By Emily Murray
┬áWith the overwhelming array of supplements out there, itÔÇÖs hard to know where to start when it comes to protein. Different celebs are promoting different brands – which one do you choose? IÔÇÖve chosen to follow the fitness guru Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach for his tips, advice and recipes from his 3 best selling Lean in 15 cookbooks to give you guys the low-down on protein.
Which brand should I choose?
There are all these weight loss ranges for protein to attract female buyers. But itÔÇÖs all just advertising. MY PROTEIN is the most popular protein brand for both men and women. ItÔÇÖs well priced, effective and you can get it in 50 different flavours. I made the mistake of buying the unflavoured one when I bought my first pack and it tastes awful. I buy the vanilla flavour IMPACT WHEY PROTEIN because it tastes great just mixed with water and amazing in protein pancakes. Also, by using The Body CoachÔÇÖs discount code ÔÇÿCOACHÔÇÖ you can get 10% discount!
What does protein do and how much should I take and when? 
A lot of women are cautious about taking protein supplements because they fear that it will make them bulk up. This is not the case. Men and womenÔÇÖs bodies work differently and women arenÔÇÖt able to build the same muscle mass as men ÔÇô unless they are actively trying to. Both men and women should consume 25g IMPACT WHEY PROTEIN after a workout to refuel. Consuming protein after a workout looks after your immune system and aids in the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. However, depending on how often you go to the gym and how big you want to get you can increase your daily dosage. The MY PROTEIN suggested use for their IMPACT WHEY PROTEIN is as follows:
1) Add 1 large scoop (25g) to water or milk in a Myprotein shaker 30 minutes before and/ or after your workout for maximum benefit.
2) Alternatively, consume as a snack or in between meals throughout the day to increase your daily protein intake.
3) As a pre-bed protein kick, we suggest mixing with milk due its slower absorption rates.
What about the other types of Protein on the market?
BCAA stands for Branched-chain amino acids, which are essential as our bodies cannot produce them. Amino acids help repair your muscles so you recover faster and donÔÇÖt ache as much the next day.
Personally, when I work out I consume:
15-30 minutes before a workout a 5g serving of MYPROTEIN iBCAA Powder mixed with 300ml water.
15-45 minutes after a workout a 5g serving of MYPROTEIN iBCAA Powder mixed with 300ml water and a 25g serving of MYPROTEIN IMPACT WHEY Protein Powder mixed with 300ml water and a Vitamin C tablet.
Recipes
If you have time, itÔÇÖs nice to put protein powder into your meals as a change from having it just mixed with water in your shaker. Here are some delicious recipes from Joe Wicks The Body Coach that are quick, healthy and super easy to try.
OVERNIGHT PROTEIN OATS
INGREDIENTS (1 serving)
FREEZABLE
-38g porridge oats ÔÇô not instant!
-23g MYPROTEIN Impact Whey Protein Powder ÔÇô pre mixed in 146ml water
-110g 2% fat Greek yoghurt
-47g berries, such as raspberries, blueberries or blackberries
-14g honey (MANUKA 5 is best but not essential)
-1tsp cinnamon
-13g sliced almonds
METHOD
For oats: Put the oats in a small saucepan, add the protein mix and an additional amount of water (4x the weight of the oats in ml, i.e. 50g of oats = 200ml of water) and leave to soak, covered, overnight at room temperature.
Bring the soaked oats to a simmer over a medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until soft and creamy. Remove from the heat.
TO SERVE
Mix in the yoghurt, berries, honey, almonds and cinnamon. Serve warm, reheating if necessary.
TIPS
Use frozen berry mix instead of fresh berries.
QUINOA PORRIDGE
INGREDIENTS (1 serving)
FREEZABLE
-28g MYPROTEIN Impact Whey Protein Powder
-43g uncooked quinoa
-5g coconut oil
-53g strawberries
-77g banana
-12g Manuka honey
-103g 0% fat Greek yoghurt
-19g chia seeds
METHOD
For quinoa: Lightly toast the quinoa in a saucepan until it starts to pop (adds a nutty flavour). Add three times the amount of water to quinoa and bring to the boil then simmer for 12-15 minutes. (e.g. 50g quinoa = 150ml water).
Mix protein powder with 200ml of water and pour over cooked quinoa, add the coconut oil and fluff with a fork.
For puree: Add fruit and honey to a blender and puree
TO SERVE
Stir fruit puree, chia and yoghurt through the quinoa.
TIPS
Try infusing the quinoa cooking liquid with orange zest or cardamom pods.
PROTEIN REFUEL PANCAKES
INGREDIENTS (1 serving)
-55g egg beaten
-77g egg white
-17g MYPROTEIN Impact Whey Protein Powder
-118g banana, peeled and mashed
-15g oats
-1 tsp cinnamon
-11g coconut oil
-57g 0% fat Greek yoghurt
-Lime zest
METHOD
For pancake: In a bowl whisk together eggs, egg whites and protein until all ingredients are combined. Then stir in banana, oats and cinnamon.
Warm a medium-sized non-stick frying pan and add the coconut oil. Pour in enough mixture for desired size of pancake and cook on both sides for 1-2 minutes. Repeat with remaining mixture.
TO SERVE
Serve with yoghurt and a pinch of lime zest.
TIPS
Look for bubbles in pancakes, an indication that one side is cooked.
The average egg weighs around 60g (2 oz) so use that as a starting point for measuring the amount of egg required for the recipe. Of that, on average 40g will be white and 20g will be yolk.
RICE AND COCONUT PANCAKES
INGREDIENTS (1 serving)
-117g Microwaveable basmati rice
-32g desiccated coconut
-1 tsp cinnamon
-76g egg whites
-23g MYPROTEIN Impact Whey Protein Powder
-Splash of skimmed milk
-8g coconut oil
-95g 0% fat Greek yoghurt
-54g raspberries
-Small handful of mint
METHOD
For pancake mix: In a bowl mix together the coconut, cinnamon, protein powder and egg whites to a smooth batter. Now stir through the rice until well combined. Add a splash of milk if too thick.
To cook: Heat a non-stick pan to a medium heat, add your coconut oil and spoon your mix in to create small pancakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, be patient and allow the mix to crisp up before trying to flip over.
TO SERVE
Once you have cooked all the mix stack them up. Serve the pancakes with raspberries, mint and yoghurt.
The average egg weighs around 60g (2 oz) so use that as a starting point for measuring the amount of egg required for the recipe. Of that, on average 40g will be white and 20g will be yolk.
GO GO GREEN SMOOTHIE 
INGREDIENTS (1 serving)
-26g almond butter
-5g wheat grass
-59g raw spinach
-26g MYPROTEIN Impact Whey protein powder
-70g apple
-19g flax seeds
-Handful of ice
-215ml coconut water
METHOD
For smoothie: Put all the ingredients  apart from the coconut water into a blender. Add half the coconut water, blend on high for 1 minute, and then add the rest of the coconut water. Continue blending until desired texture is reached.
TO SERVE
Serve in a glass.
TIPS
Adding the liquid in smaller quantities saves it exploding out of the top of the machine.
LIME AND AVOCADO SMOOTHIE
INGREDIENTS (1 serving)
-1 lime peeled
-78g 2% fat Greek yoghurt
-63g raspberries
-65g avocado
-7g coconut oil
-30g MYPROTEIN Impact Whey protein powder
-Handful of ice
-222ml almond milk
METHOD
For smoothie: Put all the ingredients apart from the almond milk into a blender. Add half the almond milk, blend on high for 1 minute and then add the rest of the milk. Continue blending until desired texture is reached.
TO SERVE
Serve in a glass
TIPS
Try to remove all green skin and white pith from the lime.
The number one rule when it comes to protein
ItÔÇÖs important to remember that food comes first. Protein powder should be used as a supplement to your diet. You should eat 3 meals a day and 2 snacks. A protein shake counts as 1 snack and the recipe ideas above each count as 1 meal.
1kg pouch Vanilla IMPACT WHEY PROTEIN £15.79
250g pouch Berry Blast iBCAA £15.99
Both can be bought online at myprotein.com