Protest against permanent closure of birthing unit
Campaigners said that "mothers need a real choice" and closing the birthing unit at Samuel Johnson Community Hospital for good would take away options for local families.
Families took part in a pram push on Saturday after a public consultation was launched by the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) last month.
The freestanding midwife-led birthing units (FMBUs) at Samuel Johnson and County Hospital in Stafford were temporarily stopped due to the pandemic - the body is gathering views on whether they should reopen.
Pregnant mothers have still been able to attend the hospitals for antenatal and postnatal appointments but have been unable to give birth at the units.
While many have been waiting for the midwife-led services to resume, the ICB said the viability of the units was being questioned.
Local residents, families who had used the maternity units in the past and pregnant mothers all gathered in the pouring rain in protest as they walked from Lichfield guildhall to Samuel Johnson.
Hannah Weaver, who gave birth at the Lichfield unit before the pandemic, told the BBC her experience there was "empowering".
She said: "I had an extremely positive and extremely empowering experience [at Samuel Johnson].
"I think it's important women have a choice about where they want to give birth, and that choice is being taken away from the residents of Lichfield.
"The pram push is to show people we are against the proposal for closure and that we really make sure we keep safe births in Lichfield where there's choice.
"That's the main thing - maternity choice."
If services at the facility do not resume, the closest birthing unit for expectant mothers in Lichfield is at Queen's Hospital, in Burton.
Speaking on the original decision to close the services, the ICB said it was made to ensure there was enough staff for the maternity departments at Royal Stoke University Hospital and Queen's Hospital in Burton-upon-Trent.
Heather Johnstone, chief nursing and therapies officer, told the BBC if services were to resume, the midwives staffing the units would be taken away from the county's busiest hospitals.
She said: "The units have been shut for five years, so the most recent data we have is from 2020.
"There were around 18 births a month, so 220 births a year. It requires a lot of midwifery staffing to safely staff that unit.
"It's taking those midwives away from facilities where they could be providing care to a broader range of people."
The public consultation will run until 3 August and people have been urged to share their views on the ICB's website.
Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Birthing unit closures could be made permanent
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Johns Hopkins Carey Expands MBA, Launches EMBA In New D.C. Campus
John Hopkins University Center in Washington, D.C., houses nine academic schools, including Carey Business School. Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University Leveraging both its expertise in the business of health and a new headquarters in the heart of Washington, D.C., Johns Hopkins University's Carey Business School is rolling out a wave of new programs and expansions for fall 2026. Among them, Carey will move its full-time MBA from its Baltimore campus to D.C., while expanding the program. It will also launch its first-ever Executive MBA geared toward working professionals. Both programs will build on Carey's strengths in artificial intelligence and experiential learning and are among a list of new offerings the school announced last week that will reshape the school's graduate portfolio. 'Our job is to set our students up for success, and one important way we can do that is to offer them learning environments that spark their passion and curiosity and offer opportunity for success after graduation,' says Alex Triantis, dean of . Since a comprehensive five years ago, Carey has leaned into Johns Hopkins' global expertise in medicine, public health, and biomedical research, becoming a global leader itself at the intersection of business and health. One-third of Carey's 2024 Full-time MBA graduates are pursuing careers in health care, and more than 25% of its faculty are engaged in health-related research. The school offers a dozen MBA dual degrees, six of which are in the business-of-health. Meanwhile, Washington D.C. needs leading health talent. The sector accounts for the second-largest group of private employers in the district while more new private-sector jobs were added this April in education/health care than in any other industry. It's why Carey is starting new or expanding current programs into the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center, located between the White House and the U.S. Capitol at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue. Opened in 2023, the center houses nine Hopkins academic schools including Carey, the new School of Government and Policy, its schools of medicine and nursing, and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. New or expanded programs in D.C. will include: Carey's will expand and move to the Bloomberg Center for the fall 2026 cohort. The Hopkins MBA mixes health care know-how, a sharp focus on tech, and real-world learning. The move will give students prime access to government and policy leaders, DC's business community, and a network of Carey alumni. It also offers a specialization in Health, Technology, and Innovation. Carey's , beginning in fall 2026, is a 19-month program designed for professionals with around 10 years of experience. It offers specializations in Health Care and Leadership & Strategy, and will have several in-person residencies in D.C. AI is integrated throughout the curriculum to prepare leaders for how it is already shaping their industries and services. Finally, Carey will launch a new suite of exec courses called from both its Baltimore and D.C. campuses. The academy, opening in January 2026, is a partnership with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School Dean Alex Triantis. Courtesy photo Carey is also launching several new programs at its Baltimore campus. These include an Accelerated MBA for current or recent Hopkins grad students, a 9-month , and with the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Carey's dual MBA degree portfolio includes a total of 12 full- and part-time options. All Carey programs are built with AI and experiential learning at the core. It was one of the first business schools to introduce artificial intelligence into its MBA all the way back in 2019 – three years before ChatGPT. Today, students use AI tools in real-world partnerships with companies like Siemens and Salesforce, gaining hands-on experience in tech-focused roles. Carey is also home to an award-winning portfolio of experiential learning programs that connect students directly with industry challenges. In the Innovation Field Project, for example, student teams serve as consultants in eight-week engagements, delivering actionable solutions to organizations like AstraZeneca, Medstar Health, the International Monetary Fund, and the Office of Veterans Affairs. It's a lot going on at a business school that has yet to turn 20, a milestone the school will celebrate in 2027. Poets&Quants recently sat down with Dean Triantis to talk about Carey's expansion into Washington, D.C., and how the school is preparing students for the future of business. We teach our students that they should always look out for market opportunities and be strategic about their product portfolio. So I'd say we're doing what we preach. We've been working now for two or three years on identifying where the opportunities for us could lie. We already have a presence in DC, and it's a fantastic building in terms of location and amenities. DC is a great city for young professionals and students, so we saw this as an opportunity to expand our full-time MBA there. At the same time, we haven't previously had an executive MBA. As you probably know, we're a young school. Despite the fact that the market doesn't appear to be growing significantly, we've been successful in entering and gaining market share in other areas, and we hope to do the same with this program. I think we're offering a program that will be unique, and we believe we can differentiate ourselves as we've done with our full-time MBA. We're doing a lot at once and also taking advantage of the fact that we've become a leader in dual-degree programs. I think we have over a dozen graduate programs that couple together with the MBA. We've focused on making this opportunity available in an accelerated format, allowing students to step out from other graduate programs or complete their graduate programs and then do an accelerated MBA in one year. This way, they can get the depth of their functional area combined with the breadth of the MBA. We're also introducing the Master in Management (MIM), which is huge in Europe and has developed nicely in the US as well. Many students want to get business education earlier in their careers, some even at the undergraduate level. For us, as a graduate school, this means the Master's in Management, we're offering it both in-person and online. At a general level, the reputation of Carey Business School has grown significantly over the past few years. We have strong word-of-mouth. One distinct offering is our specialization in the business of health. That specialization, with our faculty, courses, and the events we host, will truly differentiate us from other schools in the area. Johns Hopkins Carey is moving its full-time MBA to the university's Washington DC campus while launching a brand new EMBA. The move will give students prime access to government and policy leaders, DC's business community, and a network of Carey alumni. Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University We've also leaned into AI. Every school is trying to incorporate AI now, but we were relatively early, introducing a course about six years ago in our full-time MBA. We've continued to build on that, leveraging the broader university's strengths, and all of our faculty have enthusiastically embraced it. On the tech side, the AI component (which everyone now needs) is a real strength for us. Additionally, our building's location provides several advantages. First, we're not the only tenant; it's a 'One Hopkins' building. The School of Advanced International Studies is there, along with a new School of Government and Policy. When you consider today's critical business issues and how closely they connect to policy and the international sphere, we think we can leverage those institutional strengths effectively. Our location is also strategically close to the Capitol and government agencies. Consequently, many companies maintain offices nearby. There are about 18 Fortune 500 company headquarters in the DC area, and nearly every major company has at least a small office. This proximity often allows us to engage CEOs who visit DC for hearings or meetings. When we learn of these visits, we can arrange events and bring these leaders directly to our students, which has proven beneficial in the past. We'll see how the demand shapes up. We've definitely seen an increase in applications over the past few years, and we hope this expansion will further drive that growth. We've intentionally been highly selective to maintain a relatively small program, allowing us to provide personalized attention to each student. I don't have exact numbers yet, but we can certainly update you once we have a clearer sense of interest. Primarily, it's the location and the ability to build on what we're already doing. We've leaned heavily into experiential learning, and this expansion will further enhance that. One new aspect is that we'll offer, I believe, six certificates students can pursue, including one in AI and business. Additionally, we have many electives from our Master of Science programs offered in DC, which will enrich the range of opportunities available to students. Similar to our full-time MBA, we know we can attract students interested in the health ecosystem and offer opportunities other schools might not be positioned to provide, thanks not only to our faculty but also the close-knit network we have with the School of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, and others. That will certainly be one of our specializations. While we're not the only school offering health as a specialization in an EMBA, we've demonstrated success with it in our full-time MBA, so we're confident we can replicate that success. Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, our EMBA will have monthly residencies primarily in DC. We'll also include global courses and probably some activities in Baltimore, but most residencies will be in DC. That location allows us to easily engage professionals from industry and government, as well as leverage expertise from other parts of Hopkins. For example, when considering global business strategy, having someone from the School of Advanced International Studies who might have served in a prior administration adds unique depth and richness to our program. We believe we have a very strong offering. As to why we didn't introduce it sooner, this just feels like the right moment to launch. Yeah, that's a great question. First, I think it reflects the changing demands of students. With these dual degree programs, everyone is looking for something extra to differentiate themselves in their careers. It's not just students in public health, nursing, or engineering saying, 'I also want to get an MBA.' Even those pursuing careers in consulting are seeing firms value candidates who, for example, have a PhD in biochemistry alongside an MBA. Hopkins has a long-standing tradition of smart people doing challenging research, and that attracts not just dual-degree students, but also those in our regular full-time or Flex MBA programs. In fact, close to a third of our MBA students already hold a graduate degree. That speaks to the appeal of combining breadth and depth, which dual degrees provide. The second piece is about flexibility. Students want options in terms of program length, format, and affordability. If we can offer something shorter and more cost-effective than a traditional two-year MBA – especially for students who've already made a significant investment in another graduate degree – that's incredibly appealing. Online and flexible options are increasingly important as well. We've seen strong demand for our Flex MBA and also for our MS programs. We currently have six MS programs, and with the MIM launching next year, that'll make seven. Many students want to spread out the cost and time commitment, especially working professionals. So yes, I do think schools need to offer more personalization, more choice, and more flexibility to stay competitive. The biggest trend we're watching is digital health, especially the role of AI in healthcare. On the research side, there's a lot happening. We have the , which is primarily focused on research and policy. It brings together Carey faculty and faculty from the schools of nursing, public health, medicine, and biomedical engineering. There are over 150 core faculty collaborating on research and events around various issues. For example, we've hosted events on AI and aging, AI policy, and FDA policy changes related to AI-enabled medical devices. Many of our students take advantage of those events. We also have a focused specifically on this space, which continues to grow rapidly. We're seeing increasing student interest in entrepreneurial opportunities in this area. Another major area we're watching is policy change: how it impacts the market and how different sectors are responding. There's a lot of attention on areas like mental health, Alzheimer's care, home care, and telehealth. These all involve different approaches to improving affordability, access, and overall value in the system. It's an exciting time. There's a broad recognition that business plays a critical role in driving innovation and impact in healthcare. Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School's Baltimore campus. School photo This initiative responds to the ongoing transformation in healthcare whether through policy, digital innovation, or structural shifts. What we're hearing from many health professionals is that they feel a need to deepen their business knowledge to complement their clinical expertise. What's exciting is that we're partnering with the School of Medicine to deliver this program. Faculty and clinicians from both Carey and the School of Medicine will be involved. It's a multi-week academy with components delivered in person in DC and Baltimore, as well as in a hybrid format. The goal is to bring together leaders from across the healthcare ecosystem. We expect strong participation from healthcare systems, but we also anticipate interest from pharma, medtech, and biomedical device companies. These professionals may have brilliant innovations—a new device or a breakthrough in life sciences—but unless they understand the healthcare system they're selling into, how doctors and practitioners adopt new tools, and how to effectively launch their products, that innovation may not reach its full impact. So ideally, we'll bring together participants from across all these sectors to create a rich, collaborative learning environment. For now, it will be fairly general. We already have a one-year MS in Healthcare Management, offered both full-time and part-time, which tends to attract students who are specifically focused on the healthcare ecosystem. The MIM will be broader, more in line with most other MIM programs in the U.S. It's designed for students who likely don't have a business background or experience but recognize the advantage of gaining that foundation to launch their careers. They'll come in, and we'll educate them quickly on the core business skills they need. We're also launching the MIM in an online or flexible format, which is less common for these types of programs. That flexibility is important for people who can't take a full year off and need to continue working while pursuing the degree. It also opens up possibilities for students who start the program and later get a great job opportunity. They could take it and finish the degree afterward. We're still ironing out the details, but we see real opportunities in that flexibility. First, our facility in DC is really a game changer. We didn't have that two years ago. Rather than launching new programs as soon as the building opened, we decided to wait, let the dust settle, and see how it was being used. We've actually been planning this expansion for two or three years, and now the timing makes sense. The MIM reflects growing interest from students who don't have five to ten years of work experience but want to supplement their education with business training. We don't offer an undergraduate business major, so the MIM complements our offerings well. In fact, we've had interest from our own undergrads and others in the area who want to pair their undergraduate degree with a graduate business credential. We've been expanding our number of 4+1 agreements both domestically and globally over the last few years, and we're seeing a lot of interest in combining an undergrad degree with either a specialty master's, like in finance, or a more general degree like the MIM. If you look at PhDs in the U.S., a lot of them don't end up in academia. They go into industry or consulting. So while I'm not going to claim we're the first to do this, coupling a PhD with an MBA is still relatively novel. We've had many PhDs come to us after finishing their doctorate, looking to get an MBA. Now that we've thought more deeply about the structure of our full-time MBA, we've realized there's a real opportunity to formalize this interest into a dedicated, accelerated dual-degree product. So it's not like some magic pixie dust came down and made all this happen at once. It's really been the result of thoughtful planning that has just happened to converge at the same time. Six years ago, the focus was really on helping MBA students understand AI. What was this thing that was about to hit? At the time, the course was taught by who had students do some basic coding to demystify AI. He asked them to come up with an idea for a product or process that would be AI-enabled. We saw a lot of excitement right away. But today, the students coming in don't necessarily need to be introduced to what AI is, and they don't really need basic programming skills in the same way students did six years ago. Back then, introducing coding was a big innovation for business schools. That's changed. Now, it's more about understanding the trajectory of AI, how it's disrupting industries, and the ethical and regulatory questions that come with it. Instead of one course, we now offer several that integrate AI into functional areas. For example, students specializing in finance might take a course on large language models in finance, while others might explore predictive analytics in marketing. AI has cascaded down into many different subjects and is much more infused across the curriculum. At this point, it's hard to teach corporate strategy or business analytics without addressing AI whether in terms of how it's impacting decision-making or what tools are critical to use. Our faculty are genuinely excited about it, too. We don't have to push them to include AI. They're already doing it, because it's so relevant in their individual areas. In the MBA program, we realized a few years ago that while we had experiential learning like every other school, we needed to be more intentional about it. So we asked: What exactly do we want students to learn and apply when working with companies? And how can we weave that consistently throughout the curriculum? One outcome of that reflection was the creation of a big data analytics experiential program, where all the students work on the same problem. That's different from our Innovation Field Project, which is a more traditional consulting-style project. We've also integrated our communications training throughout these experiences. For example, students need to know how to present their work effectively, and we built that into the structure. Our Crisis Challenge is another piece, focusing on a specific communication or leadership skill in a high-pressure scenario. All of this has been mapped out with the goal of ensuring students build the right skills and tools to be effective in their first job and beyond. I'd say that intentional design is what really differentiates our approach from others. I'd say the evolution of Carey has centered on building a world-class faculty as the foundation. Every year, we've worked to strengthen our faculty, and one of our key differentiators is the ability to hire across different schools at Hopkins. Right now, we have five (and that number is growing) Bloomberg Distinguished Professors, who are required to hold appointments in at least two schools. That structure has helped us build strong ties with Public Health, Engineering, the School of Advanced International Studies, and the School of Government and Policy. That interdisciplinary integration has been a core part of our strategy. We don't view business in isolation, we view it as something that must be connected with other disciplines across the university. In terms of program evolution, we're maturing our portfolio by adding elements that other schools have long offered, like the EMBA and MIM, while expanding our delivery options through full-time, flexible, and online formats. We're also growing our global footprint in executive education and forming more international partnerships. So I'd say we've reached a strong point of maturation, but one that still allows us to approach things a bit differently from other business schools. Our differentiation in the business of health is a big part of that, as is our growing emphasis on AI. But more broadly, we're asking: What do business leaders need today? And how can we bring those elements together from across Hopkins and beyond? The DC presence, the location, and the additional resources it provides are going to be key to helping us continue growing in this direction. We've been fortunate so far, and I think many business schools haven't fully felt the implications of some of the new pressures. But in a time of uncertainty, flexibility becomes essential. That's part of why we've broadened our portfolio. Whether it's the full-time MBA, the EMBA, or other offerings, we've created multiple pathways for students, especially those who don't want to step away from their careers for two full years but still want the value of an MBA. Our Flex MBA has been very successful, and we expect that to continue growing. To withstand these challenges, you need to stay flexible, maintain a broad and responsive program portfolio, and be attuned to market trends. That's what we're focused on, listening closely and being able to pivot quickly when needed. DON'T MISS: LEARNING AI 'FROM ITS CORE': INSIDE PROFESSOR TINGLONG DAI'S COURSE AT JOHNS HOPKINS CAREY BUSINESS SCHOOL AND ROTMAN ENTERS ACCELERATION RACE WITH TWO NEW ONE-YEAR BUSINESS DEGREES The post Johns Hopkins Carey Expands MBA, Launches EMBA In New D.C. Campus appeared first on Poets&Quants.
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Typically (but not exclusively) derived from either dairy or plant protein, the main benefit of powdered protein is that it's a convenient means of increasing the amount of the essential muscle-building macronutrient present in your diet. The most common types of protein powder are whey protein, the liquid by-product of milk separated from curd during cheese production, soy protein, a concentrated form of plant-based protein originating from soybeans, and casein protein, a slow-digesting dairy protein that like whey protein is also derived from milk. Other types of powdered protein supplements include beef, rice, hemp, egg and pea. From a muscle-building perspective, protein powder has a number of benefits. 'The protein we consume helps augment recovery and new muscle tissue from our resistance training,' says Yiannis Fleming, a sports performance coach and qualified nutritionist. 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For eliciting muscle protein synthesis, a dairy-based powder will likely be the best, but if you can't have dairy, then a shake from this section will be more than fine.' If you're shopping in this category, look for pea, soy, hemp and those labelled as 'dairy-free' options, says Fleming. 'They are mostly comprised of protein, but as they originate from plants they will have slightly less protein and a little bit more carbohydrates,' he says. 'These shakes are not thought to be as effective in eliciting muscle protein synthetic because of their lower leucine content, but they are more advantageous if you are avoiding dairy. You could always combine this shake with a lactose-free milk to further increase the protein content.' Protein Intake Before taking protein powder, consider how much protein you already typically get in your diet. As Fleming puts it: 'Many people are able to consume enough protein from their overall diet that a specific powder may not be required. If you're familiar with tracking on apps like MyFitnessPal and can see that you're consuming within the range of 1.5-2g of protein per kg of bodyweight each day – so for example, if you weigh 80kg then this would be 120-160g – then it may not be essential to add a protein supplement to your routine.' Dietary Requirements Consider your dietary requirements when choosing a protein powder. 'Are you lactose intolerant or experiencing discomfort from taking protein powders like whey or casein?' says Fleming. 'If so, opting for a dairy-free or plant-based alternative is best. Options like pea, soy and hemp are great for those with lactose intolerance and will reduce the likelihood of cramps, pains or IBS symptoms.' Reputable Brands Once you've settled on a type of protein powder, head to a trustworthy retailer. 'For the majority of people, a cost-effective protein powder from a reliable distributor like MyProtein, PhD or The Protein Works will be more than sufficient,' says Fleming. 'These sites offer a wide range and will cover the four main groups I mentioned before. Remember to opt for a dairy-free or plant-based alternative if you are avoiding dairy.' All the retailers on this list meet this criteria. Testing and Certification If you're an athlete who competes professionally, Fleming recommends opting for supplements with an Informed Choice or Informed Sport label. 'These are batch tested to ensure the ingredient list is accurate and to cover you if you're being tested for performance-enhancing drugs.' Both certifications indicate when a sports supplement has been tested for prohibited substances and manufactured to high-quality standards. The difference between the two is the frequency of testing. Informed Sport tests every batch before a product is sold, whereas Informed Choice regularly tests products on a monthly blind testing schedule. How We Selected As part of our 2024 Sports Nutrition Awards and 2025 Sports Nutrition Awards, we recruited a panel of industry experts and fitness enthusiasts, alongside our team of health and fitness journalists and nutritionists, and asked them to put 152 products to the test. Our winning protein powders have our Sports Nutrition Awards badges displayed proudly above their picture below. The remaining entries on our list have been carefully chosen by our editors in line with our experts' recommendations. For each protein powder on this list, we consulted nutrition experts who provided in-depth feedback on each product's nutritional value and impact on exercise performance in order to eliminate supplements with substandard ingredients or inadequate macros. Our team also personally rated each protein powder, ranking their taste, texture and Standard Whey Protein Powder Awarded 'Best Milk Shake' in 2024: 'Many people like to stick to the classics. Chocolate is a busy flavour category, but our ON winner stands out from the crowd for its natural-tasting cocoa flavour and creamy consistency. It scored highly for mixability and, unlike many of the chocolate powders we tried, it wasn't overly sweet. It offers 24g of protein per serving, including 5.5g of BCAAs.' Check out our full list of MH-approved whey protein. £29.95 at Performance Protein Powder Awarded 'Best All-Rounder' in 2024 and 2025: Even when blended with water alone, Form's consistency was ultra- creamy with no unwanted aftertaste. Testers described it as sweet and nutty. The organic blend includes pea, brown rice and pumpkin protein, along with turmeric to support recovery and digestive enzymes. It scored extra points for its eco packaging, which is both plastic-free and compostable. A regular MH award-winner, Form remains the undisputed champ of plant-based protein.] Check out our full list of MH-approved vegan protein. £25.99 at Protein - Chocolate Awarded 'Best New Protein Powder' in 2025: 'We'd expect nothing less than a podium finish from athlete, gym owner and former MH cover star Ollie Marchon's brand. With 24g of protein, a solid amino acid profile and minimal carbs and fats, this mixed well with both water and milk. We're fans of the Salted Caramel.' £33.49 at Whey Protein Awarded Best Clear Whey in 2025: 'With 20g of protein in every serving, minimal sugar and under 90 calories, this easy-drinker is perfectly palatable any time of day. We like Peach Tea but there are more than 15 fruity flavours to choose from, including Blood Orange and Strawberry Kiwi. The powder mixed well and is a fresh alternative to milky blends.' Check out our full list of MH-approved whey protein. £27.99 at MyproteinClear Protein Awarded Best Clear Vegan Protein in 2025: 'The texture of this one won us over; the powder blends easily with water for a drink that packs in 20g of protein and 3.6g of BCAAs – a winner for vegans and dairy-drinkers alike. Blend with ice cubes for a zero-sugar slushy to start your post-gym recovery.' Check out our full list of MH-approved vegan protein. £29.00 at Drink Shake Awarded 'Best for On-The-Go' in 2024: No time for a post-gym meal? Available in many supermarkets, these shakes provide a healthy balance of carbs, protein and fat, along with all 26 essential vitamins and minerals, plus omega 3. Our panel couldn't fault the flavour and said the creamy consistency was bang on. Check out our full list of MH-approved vegan protein. £22.75 at Whey Awarded 'Best for an Energy Boost' in 2024: 'This whey and soya-based blend offers a good mix of protein and fat-burning ingredients, with 17g of protein, 91 calories and 1.4g of fat per serving. It also features L-carnitine – a chemical that helps the body turn fat into energy – and green tea extract, an antioxidant that can aid weight loss.' Check out our full list of MH-approved whey protein. £43.65 at Protein Awarded 'Best for Natural Ingredients' in 2024: 'Made with a blend of pea, sunflower and rice protein, plus organic coconut sugar, raw cacao and banana, 33Fuel's Premium Protein avoids the artificial ingredients often found in protein powders. Flavour-wise, it's rich in cacao with hints of malt and dried fruit.' Check out our full list of MH-approved vegan protein. £31.19 at 33Fuel Isolate vs Concentrate vs Casein: Which Should You Choose? According to nutritionist James Aikten, who manages product development for Crazy Nutrition, it depends on the person's goals, dietary preferences, and nutritional needs or restrictions. 'Whey protein isolate is more heavily processed and has more fats and lactose removed, so it has a higher protein percentage by weight. It is faster absorbed by the body, making it ideal post-workout, but it is also more expensive.' While whey protein concentrate is less processed, 'it still has some of its fats and lactose', he says. 'It's cheaper and slower release but ideal for general use, especially if cost is a concern and you can factor the extra fat and calories into your macros.' Casein protein, on the other hand, 'is slower to digest, so it is often used before bed or during other extended periods without food to allow a steady absorption of protein'. For general use, Aitken recommends whey protein concentrate due to its low price point and 'steady' release of protein. 'Pea protein is a good option if you require a plant-based protein,' he adds, 'as it contains all nine essential amino acids. Despite not being considered a complete protein due to lower levels of lysine, some might also opt for rice protein. Mixing pea and rice protein can yield a fuller amino acid profile.' How Much Protein Do You Need? This is one of the most commonly asked questions about protein powder. Fleming stresses the importance of having a consistent daily intake of protein. 'Before relying solely on a supplement, try to ensure you're consuming 1.5-2g per kg of bodyweight regularly,' he says. 'This is going to help you much more than just consuming one shake a day, for example.' From there you can decide how much to consume. 'If you're slightly under this then a protein powder will be a perfect addition to help,' he adds.' Most powders will come with a scoop providing around 20-30g of protein. For smaller individuals, one scoop with water or milk will be more than sufficient. For larger individuals, 1-2 scoops with water or milk will do fine. Remember that you can lean on milk such as semi-skimmed or soya (plant-based) to help add additional protein to your shake, if it's necessary.' So what happens if you consume too much? 'Whilst protein is essential for muscle repair, growth, and various bodily functions, excessive protein intake can cause kidney strain, especially in those with pre-existing kidney conditions,' says Aitken. 'You may also experience bloating and constipation.' When is the Best Time to Take Protein Powder? This can depend on the type of protein you're taking, but most, like whey, soy, pea and hemp 'will be best taken after training to elicit muscle protein synthesis', says Fleming. 'But that doesn't mean you have to rush to get them in.' There's no need for a mad rush, essentially. 'You can finish training, have a shower, then create your shake, if you prefer. In fact, if you wanted to sip your protein shake during training, this will be equally as beneficial in starting the recovery process as the amino acids will already be in your system.' Whatever works for you. Where you should be more particular about timings is with slower absorbing protein powders, such as casein, which are 'best taken before going a long period without eating as these assist more with reducing the amount of total body protein breakdown', says Fleming. 'This may be useful if optimising the amount of muscle you're carrying around is the priority.' 'Hard Gainers' Do you need a protein powder to provide your diet with more calories, or solely for protein content? 'Some powders are higher in calories and more suitable for 'hard gainers' or individuals with a higher energy expenditure,' says Fleming. 'For example, if you're a lean individual who burns a lot of calories but insists on building muscle, then a higher-calorie powder is likely the one for you.'Likewise, if you're just trying to top up your protein or are going for body recomposition (reduce fat & increase muscle simultaneously), then just a standard protein powder will be fine as you will want to eat the majority of your calories from your diet, since this will assist in keeping you satiated.' Who Should Avoid Protein Shakes? Protein powder is generally considered safe for most people, however, the following people should exercise caution or avoid its use altogether, says Aitken. 'Individuals with pre-existing kidney problems or a history of kidney disease should consult their doctor before using protein powder, as excessive protein intake may strain the kidneys more. 'Those with allergies or sensitivities to specific protein sources (e.g. milk or lactose, soy, peas, rice, etc.) should avoid protein powders containing those ingredients. 'Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before using any supplements, including protein powder.' Why Trust Us? At Men's Health, we're dedicated to discovering and recommending the best sports supplements and products for men via hands-on testing and in-depth research. Aside from constantly updating and adding to our ever-growing nutrition section, Men's Health also dedicates an annual Sports Nutrition Awards package where we break down the best products for men — ranging everywhere from protein powder to energy drinks. More Of Our Favourite Sports Supplements Best Whey Protein Powder | Best Vegan Protein Powder | Best Mass Gainers | Best Meal Replacement Shakes | Best Creatine Supplements | Best Protein Bars | Best Vegan Protein Bars | Best Pre-workout You Might Also Like The 23 Best Foods to Build Muscle 10 of the Best Waterproof Boots to Buy in 2019 6 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health
