It seems like everyone is making a smoothie before running out the door these days – and why not? But what are the best protein powders? It’s a great way to incorporate fresh ingredients in a ready–to–go container, or whole superfoods into a delicious meal or treat. And for ladies getting fit after having babies, it is important to get the right kind of nutrition after a workout to build up muscle.
What’s not great? The FDA doesn’t regulate protein powders the same way that is does food, classifying it under dietary supplements. Some of the ingredients in protein powders are being marketed to those looking for a way to help build muscle or keep a healthy weight. And, for us green smoothie lovers with a scoop of protein powder in the recipe, we’re trusting that these powders are beneficial to our health, not hiding dirty little secrets. So, how did we find the best protein powders?
Disclosure: Bookieboo LLC works with several nonGMO brands in the food industry. Orgain, Now Foods & Manitoba are on our client list. Our investigations, however, are encompassing of as many brands as possible, including ones we have never worked with to give you a better picture of what your choices are.
The Investigation
We went through dozens of brands, many readily available at grocery markets and drug stores, and compared the ingredients of vanilla flavored and non-flavored smoothie powders to find out which companies were packing pure protein and which were packing a dose of preservatives, thickeners, and manufactured ingredients.
Protein powders come in a variety of ways – many of the products we investigated used the most common versions of whey protein, soy protein and other plant-based protein.
Ingredients To Avoid
Satisfy your health by avoiding the following ingredients, which add chemicals, sugars and hormones to your protein drink.
- ‘Natural’ and artificial flavors
- Carrageenan
- Sweeteners such as polydextrose, sucralose, aspartame, crystalline fructose and/or corn syrup
- Non-dairy creamer
- Conventional animal products
- Mono-and-diglycerides
- Soy Isolate (if you avoid soy products for isoflaven’s estrogen-like affects)
- Food coloring
- Packaging with BPA
- And check for allergen warnings since many products can be made in the same factory
BAD
These have a long list of ingredients with various thickeners, colors and sugars. They can contain pesticides, GMOs, antibiotics and hormones from animal- based products.
- Muscle Milk
- MHP
- Pure Protein
- Muscle Pharm
- Evlution Protein
- Optimum Nutrition
- BSN Syntha 6
- Cellulor
- Adaptogen
- Isopure
- Spiru-tein
- Orgain Organic Plant Protein Blend (tested for high levels of glyphosate)
BETTER
These products are GMO-free, with short lists of ingredients and are often soy free, vegan and gluten free. Animal proteins are labeled grass fed. They usually use stevia or fruit-derived sweetener.
- Paleo Pro
- Vega
- Genuine Health Fermented Protein
- Naturade
- BioChem Fitness Powder
- Plant Head Protein
- SAN Nutrition Raw Protein
- Bodylogix Natural Whey
- NOW Foods
- Dr. Mercola
- PLNT by the Vitamin Shoppe
- ProMix
- Bob’s Red Mill
- Aloha Superfood Protein
- MRM
- BodyLogix Women’s Protein
- Purely Organic pea protein (tested for trace amount of glyphosate)
- Sunwarrior Organic pea protein (tested for trace amounts of glyphosate)
BEST
These products are always organic, GMO-free with very short ingredient lists. – in short, the best protein powders Animal-based proteins are grass fed organic. Stevia or fruit is used as the sweetener if any is used.
- Amazing Greens
- Orgain (Dairy-based only)
- Source Organic
- Swanson Organic
- SoTru
- Sprout Living
- Perfect Fit Protein
- Nutiva Organic Plant Protein
- Navitas Naturals Hemp Protein
- Ground-based Nutrition Superfood Protein
- Tera’s Whey Protein
- Manitoba Harvest
- Naked Whey
- Naked Pea
- Garden of Life
- 22 Days Nutrition
- Amazing Grass
- Plant Fusion
With so many brands of protein powders, this is not a complete list. Rather this is a list of all the protein powders we have come in contact with. If you have a brand or know of a brand that we haven’t considered, please let us know in the comment section.
Thrive Market Facebook Party Supporting Online Food Stamps – Tuesday, August 2nd
Deb M
June 16, 2019 at 8:46 amHas your organization looked into any of the bone broth protein powders such as Ancient Nutrition BoneBroth Protein? Also anything on Primal Kitchen Primal Fuel Whey protein powder?
Alex Jordan
May 20, 2019 at 5:39 pmI love Jay Robb’s, the powder is awesome Mixes well and tastes great.
miki
March 12, 2019 at 9:19 amThe additional fibers, veggies and grains in JuicePlus Vegan protein shake (Complete Variety Drink Mix) makes it so wholesome and nutritional! it is my go-to afternoon snacks for sure. I wouldn’t touch the chips and fries. Check out my babes at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2717956978227047&set=pcb.2717974768225268&type=3&theater
kristin sprinkle
October 30, 2018 at 9:01 amSunwarrior Plus is my fav. (chocolate is amazing) the best protein powder i have ever tasted.
Lauri
September 30, 2018 at 6:26 amI have used Paradise Orac Protein and Greens for a very long time. It isn’t labeled organic, but seems to be a very good combination of protein and greens together.
PHYLLIS BALA
September 23, 2018 at 4:33 pmI used to be a huge fan of Garden of Life. Unfortunately, it was bought out by Nestle. If you boycott Nestle products, that would be Garden of Life, now. WHAT a bummer!
Gerry
May 29, 2018 at 12:47 pmI second Dr. Ben Kim’s Organic Plant Protein. Has done wonders for me.
Leah Segedie
June 8, 2018 at 11:41 pmWe can check that out!
Akash Patil
December 19, 2017 at 9:47 amis there any protein powder for whole family which can be taken without workout ? so any one of my family member can take this ? thank you
Teresa Holifield
October 13, 2017 at 8:03 amI have really appreciated the list here. I am trying to begin a clean mostly plant based diet. I am 47 and recently had a lump in my breast. It was benign,but I realized I need to incorporate Cherie Calbom’s suggestions for vitality and health. I have been pouring over protein powders Ingredients and not able to make a decision. This has helped me drastically. I am adding Spirulina and bioasthaxanthin supplements from Nutrex Hawaii, these are superior products to everything on the market. I am hoping this helps my knee and joint issues. I almost bought Spirutein! Thank you for these suggestions! I also think that products should be broken down into where their ingredients come from. Such as spirulina made in USA vs India or China which are inferior intaste and quality. At least that is what everyone tells me! Haha????
Kathleen
August 16, 2018 at 7:36 pmyou should look into Nutrilite supplementation. Organic and perfect quality Control from seed to pill. Also look into XS sports nutrition- protein powders. NSF certified. Both are superior companies with the finest products.
ivan
February 16, 2017 at 6:05 pmHow about 4Life PRO-TF protein with transfer factors for your healthy immune system.Many claim no other protein have been clinically studied as this protein.Sure would love to hear you do check on this product.Thank you.
Tina D
January 14, 2017 at 6:58 amBest I have ever used and still do every day is NeoLife Shakes. GMO free, gluten free and the taste; yummy yummy.
Leah Segedie
January 16, 2017 at 10:59 amI will have to check those out! Thanks!
Mathew
January 14, 2017 at 3:06 amI recommend protein from one of the best nutrition products supply Herbalife company.
Leah Segedie
January 16, 2017 at 10:59 amWe will be investigating Herbalife soon for ingredients. Thanks!
Brit
January 13, 2017 at 5:05 pmJay Rob or Robb is another one to look into as well. It can be bought online or in some stores.
Leah Segedie
January 16, 2017 at 11:00 amThanks for that tip! Ill look into them.
Adrienne
January 12, 2017 at 11:14 pmMiessence’s Protein Powder would be a great addition to this list. Perfect Supplements as well.
Leah Segedie
January 16, 2017 at 11:01 amThank you! I’ll look into them. I LOVE their toothpaste and some of their other things.
Leah Segedie
January 12, 2017 at 2:59 pmGREAT NEWS! If you are coming here asking us to investigate or review an Multi-Level Marketing products…. WE ARE PLANNING ON THAT SOON! We are working on that investigation right now. And there are so many it’s going to take us at least another 30 days to post. Stay tuned!!!
Tam
September 5, 2016 at 5:41 amAny experience with Blue Bonnet pls
Michelle Curtis
September 3, 2016 at 9:27 pmI would love your thoughts on Purium’s LOV shake. It has none of the bad ingredients that you listed. It’s vegan, organic, non-gmo and has 20 grams of protein. We drink it everyday.
Sara
April 3, 2017 at 5:23 pmSame here!!
Laurel McStravick
August 26, 2016 at 9:04 amHi good morning…any thoughts about Jay Robb Whey Protein Isolate? I was on Isagenix and it cost me a fortune for 2 months…cleanse was a killer and I did like the shakes but they were really thick. I started to get sick from taking them so my doc told me to stop. Too much niacin. Absolutely lost 12 lbs but gained it all back again. Not healthy living doing 2 shakes and 1 meal a day. Started taking Jay Robb. It’s much thinner in consistency and I add 1 tbs of PB Fit and cocoa powder – I love chocolate and Jay Robb’s chocolate flavor isn’t too great. However 0 sugar, 0 fat, 1 carb for 110 1 scoop. I do 2 scoops in the morning with the PB powder and cocoa and of course lots of ice and blend.
Doreen
August 24, 2016 at 1:57 pmWhat about Dr. ben Kim’s Organic Pant Protein Blend Thanks
Leah Segedie
August 23, 2016 at 12:20 amLooks like we need to look into some additional products! Thanks for all the suggestions.
Veronica
August 21, 2016 at 5:30 pmAny thoughts on Prodigy Tru by Tru nutrition RX? It’s a whey protein for youth and teen athletes.
Kristen Harris
August 18, 2016 at 8:31 pmAny thoughts on Jay Robb? Especially the Egg White version?
Julie
August 18, 2016 at 5:31 pmMc lean?
Penny
August 17, 2016 at 1:52 pmWhat about FitMiss?
May
August 14, 2016 at 12:05 amYour thoughts on Naked Whey?
Mary McLaughlin
August 13, 2016 at 3:58 pmI just started using Source Organic (plain). Very very pleased with it. No need for Stevia – yay! I love the purity of this one. One ingredient – organic whey from Grass Fed Jersey cows. That’s it. Wow, so simple! Mixes easily.
Manda
August 11, 2016 at 7:31 pmI live by vega. ALL vega. It helped me survive pregnancy. My husband loves it too. And the kids will drink it.
chris
August 11, 2016 at 4:29 pmNitrean natural made and sold by At Large Nutrition
Sue
August 11, 2016 at 4:15 pmWhat are your thoughts on WelleCo protein powders. They offer vanilla and chocolate and seems quite clean.
Brad Holdcroft
August 11, 2016 at 4:12 pmWe ONLY trust YOUNG LIVING Products in our home!!!
Linda
August 17, 2016 at 10:40 pmVanilla Spice! Yum!
Dana
August 11, 2016 at 2:59 pmWhat about shaklee?
Anne
August 12, 2016 at 8:54 amI’d be interested in Shaklee too – the whey, soy and vegan powders.
Tanya
August 11, 2016 at 2:54 pmI use IdealLean Protein Powder and love it. It is formulated with women is mind!
Laurie C
August 11, 2016 at 2:01 pmIsagenix IsaLean and IsaPro shakes have been a staple in my diet for 3 years. Delicious and made with the best quality ingredients…also comes in non-dairy form.
Kari H
August 11, 2016 at 1:44 pmWe love Orgain in our house. Even the kids love the flavors! We drink at least 1 shake every day and I’ll also use it in pancakes. Costco has it for $29.99 but it’s on sale right now for $23.99.
Lou
August 11, 2016 at 12:16 pmAny thoughts on Shakeology?
Lizzie
August 11, 2016 at 12:15 pmThis article came to me at such a convenient time! I have been considering adding a protein supplement to my diet because having a 4 year old boy, a 2 year old girl, and a 7 month old belly can be quite time consuming. As much as I want to ingest all my nutrients from whole foods and home prepared meals, somedays I inevitably fall short and it’s been hard keeping a healthy weight since I haven’t stopped breastfeeding and will continue with my new baby this November. I hope that with adding this supplement I can finally start and keep an ongoing strength training routine without nutritional setbacks. I would love to buy Garden of Life but I have seen the Orgain option at a much cheaper price at Costco. Thank you!
Sheri
August 11, 2016 at 12:02 pmWe use Vital Whey, also grass fed and stevia sweetened.
Chris
August 11, 2016 at 11:57 amThanks for this list! I’m a fan of Garden of Life unsweetened protein powder.
Rebecca
August 11, 2016 at 11:45 amI wish they were separated into plant based proteins and whey proteins. I have always had a hard time with the taste of plant based proteins in protein powders. Grassfed whey protein is the tastiest. By FAR.
Julian’s Bakery has grassfed whey protein that would be in the “best” category, except I do not purchase from them anymore. I purchased last year and then when I went and purchased the same product this year, it tasted different and was not near as tasty as their chocolate powder I got last year. Man, that was good stuff. The current product, not so much. I am very disappointed. But it is grassfed, organic, etc.