If your goal is to feel, look, and perform your best, protein needs to be a part of the plan. While high-protein diets are typically associated with bodybuilders and athletes, protein is an essential part of any diet.
The Benefits of Protein
Support Muscle Building
Protein is a vital nutrient for muscle repair and growth.
When we exercise, our muscles experience tiny tears. It's through repairing these tears that muscles grow stronger. Protein provides the necessary building blocks for this repair process.
Support Recovery
In addition to aiding muscle growth, protein can expedite post-workout recovery. Consuming protein after a workout can replenish lost nutrients and may help reduce muscle soreness.
Keeps You Satiated
As discussed in this 2008 review, of the three macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fat), protein is the most satiating. This means it can keep you feeling fuller for longer, helping to curb cravings and stick to your nutrition goals.
Energy Source
Although our bodies primarily use carbohydrates for energy, protein can also step in as a fuel source when needed. This is particularly useful during intense physical activity or in periods of fasting.
This is partially why the building blocks of protein, like branched chain amino acids, are popular on their own as an intra-workout supplement.
Hormone Production
Many hormones, such as insulin and growth hormone, are made of proteins. A lack of protein can hinder the production of these crucial hormones, disrupting optimal bodily function.
Structural Integrity
Think of protein like the bricks that make the foundation of any building. Without protein, everything from our hair, to our skin, to our organs will suffer.
Hundreds of other bodily functions
Proteins are also the building blocks of enzymes, which are crucial for thousands of bodily functions.
By now you get the point, you can’t live without protein, and it should be one of the foundations of any diet.
8 Benefits of Protein Powder
Eating adequate protein with every meal isn’t easy. This is especially true if you train hard, since you’ll have higher protein demands.
This is where a protein powder supplement can be an excellent tool, making it easier to get in the protein you need, when you need it. Here are the benefits specific to high-quality protein powder supplements.
Fast-Digesting, or Slow-Digesting
You probably know about the idea of the “post-workout window” and the famed whey protein shake. While this has come under scientific scrutiny, it gets the point across that one of the advantages of protein powders is their rate of digestion.
Sometimes, you’ll want a fast-digesting protein. In this case, you can use whey protein as an option. Other times, you might want a slow drip of amino acids, to give your body the protein it needs for hours. In those situations, you can turn to a high-quality casein protein.
Protein powders give you fast-digesting options and slow-digesting options depending on what you need.
Convenience
It’s a lot easier to throw a scoop of protein in your blender bottle than it is to grill chicken or steak. You can’t beat the convenience of protein powders. It’s easy on the go, with about 30 seconds of prep time.
It’s great to get in an extra “meal” when you know you need the protein.
Help Hit Your Macros
If you’re following a strict nutrition plan, protein powder is a great tool to hit your protein macros. In many diets, the protein recommendations approach around 1 gram per pound of body weight. This is a lot of protein, and protein powder can make it easy to hit your protein target.
Versatility
Of course, a shake is great. But protein powders can be used for much more than that. Add them to your oatmeal, use them in cooking, or throw some in your coffee to boost the protein.
Options for Any Diet
Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or lactose intolerant, there are protein powder options for you.
Amino Acid Profile for Growth
In the case of Kaged, all of our proteins are complete proteins, with ample essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids. This can be especially valuable for vegetarians and vegans who don’t always get enough complete protein sources.
Cost-Effective
While the upfront cost of protein powder might seem high, when broken down by serving, it's often more cost-effective than other high-quality protein sources. Think of your tub with 20 scoops as the base for 20 meals.
Long Shelf Life
Unlike fresh protein sources, protein powder has a much longer shelf life, so you can stock up without worrying about spoilage.
We’re not saying protein powders are better than other protein options, nor are they a substitute. However, they’re a great option to include as part of a complete diet for all of these reasons.
At Kaged, We Know That The Right Protein Depends on Your Lifestyle and Goals
That’s why we have 6 different types of protein. Today we’ll give you a complete breakdown of who they’re for, what’s in them, what the differences are, and what their benefits are. That way you can make the protein powder choice for you.
Similarities Across All Kaged Protein Powders
Before that, let’s talk about what’s non-negotiable about the quality of all of our protein powders. With Kaged, we put quality above all else. Here’s what that means.
Third-Party Tested for Banned Substances and Protein Content
All Kaged protein powders have two third-party certifications.
The first is the Informed Sport Certification, which tests every batch for over 150 banned substances. With this certification, you know that it's banned substance-free, and you don't have to take our word for it. This ensures that there are NO banned substances, so they’re safer for athletes competing at any level.
The second is the Informed Protein Certification. This one is important because protein powders often lie on the label.
A recent survey of 61 protein supplements showed that ~25% had less protein than what the label claimed.
The Informed Protein Certification verifies that the amount of protein on our labels is what you'll get in every scoop.
100% Isolate Forms: More Stomach Friendly
Whether it’s whey or casein, we only use the purest form of protein powder available, what’s called “isolate.”
As we discuss in this article on whey isolate vs whey concentrate, isolate forms have higher protein content, with less fat, sugar, and other fillers. It also means making it more stomach-friendly.
With isolates, you get more protein by volume.
High in EAAs and BCAAs
All of our protein powders also have an abundance of essential amino acids, and branched-chain amino acids. The EAAs are the amino acids that your body can’t make on its own. We have to get them through our diet. The BCAAs, leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are important for their role in muscle protein synthesis.
Clean Sources
In addition, all of our proteins are free of flavors or colors from artificial sources, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
Whey Protein Isolate
Whey protein isolate is the standard of protein powders because it’s fast-digesting, mixes easily, and tastes great.
Whey protein is a high-quality protein derived from dairy milk, specifically from the liquid left over during the cheese-making process known as whey.
It's rich in essential amino acids and digests fast. It's naturally high in BCAAs.
The isolate form is ultra-filtered, so it has less sugar and fat, and more protein.
It’s great after a workout, in the morning, or anytime you need fast-digesting protein.
Key Features of Kaged Whey Protein Isolate
- Fast-digesting protein.
- Ultrafiltered
-
ProHydrolase® enzymes to support digestion.*
Flavors
- Chocolate
- Vanilla
- Chocolate Peanut Butter
SHOP WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE
Whey Protein Isolate is availabe in 1.8lb (25 servings) and 3lb (44 servings) options. The big tub option is unique to Whey Protein Isolate.
Protein Isolate Elite
In 2023, we launched our latest protein powder: Kaged Protein Isolate Elite.
Like all of our proteins, this one uses only 100% isolate forms. However, the big difference is that it contains a precise ratio of fast, medium, and slow-digesting proteins. It includes 15g of ioWhey Protein™ Isolate, 5g of Micellar Casein Isolate, and 5g of milk protein isolate.
This provides you with a steady stream of amino acids to fuel your muscles over the course of several hours.
A Focus on Absorption
The other stand-out feature of this protein is its focus on absorption.
We added MAXCatalyst™, a black pepper extract shown to increase absorption of amino acids.* We also use ioWhey®, which has shown 123% increased bioavailability of the essential amino acids.
Key Features of Protein Isolate Elite
- Fast, medium, and slow-digesting proteins
- MAXCatalyst and ioWHEY for absorption
- Incredible taste
Flavors
- Chocolate
- Vanilla
- Cookies and Cream
SHOP PROTEIN ISOLATE ELITE
Post-Workout Protein (Re-Kaged)
In 2025, we brought back our first ever protein, "Re-Kaged," which we now call Post-Workout Protein.
It's the same formula with a fresh look.
Post-Workout Protein is more than just a protein powder, it’s a complete post-workout recovery drink. It starts with 100% whey protein isolate, but goes beyond that.
- 28g of ioWhey protein™ isolate
- 1.5g of Creatine HCl
- 3g of added l-glutamine
-
1.5 of BetaPower® betaine anhydrous
Key Features of Re-Kaged
- Ideal post-workout formula.
- Ultrafiltered, less than 1% lactose and 1g of sugar
- Uses ioWhey™
- Added ingredients to support recovery and muscle growth
-
Unique and refreshing flavors.
Flavors
- Orange Kream
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Iced Lemon Cake
These flavors you won't find anywhere else.
Casein
We've also brought back Casein this year!
Casein uses 100% micellar casein protein, the ultrafiltered, gold-standard form of casein. It's derived from cow's milk.
Traditionally used as a “nighttime protein” that feeds your muscles while you sleep, casein is ideal anytime you need a sustained release of amino acids.*
Key Features of Casein
- 100% micellar casein
- Slow digesting for hours of muscle fuel.*
- Great for baking and recipes due to its thicker texture.
Flavors
- Vanilla
- Chocolate Peanut Butter
SHOP CASEIN
Is Plantein Discontinued?
Yes. In 2023, we sold out of our last batch of Plantein. We were very proud of the Plantein formula. As a pea-based protein, it still had high levels of BCAAs and in terms of quality was everything we wanted.
However, we know from feedback that the flavors fell flat for many customers. Right now we don't have plans to bring Plantein back unless we can do what we do with our other proteins: which is to bring unmatched quality and make it taste undeniably incredible.
If you loved Plantein and would like to see its return, let us know!
