Best keto protein shakes for weight loss

The keto diet has grown increasingly popular over the past few years — and for a lot of good reasons.

So we asked fitness experts to recommend some of the best keto protein powders out there, to help support your low-carb, high-fat diet.

Table of Contents

• Paleo Pro Protein Powder
• Paleo Lean Formula from True Nutrition
• Perfect Keto Chocolate Protein Powder
• Naked Whey from Naked Nutrition
• LevelUp Grass-fed Keto Protein Powder
• Collagen Protein
• Whey Protein Isolate
• Soy Protein Isolate
• Keto Collagen Protein Powder by Preferred Elements

Carolyn Dean, MD, ND

Diet and Nutrition Expert

Pick a protein powder that has a low glycemic index for proper blood sugar control. It should provide a balance of protein, carbs and fat and contain a natural source of amino acids & vitamins, made from whey, pea & rice, contain 640 IU of Omega 3 per serving, should be low in sodium, carbohydrates, and sugar.

The whey protein should be Grass-fed, Casein-free and low lactose, Gluten-free and contain natural antioxidants, naturally flavored with no added sugar or salt.

Although protein should be the main ingredient, carbs and fats should be included for the appropriate macronutrient balance.

The following is an example of a breakdown of nutrients for an ideal Keto protein powder:

• High Protein – 11 grams
• High Fiber – 4 grams
• Low Carb – 5 grams
• Low Sugar – 1 gram
• Low Fat – 2 grams
• Low Calorie – 80 calories
• 60% Protein 30% Carbs and 10% Fat
• Non-GMO, rBGH-Free, Whey Protein Concentrate
• Pea Protein, Non-GMO
• Rice Bran and Germ
• L-Lysine (plant-based)
• Prebiotic Fiber – Tapioca
• Omega 3 Complex (Flaxseed, DHA/ Docosahexaenoic Acid, Micro-Algae Oil – Kosher and Halal approved)
• Organic Acerola Powder
• Silica
• Natural Vanilla Flavor
• RebA (Stevia Extract)
• Cinnamon Extract (Cinnamomum cassia bark)

Related: Best Tasting Protein Powders

Christina Towle

Clinical Nutritionist | Founder, Hudson Valley Nutrition

Paleo Pro Protein Powder

$38.99 ($2.44 / Ounce)

12/19/2022 10:51 pm GMT

Whey? No whey! Most paleo protein powder products claiming to be “paleo” are derived from whey… but whey protein is dairy and not paleo!

No soy! The protein in our mix is minimally processed and not instantized with soy like most other protein mixes. We use Grass-Fed and Pastured Beef & Eggs that are air-dried then ground into a fine powder.

Available unsweetened and unflavored or naturally flavored and sweetened with monk fruit extract – there is nothing artificial in this mix. Feed your muscles properly with this all-natural protein featuring paleo ingredients and packing 26g protein per serving.

Paleo Lean Formula from True Nutrition

True Nutrition proudly presents the signature Paleo Lean Formula, a unique blend of lean proteins for the paleo athlete! When combined with a rounded diet and exercise routine, it is intended to help support lean muscle-building! The Paleo Lean Formula provides 29g of protein to help support muscle-building.

• Uses: Supports Muscle Building: Provides 29g of protein to help support muscle building!
• Mix-ability: Shake or stir thoroughly for best results. Some clumping may occur.
• Taste: Strong salty and savory taste that goes best with chocolate, vanilla, mocha, and caramel flavors!
• Notes: Paleo, Dairy-free, Soy-free, Gluten-free, Keto-friendly.

Shawn Wells

Registered Dietitian | Certified Sports Nutritionist | Fellow, International Society of Sports Nutrition

A pure whey protein isolate would be a great choice as would a collagen protein powder. Collagen makes up 1/3 of the protein in our body yet we don’t eat enough tendon, skin, joint, bone and nose-to-tail way of eating like we used to.

Diana Gariglio-Clelland, RD

Registered Dietitian, Balance One Supplements

Perfect Keto Chocolate Protein Powder

$44.99 ($3.75 / Ounce)

12/21/2022 03:31 am GMT

This would be a good choice for someone following a keto diet. It contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are digested more quickly than regular fats, and are beneficial for those following keto because it allows for the quicker breakdown of fats to provide energy in the absence of carbs for fuel.

The protein in Perfect Keto protein powder is from collagen peptides, which have been shown to be beneficial for skin health and may also have other benefits, such as joint and gut support.

It uses stevia instead of artificial sweeteners, and even contains a small amount of fiber, which is an important nutrient that could potentially be lacking on a keto diet.

While most keto diets aren’t lacking in protein, keto protein powders are convenient for making keto smoothies and other drinks, or for a quick on-the-go keto-friendly snack that is also filling.

The added boost of MCTs in this particular protein powder help promote the metabolic state of ketosis, which is the ultimate goal of those following a keto diet.

Michael Kummer

Former Professional Sprinter | Current CrossFit Athlete

Naked Whey from Naked Nutrition

$23.99 ($1.50 / Ounce)

12/21/2022 06:46 am GMT

All pure protein powder is keto, as long as it doesn’t contain any carbs. Some people think that too much protein can kick you out of ketosis, but that’s a misconception. The process of creating glucose from non-carb sources (gluconeogenesis) is demand-driven rather than supply-driven.

That said, there are some brands that add fat (usually via MCT oil powder) to their protein powder to make it “more keto.” Other brands tag their collagen peptides as keto protein. Peptides are the building blocks of protein molecules and they’re quickly digested and highly bioavailable.

My favorite protein powder (which is also keto) is PaleoPro’s beef/egg protein. As far as whey protein is concerned, I like Naked Whey from Naked Nutrition because it’s unflavored and doesn’t contain any undesirable ingredients (which are common in many supposedly healthy supplements). If you’re specifically looking for a combination of protein and fat, Perfect Keto has a good product containing MCT Oil and acacia fiber.

Calloway Cook

Founder, Illuminate Labs

LevelUp Grass-fed Keto Protein Powder

$39.99 ($2.49 / Ounce)

12/18/2022 04:17 am GMT

It can be hard to find a protein powder that’s zero-sugar and low enough in carbohydrates to be suitable for a keto diet. LevelUp, a protein powder brand found on Amazon, has only 1g of carbs per serving and 0g sugar. It’s also sourced from grass-fed animals.

The other factor this brand has working for it is the natural ingredients in the “Other Ingredients” section. Many companies use harmful ingredients here, but LevelUp uses prebiotic fiber and cassava root powder as fillers which are both nutritious.

Caleb Backe

Certified Personal Trainer | Health & Wellness Expert, Maple Holistics

There are three main types of keto protein powders that are worth looking into when you’re on the keto diet. Those are collagen protein, whey protein isolate, and soy protein isolate.

The brand and flavor can often matter less than the actual ingredients inside, and that’s what anybody looking into protein powders needs to become comfortable with.

Knowing your way around ingredients labels can reduce your intake of unnecessary fillers and additives that are potentially harmful to your health.

Collagen Protein

This powder comes from 100% grass-fed cows and contains no artificial chemicals, flavors or ingredients. Collagen protein is an important protein to strengthen our bones and overall skin health.

Whey Protein Isolate

This protein powder uses non-GMO ingredients with whey derived from grass-fed cows. It helps you gain muscle, increase recovery and improves overall health.

Soy Protein Isolate

These legumes are naturally high in proteins and when ground into protein isolate makes up 90% protein by weight. Flavored products of this type of powder sometimes include added sugar so it’s best to go for the unflavored options.

Jamie Bacharach, L.Ac.

Life Coach | Acupuncturist | Head of Practice, Acupuncture Jerusalem

Keto Collagen Protein Powder by Preferred Elements

$31.98 ($2.48 / Ounce)

12/18/2022 02:12 pm GMT

This is the best Keto Protein Powder I’ve seen! Thanks to its combination of MCT Oil Powder and powerful electrolytes it can provide the punch needed for workout recovery in a totally gluten-free, non-GMO, keto-friendly package.

Both the vanilla and chocolate flavors are delicious and boast great texture and at 10 grams of protein per serving it’s powerful enough for even advanced fitness levels.

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