On the surface, protein powders appear all the same to many people. Do NOT make the mistake of being one of those people. There are many critical differences between the different types of protein powder.
In this article, we will discuss the best protein powders on the market and explain how each one earned its ranking spot on this list based on expert SFP (Supplement Facts Panel) analysis conducted by our NASM Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC), as well as personal testing and experimentation.
It all starts with the protein blend itself…what source of protein is being used? Concentrate, Isolate, or Hydrolysate? What about Vegan protein powder sources like Pea protein, sunflower seed protein, or pumpkin seed protein? If you don’t understand the crucial differences between the various types of protein sources, this article is exactly what you need!
Protein Powders compared (10 highest rated products)
Product | Coupon Code | Best for | Rating | Pricing |
VegaTein | TSR25 for 25% off | Lean muscle mass, recovery, 100% vegan | 5.0/5.0 | |
Tansparent Labs | None | Lean muscle mass, grass-fed | 4.2/5.0 | |
Authentic Whey | None | Lean muscle mass, isolate | 3.9/5.0 | |
IsoPure Zero Carb | None | Muscle mass, budget | 3.9/5.0 | |
Garden of Life Protein Powder | None | Dieting, recovery | 3.9/5.0 | |
Syntha 6 | None | Muscle mass, bulking | 3.8/5.0 | |
Combat Powder | None | Muscle mass | 3.7/5.0 | |
ISO 100 | None | Lean muscle, low carb | 3.6/5.0 | |
Vega Sport Protein | None | Muscle recovery | 3.4/5.0 | |
Optimum Gold Standard | None | Muscle mass, budget | 3.3/5.0 |
What are the different types of protein powder?
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Whey Protein Isolate
- Whey Protein Hydrolysate (hydrolyzed isolate)
- Casein
- Hemp protein
- Pea protein
- Sunflower seed
- Pumpkin seed
- Watermelon seed
Pea Protein & Other Vegan Protein Powder Sources
Pea Protein is far and way the best protein source in my opinion, and the reasons why are actually quite simple. All forms of whey protein whether it’s concentrate, isolate, or hydrolysate, are derived from animals or animal products. The vast majority of whey protein is derived from cows, which means it is naturally high in dairy, lactose, soy, and GMOs…that’s a big problem.
Dairy, lactose, and soy are all very bad for your gastrointestinal health and have negative effects on your digestive system. This means that when you ingest whey protein, your body can not properly digest it due to the complications that arise from the interference of the dairy, lactose, etc. In other words, not only are you wreaking havoc on your gut health and digestive health, but on top of that, your body is also unable to properly digest and absorb the protein, so most of it goes to waste. That’s where vegan protein powder comes in…
Introducing Pea Protein powder…100% vegan and plant-based, which means it does not come with any of the complications that whey protein comes with. You don’t have to be vegan to use Pea Protein – that’s not the point. The point is anybody, vegan or not, stands to benefit significantly more from the use of organic Pea Protein because it is natural, non-dairy, non-lactose, non-GMO, and therefore, your body is actually able to properly digest and absorb every last gram.
Other vegan protein powder sources like sunflower seed and watermelon seed are great as well. These are all excellent alternatives to whey protein, but they are on the more expensive side, which is why you will mostly see Pea powder as the primary protein source when you are shopping for a vegan protein powder.
Whey Hydrolysate
The only form of protein that one could argue is better than isolate is whey protein hydrolysate, also known as hydrolyzed whey protein isolate. The only difference between the two is that hydrolysate has undergone the process of Enzymatic Hydrolysis, which the vast majority of other protein powders have not. It’s essentially just taking the purification process one extra step further.
Enzymatic Hydrolysis breaks down the purified protein particles into tiny little pieces, which leads to more efficient digestion and absorption of the protein. I strongly recommend plant based protein supplements over any other kind, but if you want to go with a whey based option, there are some other solid protein powders that use whey protein isolate and/or hydrolysate.
Whey Concentrate
The unfortunate truth is that whey protein concentrate is the most commonly used protein source on the market. This is because of how cheap it is. Supplement companies save a lot of money by using concentrate instead of isolate.
Avoid whey protein concentrate at all costs. It may be cheaper, but it’s truly not worth the money you save. It has an extremely high fat content and contains high concentrations of many other unhealthy fillers that will interfere with your body’s ability to digest and absorb the protein.
In fact, these ingredients that have not been filtered out are so disruptive in the digestion process, that they can actually negatively effect your gastrointestinal health significantly. So not only is whey protein concentrate inferior to isolate, it’s actually bad for you.
Whey Isolate
When I say choosing the best protein powder is simple, this is what it comes down to. Whey protein isolate is the key. Isolate is the purest form of protein in existence, meaning it contains virtually no other ingredients side from protein itself. Other forms of protein contain high concentrations of fat, fillers, and other unhealthy ingredients.
The reason whey protein isolate is so pure is because it has undergone the process of Cross-flow Micro-filtration. This process filters out all of the unhealthy ingredients and purified the protein. Other popular protein sources such as concentrate, pea protein, and hemp protein have NOT undergone this process, which makes them less pure.
Casein
Casein protein powder is an extremely slow digesting form of protein. This is generally a bad thing because faster digesting protein powders are able to deliver the nutrients to your muscles faster, which is key.
The only instance in which Casein protein is preferable is if you’re going to drink a Casein shake before you go to bed so that your muscles can slowly absorb nutrients while you sleep. Casein is not a good protein source when it comes to immediate post workout supplementation.
What are the best protein powders? Here’s our top 10 list:
Taking all of the above information into account, I analyzed all of the most popular protein supplements on the market to determine what the top 10 best protein powders are this year. Below, I will individually analyze each supplement’s formula and break down the Supplement Facts Panel. Side note: yes, you are reading it right when I say that my top ranked best protein powder is also what I believe to be the best vegan protein powder on the market. Anyways, lets dive in…
1. VegaTein by Kylea Health (Best protein powder overall + best vegan protein powder)
Vegatein is a 100% vegan, plant-based, natural, dairy free, lactose free, non-GMO protein powder made right here in the US. In case you couldn’t tell based on my remarks earlier in this article regarding protein sources, I strongly believe that vegan protein sources are both the most efficient and the most effective. The VegaTein formula consists strictly of Pea Protein (my favorite), pumpkin seed protein, sunflower seed protein, and watermelon seed protein.
This is the cleanest protein powder formula I have ever seen, hands down. And again, you do not have to be vegan to use it…everyone should be using a vegan protein powder regardless of their dietary preferences for the simple reason that vegan protein sources do not contain dairy or lactose, and therefore are much more easily digested and absorbed by your body.
The VegaTein blend is predominantly made up of Pea Protein. Pea Protein is an incredibly powerful and clean source of protein. It does an amazing job at building lean muscle mass, enhancing muscle recovery, helping with weight management, and ultimately increasing your protein intake overall…and unlike whey protein, Pea Protein is excellent for your digestive health, immune system, and gut health. This vanilla protein powder tastes amazing, plus it does not use any artificial sweeteners, which is a big bonus.
Bottom line: Pea Protein is the most effective, efficient, and healthy source of protein, and VegaTein packs 20 grams of it in every serving. Plus, the formula naturally contains 9 essential amino acids, which are crucial for muscle growth and recovery. As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I’m telling you guys…Pea Protein is the answer, and this is the best protein powder on the market overall due to its formulation. I take this stuff every day myself and recommend it to all my clients, all of whom notice a big difference when they switch over from animal based protein powders.
Ingredients:
- Pea protein
- Sunflower seed protein
- Pumpkin seed protein
- Watermelon seed protein
- 9 Essential amino acids (EAAs)
CHECK CURRENT PRICING (Use the code TSR25 to get 25% off!)
2. Transparent Labs Protein (best whey protein powder)
Transparent Labs makes an extremely high quality 100% pure whey isolate product. Plus, if you’re into grass-fed protein sources, their protein powder has that additional benefit. I don’t put a whole lot of weight into the grass-fed aspect when it comes to protein powders, but if you do, this could be the perfect product for you.
The blend does not contain any hydrolysate, but since it is 100% pure isolate, this is about as good as a protein blend can possibly get. It contains no concentrate, no casein, no BS. It also provides a higher than average amount of protein per serving at 28 grams (standard is 25 G).
Due to the 28 grams of pure isolate in every serving, Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Isolate naturally contains a very high amount of BCAAs. There’s also no fat, no sugar, and only 2 grams of carbs per serving, which is a very clean nutritional profile.
Ingredients:
- Whey protein isolate
- Leucine
- Valine
- Isoleucine
- Glutamine
Transparent Labs Protein Review
3. Jacked Factory Authentic Whey (good whey isolate and concentrate combo)
Jacked Factory Authentic Whey is one of the best protein powders on the market without a doubt, and we believe there is a strong case for it being one of the top protein powders. The blend is a combination of whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate.
We feel Authentic Whey has a slight edge over most other protein powders due to the fact that the protein in use is grass-fed. This means that you’re getting the benefits of faster digestion and absorption, which leads to more efficient muscle growth and recovery.
Due to the purity of the blend, Authentic Whey naturally provides an exceptionally high amount of BCAAs, which makes that much better of a product. The rest of the nutritional profile is also very clean. It contains virtually no fat, sugar, or carbs, and has a very low sodium count. We strongly recommend Jacked Factory’s Authentic Whey.
Ingredients:
- Whey protein isolate
- Whey protein hydrolysate
- Leucine
- Valine
- Isoleucine
- Glutamine
4. Naked Whey (good whey concentrate option)
Naked Whey is a very solid protein powder in terms of the nutritional profile as a whole. The protein in use is all grass fed, which is great. However, as I mentioned before, grass fed is not necessarily a big concern if your goal is to gain muscle.
The biggest problem with Naked Whey is the fact that the blend is 100% whey concentrate. This is a major issue for me. The blend contains no isolate and no hydrolysate whatsoever, which is bad news.
As a result of the use of concentrate, the BCAA count is lower, the fat content is higher, and the protein is not going to be digested and absorbed efficiently. This could inhibit muscle growth and recovery, and more importantly, it could negatively effect your gut health.
Ingredients:
- Grass fed whey concentrate
- Valine
- Leucine
- Isoleucine
5. IsoPure Zero Carb (best low carb protein powder)
IsoPure Zero Carb is one of the purest protein powders out there, as the name suggests. In fact, the name really already explains the most important points I have to make about this protein powder. It uses 100% pure whey isolate, and contains zero carbs. Those are the highlights of this product, but here’s the down side…
It contains a very high amount of sodium per serving at 240 milligrams. That’s over twice the amount of sodium our top ranked protein powder contains. It may not seem that significant, but assuming you are supplementing with the protein powder every day (as you should be), it really adds up over time and can cause some fat gain.
Ingredients:
- WPI (isolate)
- Valine
- Leucine
- Isoleucine
- Glutamine
6. Garden of Life Protein Powder (second best top organic option)
Garden of Life Protein Powder is a pretty popular product amongst vegans due to the fact that the blend strictly contains Pea Protein and Brown Rice Protein. If you’re looking for a Pea Protein based supplement, this could be the one for you, but I generally do not recommend Pea Protein.
Yes, it’s vegan, but the problem with Pea Protein is it does not contain anywhere near as many nutrients as standard whey protein sources like isolate and hydrolysate. The BCAA count is way lower, and the benefits with regard to muscle growth and recovery are nowhere near as significant.
Based on the blend, I would not recommend Garden of Life Protein Powder unless you literally can not consume whey protein due to some sort of allergy.
Ingredients:
- Brown rice protein
- Buckwheat sprout
- Quinoa
- Chlorella
- Chia seed
Garden of Life Protein Powder Review
7. Syntha 6 (good supplement for people on a budget)
Syntha 6 is honestly a pretty average protein powder, and I generally would not recommend it. However, since the blend utilizes cheap protein source options, the supplement is pretty inexpensive. If you’re on a budget and have to choose a lower quality product, Syntha 6 can get the job done. But here’s why it’s so average…
This is one of the dirtiest protein blends I’ve seen in a long time. It contains whey protein concentrate, isolate, calcium caseinate, micellar casein, milk protein isolate, and egg albumen. If it didn’t contain any isolate at all, I wouldn’t have added Syntha 6 to this list. The blend just severely lacks purity.
To be clear, I do not recommend Syntha 6 unless you truly don’t have an extra few bucks to spend on a higher quality protein powder.
Ingredients:
- Whey concentrate
- WPI (Isolate)
- Calcium caseinate
- Micellar casein
- Milk protein isolate (very cheap protein source)
- Egg albumen
8. Combat Powder (good option for bodybuilding)
Combat Powder by Muscle Pharm is another solid budget option, but it is certainly not an elite protein powder by any means. The reason we like Combat Powder is because the blend contains both isolate and hydrolysate as its two most prevalent protein sources. Based on that, the blend looks very promising at first.
However, take a closer look and you’ll see they dirtied this blend up with some other inferior protein sources including concentrate. I wish the blend didn’t go bad towards the end, but this is overall a solid product.
The only other issue I have is that it contains 5 grams of carbs per serving, which is pretty high. If you’re looking for a low carb protein powder for lean muscle, Combat Powder is not the answer.
Ingredients:
- WPI (isolate)
- Whey hydrolysate
- Whey concentrate
- Egg albumen
- Micellar casein
9. ISO 100 (good sugar free option)
ISO 100 is another protein powder by Dymatize where the blend is explained in the name. ISO 100 means 100% whey protein isolate. That’s a very pure blend, which is why you could make the argument it should be higher up on this list.
However, the problem is it contains artificial sweeteners and soy protein, which could potentially cause fat gain and inhibit testosterone production. If you are trying to gain muscle, you do not want to risk messing with your testosterone levels. Plus, you generally want to avoid artificial sweeteners as it is almost always very unhealthy.
Ingredients:
- WPI (isolate)
- Artificial flavor
- Soy lecithin
- Sucralose
- Stevia
10. Vega Sport Protein (decent 100% natural option)
Vega Sport Protein is frankly only on this list so that we could provide our readers with a second vegan option. When it comes to vegan protein powders, this is a pretty good option. However, there are a few pretty significant issues with the nutritional profile.
First off, the protein source is Pea Protein, which is inferior to whey protein as we discussed before. Perhaps even worse than that though is the 400 milligrams of sodium per serving (4x the amount of sodium compared to our top rated protein powder).
To make matters worse, it also contains 6 grams of carbs and 3 grams of fat in every serving. The high sodium, fat, and carb counts are going to add up over time and could cause weight gain (fat, not muscle).
Ingredients:
- Pumpkin seed
- Sunflower seed protein
- Alfalfa protein
- Soy
- Tree nuts
Honorable Mention: Optimum Gold Standard (solid post workout shake)
Gold Standard by Optimum Nutrition is perhaps the most overrated protein powder of all time. It deserves a spot on this list due to the legendary break through supplement that it was during its time, but at this point, there are plenty of protein powders that are way higher quality than this one.
The Optimum Gold Standard protein blend is a mixture of isolate and concentrate, which is not great. It’s concerning that a company with this much money wouldn’t just make the blend 100% isolate when they know it’s the right thing to do.
I don’t mean to bash Gold Standard. The blend is solid, but it’s not what people make it out to be.
Ingredients:
- Whey concentrate
- Whey peptides
- Cocoa powder
- Artificial flavors
Whey Protein Powder Vs. Plant Based Protein Powders
Many people feel overwhelmed by how many different types of protein powder are available. It can seem like a pretty daunting task to choose one, but as a NASM Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) who spent over 10 years studying sports nutrition, I can tell you it’s not as complicated as it looks. Whey protein powder and plant-based protein powder are two popular types of protein supplements, each derived from different sources. Here are the key differences between whey protein powder and plant-based protein powders:
Source of Protein
- Whey Protein Powder: Whey protein is derived from milk during the cheese-making process. It is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own.
- Plant-Based Protein: Plant based protein powder is sourced from plants, such as peas, rice, hemp, soy, or a blend of different plant sources. While individual plant sources may not always be complete proteins, combining them in a powder can create a complete amino acid profile.
Amino Acids Profile
- Whey Protein Powder: Whey protein is considered a high-quality protein because it contains a full spectrum of essential amino acids, including a higher concentration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) like leucine, which is important for muscle protein synthesis.
- Plant-Based Protein: Plant-based proteins may vary in their amino acid profiles. Some plant sources, like soy and quinoa, are complete proteins, while others may lack certain essential amino acids. Blending different plant sources helps ensure a more complete amino acid profile.
Digestibility
- Whey Protein Powder: Whey protein is known for its high digestibility and rapid absorption. It is often recommended for post-workout supplementation due to its quick delivery of amino acids to the muscles.
- Plant-Based Protein: Plant based supplements can vary in digestibility. Some people may find that certain plant-based protein sources cause less digestive discomfort than others. The addition of digestive enzymes in some plant-based protein powders can aid digestion.
Lactose Content
- Whey Protein Powder: Whey protein contains lactose, which may be a concern for individuals who are lactose intolerant. However, there are whey protein isolates and hydrolysates that have lower lactose content.
- Plant-Based Protein: Plant-based protein powder is naturally lactose-free, making them suitable for individuals who are lactose intolerant or have dairy allergies.
Allergens
- Whey Protein Powder: Whey protein is derived from milk, so it may not be suitable for those with dairy allergies. Some individuals may also be sensitive to lactose or have concerns about the use of animal products.
- Plant-Based Protein: Plant based supplements are generally free from common allergens like dairy, soy, and gluten. They are often considered more suitable for individuals with allergies or dietary restrictions.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
- Whey Protein Powder: The production of whey protein involves the dairy industry, which has environmental considerations related to animal agriculture.
- Plant-Based Protein: Plant based supplements are often considered more sustainable, as plant agriculture generally has a lower environmental impact compared to animal agriculture.
Taste and Texture
- Whey Protein Powder: Whey protein is known for its smooth texture and pleasant taste, especially in flavored varieties.
- Plant-Based Protein: Plant based supplements can vary in taste and texture. Some may have a grainier texture or a distinct plant-like taste. Flavored versions are available to improve palatability.
Suitability for Different Diets
- Whey Protein Powder: Whey protein is not suitable for vegans, vegetarians who avoid dairy, or individuals with dairy allergies.
- Plant-Based Protein: Plant based supplements are suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and those with dairy allergies.
How many grams of protein per serving is enough?
The ideal amount of protein per serving in a protein powder can vary based on individual factors such as age, weight, activity level, fitness goals, and overall dietary protein intake. However, a general guideline recommended by nutrition experts is to aim for around 20 to 25 grams of protein per serving for most individuals, especially those using protein powder as a supplement to support muscle recovery, maintenance, or growth.
Here are some considerations for determining the appropriate amount of grams of protein per serving:
Individual Protein Needs
- Protein needs vary among individuals. Factors such as age, weight, and activity level influence the amount of protein required. Athletes and those engaged in intense physical activity may have higher protein needs.
Fitness Goals
- The amount of protein needed can also depend on fitness goals. Individuals aiming for muscle gain or engaged in intense resistance training may require higher protein intake. I personally aim to build muscle, which is why I take two servings of protein after my workout. This way, I get 40 grams of protein instead of 20.
Meal Timing
- Protein needs are distributed throughout the day, so it’s important to consider protein intake from all meals and snacks, not just protein powder servings. Additionally, protein is best consumed right after a workout if muscle building is your goal. Your muscles need protein after exercise in order for them to grow back stronger.
Total Daily Protein Intake
- Protein powder should be viewed as a supplement to dietary protein rather than a replacement for whole food sources. Consider your total daily protein consumption as a whole (or your total daily protein intake) from all sources, including lean meats, dairy, eggs, legumes, and plant based protein sources.
Post Workout Protein
- If using protein powder as a post workout supplement, a serving with around 20 to 25 grams of protein is commonly recommended to support muscle recovery and help build muscle. However, as I said before, I usually double up my dosage when I am taking it post workout so that I can get twice the amount of grams per protein for improved muscle recovery and growth.
Protein Content in the Powder
- Different protein powders may have varying protein concentrations. Whey protein isolates and hydrolysates, for example, often have higher protein content (more grams of protein per serving) compared to concentrates. Plant-based protein powders may have slightly less grams of protein per serving, depending on the plant sources used.
Other Nutrients
- Consider the overall nutrient profile of the protein powder. Some products may contain added vitamins, minerals, or other beneficial ingredients. In general, the more grams of protein per serving, the more naturally occurring nutrients you get as a result of the high concentration of amino acids protein contains. That’s why if my goal is muscle building (which it is), I generally like to take two servings of my protein powder at once to get a total of 40 grams of protein in one shake.
My Conclusion On The Best Protein Powder
At the end of the day, what you want in your protein powder is a super clean blend of strictly vegan protein sources in order to optimize digestion and absorption, which ultimately leads to optimal muscle growth and recovery. Equally as importantly, you do not want high sodium, fat, sugar, or carb counts. Therefore, the ideal combination is low sodium/fat/sugar/carb profiles and 100% pure vegan protein powders, and you only get that combination with the top ranked protein powder, which is VegaTein. The other protein powders on this list are solid, but you step down in class significantly after VegaTein.
See the lowest price for our top recommendation here: VegaTein Official Website
Don’t forget to use the code TSR25 to get 25% off!
FAQs
What are the best protein powder flavors?
The most popular protein powder flavors are chocolate and vanilla for very simple reasons. Chocolate and vanilla protein powder products mix in very easily with pretty much any beverage in terms of flavor. For example, some people like to use almond milk instead of water to make their protein shake, and chocolate and/or vanilla protein powder flavors taste very good when mixed with almond milk. There are also many non traditional protein powder flavors available such as frozen banana and chocolate peanut butter. Unflavored protein powder is also an option, but I must warn you that unflavored protein powder tastes very bad.
My personal opinion: Vanilla protein powder is by far the best for me for multiple reasons. In my opinion, vanilla protein powder tastes the best simply when mixed with water. Every other flavor mixed with water tastes weird or overpowering. Vanilla protein powder is also really easy for manufacturers to create without using artificial sweeteners, which is the biggest benefit to me…more on that next.
Should you avoid protein powders that use artificial sweeteners?
Yes, you should avoid artificial sweeteners at all costs. If you are someone who likes vegan protein powders like me, you really need to make sure that the one you use does not contain artificial sweeteners as they can cause you to gain weight. If you are vegan, you’re going to want to avoid artificial flavors in general because you really can’t know what’s in them. The best vegan protein powder on this list, VegaTein, does not contain any artificial sweeteners and still tastes great. Other vegan protein powders often do contain artificial flavors because vegan protein powders generally don’t taste good, so many companies use artificial sweeteners to mask the taste.
Is there arsenic in protein powder?
The super high quality protein powders made by reputable sports nutrition brands do not contain arsenic, and they have Certificates of Analysis on their websites to prove that. However, there are certainly some low quality protein powder supplements out there that contain arsenic. Just make sure you choose the right brand!
Do protein powders contain heavy metals?
Protein powders generally do not contain heavy metals unless the manufacturer simply fails to disclose the fact that their product contains heavy metals, which is rare. Generally, this is not a concern as long as you are buying from a reputable brand. However, it’s important to keep in mind that heavy metals are technically not banned substances in the United States. The US does require that the levels of heavy metals be low enough for the product to be safe, but heavy metals are not banned substances. In my opinion, they absolutely should be banned substances, and you should definitely avoid protein powders that contain them.
Do protein shakes make you fat?
If the protein powder contains high levels of sodium, fat, sugar, or carbs, then yes, it could cause fat gain. However, protein shakes in general do not make you fat. For example, the top ranked options on this list contain ZERO sugar/fat/carbs and very low sodium to prevent fat gain.
Should I drink protein powder before or after workouts?
Protein powder is meant to be consumed after workouts. The ingredients they contain are designed to accelerate the process of muscle growth and recovery. It won’t do much for you if you drink it before a workout, but protein powder is tremendously helpful after a workout when it comes to growth and recovery.
Is protein powder bad for your kidneys?
High quality protein powders are not bad for your kidneys because protein sources like isolate and hydrolysate can be easily digested. However, protein sources that are difficult for your body to break down such as concentrate can cause problems.
How often should you drink a protein powder shake?
Generally you should be consuming a protein shake every day immediately after your workout. Even if you don’t work out one day, you can still use a protein shake for meal replacement or even just to up your protein intake for that day.
Is a protein powder shake good for breakfast?
Protein powder shakes can actually be great for breakfast. They might not be very filling, but if you are trying to lose weight, opting for a protein shake at breakfast time can be a solid strategy. That is, assuming it is a clean protein supplement with zero/low sugar and fat counts.
Is it bad to drink 2 protein powder shakes a day?
No, it’s not bad, especially if you are trying to gain muscle. In fact, it can sometimes be helpful to double scoop your protein powder after a workout to maximize muscle gain. Your body can technically handle up to roughly 40 grams of protein at once. I personally utilize this method myself. When trying to gain muscle, I take two scoops in order to up my total intake to 40 grams per serving.
What is the best protein powder for women?
The answer here really does not change. Protein powders function the same way in the male body as they do in the female body. Therefore, men and women should be looking for the same things in their protein powders…very pure (and ideally vegan) protein powder, low calories, low fat/sugar/carbs, etc.
In other words, our top ranked protein powder for men is also our top choice for women. It’s as simple as looking for a pure whey protein isolate blend that has as clean of a nutritional profile as possible, such as our top ranked option on this page.
References
- Efficacy and safety assessment of protein supplement – micronutrient fortification in promoting health and wellbeing in healthy adults – a randomized placebo-controlled trial
- Effects of Protein Supplementation on Performance and Recovery in Resistance and Endurance Training
- Protein Supplements and Their Relation with Nutrition, Microbiota Composition and Health: Is More Protein Always Better for Sportspeople?
- The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: a systematic review
- Effects of whey protein supplementation prior to, and following, resistance exercise on body composition and training responses: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study
- Whey Protein Supplementation Enhances Whole Body Protein Metabolism and Performance Recovery after Resistance Exercise: A Double-Blind Crossover Study
- Protein content and amino acid composition of commercially available plant-based protein isolates
I’m not just a supplement analyst. I’m an extremely qualified one! I am a Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) and actually received my certification directly from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I am also a Nutrition & Wellness Consultant, certified by the American Fitness Professionals Association (AFPA).
