There is no shortage of protein supplements on the market today. With premixed protein drinks, liquid protein shots, and an endless variety of protein powders, how do you choose one?
For most consumers, the protein they ultimately decide to use comes with a bit of trial and error. Figuring out which types of protein powder or liquid protein sit well with your body is just one of the many ways to pick a protein supplement.
Frog Fuel is a liquid protein shot that is used by a wide variety of athletes, but why are they choosing liquid protein over protein powder? Let’s take a look at how these two types of protein stack up.
Protein powder vs liquid protein
We realize that we may seem like a biased party when deciding whether protein powder or liquid protein is better. And that’s why we put it to the test. In this article protein powder and liquid protein go head-to-head in ingredients, taste, convenience, and absorption rate.
Ingredients
It’s no secret that not all protein supplements are created equal. In fact, most supplements out there are not even tested or regulated. That means that many companies are doing their own testing – and making claims that are not always corroborated by third-party testing.
No matter the type of protein you choose, always pay close attention to the ingredients listed. Look for things like additives (caffeine, sweeteners, etc.) and if that company explicitly communicates that they contain those ingredients.
Some athletes love additional caffeine in a liquid protein shot to power them through a long workout or endurance race, but that’s not for everyone. And, regardless of personal preferences, protein supplement companies need to be transparent with consumers to avoid possible side effects.
Sweetener is another common ingredient in many protein powders. This may be from actual cane sugar, stevia, or artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Limiting your sugar intake is advised by many health professionals, but if you are unaware of how much is in your protein powder, it can make it hard to regulate.
The source of the protein itself comes into question as well.
For instance, Frog Fuel liquid protein shots are collagen peptide protein. There is also protein powder, which comes from many sources such as whey protein, soy protein, pea protein, quinoa, and a variety of other alternatives that variety in protein quantity and quality. When first using protein supplement, most athletes will most commonly turn to whey protein powder or pea protein powder.
There is a lot we can say about collagen protein vs whey protein, but what we will say here is that whey is a byproduct of milk – which means it often contains lactose or milk sugars.
People with milk allergies or lactose intolerance are sometimes unaware of this. The concentration of milk sugars in protein powders can cause gastrointestinal distress for these people. This is just one of the many reasons why protein powder isn’t great for sensitive stomachs.
Now, that isn’t to say that no dairy-based liquid proteins exist, so it is important to look at ingredients no matter the type of protein.
While we can’t speak for premixed proteins, we can confidently say that liquid protein shots like Frog Fuel are transparent in their ingredients. Frog Fuel does not contain any unnecessary ingredients and is formulated with athletic performance and muscle recovery in mind.
In fact, Frog Fuel contains no banned ingredients, no GMOs, and no artificial flavors!
Taste
The preferred taste of the protein powder or liquid protein is going to be personal and vary from person to person.
Protein powder has a lot going on when it comes to taste and it will depend on the type of protein powder you choose. As mentioned before, many protein powder brands will choose to add things like sugar to try and cover up the taste of the protein itself. It may taste good, but excess sweeteners are not the healthiest choice.
Protein powder also commonly has a “chalky” taste or texture. This can sometimes be avoided by using a blender bottle, but as many athletes know all too well, if you don’t mix it well enough, you’re bound to have a few pockets of powder that didn’t get dissolved.
If any protein supplements are flavored (e.g., chocolate, vanilla, berry, etc.) this is another instance where you should look at the ingredient list.
Do they actually use vanilla bean or cacao to flavor their protein?
Even if they claim to be “all natural,” be aware that not all terms are regulated and companies can claim them without proof.
Frog Fuel liquid protein has received a wide variety of customer reviews attesting to the flavor. Some of the most common verified customer reviews we get about taste include:
“Good taste.”
“Tastes great!”
“Packs a flavorful punch!”
“A bit tart, but good taste.”
As you can see from just those few reviews, even not all Frog Fuel liquid protein customers are in agreement with the taste. For some, our Very Berry flavor can be a bit tart or sour. To others, they love that flavorful berry shot of protein to keep them going before, during, or after a workout.
In the end, which tastes better, liquid protein or protein powder, will be up to the consumer.
The one thing we DO know is that with liquid protein, you don’t have to worry about a chalky consistency or clumps of powder when you drink it.
Convenience
Any type of protein supplement has the benefit of adding some convenience to your life. Still, there are different levels of convenience and it may come down to just how convenient you want your protein to be.
So, you’ve probably been here: packing your gym bag. You don’t want to forget your preworkout, some snacks, and of course, your post workout protein powder.
You don’t throw your giant canister of protein powder into your bag though! You grab your blender bottle, get out a plastic bag, fill the bag with the serving of protein powder, put the bag into your blender bottle, close the lid, and then put it into your bag.
Then, as you’re ending your workout you remember you need your protein shake. Easy enough — empty the bag of protein powder, add water, and shake it up.
But alas, protein is sticking to the sides of your bottle, there are clumps as you drink, and you have to wonder if you even got a full serving. That’s even before you think about protein absorption rates. Not to mention that we all know protein powder tastes far better with plant milk than with plain old water.
Queue Frog Fuel liquid protein shots.
Our liquid protein comes in single serving packages. That means, when you’re packing your gym bag, you grab a packet, throw it in your bag and head out the door. Better yet, you can just keep a few packets in your bag so if you forget, you always have one on hand.
Time to take your shot of protein? No problem. Massage the packet lightly, open the top, and take your shot. No mess. No shaking. No added water. No cleanup.
It can even replace your goo energy for your mid-run pick-me-up.
Absorption rate
While convenience and taste may play a huge role in your choice of protein, ingredients and absorption rate should be at the forefront of your decision.
The type of protein in the supplement will essentially determine the absorption rate. Enzymes already present in your body will also help enhance digestions and protein synthesis. This enzyme function can vary from person to person though, and it is hard to know if you have optimal enzyme function or not.
Some protein supplements like Frog Fuel liquid protein have taken varying enzyme function and overall absorption rate into account when creating the formulas. After all, if you aren’t absorbing the protein you’re consuming, you will not be achieving the results you want either.
Frog Fuel liquid protein enhances absorption rates by adding digestive enzymes and decreasing the dalton size of the collagen protein molecules. You may have heard of hydrolyzed collagen before – well, ours is nano-hydrolyzed.
Hydrolyzed collagen molecules, also known as collagen peptides, are collagen molecules that have gone through hydrolysis to break down the molecule size.
Nano-hydrolyzed collagen goes a step further to break those molecules down even more, to ensure they are easily absorbed and fit in through your stomach pores.
Frog Fuel liquid protein uses a pre-digested fruit enzyme that allows protein to be fully absorbed by your body within 15 minutes of consumption.
Most protein powders will not take the molecule size into account. That means if you are taking a protein powder that has 15g of protein per serving, you may only be absorbing and processing 3g each time you take it.
The protein absorption rate will be different for each type of protein powder you choose. So if the company discloses the dalton size of the molecules, that is important information to know.
Daltons are a unit of measurement used to determine the weight of a molecule and also associated with molecule size. For instance, if you are taking a powder collagen supplement (that is not hydrolyzed), the average dalton size will be around 300,000. That’s a near impossible size for your body to absorb because your stomach pores are around 4,000 daltons.
So, no matter the type of protein powder you choose, the protein molecules need to be small enough to be broken down to be absorbed.
Unfortunately, in most cases, most of the protein in powder form will not be absorbed, and will pass through your system – having little impact other than possible stomach upset.
Is liquid protein a better choice than protein powder?
Both liquid protein and protein powder have their pros and cons. For instance, one thing that we did not mention above is that many protein powders can be more affordable than a liquid protein like Frog Fuel.
However, when looking at price, it is necessary to consider absorption rate and overall effectiveness. After all, if you aren’t processing protein and absorbing it, it can be a waste of money despite the lower price tag upfront.
There is a wide range of protein powder available, giving consumers a bigger range of options to choose from when it comes to ingredients and flavors. But that also means that there are that many more ingredient lists to vet – and companies to look into – for transparency.
In the end, which type of protein is best for you is what works well with your body.
Still, it is hard to refute the stellar absorption rate of Frog Fuel liquid protein. Frog Fuel liquid protein supplements were created to support the daily demands of Navy Seals and are designed for athletes by athletes. We are third-party tested and believe that premier protein should be both accessible and effective.
Whether using a liquid protein for a pre-workout, mid-workout, or post-workout, Frog Fuel can help you reach your fitness goals.
