Which protein shakes are best for weight loss?

Our picks of the best protein powders for weight loss Best overall: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey. Best for men: Muscle Milk Genuine Protein Powder. Best for women: Naked Whey. Best for competitive athletes: Muscle Milk 100% Whey. Best meal-replacement protein powder: GNC Lean Shake 25. More items...

healthline.com - The 12 Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss in 2022 - Healthline

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Here are our picks of the 12 best protein powders to support your weight loss efforts. We did the legwork and rounded up a list of the best protein powders for weight loss so you can be confident in your purchasing decision. However, with the dozens of protein powder options available, it can be challenging trying to decide which is the best choice for your weight loss goals. As a convenient and tasty way to increase your protein intake, these powders can be an effective way to support your weight loss efforts. Protein powders have long appealed to people who want to build muscle and become stronger, but they can also help people who want to shed weight. We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

How we vet brands and products

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Every brand and product on our list has been reviewed by dietitians and vetted to ensure that it aligns with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. Each product in this article: When selecting the best protein powders to support weight loss, we considered the following factors: A note on price General price ranges with dollar signs ($–$$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher cost. Generally, prices range from $1.25–$3.12 per serving, or $25.49–$95.80 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop. Prices may also vary by flavor and container size. Pricing guide: $ = under $1.50 per serving

= under $1.50 per serving $$ = $1.50–$2.00 per serving

= $1.50–$2.00 per serving $$$ = over $2.00 per serving Note that the serving recommendations vary between 1 and 2 scoops.

Best overall

Price: $

$ Protein type: whey concentrate and isolate

whey concentrate and isolate Size: 2-, 5-, or 10-pound (lb.) container

2-, 5-, or 10-pound (lb.) container Flavors: Banana Cream, Chocolate Coconut, Chocolate Malt, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Coffee, Cookies & Cream, Delicious Strawberry, Double Rich Chocolate, Extreme Milk Chocolate, French Vanilla Creme, Mocha Cappuccino, Rocky Road, Strawberries & Cream, Strawberry Banana, Unflavored, Vanilla Ice Cream, White Chocolate Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey made our pick as the best overall for weight loss, as it remains one of the most popular and highest quality protein powders on the market. It provides 24 grams of quality whey protein and contains a slim 120 calories per serving. Whey protein is a high quality and easily absorbable form of protein. It also tends to be the most cost-effective since it’s produced as a by-product of cheese-making.

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey is third-party tested by Informed Choice.

Each one-scoop serving of Double Rich Chocolate provides (1):

Calories: 120

120 Protein: 24 grams

24 grams Carbs: 3 grams

3 grams Fiber: not listed

2 grams Fats: 1.5 grams

Pros available in multiple flavors and sizes

third-party tested

gluten-free Cons not vegan-friendly

not suitable for people with severe lactose intolerance

contains sucralose, which some people may prefer to avoid

Best for men

Price: $$

$$ Protein type: milk protein isolate and whey concentrate

milk protein isolate and whey concentrate Size: 1.93-, 2.47-, or 4.94-lb. container

1.93-, 2.47-, or 4.94-lb. container Flavors: Banana Creme, Cake Batter, Chocolate, Cookies ‘n Creme, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Strawberries ‘n Creme, Strawberry Banana, Vanilla Creme Men generally require more calories than women, even when weight loss is the goal. For this reason, Muscle Milk Genuine Protein Powder is a great choice for men. It packs 32 grams and 280 calories in each serving. It’s also an excellent source of magnesium, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and D. Muscle Milk Genuine Protein Powder is NSF Certified for Sport, making it a good option for competitive athletes as well.

Each one-scoop serving of Vanilla Creme provides (2):

Calories: 280

280 Protein: 32 grams

32 grams Carbs: 21 grams

21 grams Fiber: 1 gram

1 gram Fats: 9 grams

Pros NSF Certified Safe for Sport

excellent source of magnesium calcium, and vitamins A, C, and D

available in multiple flavors and sizes Cons not vegan-friendly

not suitable for people with severe lactose intolerance

contains sucralose, which some people may prefer to avoid

Best for women

Price: $

$ Protein type: whey concentrate

whey concentrate Size: 1- or 5-lb. container

1- or 5-lb. container Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Unflavored

Women generally need to consume fewer calories than men to lose weight, which makes a lower calorie protein powder like Naked Whey a great option ( 3 ). In addition to the classic chocolate and vanilla, Naked Whey also has an unflavored option so you can easily mix it in your coffee, oatmeal, or soups for a protein boost. Naked Whey is certified Informed Choice Trusted for Sport and contains minimal ingredients.

Each two-scoop serving of Vanilla provides (4):

Calories: 150

150 Protein: 25 grams

25 grams Carbs: 8 grams

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8 grams Fiber: 0 grams

3 grams Fats: 2 grams

Pros unflavored option available

minimal ingredients

Informed Choice Trusted by Sport certified

certified gluten-free

naturally sweetened with coconut sugar

available in multiple flavors and sizes Cons not vegan-friendly

not suitable for people with severe lactose intolerance

Best for competitive athletes

Price: $$

$$ Protein type: whey concentrate and isolate

whey concentrate and isolate Size: 5-lb. container

5-lb. container Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla

Many student and competitive athletes are subject to regular and routine drug testing for banned substances, such as certain stimulants, narcotics, and anabolic steroids (5). An athlete who tests positive for a banned substance could face financial penalties and be declared ineligible to take part in the regular season or postseason competition. As such, it’s critical that athletes look for supplements — including protein powders — that are third-party tested for substances banned by major sporting organizations. Muscle Milk 100% Whey is a great choice for athletes since it’s NSF Certified for Sport, which ensures that the product is free from banned substances.

Each one-scoop serving of Chocolate provides (6):

Calories: 140

140 Protein: 25 grams

25 grams Carbs: 8 grams

8 grams Fiber: 6 grams

0 grams Fats: 2 grams

Pros NSF Certified for Sport

free of added sugar

contains 6 grams of fiber Cons not vegan-friendly

not suitable for people with severe lactose intolerance

contains sucralose, which some people may prefer to avoid

only available in two flavors and one size

Best meal-replacement protein powder

Price: $$$

$$$ Protein type: whey and casein

whey and casein Size: 1.83-lb. container or individual packets

1.83-lb. container or individual packets Flavors: French Vanilla, Banana, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Mixed Berry, Orange Cream, Girl Scout Thin Mints, Girl Scout Coconut Caramel, Girl Scout Chocolate Peanut Butter, Girl Scout Lemon Protein powders are concentrated sources of protein that usually don’t provide significant amounts of carbs, fats, or other nutrients.

As such, they’re generally not designed to be used as meal replacements.

However, GNC Lean Shake 25 is formulated as a meal replacement — containing 23 vitamins and minerals — while still offering 25 grams of protein per serving. It also provides 8 grams of fiber per serving, which can further support weight loss by helping you stay full for longer. Still, keep in mind that as the powder contains less than 200 calories, per serving it’s best to combine the powder in a blender with other nutritious ingredients, like frozen fruit, leafy greens, and milk ( 7 ). While some of GNC’s products undergo third-party testing, it’s unclear whether GNC Lean Shake 25 is one of them.

Each one-scoop serving of French Vanilla provides (8):

Calories: 180

180 Protein: 25 grams

25 grams Carbs: 19 grams

19 grams Fiber: 8 grams

0 grams Fats: 3 grams

Pros several flavors available

individual packets available

contains 8 grams of fiber

free of added sugars Cons may not be third-party tested

expensive

not vegan-friendly

not suitable for people with severe lactose intolerance

contains several artificial additives

Best affordable

Price: $

$ Protein type: whey protein concentrate and isolate

whey protein concentrate and isolate Size: 2-, 5-, or 10-lb. container

2-, 5-, or 10-lb. container Flavors: Café Mocha, Chocolate, Rich Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Strawberry, Gourmet Vanilla, Protein powders aren’t cheap. However, if you’re on a tight budget, Dymatize Elite 100% Whey is one of your best options. In addition to its lower price, the powder comes in several dessert-inspired flavors and is Informed Choice Trusted for Sport certified.

Each one-scoop serving of Gourmet Vanilla provides (9):

Calories: 140

140 Protein: 25 grams

25 grams Carbs: 2 grams

2 grams Fiber: 0 grams

0 grams Fats: 3 grams

Pros available in a variety of sizes and flavors

Informed Choice Trusted for Sport certified

free of added sugars Cons contains some artificial additives, including sweeteners

not vegan-friendly

not suitable for people with severe lactose intolerance

Best with casein

Price: $$

$$ Protein type: casein

casein Size: 2- or 4-lb. container

2- or 4-lb. container Flavors: Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Supreme, Cookies & Cream Casein is the primary milk protein, comprising 80%, while whey comprises the remaining 20%. Casein proteins form curds when exposed to your stomach acid, slowing the time it takes for your body to digest and absorb it ( 10 ). This makes casein protein a great choice between meals or before bed to manage appetite and support muscle recovery. A quality casein protein powder is Gold Standard 100% Casein, providing 24 grams of protein per serving.

Each one-scoop serving of Chocolate Supreme provides (11):

Calories: 120

120 Protein: 24 grams

24 grams Carbs: 4 grams

4 grams Fiber: 1 gram

0 grams Fats: 1 gram

Pros may help suppress appetite when taken between meals

third-party tested

available in multiple sizes and flavors

free of added sugar Cons not vegan-friendly

not suitable for people with severe lactose intolerance

contains several artificial additives

Best with whey isolate

Price: $

$ Protein type: whey protein isolate

whey protein isolate Size: 5-lb. container

5-lb. container Flavors: Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Pebbles, Pebbles Birthday Cake, Gourmet Chocolate, Gourmet Vanilla, Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Dunkin’ Cappuccino, Dunkin’ Mocha Latte Protein powders may be processed as a concentrate or an isolate, depending on their protein content by weight. Protein isolates contain at least 90% protein by weight, whereas concentrates contain 70–80% protein by weight.

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This makes them faster digesting, but there isn’t strong evidence that this translates to improved fat loss or muscle growth. Still, the higher content of protein means there is less fat and carbs than concentrates, making isolates like Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed a good option for people who are limiting these nutrients for weight loss. Isolates may also be better for people with lactose intolerance since most of the lactose is removed during processing.

Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed is third-party tested by Informed Choice.

Each one-scoop serving of Gourmet Vanilla provides (12):

Calories: 110

110 Protein: 25 grams

25 grams Carbs: 1 gram

1 gram Fiber: 0 grams

0 grams Fats: 0 grams

Pros third-party tested

suitable for people with lactose intolerance

available in multiple flavors and sizes

free of added sugar Cons expensive

contains sucralose, which some people may prefer to avoid

Best whey and casein blend

Price: $$

$$ Protein type: whey isolate and casein

whey isolate and casein Size: 2- or 5-lb. container

2- or 5-lb. container Flavors: Alpine Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss, Confetti Cake Protein blends are great for people who want the combination of slow- and fast-digesting proteins to support appetite control and muscle recovery. Muscle Matrix Protein is a great option, as it contains 55% of protein from whey protein isolate and the remaining 45% from casein. NutraBio products undergo third-party testing, though the company doesn’t disclose the name of the testing organization on its website.

Each one-scoop serving of Alpine Vanilla provides (13):

Calories: 120

120 Protein: 25 grams

25 grams Carbs: 2 grams

2 grams Fiber: not listed

not listed Fats: 0.5 grams

Pros third-party tested

contains a blend of fast- and slow-digesting protein

available in multiple flavors and sizes Cons not vegan-friendly

not suitable for people with severe lactose intolerance

contains sucralose, which some people may prefer to avoid

Best plant-based

Price: $

$ Protein type: organic pea, brown rice, and chia seed protein

organic pea, brown rice, and chia seed protein Size: 1- or 2-lb. container or individual packets 1- or 2-lb. container or individual packets Flavors: Creamy Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Coconut, Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter, Natural Unsweetened, Vanilla Bean, Iced Coffee If you’re following a vegan diet or simply prefer a plant-based protein powder, Orgain Organic Protein is one of the best options. Orgain provides 21 grams of protein from quality plant-based sources, including organic peas, brown rice, and chia seeds. It also offers 6 grams of fiber to further support your weight loss goals ( 7 ). Orgain Organic Protein is certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is manufactured in third-party certified facilities. However, products are not third-party tested to ensure purity and potency.

Each two-scoop serving of Creamy Chocolate Fudge provides (14):

Calories: 150

150 Protein: 21 grams

21 grams Carbs: 15 grams

15 grams Fiber: 2 grams

0 grams Fats: 4 grams

Pros certified USDA organic

manufactured in third-party certified facilities

certified plant-based

gluten-free

non-GMO

available in multiple flavors

available in individual-serving travel packets Cons not third-party tested

contains erythritol and stevia, which some people dislike the aftertaste of

Best hypoallergenic

Price: $$

$$ Protein type: pea protein

pea protein Size: 1.5-, 2-, or 7-lb. container

1.5-, 2-, or 7-lb. container Flavors: Pure Unflavored, Creamy Chocolate, Creamy Vanilla, Vanilla Toffee Pea protein is a great plant-based alternative for people who are following a vegan diet or have allergies or intolerances to milk, soy, or egg. Pea protein also contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein, though it is lower in some essential amino acids, compared with dairy-based powders ( 15 ) NOW Sports Pea Protein is one of the best pea protein options, as it’s Informed Sport certified and has a relatively short ingredients list.

Each one-scoop serving of Creamy Chocolate provides (16):

Calories: 160

160 Protein: 24 grams

24 grams Carbs: 9 gram

9 gram Fiber: 2 grams

2 grams Fats: 2.5 grams

Pros Informed Sport certified

non-GMO

vegan-friendly

formulated to be easy to digest

available in flavored and unflavored varieties Cons contains xylitol and stevia, which some people dislike the aftertaste of

some reviewers complain of an unpleasant, earthy taste

Best for an energy boost

Price: $$$

$$$ Protein type: whey protein isolate

whey protein isolate Size: 1.6-lb. container

1.6-lb. container Flavors: Vanilla Creme, Chocolate Fudge, and Strawberry

Protein alone has beneficial effects on weight loss, but other ingredients like caffeine and fiber have also been shown to help ( 7 , 17 ). GNC Lean Shake Burn contains 200 mg of caffeine and 6 grams of fiber per serving. The powder also gets rave reviews from customers who enjoy the boost of energy that it provides. According to the company’s website, all GNC products contain ingredients that are tested in house to ensure purity and potency. However, final products are not third-party tested.