The Short Answer
Protein powder is a convenient source of protein.
It is not fundamentally different from getting protein through food.
Whey
Whey comes from milk.
Common forms include concentrate and isolate.
Plant Protein
Common sources include pea, soy and blends of different plant proteins.
When is It Useful?
Protein powder can be useful when:
- You struggle to reach your protein target
- You need a convenient option
- You travel
- You have limited time to prepare food
When is It Unnecessary?
If your normal diet already provides enough protein, you do not need protein powder simply because you train.