GNC Whey ISO Burst Protein Powder... and a GREAT Protein-Packed Cookie!

As a FitFluential Ambassador, I am currently involved  in some product sampling sponsored by GNC Canada.  I was given some Whey Iso Burst protein powder to use and review.  I chose a new-to-me flavor called Banana Berry Burst as I thought it would be fun to try something other than my usual choices of chocolate and vanilla.

I love bananas so it really was not that much of a stretch... and I was not disappointed!

This product sampling has come at a very good time for me because I am running 3 times per week right now, training for a half marathon to be run Mid-May.  And I am also strength training 3 times per week and doing some yoga and Pilates.  I am noticeably hungrier, and was craving sweets until I started adding more protein to my diet.  This protein powder has really helped with that effort.

I have been using this protein powder in a variety of ways...

Stirred into my breakfast oats after they are cooked.

It gives them a bit of added sweetness too, and I am satisfied till lunch time.

I have been making protein-packed smoothies to drink after running.

And I have made flourless high-protein pancakes.

And I recently found a recipe for protein-packed cookies that I couldn't wait to try!

The original recipe came from Itty Bits of Balance and looked like a great way to get some more protein into my day, in a fun way.  It is a cookie and I did change a few thing so I am going to offer it here the way I made them up(with Brittany's approval).  Brittany's original recipe calls for chocolate chips and peanut butter... I am using butterscotch chips and almond butter.  I think any combination of baking chips and nut butter that you like would be great!  And liquid honey would be fine in place of the agave syrup with very similar N.I. too.

Hat's off to Brittany for coming up with this great idea... and I will be making more of them.  I like to have a high-protein snack in my pocket when I set out on a walk or a bike ride, or a drive in the car, and these cookies will fill that need quite nicely.

Here is how I made them...

Butterscotch Chip Protein Cookies

Makes 15 cookies 

• 1 cup quick (not instant) oats
• 1/2 cup protein powder
• 1/4 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 2 Tbs agave

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In a large bowl, mix the oats, protein powder and butterscotch chips.
3. Crack the egg into a small bowl and lightly beat it.  Add the almond butter and agave and mix till smooth.
4. Add the wet ingdredients to the dry ingredients and mix.  You may have to use your hands. It will be sticky and stiff.
5. Form into 15 balls and set on parchment paper on a cookie sheet.  If any chips have not stuck in the dough, press them into the tops of the cookies. 
6. Slightly flatten the cookies with a fork.
7. Bake for 8 minutes till lightly golden and then remove from oven. 

Per serving of 1 cookie.

Weight Watchers P+ = 2.

Calories 90; Protein 5g; Carbohydrate 9g; Fat 4g; Fibre 1g.

Mix oats, protein powder and chips.

Lightly beat egg, then add almond butter and agave. Mix well.

Add to the dry ingredients and mix well.

Resulting cookie is dense and quite tasty. It makes a good 'dunker'.

And just so you know, there was only a hint of banana flavor in these cookies!  I did use the Banana Berry Burst protein powder in them but vanilla or chocolate would be great, too.

I hardly need to tell you that The Captain loves them!

This powder is so easy to work with as it readily mixes with liquids just by stirring.  There is no need to use a blender or shaker.  Here is what GNC has to say about it.

"Protein Drink Mix
Low Carb, Low Fat Formula
40 Grams of Protein Isolate
Mixes Instantly

Whey ISO Burst contains 40 grams of protein per serving derived from Cross Flow Microfiltered (CFM) Whey Protein Isolate. This high quality whey isolate has an exceptional protein percentage while being very low in fat, carbohydrates and lactose. Whey ISO Burst also contains a balanced array of naturally occurring whey protein microfractions and is an excellent source of essential amino acids."

I was given this product to review at no cost but the opinions expressed are 100% my own.