This is a complicated question. Sure, there are powders on the market that aren't good for you—maybe they're packed with extra sugar, or don't contain as much of their namesake as they claim. But there are also more high-quality products available today than ever before. Especially if you've been consuming a lower-than-optimal amount of protein, the simple addition of an extra shake or two a day could be just the thing to help you see positive changes in your body, your overall fitness level, and your ability to achieve athletic or physique goals.

If you're wondering if a particular powder is good for you, Douglas Kalman, Ph.D., shares his tips for shoppers in the video "3 Top Tips for Picking Protein."

He offers these additional considerations in Bodybuilding.com's Foundations of Fitness Nutrition Course: "First, be wary of crazy claims with any product—especially if it comes from a brand that looks new or, shall we say, amateurish. Many brands now willingly submit their products to third-party tests or purity certifications. If a brand contains one of these seals, it's a good sign that it contains what it says. However, don't simply trust that a store brand from a drugstore chain has followed any sort of third-party testing. These types of supplements have been some of the biggest offenders when it comes containing far less of an ingredient than they claim."