I just checked out Drugstore.com and the price of the whey protein I used to buy, GNC Pro Performance, has almost doubled over the past 2-3 years. Does anyone know what’s going on? Are there any decent, affordable, and drinkable powders still available?
This is just my WAG, but with the recent surge in people having weight loss surgery, and whey protein being the best option during the 1-24 weeks of liquids one must endure after WLS, the manufacturers have gotten wise and are making a huge profit.
That being said, the one brand that I found to be palatable (and very low-cal/high-protein) was IsoFruit Delite. They also have a thicker, more desert-y product, called Protein Delite. I used (and still do on occasion) the IsoFruit Delite in the cantaloupe flavour. It is really good, and actually tastes like fruit juice, not protein. If you call the company (1-888-scitec7) they will usually cover your shipping charges (and might give you a good price to boot). I was getting the stuff directly from them for about 40% off and free shipping.
They have a bunch of different flavours, so surely you will find one you like. If you call and ask, they may send you samples of a few different ones. The one I use has 100 calories & 20 grams of protein per serving. It mixes completely with water and is thin, not thick and nasty. It doesn’t thicken if you don’t drink it right away, either, which is a plus when I go work out – I take a bottle of the stuff to drink after my workout. One bit of advice – if they still have it, stay the hell away from the Cherry flavour.
The biggest selling point for me is that the whey protein is somewhat broken down, which I need. I have a whey sensitivity, which means that my reaction to whey is the same as someone with major lactose intolerance drinking a glass of milk. It results in immediate cramping, gas, diarrhea and general ickiness – I don’t get that reaction with the IsoFruit Delite (or the Protein Delite, but I am not one for desert-y protein, although they do have some really good flavours. Try the banana yogurt flavour if you like bananas – they put little bits of dried fruit/chocolate chips, etc in those flavours).
At my pharmacy, $13 jugs of Six Star jumped to nearly $20-- other brands and price ranges had similar increases (except Body Fortress, which rose moderately). Dairy’s risen across the board, not just exercise supplements. Fuel/transport costs, droughts in dairy states, increased grain prices all are making dairy products more expensive.
Go to the DMV and get your license, we have a winner! The biofuel craze has diverted food from animal (and human) feedstocks, thus driving up the prices food and dairy products.
I buy at GNC, something is always on sale.
Also, due to increased fuel prices, the cost of ag products in general are going up.
Corn was a popular crop this season which meant less wheat planted. So wheat has been going for over twice its recent price. My farming relatives are kicking themselves for switching from wheat to corn this year. (The usual story among farmers of course. My rule would be: find out what people think would bring the most money and don’t plant that.) So expect prices to go up even more for wheat products.
In an interview on CBC radio (Canadian public radio) this week they discussed rising crop prices. In addition to the diversion to agricultural-based fuels, they also cited the rising middle classes in China and India where they are starting to experience changes in diets. They reported diets that are starting to mirror many western countries with a higher proportion of grains and dairy products.