Protein plays a multifaceted role in weight management, influencing factors like hunger levels, metabolism, and muscle preservation. While heavy resistance training provides the necessary stimulus, signaling to the body that existing muscle should be retained, a high-protein diet ensures the body has an ample supply of amino acids. This prevents your body from metabolizing muscle tissue for energy.

The best protein powders provide a convenient and lean source of the muscle-building macronutrient, helping you hit your daily protein goals while also maintaining a calorie deficit. We tested more than 100 protein powders and selected nine products we think are best for weight loss.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

How We Chose Our Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss

We chose these products based on a number of factors, including:

• Testing and expert analysis: We tested all of the protein powders and shakes on this list and received input from our panel of expert contributors, which includes registered dietitians and highly credentialed experts in sports nutrition and exercise science.
• Protein content: All the products we’ve highlighted contain at least 25g of protein per serving, a good benchmark for the typical consumer.
• Protein-to-calorie ratio: The ideal ratio is at least 15g of protein per 100 calories, and all the products on our list exceed that mark.
• Taste: We’ve accounted for flavor, texture, mixability, and flavor options.
• Third-party testing and certifications: Products that have undergone testing by independent labs and received quality certifications reflect a brand’s commitment to quality and purity.
• Consumer criteria: We took into account prices, subscription discounts, and other factors that determine the product’s overall value.

Our Picks for the Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss in 2025:

• Best Overall Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey
• Best Affordable Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Jacked Factory Authentic Iso 
• Best Plant-Based Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Ka’Chava 
• Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss on Amazon: Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
• Best Meal Replacement Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Huel Black Edition
• Best Clean Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Promix Grass-Fed Whey
• Best Casein Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Legion Athletics Casein+
• Best Unflavored Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Naked Grass-Fed Whey
• Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss and Muscle Gain: Sports Research Whey Protein

Best Overall Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey

Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate

4.9

• Price per serving: $2.00 per serving
• Protein per serving: 28 grams
• Protein type: Whey protein isolate
• Number of servings: 30
• Calories per serving: 120 to 150
• Flavors: Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cinnamon French Toast, French Vanilla, Milk Chocolate, Mocha, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Strawberry, Unflavored, Vanilla Peanut Butter
• Third-party tested: Yes, by independent labs

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I chose Transparent Labs as the best protein powder for weight loss because it has a very high ratio of protein to the total number of calories: 28 grams to 130 calories. This helps you maximize protein consumption during a caloric deficit, which helps prevent you from losing muscle while you’re losing weight. It’s also third-party tested, Informed Choice certified, and completely artificial ingredient-free. And it comes in 15 flavor options.

I’ve tried a number of different flavors from Transparent Labs and Chocolate Peanut Butter is by far my favorite, followed closely by Mocha. I found they mixed easily in both a blender and a conventional shaker bottle. Whenever I’m trying to cut weight, I find this delicious protein powder helps curb my sweet tooth and tide me over between meals.

While I didn’t personally experience this, some customer reviews mention it can be challenging to get in contact with Transparent Labs’ customer service team.

Best Affordable Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Jacked Factory Authentic Iso

Jacked Factory Authentic ISO Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate Powder

4.0

• Protein type: Whey isolate
• Number of servings: 30
• Cost per serving: $1.20 to $1.33
• Calories per serving: 110 to 130
• Protein per serving: 25 grams, depending on the flavor
• Flavors: Cookies & Cream, Unflavored (if you buy from Amazon)
• Third-party tested: No

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Jacked Factory Authentic Iso is the cheapest option on our list and, one of the best whey protein options, with certain flavors, like Cookies & Cream and Peanut Butter, costing just $1.05 per serving as of this writing. And while this protein powder may be cheap, it has the nutrient profile you need for weight loss and tastes great, too, according to testers.

Jacked Factory Authentic Iso has 25 grams of protein per serving, 2 grams of carbohydrates, and just 0.5 grams of fat, which is the least amount of fat of any powder on our list. If you’re looking to lose weight, this macronutrient profile will help keep you on the right track. However, something to keep in mind: This protein powder is sweetened with sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener—studies link these sweeteners to increased cancer risk. Additionally, unlike most brands on our list, Jacked Factory doesn’t do third-party testing on its products. This means there isn’t a guarantee the ingredients are pure and match the ingredient label.

Kessler tried Jacked Factory Authentic Iso and was impressed. “This is the only protein powder I’ve tried that didn’t settle at all,” he says. “I found it a bit too sweet, but if you’re looking for a powder that tastes like dessert, you should opt for this one.”

Best Plant-Based Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Ka’Chava

Ka’Chava

3.8

• Price per serving: $4.66
• Protein per serving: 25g
• Nutrition facts: Vary slightly by flavor. For Chocolate: 240 calories, 25g carbohydrates, 7g fat
• Certifications: Third-party tested, vegan
• Sweeteners: Monk fruit extract
• Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Coconut Acai, Chai, Matcha

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If you’re looking for one of the best vegan protein powders that also works with a weight loss diet, Ka’Chava is a great choice. This vegan protein powder is marketed as a “whole-body meal,” which means it’s designed as a meal replacement rather than an addition to a meal or snack, like the other protein powders on our list. That’s why the calorie, carbohydrate, and fat counts (240, 25 grams, and 7 grams, respectively), are higher. The carb count is high for those on a low-carb diet, so that’s something to look out for. However, it packs in 25 grams of plant protein, derived from a combination of peas, brown rice, and quinoa, which will help preserve muscle while on a weight loss diet. 

Tester Zoe Ettinger, a C.N.C.-in-training, uses this protein powder often. “I’m a big fan of Ka’Chava. It tastes delicious mixed in a smoothie with some frozen blueberries,” she says. “I also like that it also has adaptogens, probiotics, greens, and probiotics. I notice a difference in how good I feel when I take Ka’Chava regularly,” she says.

One thing to note about Ka’Chava is that it is the most expensive option on our list at $79.99 for a 15-serving bag. While the price reflects the fact that this protein powder is intended as a meal replacement, it’s still a big investment. 

Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss on Amazon: Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate

Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate

• Price per serving: $1.75
• Protein per serving: 25g
• Nutrition facts: Vary slightly by flavor. For Vanilla: 130 calories, 2g carbohydrates, 2.5g fat
• Certifications: Non-GMO, gluten-free
• Sweeteners: Sucralose, acesulfame potassium
• Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry Milkshake, Unflavored

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I chose Nutricost as the best protein powder for weight loss available on Amazon because its calorie and macronutrient profile is ideal for shedding pounds. Nutricost has a high protein content per serving, which is important for weight loss as protein can help enhance satiety and preserve muscle mass while in a deficit. With minimal fat and carbohydrates, this protein ensures you get the maximum protein intake without the added calories, making it an ideal choice for those looking to lose weight efficiently.

The taste and mixability of this protein are also top-notch. I tested the Vanilla flavor; it blended excellently in both milk and water and had an authentic vanilla taste profile. Despite using artificial sweeteners, which often make products sickly sweet, I found the sweetness level to be on point. However, if you’re trying to avoid artificial sweeteners, choose Promix or Transparent Labs, which use natural sweeteners.

Best Meal Replacement Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Huel Black Edition

Huel Black Edition

4.0

• Price per serving: $2.50
• Protein per serving: 40g
• Nutrition facts: Vary slightly by flavor. For Chocolate: 400 calories, 24g carbohydrates, 17g fat
• Certifications: Third-party tested, non-GMO, vegan
• Sweeteners: Coconut sugar, steviol glycosides
• Flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Banana, Strawberry Shortcake, Chocolate Caramel, Cookies & Cream, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon Roll, Unflavored & Unsweetened

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Huel is our favorite meal replacement for weight loss because it has a great protein-to-carb ratio. Huel has 40 grams of protein per serving, the most of any protein powder on our list, and 24 grams of carbs. While this might be more carbs than ideal for those on a keto diet, it’s a solid portion for most. Carbs are an essential nutrient and according to experts, you can consume 100 to 150 grams a day and still lose weight.

Kessler tried Huel in Chocolate and Vanilla. “The Chocolate flavor was great, probably because it uses real cocoa powder, which gave it an authentic chocolate flavor,” he says. “The Vanilla wasn’t as good—it didn’t really taste like vanilla and had an artificial aftertaste.” He notes that it doesn’t mix very well, but says it made him feel great. “Other similar products, like Transparent Labs Mass Gainer, give me an upset stomach. But I felt great after taking Huel Black Edition,” he says.

Best Clean Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Promix Grass-Fed Whey

Promix Grass-Fed Whey

4.0

• Price per serving: $1.63
• Protein per serving: 25g
• Nutrition facts: Vary slightly by flavor. For Vanilla: 135 calories, 7g carbohydrates, 1.5g fat
• Certifications: Third-party tested, gluten-free, artificial ingredient-free
• Sweeteners: Coconut sugar
• Flavors: Raw Chocolate, Vanilla, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Unflavored, One Ingredient Whey

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Promix is our favorite clean protein powder because it’s third-party tested and results are easily viewable on Promix’s website. Those results show this product is tested for heavy metals and verified gluten-free. And beyond these positive results, this protein powder has one of the most simple formulas on our list. Vanilla, for example, has just four ingredients, and Promix doesn’t use any artificial ingredients.

This protein powder, like others on our list, has a solid protein-to-carb ratio for weight loss (25 grams to 7 grams, respectively). A 2020 study found consuming a higher portion of protein versus carbs helped participants lose weight and prevented them from gaining the weight back.

I tried the Vanilla flavor of this protein powder. I enjoyed it for the most part, but it wasn’t quite sweet enough for my taste. And I wish it mixed a little better—there were some clumps after mixing. 

One thing to note about Promix is that while it has been third-party tested, it hasn’t been third-party tested for sport specifically. This means it hasn’t been tested for substances banned in athletic competitions. So if you’re an athlete planning to compete, opt for a powder that’s Informed Sport Certified or NSF Certified for Sport.

Best Casein Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Legion Athletics Casein+

Legion Athletics Casein+

• Price per serving: $1.99
• Protein per serving: 25g
• Nutrition facts: Vary slightly by flavor. For Dutch Chocolate: 110 calories, 3g carbohydrates, 0.5g fat
• Certifications: Non-GMO, artificial ingredient free
• Sweeteners: Stevia leaf extract
• Flavors: Dutch Chocolate, Cinnamon Cereal, French Vanilla, Strawberry

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One of my favorite casein protein powders is Casein+ from Legion Athletics. I chose Casein+ because it’s all-natural, meaning it’s free from artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors, and it’s third-party tested by Labdoor for purity and potency. This product provides 25 grams of protein per serving and only contains 110 calories, regardless of the flavor you choose. This protein-to-calorie ratio is ideal for weight loss.

Along with whey, casein is a type of protein found in milk and is characterized by its slow digestion and absorption. This prolonged digestion makes it an ideal option for people looking to manage hunger levels and maintain a consistent supply of amino acids over an extended timeframe—such as during sleep or when going a long time between meals. By providing a steady stream of protein to the muscles, casein helps mitigate the risk of muscle breakdown that often accompanies calorie restriction. As a result, incorporating a casein protein powder into your diet can be a strategic move to help support your weight loss goals.

Tester Brandon Lunsford, C.P.T., tried the Dutch Chocolate flavor, saying it reminded him of a dark chocolate bar that isn’t too rich or too sweet. The only downside is that casein protein has a different consistency than whey. It’s generally thicker and often takes longer to dissolve. Lunsford noticed this during his testing, saying the product had a “slightly chalky aftertaste.”

Best Unflavored Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Naked Grass-Fed Whey

Naked Grass-Fed Whey

4.5

• Price per serving: $1.25
• Protein per serving: 25g
• Nutrition facts: Vary slightly by flavor. For Unflavored: 120 calories, 3g carbohydrates, 2g fat
• Certifications: Non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, artificial ingredient-free
• Sweeteners: Coconut sugar is used for flavored options
• Flavors: Unflavored, Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Double Chocolate

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Naked Whey’s Unflavored protein stands out for its simplicity and purity; its single-ingredient formula consists of whey protein concentrate sourced for grass-fed cows. This simplicity aligns with the brand’s commitment to transparency, priding itself on avoiding additives, fillers, or artificial ingredients in its products.

With its neutral taste profile, this protein powder is very versatile, letting you integrate the protein powder seamlessly into your favorite recipes or smoothies without altering the flavor profile. Kessler tried the Unflavored version and says it “has a very slight vanilla taste to it.” He also detected a note of earthiness, but says “It would be really good mixed into a smoothie.” However, he mentions the two-scoop serving size can feel like a lot, so he recommends using extra liquid when blending it.

If you’re someone who prefers a flavored protein powder, you’ll be happy to know Naked also offers five flavored options, including Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Double Chocolate. Naked only uses coconut sugar to sweeten its protein supplements, which isn’t nearly as sweet as artificial sweeteners like sucralose or acesulfame potassium.

Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss and Muscle Gain: Sports Research Whey Protein

Sports Research Whey Protein

4.7

• Price per serving: $1.36 per serving (25 servings); $1.06/serving (60 servings)
• Protein per serving: 25 grams
• Nutrition facts: 140 calories, 25 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbs, 3.5 grams of fat
• Protein source: Whey protein isolate
• Sweeteners: Stevia, sucralose
• Flavors: Dutch Chocolate, Creamy Vanilla
• Subscription: Monthly, subscribe and save 10 percent

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We chose Sports Research as our best protein powder for weight loss and muscle gain because it has a solid protein-to-calorie ratio (25 grams to 140 calories), is Informed Sport Certified, is fairly priced at $1.20 per serving, and tastes great, according to testers.

From a nutritional standpoint, Sports Research stacks up well against many of its competitors. The per-serving content for protein (25 grams), calories (140), and carbs (2 grams) compares favorably with most of the choices on our list, although the fat per serving (3.5 grams for Vanilla and 4 grams for Dutch Chocolate) is on the high side. Other ingredients include vitamin D, which has been linked to muscle health in recent research.

Tester Cory Kessler, C.N.C., C.P.T., tried the Creamy Vanilla flavor. “When I mixed it with milk it almost tasted like vanilla ice cream,” he says. “But when I mixed it with water it diluted the flavor, and all I could taste was the sweetness,” he warns. He also notes that it mixed very well, and “wasn’t gritty or clumpy at all.”

What Does Protein Powder Do for Weight Loss?

Whether from powder or whole food sources, protein aids weight loss mainly by:

• Enhancing satiety: In less clinical terms, satiety simply means feeling full. Research has found that the potential benefits of a high-protein diet include increasing your body’s secretion of certain hormones that promote a feeling of fullness, which could in turn help you better regulate your appetite.
• Preserving fat-free muscle mass: Eating more protein could have positive effects not just on body weight but also on body composition. Muscle tissue is more metabolically active than fat tissue.

Protein powder can be an effective tool in helping you achieve your weight loss goals. Drinking a protein powder shake or smoothie provides a quick, easy way to consume high amounts of protein with a limited amount of calories, fat, and carbohydrates. One of the main benefits of protein powder is that it’s often extremely lean, with a very high ratio of protein to total number of calories. This makes protein powder an efficient way to hit your daily protein target while adhering to your calorie guidelines.

How to Choose the Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss for You

Protein Content and Quality

Choose a protein powder with a significant amount of protein, typically around 25 grams per serving. If you have weight loss goals, a whey, soy, or pea protein isolate is likely your best bet since they are ultra-filtered to remove excess carbohydrates and fats.

Calories per Serving

When you have weight loss goals, it’s best to choose a protein powder with a moderate calorie count per serving, e.g., 100 to 160 calories. You should also ensure the majority of those calories come from protein, as this will best support your weight loss progress. Remember, protein is four calories per gram, so you can expect a supplement that has 25 grams of protein to have around 110 to 120 calories if it’s extremely lean.

Ingredient Quality

It’s important to check the ingredients list of the supplement to ensure the product is free from added sugars or unnecessary fillers. Although these ingredients may contribute to the flavor, sweetness, and creaminess of the supplement, they often come with added calories. It’s generally best to select protein powders with minimal ingredients.

Occasionally, protein powders contain ingredients such as creatine, probiotics, or branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). While these aren’t necessary, it’s important to assess whether these added ingredients align with your health and fitness goals, and whether it’s worth choosing a protein powder that offers these options.

Taste and Mixability

Regardless of your goals, choose a protein powder with a flavor and consistency you enjoy. I know this seems obvious, but if you dislike the taste, then you’re far less likely to use the protein powder on a consistent basis, if at all.

Third-Party Testing

As a certified nutrition coach, I advise my clients to choose a protein powder that’s been third-party tested for quality, purity, and safety, especially when I’m working with athletes. This ensures your supplement is free from contaminants, including banned substances, and is deemed safe for consumption. Third-party testing also holds supplement companies accountable, providing assurance that the ingredients in the product align with the information provided on the supplement facts label.

What to Avoid in a Protein Powder for Weight Loss

Whenever you’re purchasing a dietary supplement, you should look for one that aligns with your specific health and fitness goals. With weight loss in mind, it’s typically recommended to avoid products with added sugars, or excessive amounts of carbohydrates and fats. Some consumers may also choose to avoid products with artificial additives, such as sweeteners, flavors, and colors, which are routinely found in protein powder supplements. If you’re looking for an all-natural protein powder with minimal ingredients, consider Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey or protein powders from Naked Nutrition.

Final Thoughts: Is Protein Powder for Weight Loss Worth It?

As a certified nutrition coach, I think it’s important to emphasize that a protein powder isn’t a necessity for weight loss success. However, due to its convenience and effectiveness, it does offer some notable benefits when used as part of a holistic approach to weight loss that includes resistance training, quality sleep, and healthy lifestyle habits. Consuming a high-protein diet, especially during a weight-loss phase, helps manage hunger levels and improves muscle preservation. If a protein powder can help you hit your daily protein targets while still maintaining a calorie deficit, then I think it’s worth incorporating into your regular routine.

Protein Powder for Weight Loss FAQs

The post The Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss, According to a Certified Nutrition Coach appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Raw, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, and Vegan

Powerootz is a pesticide-free raw pea protein isolate blend from Belgium. It also contains organic peanut flour that has only 12% of the fat that regular peanuts contain. There are no artificial ingredients in these shakes. The protein powders are raw, dairy free, gluten free, and vegan.

Each shake contains 19-23 grams protein and can be mixed with water or dairy-free milk of choice. Each serving also has 500mg of raw earth minerals along with 15 superfoods per serving. Powerootz shakes can be used as a meal replacement shake along with a balanced diet, but they do recommend blending in a banana or greens for additional nutrition.

Powerootz Is a Good Blended Shake

After trying each flavor available of Powerootz: Chocolate Peanut Butter Madness, Peanut Butter Bliss, and Cacao Mania, I have to say that I am impressed with the taste and consistency, overall. These shakes are very earthy, so if you prefer a more refined taste, you may find them outside of your norm. I found myself craving the Peanut Butter Bliss shake after I tried the packet they provided for the trial, and it was by far my favorite flavor. The powders mix well when blended, but they are a bit more grainy than I anticipated. Even when blended, they came out more milky on the bottom and grainy toward the top of the drink. The difference in texture was more noticeable after the shake sat for a few minutes. I would recommend drinking the shake right away. I would not recommend these shakes for use with a shaker cup, blended is best.

Despite the texture, the shakes had great flavor—just the right amount of salt and sweet. Adding banana or greens is very easy with this type of taste as a base. I can imagine the powders working well in protein pancake or cookie recipes. I really liked these shakes. You can order by the tub or there is a subscription option for monthly service.

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PR3 is the latest supplement in the line-up from Pure Pharma. Founded in Denmark in 2009, Pure Pharma has been around a while, yet has surprisingly few products for sale. This is a good thing. The company takes their time developing each of their products – from fish oil, to vitamin D, to a multi-mineral supplement – so they can stand behind each item 100%.

About the Product

The PR3 powder is the company’s first foray into the area of protein supplementation. All twenty amino acids are included in PR3, including 2g of leucine per serving. Each serving is 150 calories and contains 1.5g fat, 9g carbohydrates, and 24g protein. Along with that, each serving includes electrolytes extracted from coconut water, as well as 2.5g of collagen peptides.

“Though Pure Pharma sells only a few products, they put a lot of work into each one. I haven’t seen a protein powder quite like this one on the market before and it hits all the boxes of a potential recovery booster.”

Many of you may have noticed the glut of gelatin recipes flooding the Internet these days, along with all the bone broth concoctions. These are both becoming popularized as people realize the value of collagen. It can help your body maintain and rebuild tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. All parts of your body vital to athletic performance, but that often undergo a lot of wear and tear. So it’s with all that in mind that Pure Pharma has included collagen (extracted from beef) in this protein powder.

Ingredients:

• Organic rice protein
• Organic coconut water
• Collagen peptides
• Organic Dutch cocoa
• Organic stevia
• Xanthan gum

On top of containing quality ingredients, PR3 is non-GMO, dairy free, and gluten free. It contains no artificial ingredients and is 93% organic.

Pure Pharma recommends you take this supplement once a day, right after a workout.

Price Point

Each bottle of PR3 contains 25 servings. At $69.00 (before shipping and tax), that comes out to $2.76 per protein shake. You should also figure in what else is going into your protein shake – like milk, rice milk, bananas, or berries – when deciding if this fits your budget.

“Each bottle of PR3 contains 25 servings. At $69.00 (before shipping and tax), that comes out to $2.76 per protein shake.”

PR3 is definitely at a higher price point than most protein powders. A general all-natural powder costs about half as much as PR3. But if you look at a powder specifically for post-workout recovery and from a comparable boutique company, then Pure Pharma is quite appropriately priced. And, on top of that, the post-workout proteins I found from smaller reputable companies didn’t include the collagen, but contained glucosamine and chondroitin instead.

My Experience

I tested PR3 just mixed with water, both so I could taste the flavor without any other intrusions and also because that’s how I most often drink my protein powder. I don’t personally need all the extra calories from milk (dairy or otherwise) and fruit.

The flavor was not too sweet, despite the inclusion of the stevia (80mg per serving). I don’t personally mind the flavor of stevia, and since the creators used Dutch cocoa, the overall flavor ends up more like dark chocolate.

The powder did have a slight chalky undertaste. I wasn’t entirely sure if this was due to the rice protein or the collagen, but I suspect its one of the two. It had a little bit of a funky mouthfeel overall. But again, I was testing this with the protein just in water, which may not be how most people consume their protein. It’s a rare protein that is completely pleasant just in water.

My Recommendation

In the end, though the price might be higher than some other post-workout products out there, the quality of the PR3 in comparison to those products is likely to be higher as well. Though Pure Pharma sells only a few products, they put a lot of work into each one. I haven’t seen a protein powder quite like this one on the market before and it hits all the boxes of a potential recovery booster.

If you’re shopping around for a post-workout protein that makes your body feel good and doesn’t make you feel like a sucker at the supplement shop, then consider checking this one out.

Pure Pharma PR3 is available at Amazon.com.

You’ll Also Enjoy:

• More Protein Isn’t Always Better
• 10 Things I Know About Protein That You Don’t
• Protein Shakes: Which Is Better – Premixed or Powdered?
• New on Breaking Muscle Today

The post A Protein Powder Plus Collagen for Workout Recovery appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Whey protein and pre-workout beverages are staples in the athletic community. Whey protein is one of the best – if not the best – sources of protein around, and the powdered form makes it very convenient. Combine a good protein powder with a solid pre-workout supplement and you have the recipe for athletic success.

I recently tried out some All Pro Science (APS) products for the first time. APS has been dedicated to natural supplements for four years now. In fact, all APS products are free of high-fructose corn syrup, soy, gluten, and hormones. That alone may draw many athletes to their offerings. APS also offers a line specific to vegetarian and vegan athletes.

The products I’m reviewing also happen to be their two offerings that I was the most excited about. Recently I had the chance to try out the Complete 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein and their PreCharge pre-workout formula.

Complete 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein

When looking for the best protein powder, non-vegans typically start with whey. Deciding what separates a good whey protein powder from lower quality products is a simple matter. The first step is to find one that isn’t choked with processed ingredients, and APS Grass Fed Whey Protein is a great place to start.

The protein powder has just six ingredients, each of them passing the pronunciation test (you know – if you can’t pronounce it, you probably shouldn’t eat it). Now, as a nutritionist, I can probably pronounce more ingredients than the average person, but I also know what they are. All the ingredients in this product are simple and natural.

And if you don’t know what the ingredients are, the label on APS’s website is interactive and explains each ingredient when you hover over it, which is an awesome feature.

The protein itself is the next item to look at when judging the quality of a protein powder. The key feature that stands out with this product is that the protein is from 100% grass fed cows that are also hormone- and antibiotic-free.

This means no contaminants will spill over into your protein powder. The whey is also concentrate, rather than isolate. I suspect this is because of the cold-processing APS uses in their efforts to remain as natural as possible. Isolate powders require more processing, and more processing also involves heat, which can denature the proteins.

The final quality to look for is flavor. If you can’t stomach the protein, its quality is irrelevant. I tried the APS Bavarian chocolate, French vanilla, and banana crème flavors with both milk and water. Each flavor mixed well, with just a few shakes of the bottle.

The first time I tried it, I made the mistake of not following the mixing guidelines and used too little milk. Without enough milk or water, the whey powders take on a pretty unpleasant flavor. However, when mixed according to the recommended guidelines or with more liquid, the flavors are each good and I enjoyed them all. So as long as you don’t skimp on the fluids, you will be pleased with the taste.

Overall, this is a solid product. And to make it even better, the powders only contain three grams of sugar per serving and are sweetened with stevia.

PreCharge

Next is APS PreCharge, which is a pre-workout formula to boost energy. When choosing pre-workout formulas, the key tends to be a well-rounded vitamin blend to support energy demands. It should contain a variety of minerals, the most important of which are the electrolytes, as well as energy and strength promoting aminos like glutamine.

Perhaps the most important ingredient of all for those who get most of the other nutrients through diet or other means is caffeine. PreCharge has a modest thirty grams of caffeine per serving, which is less than a cup of coffee, but enough to give you a needed ergogenic effect to your workout, especially cardio workouts. Additionally, PreCharge has a bonus ingredient, with three grams of creatine per serving.

Flavor-wise, I tried the Blueberry Ice and Natural Lemonade. Both flavors were good and mixed easily in any amount of water. PreCharge does have some cane sugar in it, giving it seven grams of sugar per serving. All in all, for pre-workout formulas, PreCharge has it all, although some people may want more caffeine or electrolytes.

Ultimately, the APS offerings that I received to sample were high-quality products. My only misgiving was the price. However, as is the general motto for products like these, you get what you pay for. High quality tends to come with a high price tag, and these APS products are no exception. If you can afford these products, you will be getting some awesome supplements.

The post Product Review: APS Complete 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein and PreCharge appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

When it comes to supplements it’s nice to see no-nonsense companies that just put out good quality products. Stronger Faster Healthier is one of these companies, in my opinion. You may have read my previous review of their fish oil, but in case you haven’t, please be aware that I do know the people behind SFH on a personal level. Really all that means is, if their product sucked I would tell them that with all frankness, but their product doesn’t suck, so I’m telling you about it instead.

The product in question today is protein powder, specifically a blend they call “Recovery.” SFH offers a wide range of protein powders to support a variety of purposes – daily protein intake, endurance sports performance, mass building, etc. Recovery is intended to be a post-workout protein. SFH advises you take it within an hour of your workout and follow it an hour or two later with a regular meal. According to their website, “The purpose is to re-energize your tired muscles and help them recover, protect against joint injury and decrease the negative effects of free radical oxidants.”

As such, the Recovery protein powder is mostly composed of whey concentrate, but also includes an amino acid blend to aid in the post-workout recovery process. Recovery protein powder includes: co-enzyme Q10, ribose, carnitine, creatine, glutamine, glucosamine HCL, chondroitin sulfate, leucine, isoleucine, and taurine.

Also important to note: All whey in SFH protein powder comes from free-range, grass-fed cows that were never treated with antibiotics or bovine growth hormonies. The whey contains no preservatives and is all-natural.

My experience of this powder was that it was easy to mix and tasted good. SFH suggests you mix the scoop of powder with 6-8oz of water or milk (soy, dairy, nut, or otherwise). I tried the vanilla flavor and mixed it with water to avoid unneeded calories, and while it would have tasted better with milk, it tasted just fine mixed in water. SFH Recovery protein is also available in chocolate and natural flavors.

SFH themselves acknowledge that choosing the proper whey protein formula can be overwhelming. They alone have eight different formulations meant for different scenarios. To help you sort out your protein choices, they offer a an additive charts so you understand what ingredients are added to each mix and why. I found this very helpful and it was nice to see a company explain their products so clearly.

The one downside to SFH Recovery protein is the price tag. At thirty servings and $59.99 per bag, each serving is costing you approximately two dollars. To give you context, the two protein powders in my pantry at home both cost about fifty to sixty cents per serving. There are a lot of protein powders on the market and depending on your performance needs, nutritional needs, and financial needs, SFH may or may not be the protein for you. You might be one of those people who is going to geek out on the amount of every amino acid and ingredient in this protein to best bolster your needs, or you might just want something natural and clean. If you are looking for a post-workout protein and you don’t worry about budget, then keep SFH on your short list, because it’s a good quality product.

Recovery Whey Protein is available online at StrongerFasterHealthier.com for $59.99.

The post Product Review: SFH Recovery Whey Protein appeared first on Breaking Muscle.