Two hundred grams. That’s the amount of protein I aim to get in every day. And that winds up being a lot of chicken and fish and eggs to chew. That’s why, for most of my life, I’ve supplemented a diet high in protein with a protein powder supplement.
For the last 10 years, that protein powder has been Dymatize’s ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder™. It’s an ultra-reliable mainstay in my daily diet, meeting all the requirements I look for in a protein powder (more on that later), while also delivering in a place where many supplements struggle: taste.
You know what I mean on this front, too, if you’ve ever chugged any protein shake. Those 25 to 30 grams of protein very often come to a chalky finish, a constant reminder that your shake may almost taste like chocolate, but it isn’t quite chocolate. The magic of Dymatize is that they’ve managed to solve that problem. And then they’ve taken another much-needed step in the protein world, invigorating the landscape with a host of interesting new flavors.
I’ve fallen in love with two of them, both of which are descended from Flintstones cereal. Dymatize’s Fruity Pebbles flavor is one of the finest protein flavors I’ve ever had. Most non-chocolate proteins are only good if you mix them with milk and fruit. But Fruity Pebbles delivers a unique and super-satisfying cereal-in-milk finish with every sip. It is so enjoyable that at the end of just about every day, I can mix one scoop and 8 ounces of water and down it easily. Dymatize’s Cocoa Pebbles flavor, meanwhile, is my favorite chocolate protein variant out there, part chocolate-milk, part cereal, all flavor heaven. The fact that both products check all the boxes you want in a protein makes it that much sweeter.
Dymatize Checks All the Quality Protein Boxes
There are a host of different protein powder options out there, so it’s not easy to figure out the best one for you. But in general, aside from the flavor, you want to aim for a few ideas that can keep you on track for the gains you want.
Here are the three things I chase when shopping for a whey protein. First off, I want a whey protein isolate, ideally 100% whey protein isolate. Isolate proteins undergo more processing than cheaper whey protein concentrates, which yields a protein that’s generally lower in both fat and lactose. I always avoid proprietary blends too: I’m here for the protein and I want to know exactly what’s in it. Dymatize checks this critical box, and delivers 25 grams of protein despite being just 120 calories per serving.
The second thing I want: a protein that has less than 200 milligrams of sodium and potassium per serving. This helps me prevent any bloating issues. Dymatize wins here, too, with just 120 milligrams per serving in its Fruity Pebbles flavor. Third, I want a protein without a laundry list of ingredients. Too many proteins load up on “proprietary blends” that don’t add any protein. And I’m here for the protein. Beyond the protein, Dymatize’s ISO100 has very few other ingredients.
It’s a perfect recipe for muscle-building success, so I typically have two shakes a day.
How I Build My Shakes
I’ll drink my Dymatize shakes in two different ways. I like to start the morning with something just a little bit filling, so I’ll drop a scoop of ISO100 in about 8 ounces of water. Then I’ll add a small handful of kale or spinach, then drop in a tablespoon of almond butter.
The almond butter gives the shake a bit of richness. I barely taste the kale and spinach, and my protein still shines, whether I’m using a Fudge Brownie flavor or Fruity or Cocoa Pebbles. If I’m aiming to pack on a bit more weight for a season, then I make this same shake with almond milk, instead.
I also end my nights with Dymatize, regularly downing a shake right before bedtime. This is when I keep things simple: I go with 8 ounces of water and a scoop of any Dymatize flavor. (Fruity Pebbles is my go-to flavor in these late-night situations, with Fudge Brownie coming in a close second.)
Regardless of the flavor, Dymatize ISO100 protein has been (and will continue to be) a critical part of my daily diet. I want a protein that’s a whey protein isolate, doesn’t load up on calories or proprietary blends, and tastes great. Dymatize checks all those boxes, setting me up for serious gym gains.
Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., is the fitness director of Men’s Health and a certified trainer with more than 10 years of training experience. He’s logged training time with NFL athletes and track athletes and his current training regimen includes weight training, HIIT conditioning, and yoga. Before joining Men’s Health in 2017, he served as a sports columnist and tech columnist for the New York Daily News.
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