The Healthiest Protein Powders

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Not all protein powders are made equal. Some are loaded with sugar and added calories while others contain artificial flavors, colors, and dyes. The bottom line is that protein powders with these cheap ingredients don’t benefit your health and fitness goals.

Whether you need something quick in between meals or if you want a post-workout drink to nourish your muscles, a protein supplement is quick and convenient. But finding the right protein powder isn’t always easy.

Below you’ll find the ultimate guide to the healthiest protein powders. All of these protein powders are made with quality ingredients. They also provide no less than 20 grams of protein per serving.

1. Elm & Rye Protein Powder
2. Penguin CBD Protein Powder
3. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
4. Legion Whey+
5. Naked Whey Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder
6. Thorne Whey Protein Isolate
7. Levels Whey Protein Powder
8. Orgain Organic Protein Powder

Why You Should Supplement With Protein Powder

Many people assume that protein powder is only for people who want to build muscle and get stronger. While it’s true that a high protein diet promotes lean muscle mass gains, the benefits of protein go far beyond the muscles.

Here are some of the benefits of adding a protein supplement as part of your daily menu.

Muscle gain. As mentioned above, protein and muscle growth go hand-in-hand. Gym enthusiasts and athletes alike are known to drink protein shakes to bulk up. Protein improves muscle strength and size, especially after strenuous resistance exercises.

Supports post-exercise recovery. Exercise can take a toll on the body. When lifting weights, tiny tears appear in the muscles. Protein repairs these micro injuries. Using protein powder helps the body heal faster while also reducing muscle soreness by promoting protein synthesis.

Weight loss and weight management. Eating a high protein diet may keep you fuller for longer. This means that you’ll eat smaller portion sizes and snack less frequently. With less hunger pangs and cravings, it’s much easier to lose weight or maintain your current weight. More specifically, whey protein may reduce total fat mass and body weight in those who are overweight or obese.

Easy way to get more protein. High protein diets offer all sorts of benefits yet many people don’t get the right amount of protein they need. While you could add more protein-rich foods to your diet, like lean meats, low-fat cheeses, and certain vegetables, using protein powder is much more convenient.

Endless choices. There are hundreds of protein supplements to choose from. These days you can find protein powder in almost every flavor you can imagine. Having all of these options means that you’ll never get tired of eating the same thing everyday. Variety is key for eating a diet you actually enjoy.

Healthiest Protein Powders

To achieve your health and fitness goals, you’ll want to supplement with a healthy protein powder. Below is a guide to the best protein powders. Whether you want to bulk up or slim down, these protein supplements are top choices.

1. Elm & Rye Protein Powder

Elm & Rye Protein Powder provides 20 grams of protein per scoop to decrease body fat and increase muscle mass. It’s also made with other quality ingredients like collagen, BCAAs, ashwagandha, and turmeric. Choose from flavors like chocolate, snickerdoodle, and graham cracker.

2. Penguin CBD Protein Powder

Penguin CBD Protein Powder is made with pea protein. This vegan protein supplement features a restorative blend made of ashwagandha, turmeric, and a mushroom complex. This powder doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients. Peanut butter, rocky road, and vanilla are just a few of the amazing flavors.

3. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey

Get bigger and recover faster with Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey. It delivers 24 grams of protein and 5.5 grams of BCAAs in each serving. Choose from delicious flavors like chocolate mint, fruity cereal, and banana cream. No matter the flavor you choose, each one has just 120 calories or less.

4. Legion Whey+

Legion Whey+ is made using grass-fed whey protein isolate. It’s naturally flavored and sweetened and doesn’t contain any added sugar. This protein powder is also free of artificial flavors, dyes, sweeteners, and other chemicals. It provides 22 grams of protein and just 100 calories. Enjoy flavors like dutch chocolate, birthday cake, and strawberry banana.

5. Naked Whey Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder

Get lean and strong with Naked Whey Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder. It’s made without any fillers, including artificial sweeteners and additives. A single serving provides 25 grams of protein and more than 5 grams of BCAAs. It comes in many flavors, including strawberry, double chocolate, and vanilla.

6. Thorne Whey Protein Isolate

Thorne Whey Protein Isolate made with natural flavors and sweeteners for a healthy, delicious tasting supplement. Each serving delivers 21 grams of protein to fuel and grow your muscles. Aside from whey protein, this powder also contains key nutrients, including potassium, calcium, and iron.

7. Levels Whey Protein Powder

Levels Whey Protein Powder supports muscle growth and recovery using minimal ingredients. Each scoop is loaded with 24 grams of protein and 5.4 grams of BCAAs. With this supplement you don’t have to worry about fake flavors, sweeteners, or fillers. Enjoy flavors like cappuccino, vanilla bean, and double chocolate.

8. Orgain Organic Protein Powder

Orgain Organic Protein Powder is a plant-powered protein that’s certified USDA organic. It’s perfect for clean eaters. Indulge in delicious flavors like chai latte, chocolate caramel sea salt, and vanilla horchata.

How Much Protein Do I Need?

How much protein you should consume each day depends on all sorts of factors, including your age, sex, and activity level. For example, sedentary adults should eat 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. This is just enough to maintain lean mass.

On the other hand, more protein is needed if you’re active or looking to bulk up. People who are physically active and want to build lean muscle mass should consume between 1.4 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.