Flavor-Air Heads White RPotein. Optimum Nutrition. Flavor-Sweet Tea. Flavor-Red Velvet. Flavor-Rich Chocolate.

Protein supplements -

It contains 20 grams of protein per serving, which comes from pea protein, and it also has flaxseed, quinoa, coconut milk, and a fruit and vegetable blend for additional nutrients.

Of note, it does contain digestive enzymes , which are unnecessary but likely safe, for most healthy people. If you have digestive concerns, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider prior to using this or any product with digestive enzymes.

The addition of mg of sodium, an electrolyte , can help replenish any lost sodium from sweaty workouts, although if you are watching your sodium intake, this may not be the best choice for you.

This protein powder blends well in water, and as one of our testers noted, it has a pleasant chocolate milk-like consistency and flavor with no aftertaste or grittiness.

We like that the flavor is on the milder side, and for a richer, chocolate flavor, we recommend blending this into a smoothie with additional cocoa powder. It contains monk fruit extract , which may be off-putting to some, and it is not third-party tested.

It also contains digestive enzymes, which are not necessary for most consumers. Thorne is a trusted, high-quality supplement brand , and their protein powder is no exception.

It dissolves easily in water, although it has a thicker and creamier texture than some of our other picks, making it a great choice for a denser smoothie or smoothie bowl. Our editors and tester noted that the chocolate flavor was light, so for a richer taste, consider enhancing it with cacao powder.

It is sweetened with stevia and evaporated cane juice. It contains stevia, which can be off-putting to some. Also, the chocolate flavor is more subtle than other picks. Whey protein may reduce the effectiveness of certain medications, including antibiotics, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before adding it to your daily regimen.

We love Momentous Collagen Peptides for those looking for a collagen protein powder. This powder is also gluten-free and is both NSF Certified for Sport and Informed-Sport Certified. If you are looking for a post-workout recovery drink, this might not be the best option unless you are pairing it with another protein source.

It is also beneficial for other reasons: Momentous Collagen Peptides are made from Fortigel, a specific type of collagen that has been shown to improve joint pain in young, healthy, active people.

For a moderately-priced casein powder that offers both excellent taste and easy blending, we recommend Dymatize Elite Casein Vanilla. What sets this protein powder apart is it dissolves quickly and completely in cold water, making it an ideal post-workout option on the go.

One of our testers reported they found the flavor to be mild and pleasant when mixed with water with no aftertaste.

We found the texture to be smooth with no grittiness, and it dissolved quickly without any clumps or sediment left in the glass. It would likely blend well into oatmeal or energy bites too.

Beyond its protein content of 25 grams per serving, this powder also contains 45 percent of your daily calcium needs. It contains artificial sweeteners, including acesulfame potassium and sucralose marketed as Splenda , which some may choose to avoid. If going organic is a priority for you, Ora Organic So Lean and Clean Vanilla Chai is a great option.

Beyond its organic certification, this protein powder is also soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO. It is plant-based: A mix of peas and rice provides 25 grams of protein per serving. It also contains a blend of other plants, including fruits, vegetables, gluten-free grains, and coconut milk, which offer additional vitamins and minerals.

If you are a vanilla chai enthusiast, you will love the taste of this powder, even when mixed just with water. We recommend consulting with your healthcare provider prior to incorporating it into your diet. It is both NSF Contents Certified and NSF Certified for Sport , which ensures you are getting a solid product suitable for competitive athletes.

The vanilla flavor tastes authentic without skewing too sweet, and we did not detect any lingering aftertaste. We found that mixing it with just water gave it a smooth texture similar to flavored milk but with three times the protein.

Whey protein is considered the best protein powder option for supporting exercise recovery , which is another reason this powder tops our athletes category. This product contains pre and probiotics, which may interact with some medications and affect certain medical conditions.

It also contains stevia, which some people may choose to avoid, and MCT oil , which may not be needed by everyone. Whey may reduce the effectiveness of certain medications; consult with your healthcare provider before adding it to your diet.

Note that this protein powder contains MCT oil, which the company says is helpful for athletic performance. Some studies show MCTs increase ketone synthesis for energy, which may be helpful for exercise, but more studies are needed. Unlike some other collagen powders, this one blends easily in both hot and cold beverages, and our tester found the texture to be smooth and enjoyable.

While it contains less protein than some powders on this list , it is still a relatively high amount, especially for collagen powders. The collagen comes from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows, and the powder is made without gluten or dairy. It also contains stevia, which some people are not a fan of.

While you can blend almost any protein powder into a smoothie, we prefer flavorless options so it can mix with any type of flavor you like. Take note that the texture is slightly grainy when blended with cold water.

It is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and soy-free, and also contains percent of your daily vitamin C and biotin needs, which may support collagen production and hair, skin, and nail health. Shaklee is also a carbon-neutral organization and internally tests all of their products for harmful contaminants.

Although this product is a complete protein, it is lower in protein than many of the other choices on our list. It is also not third-party tested.

One of our testers reported this powder easy to drink, with a pleasant, natural taste and no clumpiness. We also like that it has a relatively simple ingredient list containing protein, flavoring, stevia, soy lecithin which helps protect the flavor , and salt.

We did find that this powder leaves a bit of an aftertaste and has a powdery feeling that lingered for about 15 to 20 minutes. The peanut butter taste and smell are strong as well, so you have to love the taste of peanut butter. Also, the packaging is difficult to reseal, which may affect freshness.

You may opt to store this protein powder in an air-tight container or using a resealable bag. This product contains whey protein, which may reduce the effectiveness of certain medications. After evaluating 25 protein and collagen powders, only 11 earned a spot on our final list.

For someone looking for an animal-based protein powder, we love Naked Nutrition Chocolate Whey Protein Powder , while people who prefer plant-based protein should look to KOS Organic Plant Protein.

Protein powder may be helpful if you have higher protein needs or have difficulty consuming enough protein from food. This is because high-protein foods also contain essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and, in some cases, fiber and healthy fats that you may not be able to get from a powder.

That said, the following groups of people might benefit from a protein supplement. If you are following a protein-restricted diet, you may want to avoid using protein powders. As with any supplement, it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider before adding it to your daily regimen.

Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here. We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science.

We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products. We prioritize products that are third-party tested and certified by one of three independent, third-party certifiers: USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab. It's important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market.

Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend and gives more details on what we specifically look for in supplements. We tested 25 protein powders in our lab to find the options with the best-tasting options.

To do so, we researched the top brands on the market, looking for animal- and plant-based options across a variety of price points. Our staff dietitians eliminated options with questionable ingredients. Once in the lab, we tried each protein powder in water and evaluated on how they performed on the following attributes.

It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included, relative to the recommended daily value of that ingredient.

Please bring the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications you are taking.

The source of protein may be important for some people to consider when choosing a protein powder. For example, whey protein is considered a superior protein powder for athletes looking to support recovery. The recommended dietary allowance for protein for healthy adults is 0. This means a pound person would need between 68 to grams of protein per day.

Athletes and highly active people need more protein. The International Society for Sports Nutrition recommends that those looking to build muscle need between 1.

Protein consumption should be spread throughout the day for the most benefits. Food-based protein sources also come along with other essential nutrients that support optimal health.

However, when used as a supplement to support or fill in the gaps of an otherwise well-balanced diet, protein powder can be a good option to help you meet your protein needs or support workout recovery. Some protein powders contain additional ingredients that may or may not be safe or good for you, depending on your individual health.

Protein powders are made from both plant and animal protein sources. There are three main types of animal-based protein powders —whey and casein, which come from milk protein, and collagen, which may be from bovine cow , poultry chicken , porcine pig , or marine fish.

Of note, collagen powders are considered protein powders, though not all protein powders are collagen. Plant-based protein powders are usually made up of soy protein, hemp from hemp seeds , or pea protein, though there are some that are made from a blend of beans and seeds as well. While plant-based protein powders can still contribute protein to your diet, and both soy and pea protein are considered to be quality protein sources, both whey and casein are absorbed more quickly and efficiently.

Protein powders are highly absorbable, though the rate will depend on the type of protein, with whey and casein being slightly more absorbable than soy and pea protein, explains Trejo. She also recommends choosing a protein powder that contains all nine essential amino acids.

This is where collagen powders fall short in comparison to other protein powders, with only eight of the nine essential amino acids. Trejo also recommends spreading your protein consumption throughout the day rather than consuming excessive amounts at once. One study suggests the ideal amount for muscle building is around 0.

That means that a pound person can absorb between 27 to 37 grams of protein in one meal or snack , and anything more than that may not actually be used to support muscle synthesis.

The simpler the ingredient list, the less likely a protein powder will bother your stomach. If you have a sensitive stomach or have had trouble digesting protein powders, you may want to avoid powders that contain the following ingredients:. However, if you are lactose intolerant, you may actually want to avoid whey and casein protein powders.

While most of the lactose is removed in processing, there is a small amount that remains in both products, and people who are highly sensitive may experience digestive upset. Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RDN, LDN is a registered dietitian, certified intuitive eating counselor, and experienced writer whose work has been featured in Verywell, EatingWell, Healthline, and more.

She also works with many endurance athletes to support fueling and recovery, including distance runners and triathletes.

She thoroughly combed the research around protein powders to make the best recommendations to fit various needs. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Whey protein. Zdzieblik D, Brame J, Oesser S, Gollhofer A, König D. The influence of specific bioactive collagen peptides on knee joint discomfort in young physically active adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Jäger R, Kerksick CM, Campbell BI, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: protein and exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. Chapman-Lopez TJ, Koh Y. The effects of medium-chain triglyceride oil supplementation on endurance performance and substrate utilization in healthy populations: a systematic review.

J Obes Metab Syndr. Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovsk NA. Oral collagen supplementation: a systematic review of dermatological applications. J Drugs Dermatol. DePhillipo NN, Aman ZS, Kennedy MI, Begley JP, Moatshe G, LaPrade RF.

Efficacy of vitamin C aupplementation on collagen synthesis and oxidative stress after musculoskeletal injuries: a systematic review. Orthop J Sports Med.

Kasti AN, Nikolaki MD, Synodinou KD, et al. The effects of stevia consumption on gut bacteria: friend or foe? Dietary protein intake and human health.

Food Funct. Schoenfeld BJ, Aragon AA. How much protein can the body use in a single meal for muscle-building? Implications for daily protein distribution.

Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance.

Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. What to Buy. By Sarah Anzlovar MS, RD. Sarah Anzlovar MS, RD. The amount thought to be adequate for most healthy people, called the Recommended Dietary Allowance RDA , is set at 0.

For someone who weighs pounds, this translates to roughly 55 grams of protein; a pound person requires about 70 grams of protein. One egg, one half-cup of chickpeas, or a small handful of nuts all provide roughly 6 grams of protein. A piece of chicken or fish the size of a deck of cards offers about 30 grams.

For many people, it is relatively easy to reach recommended amounts through their usual diet. On average, Americans consume 65 to 90 grams of protein each day.

Young women under the age of 19 and seniors older than 70 are more likely to be at risk for low protein intake. Research suggests older adults and exercisers looking to support muscle growth may benefit from eating one-and-a-half to two times as much protein as the RDA.

As we age we lose muscle, and research shows boosting protein may help increase strength and lean body mass. But unless you have a restricted diet, such as a strict plant-based or vegan regimen, this increase is often still achievable through food. Though pregnant women have slightly elevated protein needs, they should consult an obstetrician or dietitian if considering protein supplements, as companies sometimes add potentially unsafe ingredients like ginkgo or papain to protein powders.

Also, individuals with kidney disease often benefit from consuming marginally less protein than the RDA, and should talk to a healthcare provider before supplementing with protein. If you are a healthy adult considering supplementation, you should determine whether your goal is to improve muscle mass, as most research is centered on enhancing muscle growth and strength.

Older adults may benefit from increasing protein slightly, regardless of their exercise routine; however, for most of us, resistance training is more effective than simply supplementing with protein. For those looking to enhance the muscle growth that typically occurs with exercise, evidence supports consuming 20 to 40 grams of protein at a time roughly the amount found in a can of tuna.

Larger quantities simply contribute calories and can actually reduce muscle-building potential. So, having several scoops of protein powder at once is unlikely to be helpful.

Rice and pea protein, for example, have been shown to stimulate muscle growth similar to whey, a milk-based protein touted for its high quality and quick absorption.

Unless you are an older adult with a limited appetite, have a restricted diet, or are a trained professional athlete, chances are you can adjust your food intake to get what you need. Protein from food is often cheaper, less risky, and naturally includes beneficial nutrients.

If increasing protein the old-fashioned way is not an option, taking a supplement can be both effective and convenient. Olympia by using a protein powder. Emily Gelsomin, MLA, RD, LDN , Contributor. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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