Best affordable protein powder for weight loss

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  1. Weight Loss
  2. 12 Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss in 2022, According to Dietitians

12 Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss in 2022, According to Dietitians

These high-quality protein powders will curb hunger, tame cravings, and help you build muscle.

Best affordable protein powder for weight loss

Courtesy of brands

We updated this article in April 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.


Protein powders are incredibly versatile. You can easily incorporate them into smoothies, protein balls, overnight oats, and more. They not only give you a boost of nutrients, but can also help you stay fuller, longer which is especially helpful if you’re trying to lose weight. Plus, having a protein-rich snack after a tough workout helps you build lean muscle—meaning you’ll eventually burn more calories at rest.

Protein powders come in various forms, and choosing the best one really comes down to your dietary needs and fitness goals. For instance, you can select protein powders that are made of plants, whey, casein, egg whites, and/or collagen powder. Reading nutrition labels and checking out the ingredients is a simple way to choose the best protein powder for you, but to help make the process a whole lot easier, we decided to round up the top-selling protein powders on Amazon.

How we chose the best protein powders for weight loss

We consulted experts such as Marie Spano, R.D., C.S.C.S. and Sarah Mirkin, R.D.N., author of Fill Your Plate, Lose The Weight, a 21-day weight loss plan for women over 40, who shared their top picks for protein powders worth consuming to meet your fitness or weight loss goals. We also examined the bestselling protein powders on Amazon and combed through thousands of reviews from shoppers just like you to find the most delicious and satiating protein powders on Amazon.

Our top picks

To save you from having to scour the internet, we’ve rounded up the best protein powders to add to your daily menu, according to dietitians and reviews. Check out our top picks below:

  • Best affordable protein powder for weight loss

    Best Overall

    100% Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder NAKED Nutrition

    Read More

  • Best affordable protein powder for weight loss

    Best Value

    100% Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder Levels Nutrition

    Read More

  • Best affordable protein powder for weight loss

    Most Nutritious

    So Lean & So Clean Vegan Protein Powder Ora Organic

    Read More

  • Best affordable protein powder for weight loss

    Best Soy Protein Powder

    Soy Protein Isolate Powder NOW

    Read More

  • Best affordable protein powder for weight loss

    Best Plant-Based Protein Powder

    Complete Plant-Based Protein Powder PlantFusion

    Read More

Best Overall

NAKED Nutrition

100% Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder

Best Value

Levels Nutrition

100% Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder

Most Nutritious

Ora Organic

So Lean & So Clean Vegan Protein Powder

Best Soy Protein Powder

NOW

Soy Protein Isolate Powder

Best Plant-Based Protein Powder

PlantFusion

Complete Plant-Based Protein Powder

Rave Reviews

Orgain

Organic Unsweetened Plant-Based Protein Powder

Best Multi-Purpose Protein Powder

Quest Nutrition

Multi-Purpose Protein Powder Mix

Best Casein Protein Powder

Promix

Casein Protein Powder

Best Pea Protein Powder

BulkSupplements

Pure Pea Protein Powder

Best Hemp Protein Powder

Manitoba Harvest

Organic Hemp Protein Powder

Best Organic Protein Powder

NorCal Organic

Premium Isolate Pea Protein Powder

Best Egg Protein Powder

NAKED nutrition

Egg White Protein Powder

How to choose and use the protein powder for weight loss

✔️Read the label: Your body can only absorb up to 30 grams of protein at a time, Mirkin says. Look for powders with 20 to 30 grams of protein per 120-calorie scoop. Ideally, it should be pure protein with no sugar or artificial sweeteners. “I recommend minimizing or avoiding Stevia,” Mirkin says, as it can boost your cravings for sweets. The shorter the ingredients list, the better.

✔️Experiment with a blend: A powder that contains a blend of high-quality proteins such as whey, egg, and soy, will give you a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids, Spano explains. “If you choose a plant-based protein, look for a combination of proteins versus one single source,” she says.

✔️Steer clear of junk: Spano says to avoid protein powders littered with other additives. “A high-quality protein does not contain added taurine, creatine, BCAAs, beta alanine, glycine—these are high-nitrogen amino acids that make the protein powder artificially tested for more protein than it actually contains,” she says. “If you want protein, get protein and no ‘extras.’”

✔️Go beyond smoothies: It’s important to note that smoothies and protein shakes aren’t considered filling meals. Mirkin says people are more satisfied when they eat (rather than drink) their food because the act of chewing helps with digestion and it signals the brain to catch up with your stomach. That’s why she recommends making a thicker shake or adding your protein powder to solid meals, like oatmeal or healthy pancakes.Now that you have the basics down, we’ve rounded up the best protein powders to aid your weight loss goals—all approved by our dietitians’ standards.

Tiffany Ayuda Tiffany Ayuda, a senior editor at Prevention and certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise, has specialized in fitness, health, and general wellness topics in her previously editorial roles at Life by Daily Burn, Everyday Health, and South Beach Diet.

What is the best protein powder drink 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..

Are protein powder good for weight loss?

But protein shakes aren't a magic way to lose weight. Some studies find that consuming a higher than usual amount of protein in your diet may offer benefits. For example, eating or drinking products that are high in protein may help you lower body fat, keep lean muscle, feel full and lose weight.

Which protein powder is best for weight loss female?

Here are 17 options from the pros..
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Isolate. ... .
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides. ... .
Orgain Grass-Fed Whey. ... .
Quest Multi-Purpose Protein Powder. ... .
Garden of Life Meal Vanilla Powder. ... .
Ascent Native Fuel Micellar Casein. ... .
Naked Nutrition Egg White Protein. ... .
Navitas Organics Cacao & Greens Essential Blend..

Does protein burn belly fat?

Not only can protein help you to lose weight, but it may also help you to avoid regaining weight ( 15 ). Protein may be particularly effective in reducing abdominal fat. One study showed that people who ate more and better protein had much less abdominal fat ( 16 ).