93 milligrams towards that number. It is not a huge amount, but it gives you a good jumpstart.
Phosphorus is in every single cell in the body and plays a role in the use of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, cell repairs, and maintaining body functionality. This protein powder offers 69 milligrams towards the daily 700-milligram recommendation.
An adult needs anywhere from 310-420 milligrams of magnesium for daily functioning and this protein powder provides 12 milligrams per serving. Magnesium is a key ingredient in leveling blood sugar, helping nerve function, and making protein.
Sodium works to help your nerves and muscle function. It takes a specific balance to make sure you are not over-consuming on sodium, which can have adverse effects, but the daily recommendation is less than 2,300 milligrams per day. For reference, most American adults consume over 3,400 milligrams per day. This specific protein powder contains 125 milligrams of sodium per serving, so if you are trying to watch your intake of this mineral, you might not want to have it included in your protein powder.
The final mineral that this protein powder includes is potassium. Potassium aids in functions for your muscles, your heartbeat, and your breathing. The daily recommended intake ranges from 3,500-4,700 milligrams per day and this protein powder can help you chip away at the number with 80 milligrams in one serving.
What Others Are Saying
Hayley does not use her protein powder in a shake but instead uses it to cook. She uses it when she bakes or for breakfast when she has protein pancakes.
For those who simply want to increase their protein intake for the day, Hibah says it works well. When he started working out and lifting weights, he decided to try out this protein powder to try and meet his daily protein intake. So far, he hasn’t had a problem with it and says it’s easy to mix.
If you are focusing specifically on amino acids, Bill states, that this protein powder will help you get all of the protein and amino acids you need.
Other Alternatives
Isopure Zero Carb Protein Powder
Providing a high 25 grams of protein per serving, this protein also provides some immune support with the addition of Vitamin C, Zinc, and Vitamin E. Not only are those three vitamins and minerals added, but this powder includes a vitamin and mineral blend that offers an additional 21 nutrients to boost your protein powder.
With only 100 calories per serving and zero added sugars, you are getting a nutritionally dense supplement that will not put you over your sugar limit for the day.
Pros:
- 25 grams of protein per serving
- Gluten and lactose-free
- Contains added vitamin and mineral blend
Cons:
- Contains soy
- Contains some artificial flavors and sucralose
Get all the details on this boosted protein powder here.
Dymatize ISO 100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder
With the addition of 5.5 grams of BCAAs per serving, this product ensures you are getting your essential amino acids to aid in muscle recovery so you will be less sore post-workout. It also contains 2.7 grams of Leucine, the only amino acid that is researched to promote muscle growth.
The benefit of this protein powder is it contains no added sugars or fat. However, it does pack 110 calories per serving.
Pros:
- 25 grams of protein per serving
- Gluten-free
- No added sugars
Cons:
- Contains some stevia
- Contains soy
Take a closer look at the features of this BCAA and Leucine packed protein powder here.
Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate Powder
Giving you a staggering 30 grams of protein per serving, you are easily going to reach your protein recommendations for the day with this product. With that higher protein count also comes a slightly higher calorie count at 120 calories per serving.
Also containing calcium and potassium, you can reach your daily limits for strong bone health and better muscle functioning.
Pros:
- 30 grams of protein per serving
- Zero added sugars
- Includes calcium and potassium
Cons:
- Contains sucralose
- 120 calories per serving
You can learn more about this high protein powder here.
Take-Away
If you are on the hunt for a protein powder that is going to give you more than just a protein supplement, Trader Joe’s Whey Protein Powder is an option. While it does have a few more grams of sugar and additives than some other powders on the market, it could give you the mineral supplements you need.
You can read all the details on this boosted protein powder here.
