Best Creatine For Cutting (Budget, Gummies, & More!)

Do you need creatine when cutting? That’s a hotly debated subject. After more than a decade of teaching, training, and competing at the highest level, I can confidently say that creatine is an excellent supplement to take while cutting. Utilizing it has only positive effects.

Taking creatine on a daily basis has helped me lose thirteen pounds in only four weeks.

But stay out of the trap many fall into when choosing creatine for cutting with too many ingredients. You can be adding unwanted calories to your diet, which could stop your fat loss mission in its tracks. Instead, let’s get to the list of the top creatine monohydrates for cutting.

• Best Creatine For Cutting: Lift Big Eat Big 100% Pure Creapure® Creatine Monohydrate
• Runner Up Creatine For Cutting: Transparent Labs Creatine HMB
• Best Budget Creatine For Cutting: Bulk Supplements Creatine Monohydrate
• Best Flavored Creatine For Cutting: Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate
• Best Creatine Gummies For Cutting: Novomins Creatine Monohydrate Gummies

Creatine	Size	Servings	Cost Per Serving
Lift Big Eat Big Creatine	250 g	50	$0.66 – $0.80
Transparent Labs Creatine HMB	297 g	30	$1.67
Bulk Supplements Creatine	100-5000 g	20-1000	$0.15 – $0.65
Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate	500 g	71-200	$0.21-$0.35
Novomins Creatine Gummies	90 Gummies	45	$0.56

Best Creatine For Cutting

Lift Big Eat Big 100% Pure Creapure® Creatine Monohydrate

• Size: 250 g
• Servings: 50
• Serving Size: 5 g
• Creatine per Serving: 5 g
• Transparent CoA: Yes

It is an excellent choice if you are looking for a pure sports supplement to help you lose weight and fat. The company openly presents the product’s report card, called a Certificate of Analysis (CoA).

This analysis confirms this creatine is clean and contains 100% creatine monohydrate.

The Lift Big Eat Big uses the Creapure® brand, which is the purest, at 99.9% purity ^[1][2]. That’s why some call it the best of the best.

If you buy cheap creatine from places like Amazon, you may receive something that is not as clean or contains ingredients that should not be included.

Only a few brands, like LBEB, will show you their report card. For example, only 8% of creatine supplements on Amazon have been examined ^[3].

Lift Big Eat Big contains only creatine, with no tastes or additives. It’s just the natural substance that helps you maintain strength and muscle while cutting.

Let’s discuss the price. A single container contains 50 scoops and costs $39.99, or 80 cents per dose.

But if you buy three containers at once, you get a price of $99 for 150 scoops, which is 66 cents for each scoop. And if you live in the United States, you get free shipping.

Pros

• Transparent testing reveals 100% pure creatine monohydrate.
• Uses the gold standard Creapure® creatine.
• Completely flavorless, there are no extra calories to disrupt your cut.
• Free shipping within the United States.
• Bundles allow you to save more money.

Cons

• Because it only comes unflavored, you won’t be able to indulge in it as a treat.
• Longer shipping times than Amazon.

Best Runner Up Creatine For Cutting

Transparent Labs Creatine HMB

• Size: 297 g
• Servings: 30
• Serving Size: 9.9 g
• Creatine per Serving: 5 g
• Transparent CoA: Yes

Transparent Labs Creatine HMB comprises 5 g creatine monohydrate, 1.5 g HMB, 5 mg BioPerine, and 500 IU vitamin D in each dose.

Its benefits include third-party testing certification (informed sport tick), which confirms that each batch is devoid of prohibited ingredients, and a clear Certificate of Analysis and Composition. This means athletes can safely use it and not worry about failing a competition drug test.

The Transparent Labs creatine also has a range of excellent flavors. However, it is more expensive than other creatine brands, at $1.67 per serving, and the HMB component has a disagreeable odor.

Despite these flaws, the product is nevertheless regarded as a superb alternative for competitive athletes and muscle-building devotees due to its high quality and potential benefits from the additional ingredients.

Pros

• Each batch is subjected to third-party testing for banned substances.
• A transparent Certificate of Analysis and Composition validates the validity of the labeled substances in the container.
• There are several excellent flavors available.
• HMB and BioPerine may enhance the supplement’s effectiveness, albeit this has not been verified.

Cons

• It costs twice as much per serving as other creatine brands.
• HMB has a horrible smell.
• Transparent Labs previously used Creapure creatine but has discontinued using the gold standard.

Best Budget Creatine For Cutting

Bulk Supplements Creatine Monohydrate

• Size: 100-5000 g
• Servings: 20-1000
• Serving Size: 5 g
• Creatine per Serving: 5 g
• Transparent CoA: Yes

They have the necessary certifications, including NSF certification and FDA registration as a cGMP manufacturing and distribution facility.

You can get a little sample, such as a 100-gram bag, to test it out, or If you want to stock up, you can get enough to endure through a zombie apocalypse.

It’s nearly flavorless, so you can pop it in your mouth and drink some water or mix it into your protein shake if you do it every day.

Bulk Supplements’ creatine is an excellent value, especially if you have a limited budget. The more you buy, the lower the cost. For example, a three-year supply costs $145.

Yes, you read that correctly. A large 5-kilogram bag contains 1,000 servings. That is a lot of creatine!

The only disadvantage is that it may not close properly once you open the bag. This happened to me. But it’s no big deal, put it in a container you already have at home, and you’re good to go.

Pros

• Buy a lot of creatine in bulk at a low cost.
• Lab tested for purity, so there are no unwanted surprises.

Cons

• If you buy in bulk, the pouch will lose its capacity to reseal properly, so keep it in a new container.
• Not entirely flavorless

Best Flavored Creatine For Beginners

Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate

• Size: 500 g
• Servings: 71-200
• Serving Size: 7 g
• Creatine per Serving: 5 g
• Transparent CoA: No

This is what I enjoy about Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate. And guess what? It’s also delicious!

Some creatine powders are difficult to take because they taste unpleasant. However, Nutricost offers a few tasty options that you can use as a post-exercise treat.

They have a scoop inside the bottle, so you know precisely how much to use—no need for additional spoons or scales.

You can choose a large or small tub, depending on your needs. Both are lightweight and portable, whether you’re heading to the gym or on a holiday.

One disadvantage is the 7 g portion size, which includes 2 g of additives. However, this is expected given that the creatine is flavored and the taste has to come from something. 

Pros

• Flavored with a zero-calorie sweetener, it won’t interfere with your cutting diet.
• Several tastes to keep your palette fresh.
• Available in 200-serving tubs.

Cons

• It contains 2 grams of additives to flavor the creatine.
• No third-party testing certificate is available so you have no idea how pure the creatine is.

Best Creatine Gummies For Cutting

Novomins Creatine Monohydrate Gummies

• Size: 90 gummies
• Servings: 45
• Serving Size: 2 gummies
• Creatine per Serving: 5 g
• Transparent CoA: No

Many of the issues common with creatine gummies are addressed by Novimins. First, unlike other brands, you only need to digest two gummies to acquire the recommended daily amount of 5 grams of protein. This makes things much more convenient.

Another typical complaint is that gummies have a lot of sugar and other components, which are especially detrimental during weight cutting. In this product, the sweetener is maltitol. Still, keep in mind that not everyone has a good reaction to it.

Novomins gummies are sugar-free, gluten-free, and free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Not often seen with gummies or creatine pills, this product has the added bonus of lasting 45 days on a single pack.

Pros

• Two gummies provide five grams of creatine, and the package has forty-five servings, so it’s convenient.
• No added sugar, GMOs, no artificial sweeteners or flavors.

Cons

• Some people have stomach difficulties due to maltitol, which is used as a sweetener.
• Not as strong-flavored and sweet as other gummies.

How To Pick The Best Creatine For Cutting

Purity

When looking for a high-quality creatine supplement, choose one with the Creapure® label. This label indicates that you purchase a premium product extensively tested to contain 99.9% pure creatine monohydrate.

Consider Creapure® the creatine superstar. It’s like having the top player in the league, giving your body a high-quality boost.

Lift Big Eat Big offer an excellent Creapure® option. These products are always reliable and contain the muscle-building MVP component.

Here’s an expert tip: always ensure the creatine has been properly tested.

You deserve to see the proof, such as a report card stating that it passed with flying colors. The truth is that not all companies will show you this. Finding such information is much more difficult when buying on sites like Amazon.

Fat Burning Ingredients

A few components can be added to creatine to help with fat loss. However, none have any real-world consequences. As the phrase goes, “What works is illegal.”

L-carnitine is the most frequent fat-burning element in creatine blends; however, studies showing a 1-kg weight loss also included lifestyle changes ^[4][5][6].

Coleus forskohlii is a prominent Indian medicinal herb known for its fat-burning qualities. One review agrees, finding that Coleus forskohlii extract had a significant effect on weight loss ^[7].

However, there are two major flaws in this evaluation. For starters, the review was conducted by a research advisor for the DHC Corporation laboratory.

A quick Google search shows that they sell a variety of vitamins. I don’t blame them because most supplements cannot be studied due to lack of funding. However, the main issue is their data.

The review included open trial studies without blinding, which increased placebo results. Furthermore, the randomized control trials chosen were sponsored by supplement distributors ^[8].

Or showed no fat loss benefits ^[9].

The third substance I frequently see used with a creatine cutting formula is Garcinia cambogia, popularized by the dubious Dr. Oz.

This Southeast Asian fruit rind has been reported to have fat-burning properties. Interestingly, it may have some evidence to support its use as an appetite suppressant ^[10].

However, there is disagreement in the research about whether Garcinia cambogia is dangerous at the levels used in many supplements.

Typically, it’s advised to avoid these ingredients and stick with pure creatine monohydrate, so you’re not spending more for chemicals that may not benefit you or for lower amounts of creatine in a blend.

Type

The only creatine to consider is creatine monohydrate. As reported by Science Direct, “all alternative forms of creatine [monohydrate] found in this investigation utilize marketing hyperbole to sell their products” ^[3].

Here’s a list of the many different kinds of creatine that brands will try to sell you.

• Buffered or KreAlkalyn Creatine Monohydrate
• Di-Creatine Malate
• Creatine Gluconate
• Creatine Anhydrous
• Magnesium Creatine Chelate
• Creatine Phosphate
• Creatine Alpha-ketoglutarate
• Creatine Pyruvate
• Creatine Citrate
• Creatine Hydrochloride
• Free Acid Creatine (Creatine HCL)
• Tri-Creatine Malate
• Creatine Ethyl Ester
• Creatine Nitrate
• Creatine Ethyl Ester Malate
• Creatinol-O-Phosphate

Unfortunately, none have as much evidence to support them as creatine monohydrate, which maximally saturates the muscles ^[1].

Seven of these have no data to support their bioavailability, efficacy, or safety, while the remaining seven have little support.

The last two are creatine HCL and creatine anhydrous, which likely work similarly to creatine monohydrate. So, for fat loss, choose creatine that works, such as monohydrate.

Powder vs. Capsules

Capsules are useful for travel but are costly for daily use. You must consume a handful of capsules to get the necessary 3-5-gram dose, which might be expensive and inconvenient.

Powder, on the other hand, is much easier to use. It’s less expensive, one pouch lasts longer, and mixing it with a drink makes it easier to consume the proper amount. Powder is a better value and more convenient for daily use.

Price

Creatine monohydrate is one of the least expensive and most effective supplements. Some companies aim to increase profits by selling multiple types of creatine at a higher price.

These supplements can cost twice as much as creatine monohydrate but aren’t necessarily superior; it’s just a sales gimmick ^[3].

To save money while getting a solid product, stick with creatine monohydrate. However, keep an eye out for prices that appear too low, which may indicate poor quality. It’s all about balancing a reasonable price with a reliable product.

How To Take Creatine For Cutting

If you’re new to creatine and want to know how to get started, there are two options: with a loading phase or without one. Your choice should be based on how quickly you want to see results.

The loading procedure involves taking 20 grams of creatine every day for the first six days.

This is typically done in smaller doses throughout the day to make it easier on the stomach. After this period, you should take 3-5 grams daily to maintain a high muscle creatine level ^[11].

If you’re not in a rush, the non-loading method may suit you better. Simply take 3-5 grams of creatine every day. Reaching the full advantages may take about a month, but it is a consistent approach ^[11].

My advice? If you’re not pressed for time, skip the loading and stick to the 3-5 g daily. It’s much easier to establish it as a habit.

Add creatine to your protein shake or water. Only include high-calorie liquids such as milk or juice if you are tracking them as part of your cutting diet.

Best Time To Take Creatine For Cutting

It is more vital to consume creatine on a daily basis. Some studies suggest that taking it after a workout may aid muscle building, but it does not appear to make you stronger ^[13].

Because creatine does not function as a quick energy boost, it is important to take it at a time that fits into your daily routine so you do not forget. Choose a time that is easy to remember, and stick to it.

Frequently Asked Creatine Cutting Questions

Can You Take Creatine While Cutting?

Taking creatine powder when cutting is possible. While some may be concerned about bloating and water retention, it actually works to your advantage because it allows you to train harder by retaining water in your muscles. Water retention is also less noticeable than many believe.

Does Creatine Help With Cutting?

Creatine aids cutting by providing a quick energy source for your muscles during strenuous exercise, such as lifting heavy weights. You can lift more weight and do more reps, preserving muscle mass during your cut ^[14].

Summary

Opt for pure creatine when cutting. Additional ingredients will have no major influence on intense workouts and proper nutrition. Lift Big Eat Big provides a certificate of analysis to demonstrate that their Creapure creatine monohydrate contains only what it should – creatine.

References

1. Kreider, R. B., Jäger, R., & Purpura, M. (2022). Bioavailability, efficacy, safety, and regulatory status of creatine and related compounds: A critical review. Nutrients, 14(5), 1035.
2. Jäger, R., Purpura, M., Shao, A., Inoue, T., & Kreider, R. B. (2011). Analysis of the efficacy, safety, and regulatory status of novel forms of creatine. Amino acids, 40, 1369-1383.
3. Escalante, G., Gonzalez, A. M., St Mart, D., Torres, M., Echols, J., Islas, M., & Schoenfeld, B. J. (2022). Analysis of the efficacy, safety, and cost of alternative forms of creatine available for purchase on Amazon. com: are label claims supported by science?. Heliyon, 8(12).
4. Talenezhad, N., Mohammadi, M., Ramezani-Jolfaie, N., Mozaffari-Khosravi, H., & Salehi-Abargouei, A. (2020). Effects of l-carnitine supplementation on weight loss and body composition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 randomized controlled clinical trials with dose-response analysis. Clinical nutrition ESPEN, 37, 9-23.
5. Askarpour, M., Hadi, A., Miraghajani, M., Symonds, M. E., Sheikhi, A., & Ghaedi, E. (2020). Beneficial effects of l-carnitine supplementation for weight management in overweight and obese adults: An updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmacological research, 151, 104554.
6. Pooyandjoo, M., Nouhi, M., Shab?Bidar, S., Djafarian, K., & Olyaeemanesh, A. (2016). The effect of (L?) carnitine on weight loss in adults: a systematic review and meta?analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obesity reviews, 17(10), 970-976.
7. Kamohara, S. (2016). An evidence-based review: Anti-obesity effects of Coleus forskohlii. Personalized Medicine Universe, 5, 16-20.
8. Godard, M. P., Johnson, B. A., & Richmond, S. R. (2005). Body composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese men. Obesity research, 13(8), 1335-1343.
9. Henderson, S., Magu, B., Rasmussen, C., Lancaster, S., Kerksick, C., Smith, P., … & Kreider, R. B. (2005). Effects of coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight women. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2(2), 1-9.
10. Semwal, R. B., Semwal, D. K., Vermaak, I., & Viljoen, A. (2015). A comprehensive scientific overview of Garcinia cambogia. Fitoterapia, 102, 134-148.
11. Hultman, E., Soderlund, K., Timmons, J. A., Cederblad, G., & Greenhaff, P. L. (1996). Muscle creatine loading in men. Journal of applied physiology, 81(1), 232-237.
12. Forbes, S. C., & Candow, D. G. (2018). Timing of creatine supplementation and resistance training: A brief review. Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 1(5).
13. Antonio, J., Candow, D. G., Forbes, S. C., Gualano, B., Jagim, A. R., Kreider, R. B., … & Ziegenfuss, T. N. (2021). Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show?. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 18(1), 13.
14. Rawson, E. S., & Volek, J. S. (2003). Effects of creatine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and weightlifting performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 17(4), 822-831.
15.  Phillips, S. M., Aragon, A. A., Arciero, P. J., Arent, S. M., Close, G. L., Hamilton, D. L., … & Willoughby, D. S. (2017). Changes in Body Composition and Performance With Supplemental HMB?FA+ ATP. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 31(5), e71-e72.

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