Frequently asked questions

What is Whey Protein?

Whey Protein is a source of protein derived from cow's milk during the cheese making process. The curds from cheese are processed into whey. Although it was overlooked for years, it has now been proven to be much more effective than other types of protein.

Why is Whey Protein important?

Whey protein has been scientifically proven to be the best kind of supplemental protein around. Scientific tests have showed whey protein to be six times more effective than other types of protein sources such as casein. It is also more readily processed by the body to be fed into the muscles. At the end of the day, if you're doing training of any kind you'll need to up your protein intake in line with how heavy training you are doing.

Can Vegetarians take Whey Protein?

Depends what type of vegetarian you are. If you are a lacto or ovo-lacto vegetarian then yes, you can take whey protein. This is because whey protein only contains protein sourced from cow's milk, since it is a by-product of the cheese making process. It doesn't contain any meat of any kind so it is fine in that regard.

Can teenagers take Whey Protein?

The teenage years are when the body experiences the greatest changes and growth spurts. That's why it's usually best for teenagers to take protein from whole foods rather than supplements.

Can I take Whey Protein without exercising?

Whey protein is used to build muscle and you can only generally only build muscle if you apply resistance to them, which is either exercising by cardio or weight training. Excess protein is not used by the body and instead adds to the body's total calorie intake. If you're recovering from illness however, and need a protein boost, whey protein may help you build muscle but it's best to consult with your doctor first.

When is the best time to take Whey Protein?

Whey protein can be taken anytime during the day since it is so quickly absorbed by the body. Usually, the best time to take it is after your workout since that is when your muscles start to repair themselves. Depending on how much you are training, you might want to take it both before and after training, with the larger portion after your training.

Can I prepare whey protein powder the day before?

If you're very busy you can prepare the powdered shake the day before and keep it in the fridge. It's generally not recommended to leave it longer than that however, and if you're really busy you can always try alternative whey protein sources such as protein bars and ready made shakes.

Is Whey Protein Safe?

Whey protein is generally safe to take provided you don't have a history of indigestion or gastro-intestinal problems. Some people may feel bloated from whey protein but this is alot less common with modern brands. Also, some whey protein products contain the artificial sweetener aspartame which some people are allergic to. Due to the health risks associated with aspartame, most brands now contain the alternative sucralose. There are some brands of natural whey powder however which don't contain any artificial flavourings or preservatives.

Is it possible to take too much protein?

If you're in good health, you generally don't need to worry about taking too much protein. Once protein is processed by the body any excess protein is disposed off in urine. Although note that protein still contains calories so bear that in mind if you're trying to lose weight. If you have liver or kidney problems however, you should consult your doctor about supplementation first.

What foods contain whey protein?

There are no foods that actually contain "whey protein". Whey is merely a source of protein, albeit a very good one. There are many good natural sources of protein you can take. Here is a list of the best natural sources of protein:

  • Lean red meat (20% protein)
  • Chicken/turkey (20% protein)
  • Fish (20% protein)
  • Eggs (6-8% protein)
  • Cheese (10-30% protein, but also 40% fat)

Of these, you should mainly stick to fish and eggs. Eat lean red meat about twice a week for the creatine but lean meat tends to be higher in calories than fish.