I visited the Canfitpro Consumer Fitness and Wellness Show on August 18th, 2012 in Toronto for a few hours thanks to the free pass that I learned about and got after reading my Optimyz Magazine. I also went in 2019, but received fewer supplement samples. I couldn't go in 2020 because Covid-19 cancelled everything and as for 2021, it looks like a no-go. Well, there is always 2022 to look forward to!
It’s been awhile since I visited the show and the time that it has taken for me to write this article, but there is a reason for this. I received a few sample packets of supplements, primarily protein powders, and I wanted to try them after my workouts beginning in late September. Towards late August and early September I sort of take a hiatus from my weight training workouts, it’s only towards mid to late September that I am back to my regular 3 times a week workout schedule. For this reason, I wanted to try these supplements when I am back to my regular workout schedule.
Anyway, I only have a few supplements to review. I will be updating this article over the next month or so for each and every sample supplement packet that I received and tried. There are only a few sample packets that I picked up because most companies didn’t offer any, they just offered very, very tiny cup sized samples at the show. I tried a few, but I don’t remember any of them. The supplements that I will remember are the ones that I received sample packets that I can take home and which I can consume at my leisure or whenever I choose.
There were many businesses promoting their various products at this fitness and health show from supplements, fitness equipment to healthy foods companies. There were even athletes and fitness celebrities and professionals at the show like the Sisters in Iron (Tosca Reno and her coach Rita Catolino). I managed to snap a close-up photo of these Sisters in Iron. I noticed that they had a lot of women at their booth interested in talking with them and asking them for their autographs.
Anyway, getting back to the purpose of this article – my supplement reviews. I am not going to go into the technical aspects and make-up of each individual product. You’ll have to read the back labels of each product that you are interested in and try the product to see if it works for you over a longer period of time.
Amplified 100% Whey Protein - Powder
I received the chocolate flavor and it smells like they used quality cocoa because it smells real nice. The powder is fine and not lumpy and it mixes smoothly and evenly in juice.
It contains 20g of protein and 22.5g of amino acids per 36.5g packet serving size. I am not going to list all the supplement facts, you can view them on this photo that I took of the supplement facts information.
The only things that I didn’t like about this product is the after-taste (it tastes a little bitter but it’s probably because it’s fairly low in sugar) and it is very high in cholesterol.
The product is formulated to build leaner muscle and to be absorbed faster and more efficiently. I would have to use the product for 2 to 4 weeks to see if indeed it works better for me than the protein powder that I currently use and whether or not it is a really good protein powder.
Protein Powder Brand from Bodybuilding.com
I received a protein powder 
from the bodybuilding.com. It is their product brand and I don’t know who manufactures it for them. The flavor I received is Cookies and Cream. It actually has little pieces of cookies. Not sure if I really need cookie pieces in my protein powder.
Anyway, the protein powder had a good taste and no after-taste and it contains a lot of protein. It was lumpy at first but it mixed well. I also noticed that it listed salt as 1 of its ingredients.
Here is a summary of the supplement facts from the sample packet:
- Serving Size: 36.5g
- Calories 150
- Protein: 25g
- Total Fat: 3g (Saturated: 1g, Trans 0g)
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0mg
- Sugars: 3g
- Calcium: 140mg
- Phosphorus: 110mg
- Sodium: 100mg
- Potassium: 220mg
Overall, the protein powder from bodybuilding.com seems like a quality product but it is high in cholesterol, sodium and sugar. Not exactly what I look for in a protein supplement!
With all the protein powders on the market, it is often difficult to choose the right product and often confusing. The protein that I use, that I feel is better and healthier than any of the protein powders that I have reviewed in this article is: Whey Protein Isolate Isoflex from Allmax and my article review about this product will explain why.
Hygiea Protein Bar
I rarely, if ever, buy protein bars because I find that they are hard to chew and eat and they tend to taste gooey, but I received this 50g sample chocolate/strawberry Proatein Bar from Hygiea. Actually, it did not taste gooey and it was not hard to eat or chew. It was delicious and is very nutritious. It contains all natural ingredients and no preservatives.
Since the label is so tiny, I did not photograph it. I have just summarized some of the supplement facts for the 50g bar:
- 15g of whey protein, 8g of sugar
- 0 cholesterol, 1g saturated fats, 0g of trans fats
- 5g fiber, contains vitamins A and C, 32mg calcium, 1mg iron
So if you want a quick nutritious snack relatively high in protein, contains vitamins and nutrients and extremely low in fat or you are on the go, this protein bar is a good alternative.
Like I said, I will be adding more reviews over time as I try the rest of the supplements so check back to this article page in a couple of weeks. I have tried to highlight what I thought of each product and point out a few nutrition facts about the respective product being reviewed.
