Protein is one of the most important nutrients you need on a daily basis, especially when working out. Sometimes it’s not possible to get the necessary protein intake from regular meals so it can be beneficial to include a protein powder as part of your daily routine. With so many different protein powders to chose from how do you find the best one for you? We review Gainful protein powder so you can decide if a customized auto-shipped protein powder is right for you.
Protein shakes have a variety of purposes, from increasing muscle mass to losing weight. The only issue is that most powder formulas are standard and don’t cater to different body types or contain additional additives that you don't want.
With Gainful this never needs to be an issue again. Each Gainful protein powder’s formula is generated to suit your specific needs. As a result, your nutrition is maximized and your goals are easier to achieve. Are you ready to learn more and see if it’s what you’ve been looking for?
Why Do We Need Protein?
Protein is necessary because it’s an essential macro-nutrient that the body requires to function normally. It’s made of amino acids which are the ingredients needed to create new cells. Different combinations of amino acids have various purposes from repairing tissue to ensuring muscle growth.
Proteins also produce enzymes which are needed for certain biological reactions to occur including digestion and muscle contractions. This is why they’re so important if you’re exercising. They encourage and cause the contractions that lead to muscle growth. Without a healthy amount of protein, you’ll see less progress and progress in the gym and may not feel your best.
What’s the Optimal Amount of Protein Intake?
The optimal amount of protein intake varies from person to person but, because it's so important, it’s recommended that it should be 25-30% of your daily calories. Officially the Dietary Reference Intake suggests you should have 0.8g of protein for every kilogram you weigh. If you exercise regularly this should be increased to 1.2g for every kilogram.
Gainful – How Is It Different from Other Protein Powders?
Most protein powders use a standard formula which isn’t tailored to your needs, so you might end up gaining weight even if your goal was to lose weight. Gainful, on the other hand, suggests a formula that is designed to suit your training goals or body type.
Each ingredient is specifically selected so the amino acid profile is personalized for you. This will give your body the right amount of protein that it needs and you’re more likely to see improvements to your health & exercise programs. As a result, the exact ratio of ingredients will have the effect you’re looking for, whether you’re hoping to:
- Lose weight
- Build muscle
- Improve your nutrient intake
- Gain weight
- Have dietary requirements
It’s based on the idea that everyone is different, so their protein intake should vary as well.
Ingredients:
Very few Gainful protein blends are the same, which means that each powder will have ingredients specific to the buyer. As a result, the ingredients vary from person to person, but all ingredients are organic and meant to boost your health.
Some of the most common ingredients that Gainful uses are:
- Whey protein
- Sunflower lecithin
- Micellar Casein
- Pea protein
- Organic brown rice protein
- Oat powder
- Tapioca maltodextrin/ dextrose
- Green tea extract
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Ordering Process:
The ordering process only has two easy steps.
Step 1: Complete the Quiz:
Before you can begin ordering, you must first take the quiz on Gainful’s homepage so that it can work out your exact protein blend. This is really easy to do. Simply select your gender on the main page and this will lead you to a series of questions that will help figure out your formula. It’s a lot of fun and you’ll know that the blend is perfect for your needs.
Step 2: Fill in Your Details:
Once your results are ready and you’ve evaluated your blend, you simply select “Purchase” which will appear underneath the write up of your unique ingredients. Fill in your shipping details and you’ll receive your protein powder in a short period of time.
Has It Been Tested?
The short answer is, yes, Gainful protein powders have been tested. All ingredients are safe and manufacturers must provide Certificates of Analyses (COAs) to prove that each ingredient won’t cause any harm. Gainful’s own manufacturers then test the ingredients again using their own QA testing.
All suppliers are registered with the:
- SQF
- HACCP
- ISO
Once manufacturing is completed, the product is packaged safely and is FDA approved. The company also ensures all plant based products that are organic and all proteins are hormone free. If you want more information, you can click here.
Alternatives to Whey Protein:
Most Gainful protein supplements contain whey protein as it’s a nutrient filled ingredient that will give you the needed protein intake. The only potential concern is that it is a milk based product which may not be suitable for all dietary requirements. If this is the case, Gainful does offer 100% plant based blends. All you need to do is select “vegan” during your quiz.
Are There Vegetarian Options?:
Whey protein is considered vegetarian safe as it’s milk based so it causes no harm to animals. If you would prefer a vegan, plant basedoption you can substitute whey protein for organic pea protein and brown rice protein. Both the whey and vegan options are vegetarian safe so you can decide which one you’d prefer.
Is There A Dairy Free Option?
Once again, whey protein is milk based so if you select “vegan” in your quiz your blend will be entirely plant based.
There is an option to select “lactose intolerant” in your quiz if consuming dairy is a health issue for you. This will replace the whey protein with a whey based protein where the lactose is removed. It gives you all the benefits of whey protein while still making it safe to consume.
Non GMO Certification:
All Gainful ingredients are non GMO. Even though they’re not yet non GMO project verified, the company ensures that every ingredient is harvested or manufactured correctly without any harm done to the environment.
All plant based products are vegan and organic certified while whey protein concentrate, isolate & micellar casein are cold pressed, micro-filtered and undenatured (not exposed to high heat) to ensure they’re kept safe. Gainful also makes sure all products are free of hormones so you’re guaranteed that your products won’t cause any harm and haven’t been genetically modified.
Access to Online Dietitian:
If you purchase Gainful from the website, you’ll have access to a free registered dietitian. Your dietitian can give you advice on how to reach weight goals as well as what ingredients are best for you.
If you’re unsure about ingredients, your registered dietitian has all the information you need. You can even contact him or her whenever it suits you.
Cost – Will You Save Money?
Gainful may appear more expensive than many protein supplements on the market. The difference is that because Gainful is suited to you and your body type, you’re more likely to have progressive results. For this reason, you’ll be saving money in the long run as you won’t waste any money on ineffective products or ones that contain additional additives that you don't want.
Additionally, the quiz and consultations with the registered dietitian are free so you’re getting more benefits for the price you pay, compared to some other services.
Shipping:
Shipping is entirely free as long as you order directly from Gainful, so it’s another area where you save costs. You can even get expedited shipping if you contact Gainful at the time of your order, although this may incur additional costs. At this point, it doesn’t ship internationally but the company is working towards expanding its market in the future.
Our Experience with Gainful Protein Powder
So, what did we think about Gainful after actually using it? There are many Gainful reviews out there and we need to address some of the things we have heard other people say about it to help you decide if its right for you.
Packaging:
Gainful protein powder came in a small nice-looking box with colorful packaging. Very different than your typical Amazon delivery box that has nothing but the item you ordered and maybe some packing peanuts. While this does not add to the quality of the protein it was nice and is very similar to other subscription boxes you might already be receiving. There was a pamphlet and sticker included as well.
Your personalized protein powder comes customized with your name on the bag which is a nice touch although again this has nothing to do with the quality of the protein powder.
The back of the bag has all the nutritional info:
The exact breakdown of your personalized protein blend is included in your online profile.
As well as the amino acid profile of your blend.
You receive access to a Registered Dietitian; our Dietitian is:
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Blending:
I used water (pro-tip put half the water/milk and then add your protein) with mine the first time and mixed it with a fork (another pro-tip) it mixed well and there were very little if any clumps. Many of us use a shaker or blender and this would result in an even smoother mix. This one of the best mixing protein shakes we have tried.
Taste:
I have yet to find a protein powder that tastes as good as a milk shake but overall the taste is good (we ordered chocolate) and there was not a harsh after taste or anything unpleasant. Again, good taste that is not overpowering and will easily blend with fruit or other additives is a plus with any protein powder.
We felt satisfied after consuming even though we only mixed with water; if you added in fruit, peanut butter or yogurt it would be a great meal replacement.
Doesn’t Gainful Cost More Than Other Protein Powders?
Gainful is not the cheapest protein powder available and if you are only looking for the lowest price then Gainful is not the way to go. Prices range from $29 - $69 depending upon the sales they are running as well as the additives and type of blend you purchase.
Gainful protein powder is a great choice if you want to have a personalized protein powder and want it delivered on a regular basis without having to worry about running out to get it or our placing your next order online.
Some people have asked why I would pay for my own blend of protein powder when I could just ask my personal trainer for what they recommend as they know my body type and goals. That is true, if you are already paying $100 an hour for a personal trainer you should ask them for their recommendation.
The reality is they are unlikely to recommend a very cheap protein powder (if they are a good trainer) as they know that many of the cheap protein powders use fillers and low-quality protein which will just add bad calories to your diet and not nourish your body. They may have a specific brand that they really like or that their gym “encourages” them to sell to clients which they will recommend to you. This protein powder may or may not be the best for you and your body.
A good personal trainer will most likely either suggest a high-quality protein powder/supplement which will be on par with what Gainful protein powder costs or may even suggest you purchase a specific blend from Gainful because they know it will fit your body’s needs.
As with almost everything you get what you pay for, having a custom protein blended for you is going to be more expensive that going to Wal-Mart and picking up the cheapest 5lb. tub of protein on the shelf.
Is Gainful Really a Custom Blend Just for me?
Some people have said that Gainful protein powder really isn’t custom and there are only a couple of different blends; this is not true. What is true is that there are only so many different types of protein and only so many additional additives that can be added so from that perspective there is no true custom blend because the possible blends are not infinite.
What Gainful does is create a blend based on your preferences and fitness goals, I am sure there are other people that have the same blend but that is not a bad thing.
If you truly want to create a 1 off custom protein blend it is going to cost you way more than buying from Gainful. If you wanted to spend the time analyzing all the different protein powders available, then deciding on the blend that you wanted you could do that. You could then go and purchase all the separate ingredients and blend yourself but again, you are going to be spending a lot of money and time when you could get 95%+ of what you wanted by going with Gainful.
We were surprised by the great taste and ease of mixing. Gainful is a great product that is perfect for people on the go who want a customized protein powder that is automatically shipped to them and are not looking for the cheapest price.
FAQ:
Q. I have celiac disease. Is Gainful Protein Powder gluten free?
A: All of Gainful’s ingredients don’t contain gluten. Although, it’s important to note that the blends are manufactured with the same equipment as a company that does use gluten based products. For this reason, the products may not be safe for someone with gluten allergies or celiac disease.
Q: Is it safe for people with nut allergies?
A: None of Gainful’s ingredients contain nuts but the company shares equipment with a facility that does use nuts in its food processing. It’s unlikely this will cause any harm unless your allergy is severe. It’s recommended you consult with a physician beforehand.
Final Thoughts:
Gainful ensures that your blend is perfect for you and your needs. It’s a marvelous way to increase your nutrient intake which means you’ll be healthier and you’ll lose weight more effectively when exercising. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to build muscle, there’s a blend for you.
It’s always recommended to speak to your physician if you’re unsure about any ingredients but Gainful makes sure your blend is organic and healthy. You’ll see results faster than with many other protein shakes.
Everybody is different, so why should your protein shake be the same?
I have found Gainful about 6 months ago and i’m Totally converted! First-off it’s delicious! You can customize the flavors and change them up month to month. (Which makes it a huge plus since I’m fitness maniac and workout and drink this stuff every day). Most wonderfully you can customize the nutrient content based on your goals and change that every month as you progress. This is the real game changer: it’s important to we aware of the protein make up of your powders if you are lifting a lot and really looking to change the form. In 6 months I gained a lot of muscle definition and mass – and I think it wouldn’t have happened so well without my Gainful! For that I’m very thankful! And lastly – as a millennial who loves luxury what can be more luxurious that hanging a custom blended protein with your name on it? Really! It just makes my day! Just like bespoke clothing and shoes – this is your bespoke fitness nutrition! Fabulous idea! And the sealable pouch is great to take along for a weekend trip or whatever – instead of those giant canisters you have to decanter. I’m excited to keep adjusting my formula to further my gains into the summer – and can’t wait to try all the flavors.
I’ve taken the time quiz but can’t get my blend. It says e-mail already used
Hello Scott,
Have you previously used this email to buy Gainful? If not, I suggest that you contact Gainful team – they will be more than happy to assist.