Finding the best protein powder can make it easy to boost your protein intake at any time, anywhere. Easily blended into smoothies or stirred into yoghurt, protein powders come in various flavours, harness different types of protein, and target everything from skin health to brain function and muscle recovery. With so many powders on offer, there’s bound to be one worth a permanent spot in your wellness regime. But where to start? Ahead, we speak to four experts to detail all you need to know, and share our edit of the best protein powders for vegans, workout enthusiasts, or anyone looking for a quick, delicious protein fix.
In this article:
- What is protein powder?
- What to look for in a protein powder
- How to consume protein powder
- Is protein powder actually good for you?
- Meet the experts
Best vegan: Free Soul Vegan Protein Blend
Free Soul Vegan Protein Blend
- Why we love it: Formulated with women, specifically, in mind, this gluten- and dairy-free blend from Free Soul combines pea protein isolate with white hemp protein to deliver 20g of protein per serving. It also comes in different flavours, including chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel and berry.
- Protein source: Pea protein isolate and white hemp protein
- Protein per serving: 20g
- Ingredients: Pea protein isolate, white hemp protein, iron, Peruvian maca, flaxseed and magnesium
- Flavour: Chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel and berry
Best for glowing Skin: Vital Proteins Collagen Peptide Powder
Collagen Peptide Powder
- Why we love it: This single-ingredient powder, featuring bovine-derived collagen peptides, dissolves easily into hot or cold liquids. Stir the collagen into your morning coffee or sprinkle it into a glass of water, and sip your way to a dewier complexion. How dewy, exactly? Consider the perennial glow of Jennifer Aniston, who previously told Vogue that she mixes a scoop of it into her coffee every morning.
- Protein source: Collagen peptides
- Protein per serving: 18g
- Ingredients: Collagen peptides
- Flavour: Unflavoured, chocolate, lemon, vanilla
Best sugar-free: Ritual Essential Protein
Essence Protein
- Why we love it: Made with regeneratively-farmed ingredients, Ritual’s Essential Protein powder packs 20 grams of plant protein and zero grams of sugar per serving. It also boosts brain function with tartaric acid. “I like Ritual for those who can’t tolerate dairy because it’s made from pea protein and easily digestible,” says wellness expert and certified pilates instructor Lia Bartha. “I also love the ingredient transparency Ritual promotes. If you’re going to take a powder, you have to know what’s in it.”
- Protein source: Organic yellow peas
- Protein per serving: 20g
- Ingredients: Organic pea protein, natural flavour, MCT oil
- Flavour: Vanilla
Best whey protein: Thorne Whey Protein Isolate
Thorne Whey Protein Isolate – Chocolate
- Why we love it: Alongside 21 grams of bioavailable protein, this Thorne powder also contains 2.3 grams of leucine to promote muscle repair, recovery and maintenance. Quickly absorbed by the body, whey is especially brilliant for those who want to power up the effects of their workouts.
- Protein source: Whey
- Protein per serving: 21g
- Ingredients: Whey, calcium, iron, potassium, stevia
- Flavour: Chocolate
Best post-workout: Promix Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder
Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder
- Why we love it: Designed for athletes — or anyone who craves a restorative, post-workout treat– Promix’s powder contains branched-chain amino acids to build and restore muscles. “If you’re fine with dairy, Promix is great for post-workout recovery,” Bartha says. “Just like Ritual, the company takes pride in all-natural, clean ingredients — and both are pretty darn tasty.” With 25 grams of minimally filtered whey protein per serving, the powder is available in chocolate, vanilla and chocolate-peanut-butter flavours; there’s also an unflavoured version.
- Protein source: Whey
- Protein per serving: 25g
- Ingredients: Grass-fed whey, sunflower lecithin, vanilla extract, organic coconut sugar
- Flavour: Vanilla, chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, peanut butter, unflavoured
Best low-calorie: Podium Nutrition Whey Protein Powder
Whey Protein Powder
- Why we love it: This low-sugar, low-calorie powder fuels lean muscles with 27 grams of protein per serving. It doesn’t hurt that it tastes like coffee ice cream, and comes in other fun flavours, too, which range from maple butter pancake to churro. The brand recommends pairing the powder with a beverage: Stir a scoop of it into coffee, amp up the protein content of a shake, or simply stir it into water for a post-workout refresh that’s 120 calories per serving.
- Protein source: Whey isolate
- Protein per serving: 27g
- Ingredients: Whey protein powder with whey protein isolate
- Flavour: Coffee ice cream, churro, cookies & cream, maple butter pancake, mint chocolate chip, peanut butter crunch
Best pea protein: Form Pureblend Protein
Pureblend Protein
- Why we love it: “I like Form Nutrition a lot,” Bartha says. “They have a nice variety of vegan options and I especially love the Pure Blend protein that’s unsweetened. It’s great as a base for smoothies and protein balls. Form is also B-Corp certified, which is a beautiful thing,” Bartha says, referring to the brand’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Made without thickeners, emulsifiers, flavours, or sweeteners, the vegan powder can also be added to cooked or baked goods to amp up the protein content of a meal.
- Protein source: Organic peas, brown rice, pumpkin seeds
- Protein per serving: 15g
- Ingredients: Organic pea protein isolate, brown rice protein, pumpkin seed protein
- Flavour: Unflavoured
What is protein powder?
“Protein powder is a concentrated form of protein derived from various sources, such as animal products like whey and casein, or plant-based sources, like soy, pea and hemp,” explains functional nutrition practitioner Jenny Rich. The protein is processed into powder form for convenient consumption.
“Protein powders can be a great tool to meet overall protein goals since many women are under-eating protein at baseline,” says registered dietician Brittany Beaver. “The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein is set to prevent deficiency, not for optimal health.” The ease of consumption can help one reach or maintain that baseline as part of an overall diet.
What to look for in a protein powder
“Added vitamins, minerals, probiotics, collagen and all 19 amino acids are something everyone should be looking for in a protein powder,” says Kylie Bensley, registered dietician and founder of Sulinu Nutrition. However, protein powders can be further vetted based on individual needs. To start, consider the powder’s protein source.
