Protein drinks are marketed as a great way to lose weight, build muscles and stay healthy. But independent testing found some ingredients you'll find hard to swallow.

Scott Baker turned to protein drinks to bulk up and quickly learned that extra protein isn't always good.

"The stomach issues and diarrhea -- it just didn't agree with me for the most part, having so much," he said.

Baker cut back on the protein drinks and his stomach issues went away.

But plenty of people see protein drinks as a nutritious and time-saving snack or meal replacement. Plus, the manufacturers' advertisements make them look very enticing.

A video for Myoplex shows slim, fit models with the suggestion that you too could look like that.

And Muscle Milk's website says one of its products is "designed after one of nature's most balanced foods: human mother's milk."

But are protein drinks how you should get your protein?

Consumer Reports conducted an investigation, including tests at an outside lab of 15 protein powders and drinks. Multiple samples of each were evaluated for arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead.

"Our investigation found that some of these drinks can pose health risks, including exposure to potentially harmful heavy metals if you drink them too frequently," Consumer Reports' Andrea Rock said.

Per serving, the EAS Myoplex Original Rich Dark Chocolate Shake, and two Muscle Milk powders -- the Vanilla Creme and Chocolate are within acceptable Health Canada limits. But if you were to have three per day then you may consume more arsenic, cadmium, or lead than some health experts think is advisable.

"At high enough levels, all of these metals can have toxic effects on several organs in the body," Rock said.

Consumer Reports says a balanced diet is a better, less expensive way to meet your daily protein requirements, with whole foods like milk, eggs, and grilled chicken.

Federal regulations require that manufacturers test protein drinks and other dietary supplements to ensure they are safe and that contaminants are at acceptable levels. The key is to not over-do use any product.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen.