Types of protein powder in Pakistan: whey isolate vs concentrate, casein, plant and more (2026)
Walk into any supplement shop in Lahore or scroll Daraz and every tub says "whey". But whey concentrate, whey isolate, hydrolysed whey, blends, casein and plant protein are different things, at very different prices. Here is what each type of protein powder actually is, what it costs in Pakistan right now, and why we chose whey protein isolate for our own granola.
Whey Protein Granola: made with whey protein isolate
Types of protein powder at a glance
Protein figures are typical values for each type; always check the label of the tub you buy. Prices are per kg from Pakistani retailers, checked on 11 October 2026.
| Type | Protein per 100 g powder | Lactose and fat | Digests | Price in Pakistan (per kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whey concentrate | 70 to 80 g | Some lactose and fat | Fast | Rs 10,000 to 16,000 |
| Whey isolate | About 90 g | Very little of either | Fast | Rs 14,000 to 21,000 |
| Hydrolysed whey | 80 to 90 g | Very little | Fastest (pre-broken down) | Rs 23,000 or more |
| Whey blend | 75 to 85 g | Some | Fast | Rs 14,000 to 19,000 |
| Casein | About 80 g | Some lactose | Slow | Mostly imported, limited stock |
| Egg white | About 80 g | No lactose | Medium | Rarely sold here |
| Plant (pea, soy, rice, blends) | 70 to 85 g | No lactose | Medium | Varies widely |
Whey concentrate: the everyday one
Whey is the watery part of milk left over when cheese is made. Filter it and dry it and you get whey protein concentrate, usually sold as "Whey 80" because it is about 80 percent protein at best (some are closer to 70). The rest is lactose (milk sugar), a little fat and minerals. It is the cheapest whey per kg and tastes the most like milk, which is why most "100% whey" tubs in Pakistan are concentrate or mostly concentrate.
Whey isolate: more filtering, more protein
Whey protein isolate goes through extra filtering to strip out most of the lactose and fat, so it is about 90 percent protein. A 30 g scoop gives roughly 27 g of protein against 21 to 24 g for concentrate. It mixes thinner, tastes cleaner and costs more: in Pakistan, isolate runs about Rs 14,000 to 21,000 per kg, against Rs 10,000 to 16,000 for concentrate.
Hydrolysed whey: pre-digested and pricey
Hydrolysed whey (hydrolysate) is whey that has been partly broken down into smaller pieces with enzymes. It is the most processed and most expensive whey on the shelf (Dymatize ISO 100, a hydrolysed isolate, is about Rs 23,000 per kg here) and it tastes slightly bitter, which is why it is heavily flavoured.
Whey blends: read the order on the label
Many big-name tubs are blends of isolate and concentrate. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard, for example, lists isolate first, then concentrate. Blends sit between the two on price and protein. The order of ingredients tells you what there is most of.
Casein: the slow one
Casein is the other milk protein, about 80 percent of the protein in milk. It forms a gel in the stomach and digests slowly, so it is often taken at night. Micellar casein is hard to find in Pakistan and usually imported.
Egg white protein
Dried egg white is about 80 percent protein and has no lactose. It is a good option for people who avoid dairy, but it is rarely stocked here and tends to be expensive when it is.
Plant protein: pea, soy, rice and blends
Soy is a complete protein on its own. Pea protein is low in one amino acid (methionine) and rice protein is low in another (lysine), which is why good plant powders blend the two. Plant powders are dairy-free and work for vegetarians who avoid milk, but they are grittier and usually need more flavouring to taste good.
Whey isolate vs concentrate: which should you buy?
- Buy concentrate if you want the most protein per rupee and milk does not bother you. It is the sensible everyday choice.
- Buy isolate if you want more protein per scoop with less fat and milk sugar, or if regular milk does not sit well with you. Ask your doctor if you have a medical reason to avoid dairy.
- Skip hydrolysed unless you have a specific reason; you pay a lot extra for the processing.
Per gram of protein the gap is smaller than the sticker suggests: at Rs 12,000 per kg, concentrate costs about Rs 15 per gram of protein; at Rs 15,000 per kg, isolate is about Rs 17 per gram.
Whey protein isolate price in Pakistan (October 2026)
Prices from sportsone.com.pk, checked on 11 October 2026. Prices and stock change often, so check before you buy.
| Product | Type | Size | Price | Per kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanaxium Gold ISO | Isolate | 2 kg | Rs 27,800 | Rs 13,900 |
| ProScience Nutra Isolate | Isolate | 5 lb (2.27 kg) | Rs 32,500 | Rs 14,300 |
| Rule 1 Whey Isolate | Isolate | 5 lb (2.27 kg) | Rs 32,500 | Rs 14,300 |
| Levrone Gold ISO | Isolate | 2 kg | Rs 32,500 | Rs 16,250 |
| Applied Nutrition ISO XP | Isolate | 1 kg | Rs 20,600 | Rs 20,600 |
| Dymatize ISO 100 | Hydrolysed isolate | 5 lb (2.27 kg) | Rs 53,500 | Rs 23,600 |
| Applied Nutrition Critical Whey | Concentrate blend | 2 kg | Rs 20,500 | Rs 10,250 |
| ProScience Nutra Whey | Concentrate | 5 lb (2.27 kg) | Rs 28,200 | Rs 12,400 |
| Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard | Isolate and concentrate blend | 5 lb (2.27 kg) | Rs 42,500 | Rs 18,700 |
How to check a tub before you pay
- Protein per scoop vs scoop size: 24 g protein in a 30 g scoop is 80 percent; 27 g in 30 g is 90 percent. If the maths does not add up, it is mostly concentrate or has fillers.
- First ingredient: "whey protein isolate" first means mostly isolate; "whey protein concentrate" first means mostly concentrate.
- Where you buy: buy from authorised sellers and check the seal and batch number, because imported tubs are often copied.
Why we use whey protein isolate in our granola
When we made Whey Protein Granola, we wanted 8 g of protein in a 40 g bowl without it tasting like a protein shake. That is why we chose isolate over concentrate:
- More protein, less powder. Isolate is about 90 percent protein, so we need less of it than concentrate for the same protein. Less powder keeps the clusters crunchy and the taste about honey, almonds and oats, not chalk.
- Less milk sugar and fat. Lactose is a sugar, and sugar browns fast in the oven. With very little lactose and fat, isolate bakes cleanly into the clusters.
- Unflavoured. We use plain isolate, so there are no added sweeteners or flavourings from the protein. The only sweetener in the jar is raw honey.
- The honest trade-off: isolate costs more, which is part of why Whey Protein Granola is Rs 1,350 for 150 g against Rs 1,000 for our Nutty Honey Crunch.
Every 40 g serving has 8 g of protein from the isolate, almonds and seeds. Add 150 ml of milk or a bowl of Greek yogurt and breakfast reaches 13 to 18 g. If you are deciding between a shake and a bowl, read protein powder vs protein granola; for more ideas, see our high protein breakfasts and high protein snacks in Pakistan.
Does baking destroy whey protein?
No. Heat changes the shape of whey protein (this is called denaturing, the same thing that happens when you boil an egg), but the protein is still there and the amino acids are the same. The protein figure on our label is for the baked granola, not the powder that went in.
Quick answers
What are the types of protein powder?
Whey concentrate, whey isolate, hydrolysed whey, whey blends, casein, egg white and plant proteins such as pea, soy and rice.
What is the difference between whey isolate and whey concentrate?
Isolate is filtered further, so it is about 90 percent protein with very little lactose and fat. Concentrate is 70 to 80 percent protein and keeps more lactose and fat. Isolate costs more.
What is the whey protein isolate price in Pakistan?
About Rs 14,000 to 21,000 per kg in October 2026, and Rs 23,000 or more for hydrolysed isolate. Concentrate is about Rs 10,000 to 16,000 per kg.
Which protein powder is best in Pakistan?
For most people, a good whey concentrate from an authorised seller is the best value. Choose isolate if you want more protein per scoop with less lactose and fat, and a plant blend if you avoid dairy.
Is there protein granola made with whey isolate in Pakistan?
Yes. Our Whey Protein Granola is made in Lahore with whey protein isolate, oats, almonds and seeds, sweetened only with raw honey: 8 g protein per 40 g, Rs 1,350 for 150 g, cash on delivery across Pakistan.
