You’ve probably heard this a million times…”get your protein in after your workout”. But here’s the deal. When you train, especially doing CrossFit or any high-intensity workout, you’re literally tearing down muscle fibers. That’s what we want, because it’s how your body gets stronger. But if you don’t give your muscles the fuel they need to rebuild, you’re missing a huge opportunity to recover and grow.
Protein gives your body the amino acids it needs to kickstart muscle protein synthesis. That’s the process where your body repairs muscle and builds it back even stronger. Getting about 20 to 30 grams of high-quality protein within an hour of working out can seriously help reduce soreness, boost recovery, and support lean muscle.
Here are my favorite protein powders and bars that are clean, solid, and actually taste good:
This one’s my go-to. It’s whey isolate so it digests fast and is super clean. No fillers, no weird ingredients, no fake stuff. Just pure protein that does its job.
Grass-fed whey with minimal ingredients and natural sweeteners like monk fruit. No artificial junk. It’s simple, tastes good, and blends well.
Transparent Labs Vegan Protein
Great for plant-based folks or anyone who can’t do dairy. Made with pea protein, no artificial flavors or sweeteners, and third-party tested. Super clean and doesn’t taste like chalk.
This one’s solid too. It’s high-quality whey from pasture-raised cows with clean ingredients and a good flavor. Another great option if you want something small-batch and trustworthy.
And don’t forget about casein protein at night.
Casein is a slow-digesting protein that’s perfect before bed. While whey and plant-based proteins digest fast and are best right after a workout, casein gives your body a slow, steady stream of amino acids while you sleep. It helps with overnight recovery and keeps your muscles from breaking down while you’re off the clock.
Try Naked Casein or Legion Casein+. Both are super clean and do the job.
Now for bars...
Probably the cleanest bars out there. Just egg whites, nuts, and dates. That’s it. No added sugar or weird stuff and they actually keep you full.
Plant-based and organic. They taste like a treat but they’re packed with solid protein and clean ingredients. Good snack or grab-and-go option.
One last thing! ALWAYS look for third-party testing.
Make sure your protein powder is third-party tested. Look for stamps like NSF Certified or Informed Choice. It means what’s on the label is actually what’s in the tub. No hidden ingredients, no contaminants. Just clean fuel you can trust.
Bottom line, fuel your body right. Clean protein after a workout makes a big difference, and finding brands you can actually trust is huge.
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