Like many others, you might be tempted to buy a huge container of protein powder on your kitchen counter. Little do most people know that this ingredient can expire, and it does so quickly. Is it safe to continue using it for your post-workout protein shake? Here, you’ll find all about the topic. We’ve compiled the opinions of many experts on just how legit the powder’s expiry date is.
Expired Protein Powder – Toss or Save
Of course, nobody wants to give themselves stomach problems by consuming an expired product. Plus, there is hardly any point in consuming something that doesn’t do what it’s supposed to. So, is it safe to use it well past its expiration date, or should you toss it away as soon as it expires?
According to experts, you might be safe to drink the product past the date set on its container. However, keep in mind that, over time, its properties decrease substantially. To put it simply, drinking expired protein powder won’t help you reach your fitness goals. If you’re using it just to keep yourself toned, then continue including it in your shakes. But should you be looking to build muscle, you’re better off tossing it away as soon as it expires.
Is It Really All About Storing the Product Correctly?
Wondering when your container of protein powder will expire? The short answer is – when you see the expiration date on the container. The actual answer – it depends on how you store it. As nutritional experts put it, if you don’t do anything funny with your container, it should last for about two years. Sure, the product’s quality will diminish substantially past the date stamped on the container, but it won’t cause any health problems.
However, if something’s happened with the container or the powder smells funny, it’s best not to include it in your shakes anymore. Another thing to remember is that moisture can be detrimental to protein powder and can lead to a quicker expiration date.
Become an Expert on Protein Powder Expiry Checks
If you have a container of expired protein powder and are wondering whether it’s safe to keep using it for your post-workout nourishment, time to find out how to check if it’s okay to consume it. As mentioned above, a foul smell is a definite sign that the product has gone bad. Apart from that, if you notice clumping or color changes, the powder has most likely expired.
Additionally, you can perform a taste test, but keep in mind that’s not recommended if the product has expired after more than a week. Put a small amount of powder on your tongue, and throw the product away if it tastes like cardboard.