Naked Nutrition Nakedade and Naked Whey for Hydration and Recovery

Nearly every day I learn of a new protein bar, shake or powder. And, it’s nearly the same with electrolyte powders. Business is booming for the hydration and recovery market as we all try to consume more protein and electrolytes to improve performance and recovery. As one of the OG’s in the clean nutrition space, Naked Nutrition has been around sine 2014 — with the mantra of staying true to their minimalistic ingredient list across-the-board. I’ve had their Naked Whey and Nakedade on-hand for a few months and it definitely lives up to its name.

Naked Nutrition Nakedade Contents:

• Palatinose™ (isomaltulose) is the base component, a low-glycemic smart carb derived from sugar beets
• No artificial additives or sweeteners
• 285mg fo potassium
• Plant-based flavors, sea salts and monk fruit extracts
• Available in: Strawberry Lemonade (tested), Citrus, Blueberry Lemonade and Grape
• MSRP: $23.99 (16 packets)

Naked Nutrition Naked Whey Contents:

• Sourced from small, non-GMO dairy farms
• Improved absorption due to
• 25 grams of protein per serving (2 scoops)
• Organic coconut sugar flecks provide a hint of sweetness
• Cold-processed to maintain amino acids, omega-3’s, CLA and immunoglobulins
• Available in: Unflavored, Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate PB, Double Chocolate
• MSRP: $94.99 (5 lbs)

Nutrition gone naked

We’re all watchful these days of the over processed foods in the American diet. It’s astounding just what the food industry has gotten away with for so long. Personally, I’m grateful for the awareness and drive to make Americans healthier. I’ve long been a healthy eater — sweets aren’t really my thing and I can’t remember the last time I had a soda. I do my best to eat whole foods and be as careful as I can. I hit 50 this year and now more than ever, I need all the help I can get to stay fit, perform my best and recover quickly after injury or hard workouts.

We have a pantry-full of Liquid IV in various flavors that our active teenagers love and have typically stocked up on Six Star Pro Nutrition Whey Powder for recovery. On the bike, I like something a little less sweet, so I’ve used various electrolyte mixes and gels. Luckily, my stomach does well with just about any nutrition mixes or gels I’ve consumed. But, like anyone, too much of a good thing can definitely be too much of a good thing.

First up was the vanilla Naked Whey that I worked into my daily post-workout routine. The 5 lb. tub is huge and could easily be stored in a smaller container or bag, but it does the job. The included scoop was easy to find and makes quick work of two scoops in either a small BlenderBottle or an old Athletic Greens shaker. The mouth of the BlenderBottle is easier to use, but I’ve gotten pretty good at getting various mixes into the narrow-mouthed AG shaker.

I always mixed it with 1-2% milk and shook it up as usual. Surprisingly, the metal ball didn’t do any better than without it, so I actually preferred my slender AG shaker. A vigorous shaking is all that’s needed, but keep in mind that only 6-10 oz of milk is needed. That amount is not only for the best flavor, but it’s to accommodate all the foam you’ll get. More than any other mix, this stuff gets really, really foamy. I’ll be honest, it’s almost annoyingly-foamy as you’re shaking it and the bottle becomes completely full and negates any vigorous mixing I try. After finishing up the drink, I can get a one more entire mouthful after all the foam remnants liquify at the bottom.

Those looking for a minimalist approach will truly appreciate the subtle flavor and minimal texture from Naked Whey. Compared to usual vanilla flavors, this one might as well be “plain” because it’s subtle. That’s not a bad thing and actually awesome if you plan to mix your protein in a smoothie or something else. I found it to be quite tasty on top of a bowl of Wheat Chex or mixed into other food.

When it comes to Nakedade, it’s great mix to have. And, as you might expect, it has a very simplistic flavor. It mixes up in a jiffy and offers just a touch of flavor and a sufficient amount of sodium (330mg) for proper sweat replacement. Overall, the flavor is pretty salty, but not overly-so. It does offer a sugar-free, carb-free and clean electrolyte experience that goes down easily — even on the longest rides.

The packaging is easy to open and pack along in a jersey pocket. I will add that it could be too easy because the extended pull tab is really easy to pull accidentally. I had one packet that worked its way open somehow. It’s suggested to mix it with 16 oz of water, but a standard bike bottle is 21 oz, so that’s what I always mixed it with. Yes, it might have been a little watered down, but that’s how I mix all my hydration powders.

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