The 12 Best Whey Protein Powders

Medically Reviewed on 8/25/2022
The 12 Best Whey Protein Powders
Whey protein is considered a complete protein, which means it contains all nine essential amino acids

Whey protein powder is a practical and effective way to help you build muscle and fulfill your daily protein requirements.

Whey protein is considered a complete protein, which means it contains all nine essential amino acids, including three branched-chain amino acids—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—which are well-known for their role in muscle protein synthesis and protection against muscle breakdown.

Here is a list of the 12 best whey protein powders.

How is whey protein powder made?

Whey protein is isolated from milk. 

Milk is made up of a variety of components, including water, vitamins, carbs, and two major types of proteins—about 80% casein and 20% whey.

Whey is removed from milk during the cheese-making process, then filtered to eliminate any non-whey substances before being purified and dried to a powder.

12 best whey protein powders

1. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides offer 18 grams of protein to help lean muscle building as well as 20 grams of collagen peptides to improve joint health.

Peptides are the ideal addition to your morning coffee or afternoon smoothie for an extra protein boost, plus they are verified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), so you can be secure in the nutrient content.

2. NOW Foods Whey Protein Creamy Chocolate

If you are a chocolate enthusiast, this delicious whey protein powder is an excellent choice. It has no added sugars yet tastes like a chocolate milkshake. 

This whey protein is available in both whey protein concentrate and isolate versions and it is Informed Sport-certified with 24 grams of protein per serving.

3. Cellucor Cor Sport Whey Protein, Vanilla

If you prefer vanilla to chocolate, you may want to try this whey protein powder, which is a combination of whey isolate and concentrate. Users claim that this powder does not cause bloating or gas.

4. Orgain Iced Coffee Flavored

This plant-based protein combination made from pea, chia, and brown rice and sweetened with stevia is a tasty variety of whey protein powder.

5. Ladder Whey Protein

Popular among athletes, this brand offers a wide selection of performance nutrition items. Tart cherry extract is used in their NSF-certified whey and plant-based protein powders (produced from pea protein) to aid in post-exercise recovery.

6. Ora Organic Vegan Protein Powder

This protein powder has a raw organic superfood blend of kale, acai, blueberries, rice, pea, hemp, flax, quinoa, and spirulina

Although it has an incredible 22 grams of protein, it has only 5 grams of net carbs and no added sugar, making it ideal for people following a low-carb diet. It is also easy on your stomach because it contains vegan digestive enzymes to help with digestion

7. Huge Supplements Whey Protein

This whey protein has a high protein content of 23 grams per scoop, as well as only 2 grams of fat and 2.5 grams of carbs. There are 5 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are great for muscle retention. 

8. Life Extension Whey Protein Concentrate

This is a vanilla-flavored, powdered protein shake mix with no added sugar. It is high in BCAAs and immunoglobulins and delivers 20 grams of protein per scoop to aid in the development of lean muscle and the prevention of protein breakdown.

9. BulkSupplements Whey Protein Concentrate

When combined with exercise, whey protein concentrate, which is widely used in sports and bodybuilding, can help with muscle development and muscle recovery after vigorous exercise.

10. Pure Label Pure Whey Protein Concentrate

Made with 100% grass-fed whey protein from pasture-fed cows bred without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones, this protein powder is gluten-free, soy-free, and rBGH-free.

11. Ultimate Nutrition Prostar Whey Protein Concentrate

Prostar RAW is ideal for people who like whey protein without the fillers and additives. This protein supplement, in its unsweetened and unflavored form, allows fitness enthusiasts to use it in a variety of ways—mixed into a smoothie, pancake, or protein bar.

12. Onnit Whey Protein

This powder is made from grass-fed whey isolate from New Zealand and contains 120 calories, 20 grams of protein, 5 grams of carbs, and 2 grams of fat per serving. It is free of soy, gluten, and added sugar, and it has a nice creamy texture.

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What are the benefits of whey protein?

  • Helps build muscle mass: Whey protein has been shown to increase muscle development and maintenance when combined with regular exercise.
  • Aids in weight loss: According to one study, people who ate whey protein shed much more fat and kept significantly more lean muscle mass than those who did not.
  • Helps with healthy weight gain: Including whey protein in your diet is an easy way to enhance your overall calorie intake and aid in weight gain.

Can you drink whey protein every day?

If you do not receive enough protein from your diet, you can drink whey protein every day. A healthy adult can have about 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight.

However, if you are aiming to gain muscle, you may require more—0.9-1 grams per pound of body weight.

In general, 1-2 scoops or 25 to 50 grams of whey protein powder per day is advised, although this will vary depending on your current weight, diet, and other factors. It is best to consult a doctor or nutritionist to determine the ideal amount of protein for your individual needs.

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Medically Reviewed on 8/25/2022
References
Image Source: iStock image

How to Choose the Best Protein Powder for You: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-tips-choosing-best-protein-powder/

Whey Protein - Uses, Side Effects, and More: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-833/whey-protein