Health & Fitness: Best protein shakes for 2021 including whey, vegan and plant-based powders

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Protein shakes were once reserved for body builders and Olympians, but not anymore. Many people are choosing to drink them to up their protein intake.

If one of your goals for 2021 is to build more muscle, then a handy powder will no doubt help massively.

But with hundreds of protein shake brands to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one is best.

Which is why we've listed the protein shakes below, including vegan and plant-based options for all budgets.

Whether your lockdown workouts involve yoga or weight training, protein powders can be great for muscle recovery and also contribute to a well-balanced, healthy diet.

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Best protein shakes for 2021

1. Whey Protein To Go 10 Pack, £14.99

© Food spring Whey Protein To Go 10 Pack

If you need a quick protein fix for when you're the go, this 10-pack from Food Spring is ideal.

It's also a great way to try out different flavours to find your preferred taste.

Tuck into whey protein formed from the milk of grass-fed cows, it's rich in nutrients and packs an impressive 80g of protein in every sachet. Each sachet is the perfect amount of power to be mixed with milk or water.

For under £15 you can't go wrong.

Nutritional information per 100g: 80g protein, 4.9g carbs, 377 calories

Get it from Food Spring for £14.99

2. MyProtein Impact Whey, £6.99 for 250g

MyProtein is now one of the largest sports nutrition retailers in Europe.

So, What Should I Eat on a Plant-Based Diet and What Are the Benefits?

Here's what you need to knowPlant-based diets are on a meteoric rise. According to the latest data from the Vegan Society, collected in 2018, there are now 600,000 people in Great Britain who shun meat, dairy and all other animal products – up from approximately 150,000 in 2006. (While there are some technical differences between being 'plant-based' and being 'vegan,' these numbers illuminate the interest in embracing a cauliflower over chicken lifestyle.

While it's certainly one of the cheapest options of the lot (even before the plethora of discounts the retailer offers on the regular), it won't win any awards for its taste, which can be a lot more powdery than its rivals.

Nutritional information per 100g: 80g protein, 6.2g carbs, 411 calories

Get it from MyProtein for £6.99 for 250g

3. Bulk Powders Pure Whey Protein, £7.14 for 500g

If you're after value for money, it doesn't get much better than this bargain option, costing under £8 for the 500g packet.

While the flavour is nowhere near as good as its luxury competitors, it's not bad considering the price tag. It also contains some very handy BCAAs, meaning you don't have to buy them separately. Another penny saved.

Nutritional information per 100g: 80g protein, 5g carbs, 402 calories

Get it from Bulk Powders from £7.14 for 500g

Make your own vegan mousse au chocolat from simple ingredients

© Provided by SevenCooks Even as a vegan, you don't have to do without the popular dessert classic. We'll show you our favorite variant of vegan mousse au chocolat. Let's start right away, because you must have the ingredients at home. Even as a child, creamy desserts were my favorite. But unfortunately they often contained a lot of cream, butter or egg whites. I am now vegan and avoid all animal products. But not on delicious desserts - and certainly not on mousse au chocolat.

4. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard, £44.99 for 2.27kg

Dubbed the world's number one selling protein brand, but despite its soaring price tag, this option doesn't do you many favours when it comes to a great tasting protein shake.

While it doesn't have a lumpy or chalky texture, it doesn't have a nice one either, and the flavour still leaves a lot to be desired. It does the job, but not much else on top.

Nutritional information per 100g: 75g protein, 9g carbs, 375 calories

Get it from Amazon from £44.99 for 2.27kg

5. Pulsin Unflavoured Pea Protein, £23.99 for 1kg

Made by the same people that makes those delicious but slightly healthy brownies, we had high hopes for this protein shake offering.

While certainly incredibly healthy, the flavour is far from enjoyable, meaning that unlike some of the other shakes, definitely needs to be mixed with things other than just water. Apart from that, it's not a bad price for such a top brand, hyped, vegan product. And we have to give it to them, it does contain a LOT of protein.

Nutritional information per 100g: 82g protein, 3.2g carbs, 350 calories

Can a vegan diet impact your chances of becoming pregnant?

We speak to a registered dietician about a plant-based diet and fertility.Veganism excludes meat, dairy products, eggs and honey but typically includes a wide variety of plant foods. Generally women do not actually alter their diet much in pregnancy so it is vital that they have a good preconception nutrition intake and awareness all the way through to the breastfeeding period. This will provide well for the mother and the infant.

Get it from Amazon for £23.99 for 1kg

6. Form Performance Protein, £20.80 for 520g

A protein shake that dispels all myths of bad-tasting, powdery supplements you have to swallow down while holding your nose, Form is very different to the rest of the proteins on the shelves.

A vanilla flavoured hemp, pea and algae protein in calming packaging that tastes like something you'd usually eat for dessert, this is an undeniable winner on all accounts.

Plus, it also contains curcumin - which features the same health benefits as everyone's latest favourite health kick turmeric.

Nutritional information per 100g: 50g protein, 9.3g carbs, 381 calories

Get it from Planet Organic for £20.80 for 520g

7. BSN Syntha-6 Edge Protein Powder, £35.75 for 2.26kg

Another great cheap option, this may not have the very best taste out there, but it certainly packs a lot of punch for its price tag.

Dissolving well as a simple shake, it offers a decent taste for a protein shake and has very low carbs, making it the ideal choice for avid gym goers who are more interested in the effects rather than taste, and that won't set them back a fortune.

Nutritional information per 100g: 63g protein, 11g carbs, 397 calories

Get it from Amazon for £35.75 for 2.26kg

8. PhD Nutrition Diet Whey, £18 for 1kg

This comes in a vast array of flavours, from peanut butter, to salted caramel to white chocolate deluxe, so you've got a good chance of finding exactly what you fancy.

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And maximise your health gainsVeganuary is as much a part of New Year as post-Christmas fitness plans, fireworks and two-day Zoom-party induced hangovers. The data doesn't lie: the people behind the campaign, in which you're encouraged to shun all foods that are derived from animals for the first month of the year, say that 400,000o of us are taking part for 2021.

Boasting some decent reviews on Amazon, this has a loyal following of people impressed with its results and sweet - without being sickly - taste.

Nutritional information per 50g: 34g protein, 5.5g carbs, 182 calories

Get it from Holland and Barrett for £18 for 1kg

9. Protein World The Slender Blend, £29.99 for 1.8kg

The vanilla option is certainly a good deal tastier than some of its competitors - although with 9 grams of carbohydrates per 40g serving, the milkshake-like taste is evened out in plus points by the high carb count, so it depends whether you're after utmost protein or a decent taste.

Nutritional information per 100g: 58g protein, 22.5g carbs, 375 calories

Get it from Protein World for £35 for 1.8kg

If you're looking for home fitness equipment to help you get in shape, it might be time to invest in a top-rated exercise bikes under £200.

Or maybe it is time to look for a treadmill as part of your home gym setup?