Recently, I had the chance to taste test a couple of All-Pro Science products. It was great timing because (at the time) I was training for my first marathon and competing on a women’s adult league soccer team. **I use the past tense here because I have since torn my hamstring and will be out of commission for a while**. Despite this, I am still using All-Pro Science products as I slowly get crawl, walk and then run back into my fitness routine.
Finding a Whey Protein That Works
Protein is important in repairing and building healthy muscle tissue, which is crucial if you are an extremely physically active athlete. However, many semi-professional/professional athletes struggle to fit enough protein into their diets. Whey protein is not only convenient to consume, it helps you fit in the additional protein that your muscles need for proper recovery and repair.
As a someone who has always opted for a more ‘organic’ approach to their diet, finding a whey protein supplement that agrees with my stomach has been an ongoing issue. I’ve always steered clear of designer whey protein mixes and have always been careful to read labels before trying something. Yet, despite my best efforts, I continued to have stomach issues; so I shelved the idea of whey protein for a while. However, after I made the decision to train for my first marathon and my weekly mileage crept from 40 miles/week to 60+ miles/week, I decided to start looking around at some organic supplement options.
Coincidentally, I was offered an awesome opportunity to test drive an All-Natural whey protein from All-Pro Science (APS).
Sure- why not?
I should mention that whey protein and other similar all-natural supplements should never be a complete replacement for a nutritious meal. Rather, these kinds of supplements should be used as exactly that: supplements to your regular diet, provided that you are extremely active. To put things into perspective, here’s what a typical week/weekend would look like for me:
During the week:
Wake up every day at 5am; running by 5:30am; finished running between 8-10 miles by 7am; drive back to my house; shower, get dressed REALLY QUICKLY and spend an hour in the car driving to work…
On the weekends:
Saturday: Do a long run of 18-20 miles; come back, mow my lawn/do yard work for 2.5 hours….Sundays: 1.5 hour soccer game…
While this may not seem so bad to some people, it was still quite a lot work, effort and discipline…That said, I’m often pressed for time in the mornings- with just enough of a window to get showered and dressed and out the door. But after running sub 7-minute mile pace for anywhere from 8-20 miles, I also know that I need to get some form of nutrition into my body and fast.
Whey protein is a great alternative, and after speaking with APS, I decided to give them a try.
All-Pro Science 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein
I was given the Banana Creme Complete 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein to try, and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s actually really delicious. Normally, I’d have to add a milk or something else to a whey protein supplement to help mask the ‘artificial flavor’ of it. However, in this case, I decided to try it first as the directions suggested: mixing one scoop in 10 ounces of cold water. It tasted great by itself!
I found myself having to read and then re-read the ingredients to make sure I wasn’t missing something. This particular whey protein consists of the following:
- BGH-Free Grass Fed Whey
- Xanthan Gum
- Apple Pectin
- Stevia Suave
- Natural Banana Flavor
- Salt
What I really liked was the low sugar concentration – only 3 grams of sugar per serving and 23 grams of protein. Well done.
I also tried an individual sample pack of the Bavarian Chocolate Complete 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein. In one word: DELICIOUS. By the time I got around to trying out the Bavarian Chocolate flavor, I had gotten injured and wasn’t exercising as much, but I figured that my muscles still needed the protein to help speed the repair/recovery process. So, I limited myself to half the suggested serving size.
For the chocolate flavor, I opted to mix it into a homemade smoothie that consisted of the following (pictured):
- (1) frozen banana
- 10 oz. cold water
- crushed ice
- 2-3 frozen strawberries
- (15) grams of Bavarian Chocolate mix (or half of the individual packet size)
I also took some of the protein and mixed it into an Instant Jell-O pudding mix…another great way to fit in some extra protein while enjoying dessert!
All-Pro Science Recovery
I was given one, single serving size packet of APS All-Natural Blueberry Ice Recovery formula to try. Again, it was surprisingly good! Because it came in an individual serving size packet, it was super easy to just throw in my bag with my running gear and bring with me on the go. Once I got back to my car after one of my 18-milers, I opened the packet and tossed it into my water bottle and gave it a few shakes before consuming it.
Having ran an “accidental” 20 miles the weekend prior and forgetting my water- I made sure that I had extra water, plus the recovery powder. As most of us are already aware, when you expend so much energy over such a long distance and don’t have anything to replenish with during or after…well, you know what the risks and dangers are.
I always aim to take in some form of carbohydrate/protein mix within that delicate “immediate – 30-minute” window after running hard or playing soccer. Yes – even my soccer league games can be intense -especially when there are no subs and you’re playing 45-minute halves in 80-degree heat.
The ingredients on the Blueberry Recovery formula were as follows:
- BGH-Free Grass Fed Whey
- Fructose
- Maltodextrin
- Citric Acid
- Ascorbic Acid
- Trehalose (Ascend)
- Lecithin
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Sodium Chloride
- Natural Blueberry Flavor
- Natural Coloring
My All-Natural Journey
I HATE taking medication, pills or anything unnatural if I can help it. Having been an athlete for most of my life now, I have always performed well based off of nothing more than a healthy diet and lifestyle. Therefore, a lot of thought goes into what I put into my body to produce the results I want. It is nothing short of a dream come true to have FINALLY found an all-natural whey protein supplement that not only works well but tastes great and doesn’t upset my stomach.
If you’re pounding the pavement with long, hard miles or tearing up the soccer fields for almost 2 hours each weekend (twice a week for me usually), having a healthy diet is your only option; and sometimes, including an all-natural supplement, such as whey protein, can help your muscles as they go through the tear, repair and rebuild process. APS is now, officially, my go-to whey protein supplement.
Interested in giving APS all-natural products a try? Visit the All-Pro Science website at http://www.allproscience.com and enter “JANELLE40″at checkout for 40% off!
About All-Pro Science (APS)
Founded in 2009, All Pro Science, Inc. (APS) is the creator of the first and only 100% all-natural line of sports nutritional supplements. Their mission is to provide consumers with a full-range of products which support performance, optimum health and well-being.