1.
Protein powder doesn't sound super delicious, to be honest. But with flavors out there like Cookies & Cream, Cake Batter, and the classic Vanilla vying for our attention, it seems naive of us to stick to the usual chocolate flavor without giving the others a try. Enter a few Complex editors, ready to try out the latest flavors and share their thoughts.
We called upon Elena Bergeron of Triangle Offense, Jason Hahn from Complex Tech, Russ Bengtson, Erin Mosbaugh of First We Feast and Gerald of Complex Sneaker to the task.
The contenders are (left to right):
RELATED: Listen Up, Ladies: 12 Essentials You Need to Rev Up Your Workout
RELATED: 25 Gym Tees That Will Keep You Stink Free:
2.
3.
Flavor: Cake Batter
When asking our in-office athletes, Muscle Milk was the most popular suggestion. This lactose-free blend is built on a mantra of "building athletes from the inside out." With 32 grams of lean protein at 300 calories a serving, this is slightly sweet blend includes 4 grams of sugar. This blend goes from $25 to $30.
Let's see what our panel had to say about the buttercup-hued blend:
"Cookie Dough? Acceptable. Now that grainy."
"Cereal. Super grainy"
"Vanilla? Definitely a little chalky-- but maybe that's how protein powder works? Would rather have a steak."
"Cookie Dough. Sweet, just Tastes like sweetened milk. Slight malty flavor like break."
"Banana. Tastes like milk after all the cereal is gone."
Verdict: Slightly sweet with some chalkiness that could probably be concealed by a banana or some ice blended into the mix, while this mix might not scream "cake batter" the milky flavor comes across.
4.
5.
Vega Sport Performance Protein
Flavor: Vanilla
With 134 calories per scoop, this powder focuses on improving strength and exercise performance, repairing and building muscles and reducing recovery time with a plant-based protein. This blend goes from about $40 to $50 at retail. Here's what our tasters had to say.
"Vanilla? Seems like it would mix well in a smoothie."
"Vanilla. Smooth, creamy, funny smell..."
"Similar taste to the first. Vanilla frosting? Buttercream? Seems sweeter. Hard to believe this is actually good for you."
"Tastes the same at the first. Smells like the inside of an Oreo or frosting. This one also smells malty."
"Milk. Tastes just like the first one."
Verdict: This appear to be our winner for best overall taste. Classic vanilla takes the cake.
6.
7.
MuclePharm Combat Powder
Flavor: Cookies and Cream
"Pistachio? Doesn't really mix well. Kinda funky."
"This is tasteless with a hint of cinnamon. Tastes similar to milk, but not very good."
"Green tea maybe? Like matcha with waaaaaay too much sugar. Overall surprised by how sweet this stuff is."
"Smells like another type of cookie dough. I like this one the best ALTHOUGH it takes super chemically."
"This one is oddly my favorite."
Verdict: We're surprised that we got more earthy suggestions for this than Oreos, but the nose knows...
8.
9.
10.
Twinlab Cleanser Gainer 600
Flavor: Chocolate
This is called "gainer" for a reason. With 40 grams of mass-building protin per serving and enzyme-assisted formula to aid digestion, we're sticking to the best selling chocolate flavor for this trial.
"Is "sand" a flavor? Or wood?"
"Light taste with a hint of chocolate, this is drinkable."
Like a watered down chocolate shake. A little bitter, especially compared to the first three."
"Chocolate milk? Worst flavor, tastes like chemicals."
"Worst one of the four. Super watery."
Verdict: For all of the muscle building properties in this mix, we're surprised by the mix of opinions on this one.
