Review: UpRaw

Protein powders, protein shakes, protein bars, protein pancakes and many other protein based products have blown up on blogs and Instagram accounts recently, and I'd toyed with the idea in investing in a supplement for a while. But when looking at the labels of some products, I was shocked to find sugar, artificial sweeteners and chemicals in them. Then I came across UpRaw on Twitter. The name caught my attention, I wanted to know what it was.

I clicked on UpRaw's Twitter, found the link to their website, and had a browse around their site. I was delighted to find that the company only use natural healthy ingredients in their protein rich product. I started following them on Twitter and shortly after UpRaw began following me back. I was then contacting by them to ask if I'd tried their what I can only describe as little protein cakes or patties. They then kindly offered to send me five to try.

What's in them? Walnuts, honey, cinnamon, desiccated coconut, nutmeg, sea salt, cocoa powder and whey protein. What I like when I looked at UpRaw's ingredient list is that I recognised every single ingredient. There was no unpronounceable chemicals, just all natural ingredients. No hidden nasties.

They're 202.5 calories for 50g with 13.55g protein, 10.55g carbs, only 4.7g sugar and 11.2g fat - the fat content may seem high but they are made with walnuts which contain healthy fats.

What does UpRaw taste like? Well, just that...raw. They have a natural taste. Mainly you can taste the cocoa and whey protein, but there is a slight sweetness from the honey and a bite from the walnuts.

I had a lovely telephone conversation with UpRaw's creator, Sol Fernandez, about the idea behind the little natural protein cakes. He told me that he came up with the idea while climbing the Alps for a natural protein source that you can eat before, during and after exercise.

It was really nice to have a one on one chat with Sol, as there is only so much you can get from emails and Tweets.

I used UpRaw for both pre and post workout sessions, finding them beneficial for both. When going for high intensity interval runs, I found that UpRaw gave me a good little energy boost. I also found them very useful after my horse riding lessons when I was tired, hungry and needing a pick me up. They were great for me to munch on after getting home from riding before going in the shower and then making my lunch. It stopped me putting my hand in the cookie jar and the protein rich UpRaw gave my body muscle growth and repair.

Due to it containing all natural ingredients, UpRaw has a shelf life, however, you can freeze them and take them out to defrost the night before. This also means that they are only available in the UK, but Sol did mention when I spoke to him that they were investigating was of changing the manufacturing process (but not the ingredients) to extend the shelf life to able to ship UpRaw to other countries.

I would use UpRaw again, I found them incredibly useful after my horse riding lessons when I was hungry, tired and in need of an energy boost. A really big thank you to Sol for sending me some to try.

Do you use protein rich products before or after workouts?