Imagine yourself standing in the aisle of supplements, feeling overwhelmed. There are shelves of containers with flavors such as chocolate lavacake or maple donut. But maybe you just want the plain Jane of unflavored protein powder! This unsung hero is deserving of its spotlight. Let’s find out why this is worth its weight in Gold.

Freedom! Protein powders without flavors are the blank slate of the protein world. The powders are not overly sweet and don’t bother you. Add it to everything! Add it to smoothies, sauces, and soups. Heck, even pancake batter! It’s like the chameleon in the culinary world. Admit it. You’ve made one less choice.

Some people might be put off by the idea of “no taste.” Let me tell you a secret: there’s beauty hidden in simplicity. Others may be suffering from flavor fatigue. (Who else cannot look a banana straight in the eye before 10 am?) You’re cooking a lot of variety. Peppers stuffed with sausage and a kick of protein? Yes, please.

Let’s get down to the details. Sugars and other ingredients are hidden in flavored powders. These flavored powders complicate the simple task of getting your daily protein fix. Protein that is unflavored keeps it real. You get pure protein, without any drama. You can also control the taste adventure. Control freaks rejoice!

Also, there’s the nutritional aspect. Unflavored protein is a reliable option, even when everyone else is squabbling over the latest fads. It encompasses the key benefits–muscle repair, recovery aid, hunger satisfaction–without the hoopla. You can measure it with your kitchen scale.

Let’s now address the elephant in your room: Taste. Or lack thereof. It’s not going to be on any Michelin-starred menus anytime soon. Isn’t it the most beautiful thing? You can make it into anything you want. It can be added to a smoothie, blended into chili or brewed in your morning oatmeal. You will not miss out on the chance to try bubblegum cotton-candy.

Because honesty is my middle word, I must warn you that sometimes it takes finesse to mix unflavored protein. A little extra shaking, a bit of stirring. If you can learn to make coffee that doesn’t taste like sludge you are halfway there. This is not rocket science!

Try experimenting with unflavored foods. Now, one spoon is hidden in my banana loaf and another in my creamy tomatoes bisque. Once you find Waldo, you just can’t stop. You’ll be able to create a pu-pu plate of bland foods in no time.

It may not be the hottest thing in your pantry today, but you can count on it to deliver. Give it a try if you have a spot in your pantry that’s unassuming but powerful. It’s difficult to imagine your kitchen without it once you have it in it. Here’s what you should take away: sometimes, the best surprises can be found in plain packages.