4 ms·

Maybe just me, but I'd like a column (and checkbox on the left) about packaging. I don't know why protein powders require plastic cannisters, and it would seem

Maybe just me, but I'd like a column (and checkbox on the left) about packaging. I don't know why protein powders require plastic cannisters, and it would seem to me that they are well-suited to something more environmentally friendly, but for some reason so many of them want to use plastic. Otherwise: A nice website!

thinkling 2y ago
Seconding this. Variables I care about are packaging, sweetener additives, and country of manufacture/origin.
- colordrops 2y ago
  Most important IMO is third-party testing along with published results. Concentrating nutrients also concentrates contaminants like lead and PFAS, and many powders have cocoa, which is also notorious for lead contamination.
  - doctorhandshake 2y ago
    I second this – it’s a much bigger project but this is the criteria that I care about most.
  - thinkling 2y ago
    Good point. FWIW, the "It's just" product claims to be tested for heavy metals, microbiotics, and "purity". (Not associated with the brand or with any vendors, it's just the brand I've been buying.)
  - adrian_b 2y ago
    Whether contaminants are also concentrated depends on the concentration method that is used. For example, the protein concentrates from whey or milk are obtained by just two filtrations through filters with different pore sizes, the first coarse filter retains any larger particles, including bacteria, while the second fine filter retains the protein particles and passes the water with lactose and fat and also with any contaminants that are soluble in fat or in water. Thus the protein concentrates from whey or milk normally have less contaminants than in the whey or milk used for their production.
- arrowleaf 2y ago
  Seriously, why is it so hard to find a protein powder that doesn't include Stevia (or its distilled, chemical name). I don't care about my protein powder being sweet, but if it's gonna be sweet, give me some raw sugar. Stevia is bitter and ruins the whole shake.
bobthepanda 2y ago
Plastic keeps out moisture and is less heavy/thinner than glass.
- zdragnar 2y ago
  The only real viable alternative is a metal can with a metal screw on lid and a rubber seal. Even then, unless it is recycled aluminum, I'm not sure how much you're gaining, environmentally. Heavier to move, harder to form, probably covered in some sort of coating on the inside anyway. Plastic isn't great- pretty much everything except weight, water impermiability and ease of forming are downsides, but metal isn't free either.
adrian_b 2y ago
Unfortunately, "environmentally friendly" is not compatible with a long storage time. In a suitable hermetic packaging, e.g. in a metallized plastic bag, protein powders may be stored for years without refrigeration, which I find extremely convenient and I consider as one of their important advantages over other protein sources, such as meat or dairy, together with the advantage that the protein powders require much less storage space and they are much lighter, being composed of almost pure protein. The latter advantage, in volume and mass, is also an advantage over the vegetable sources of proteins, e.g. dry legumes or wheat flour, which can be stored for a long time, but which contain much more starch than proteins.

thinkling 2y ago

Seconding this. Variables I care about are packaging, sweetener additives, and country of manufacture/origin.

colordrops 2y ago
Most important IMO is third-party testing along with published results. Concentrating nutrients also concentrates contaminants like lead and PFAS, and many powders have cocoa, which is also notorious for lead contamination.
- doctorhandshake 2y ago
  I second this – it’s a much bigger project but this is the criteria that I care about most.
- thinkling 2y ago
  Good point. FWIW, the "It's just" product claims to be tested for heavy metals, microbiotics, and "purity". (Not associated with the brand or with any vendors, it's just the brand I've been buying.)
- adrian_b 2y ago
  Whether contaminants are also concentrated depends on the concentration method that is used. For example, the protein concentrates from whey or milk are obtained by just two filtrations through filters with different pore sizes, the first coarse filter retains any larger particles, including bacteria, while the second fine filter retains the protein particles and passes the water with lactose and fat and also with any contaminants that are soluble in fat or in water. Thus the protein concentrates from whey or milk normally have less contaminants than in the whey or milk used for their production.
arrowleaf 2y ago
Seriously, why is it so hard to find a protein powder that doesn't include Stevia (or its distilled, chemical name). I don't care about my protein powder being sweet, but if it's gonna be sweet, give me some raw sugar. Stevia is bitter and ruins the whole shake.

bobthepanda 2y ago

Plastic keeps out moisture and is less heavy/thinner than glass.

zdragnar 2y ago
The only real viable alternative is a metal can with a metal screw on lid and a rubber seal. Even then, unless it is recycled aluminum, I'm not sure how much you're gaining, environmentally. Heavier to move, harder to form, probably covered in some sort of coating on the inside anyway. Plastic isn't great- pretty much everything except weight, water impermiability and ease of forming are downsides, but metal isn't free either.

adrian_b 2y ago

Unfortunately, "environmentally friendly" is not compatible with a long storage time. In a suitable hermetic packaging, e.g. in a metallized plastic bag, protein powders may be stored for years without refrigeration, which I find extremely convenient and I consider as one of their important advantages over other protein sources, such as meat or dairy, together with the advantage that the protein powders require much less storage space and they are much lighter, being composed of almost pure protein. The latter advantage, in volume and mass, is also an advantage over the vegetable sources of proteins, e.g. dry legumes or wheat flour, which can be stored for a long time, but which contain much more starch than proteins.