Recently, I've been getting a lot of questions about my smoothie recipe—what I put in my smoothies, what's the best blender to use, etc. See My Smoothie Recipe if you have not seen the recipe I use to make my smoothie. But, more than any other question I get, the most popular question is the type of protein powder I use when making my smoothies. So, I wanted to a moment to review it for you and hopefully save you some time and effort if you decide to start making smoothies at your house.
What Protein Powder Do I Use?
I've experimented with a few different protein powders over the years, but the brand I like the best is Dymatize Elite. I prefer the rich Chocolate flavor, but they also have several other flavors, including Peanut Butter and Vanilla. I have not tried those so if you have, let me know how they taste.
There are several reasons why I like Dymatize protein powder but the main reasons are:
- calories
- amount of protein
1 scoop has only 117 calories and 24 grams of protein! That's almost 1 ounce of protein per scoop (1 oz = 28 grams). Most protein powders do not have this much protein while still being low in calories.
Dymatize Elite Chocolate Protein Ingredients
Serving Size =1 scoop (32.4 g)
Servings per container: 29
| Calories | 117 | % Daily Value |
| Calories from fat | 14 | |
| Total fat | 2 g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | < 1 g | 3% |
| Cholesterol | 15 mg | 5% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2 g | <1% |
| Sugars | 0 g | |
| Protein | 24 g | 48% |
| Calcium | 180 mg | 18% |
| Iron | <1mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 85 mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 160 mg | 5% |
In addition to being low in calories and high in protein, notice in the ingredients list that Dymatize Elite also does not have a lot of sodium. This is a biggie because I've noticed that a lot of protein powders are starting to add sodium. I don't know why they do this. People already eat too much sodium. For example, check out my review of Cytosport Whey Protein Isolate. It has 180 mg of sodium!
Above all else, Dymatize tastes pretty darn good when it's in my smoothie. Above all else, I think the taste is what will matter to most people.
What do you think?
Hi Joe, I’m looking for a nutritious post-workout protein powder to use in my smoothies. Do you still recommend this one? There’s a lot of stuff out there and I’m pretty confused and not sure where to start. I’m an avid runner, mostly paleo diet and not worried about weight control.
Hi Terry, yes I have no issues with Dymatize. I also like Isopure protein powder. Happy 4th of July!
Always looking for new protein powders that are affordable, tasty and healthy, so many thanks for this review. One thing I would like to see in your protein powder reviews is the taste minus the smoothie additives.
I drink my shake at work, post-workout, so I don’t have access to a blender. I drink them straight with just water added, shaken up in a blender bottle. The true taste-test is to taste it without adding any fruits.
Anyway, I decided to go with the IsoPure Low Carb (Vanilla) because I’m a carb eater and don’t need any more of that. I hope it’s palatable! Might try Dymatize next. 🙂
Liz, that’s a really good idea! So, because of you, when I do other reviews of protein powders, if I have a sample, I will do exactly that -mix it with just water in a shaker bottle! Of course, taste will be subjective, but I’ll try to give it my best shot 🙂
That’s how I usually drink mine. With just water or milk (depending on my mood) in a bottle blender and it taste great. No grittiness, it mixes quite well! I use the chocolate. Yum-o!!
Vickie thanks for the feedback!! 🙂
Hi Joe. Like Lori I’ve been looking for a protein shake for breakfast because I tend to skip meals and then I eat whatever is available at lunch because I’m starving. I tried the 310 shake. It’s ok but it took them almost a month to ship it to me after several emails and phone calls. I would prefer not to do business with them.
I found you while looking at reviews and I am so relieved. Finally someone who can break down such a massive amount of information into clear, concise and usable knowledge. Thank you!
I am considering trying Dymatize but I tend to have an issue with dairy products. I was wondering if you have a recommendation for a product without dairy. Thank you so much for all of your help!
Hi Kerrie, thanks for your very kind words! Take a look at Isopure protein powder. I says its lactose free. Even though its whey protein, I didn’t see any of the normal warning signs about being made with milk as other brands have.
You might also like my other site SupplementClarity.com
Joe, thank you for ALL of this helpful info!! My Sister is a Beach ody coach, and my Aunt & Uncle use Herbalife, so I’ve been researching and reviewing, and quite honestly, the costs are crazy!! I am going to try your smoothies, as I really liked what I saw!! Which protein powder would you recommend for those really on a budget? Again, thanks for all of your work and insight!! 🙂 Lori
Hey Lori, glad you found my reviews helpful! Dymatize isn’t too bad from a price and taste perspective. I’ve seen it for about $25-30 in vitamin shoppe and online. Pure Protein also isn’t too bad either and has 25 g protein per scoop.
hope you like my smoothie! 🙂
Just curious have you compared your Dymatize protein powder that you like to Designer Whey protein? If you have can you send me a link.
There is not as much protein in the Designer Whey powder however the Designer Whey seems to have less calories and less sodium. Is that a plus for the Designer Whey protien?
I’m looking for a shake to substitute my morning meals, I’m not much of a breakfast eater and majority of the time skip breakfast all together and don’t eat until lunch. I know this is not good at all, I just can’t get into eating breakfast, maybe a shake will keep me interested. I have also heard that Designer Whey will jump start your metabolism (any truth to that?)
Thanks for all your input. I was originally comparing Body by Vi and Shakeology and found your website and have been on here for hours 😉 good stuff!
Hi Vickie, glad you found me 🙂
So far, I have not compared designer whey to dymatize whey but I think any protein that gives you 20-25 grams per scoop (and only about 100 or so calories per scoop) is a good thing. Designer whey is fine I have no problems with it. When you read the nutrition label of designer whey (or any product) look at the Daily values (the “DV”) on the label. if you see “5%” or less, then its low in that nutrient. if you see “20%” or more, then its high. So if you see 5% or less next to sodium, cholesterol, fat etc, thats good. If you see 20% or more (or close to 20% in my book) then thats not too good. now you can compare designer whey to dymatize protein (or anything else you see in the supermarket also!! 🙂 )
Any protein will bump up metabolism a bit. thats because it takes more energy to break down protein than either fat or carbs. but the increase is not much. Its estimated that only 5-10% of our daily calorie use stems from breaking down food (its called the “thermic effect of food.” most of the calories we use in any day is due to resting metabolism and basal (sleeping) metabolism.) So, take the whole “protein bumps up metabolism” with a big grain of salt.
hope that helps Vickie 🙂
That helps a lot! I consider myself a “dummy” when it comes to reading labels. I have never thought, or have been told to look at the DV on the labels. I have just looked on the other “side”. So is it better to look at the DV vs. the amount per serving?
Designer Whey is at 20% for the DV of Cholesterol where as Dymatize protein powder is at 5%, so its probably safe to say Dymatize protein powder is a little better than Designer Whey…correct?
Another question, I hope its not silly…..(First some background) I used to, about a year ago, run 2 miles a day/5 days a week. After moving and life in general I stopped running, within that year I have gained 20lbs. As of a month ago I started running again, 2 miles/three to four days a week (I am working up to 5 days a week, it hasn’t been easy after that long break). I haven’t seen any results (on the scale) so i’m wondering if having a shake in the morning will jump start my weight loss. I also heard taking Whey can make you gain weight (which I don’t want) any truth to that?
Hey Vickie,
the calories, fat, sodium etc are based on 1 serving size. look at the serving size and the number of servings per container. So if something has 100 cal per serving , but 2 servings per container, and if you ate the whole thing, you just ate 200 calories.
When I read a food label I look at:
serving size
servings per container
I look for “5% or less” next to things like sodium, cholesterol, fat, sat fat, trans fat (I like zero trans fat on the label)
I look for “20% or more” next to things like potassium, fiber, calcium and any vitamins that are listed.
As for cholesterol, its iffy. we make cholesterol every day. most people with cholesterol problems may have it because they over produce it. Also heart health is more than cholesterol. it involves LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL( good cholesterol), triglycerides (fats in the blood) and other things. get a full blood test by your doctor and this will tell you how you are doing.
protein, carbs, fats will cause gaining weight if it causes us to eat more calories than we use in a day. I would not worry too much about the protein causing you to gain weight if you are running like you say.
Here is some talk on smoothies
Here’s my smoothie recipe too
lil Chenz, I’d guess they are similar here is the protein I used in the review Dymatize Elite Whey Isolate Protein Rich Chocolate 2lbhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MOJVAA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mscscs-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004MOJVAA”>Dymatize Elite Whey Isolate Protein Rich Chocolate 2lb
Hi so do u put this in your shake that u posted? Or do u use this product in other ways?
Hi Donna, yes I add it to the Smoothie I make.
I also use Isopure Chocolate since it has fewer calories.
Hi Joe,
I follow a couple of links from your ViSalus shake review to this review and I have a question:
I make my shakes with GNC’s Whey ISO Burst protein. Can you tell me if there any advantages or disadvantages to standard whey protein vs. a protein blend found in other products such as Dymatize?
Also, on the subject of ViSalus, is there any truth to their claims that they patented “tri-sorb” protein blend is the best out there as far as protein quality and absorption. Hard to believe that 12g of their protein is “better” than 24g of your protein. I mean, math is math… right?
Aaron, the biggest difference is taste. Dymatize tastes pretty good as does muscle milk (muscle milk has more calories and fat too). Besides taste I dont think it makes any difference what protein powder you use as long as the calories they have dont push you over what you normally eat in a day.
As for the tri-sorb protein in Visalus, I think thats a bunch of baloney because they have shown me no good proof their tri-sorp protein is better in any way than other protein supplements – or protein in food. Its just marketing so dont believe the hype. The visalus shake is just a low calorie shake, nothing more and nothing less.
Hope that helps Aaron
Yes it does, and thank you for the timely response.
I have been researching a more cost-effective protein supplement powder without sacrificing calories, fat, etc. in the process. I find the GNC stuff a little overpriced ($100+ for 5 lbs.) I might give this one a try as Dymatize seems adequately priced. Have you used Optimum’s products?
Aaron, I dont remember if I have or haven’t tried optimum nutrition’s products.
Dymatize Elite chocolate is made with sucralose. What other protein powders do you recommend that do not use sugar substitutes?
Will, I believe IsoPure doesn’t use it. I just checked and I didn’t see it listed on the stuff I have. Here’s a link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WUXCI0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000WUXCI0&linkCode=as2&tag=mscscs-20
hope that helps
Sucralose is the last ingredient on the list. If they didn’t use sugar substitute there’d be no way it could be low or no carb.
Hi Donna, you are So right! I cant imagine how I missed that. Thank yo so much for pointing that out.
Thanks for checking, Joe. If it’s whey and soy, it’s not allergy-friendly. Some people who have issues with dairy cannot tolerate whey protein supplements. A lot of people with food tolerance issues also have autoimmune issues, and people with autoimmune issues (especially thyroid issues) have to avoid soy.
What I really want is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free high quality protein shake with no artificial sweeteners.The only allergy-friendly protein supplements I’ve found so far are vegan plant-based supplements. They tend to be very gritty & hard to mix (even with a Blender Ball), but I guess that’s the price you pay.
Thanks for looking at my website. Yeah, Deb is awesome. As soon as she offered a certification for Shapely Girl, I jumped on it & was a member of the first certification class last year.
Anytime Lisa and I apprecaite you asking it because I was not aware of this. I also cheked with a friend a Vitamin shoppe who told me a lot of protein powders contain soy (because its cheap). Yes the thyroid problems was something I brought up with soy also. Have you looked at Isopure protein? Heres’s a link to it on Amazon I believe it is just protein without anything else. next time Im at vitamin shoppe, I would make sure, but I do think this is so.
Hi Joe,
I have a question about Dymatize. What is the source of the protein? Is it whey protein, soy protein, or some kind of proprietary mix? I work with a people who have food allergies, and some people with allergies cannot tolerate certain protein sources. Thanks for your reviews!
Hi Lisa, good question and I’m glad you asked. I looked at the ingredients and the last ingredient is “soybean oil” and it also says made with whey and soy. I called Dymatize and they said yes it does contain soy but its very little (since soybean oil is the last ingredient listed). So the protein is indeed a blend of Whey and Soy. They say its very little soy but would not tell me the exact amount of soy because they say the amount changes from time to time. They say its genetically modified soy also (most soy is genetically modified)
I appreciate you asking me this question because I did not know that Dymatize Whey had soy in it.
Nice website you have. I saw you know Deb Mazda. Shes a buddy of mine.