If you buy protein powder, the odds are it will be whey protein—for instance, most of my recommendations in the best protein powder for weight loss contain whey protein. But there are two main types of whey protein: concentrate and isolate. Isolate tends to be more expensive, which must mean it's better, right? Well, it's different, for sure, but better will depend on you and your goals. To help you figure out which is best for you I've spoken to two expert dietitians for a whey protein concentrate versus whey isolate head-to-head.
How is whey protein made?
"In the process of making cheese, enzymes are added to milk that cause it to curdle, separating the liquid whey from the solid curds," says Theresa Gentile, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "The liquid part is the whey, which contains lactose and fat. Manufacturers pasteurize and dry the whey to form a powder."
