The 8 Best Protein Shakes In 2021 According To Registered Dietitians:
- Best Taste: Premier Protein 30g Protein Shake
- Best Sugar-Free: Iconic Protein Drinks Chocolate Truffle
- Best for Muscle-Building: Soylent Complete Protein Shake
- Best Superfood Powder: Sakara Protein + Greens Super Powder
- Best for Food Sensitivities: Owyn Vegan Protein Shake
- Best Low-Calorie: Orgain Grass Fed Clean Protein Shake
- Best Meal Replacement: Kate Farms Organic Nutrition Shake
Ladder Whey Protein Powder
Price: $$
In fact, its NSF Certified for Sport, meaning that each batch has been tested for banned substances to ensure safety.
According to reviewers, it mixes very easily and doesnt have a chalky aftertaste like many other protein powders on the market, so it can be a great addition to your post-workout protein shake.
However, its a bit pricier than other supplements and is sweetened with stevia, which can have an aftertaste that some people may find unpalatable.
Ways To Make Protein Shakes Taste Better
Its no secret: some protein shakes taste great, while other protein shakes taste gross. What gives? Truth is, there are a variety of factors that go into making a great-tasting protein shake. And since were in the protein shaker bottle business, we feel responsible for helping you learn how to mix better-tasting protein shakes, every time.
Here are our top tips for making protein shakes taste better:
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Best Meal Replacement Protein Shake
While many whey supplements stick to the basics in order to give you the greatest dose of protein without extras, some consumers may be looking for an all-around meal replacement that can deliver the same muscle-building properties. Meal replacement shakes usually are higher in calories, and provide a solid amount of protein with carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals, as well.
What Are Protein Drinks Made Of
Protein drinks are typically made from whey protein, which is a byproduct of the cheese-making process. However, there are also plant-based protein drinks that use ingredients like soy, rice, or peas. Protein drinks usually come in powder form and need to be mixed with water or milk before drinking.
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Navitas Organics Hemp Powder
Price: $$
In addition to offering 13 grams of hemp-based protein, Navitas Organic Hemp Powder is a good source of magnesium, iron, and fiber.
It also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and all nine essential amino acids.
The powder is suitable for people who require gluten-free options and have digestive sensitivities.
Plus, it has an earthy, nutty taste with no chalky aftertaste and can be used as a flour substitute.
The powder also dissolves well, so it can be a delicious addition to smoothies, yogurt, and baked goods. You can even add it to dips, salads, and soups.
According to the companys website, Navitas Organics products are third-party tested to ensure quality and safety, though the name of the testing organization isnt disclosed.
Just keep in mind that its a bit lower in protein than other products on this list, which may be a drawback for some.
Onnit Grass Fed Whey Protein Shake
Onnits protein is made from whey protein isolate, which may digest and absorb better and cause less bloating . Each scoop provides you with 20g of high-quality whey isolate, and either 110 calories or 120 calories depending on flavor. This protein shake is quite lean with only 3g of carbs and 1.5g of fat per scoop. Onnit also incorporates digestive enzymes for an added digestive benefit. They include a blend of amylase, protease, lipase, and other enzymes that can help aid in the breakdown of polypeptide chains in lactose and amine chains in proteins.
Many other whey isolates may remove a large portion of lactose, but the extra enzymes may give Onnit Grass Fed Whey Protein Shake a distinct edge over many other protein shakes. But since this shake is sourced from grass-fed whey isolate, it may not be best for someone looking for a higher calorie shake with larger amounts of carbs and fats.
A grass-fed whey isolate includes added ingredients for digestion like seven digestive enzymes and a probiotic . It’s also gluten-free, sugar-free, and soy-free.
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How To Make A Protein Shake Without Banana
A lot of protein shake recipes call for a frozen banana which gives the shake that thick and creamy texture. They also add a bit of sweetness, without being too overpowering, as well as, extra nutrients like potassium.
That said, I know that some people simply dont like bananas, need a low-sugar option and/or are allergic so I have some options for how to make shakes without banana:
Chocolate Hazelnut With Oats
The greatest exposure you’ve likely had to hazelnuts is either in the form of a caffeinated drink, or in Nutella. Because of this, many perceive hazelnuts to taste a lot like chocolate, when in actuality, they taste quite different from each other. Because of its earthy and nutty flavor, the hazelnut pairs brilliantly with chocolate which is likely why chocolate-hazelnut spreads have become so popular. While it tastes great on top of toast or sandwiches, this next protein shake shows how wonderfully certain flavor combinations can translate into drink form.
Premier Protein’s Chocolate Hazelnut with Oats is a decadent, creamy beverage filled with a sweet and slightly nutty flavor. Both the rich chocolate and the earthy hazelnuts shine in this drink. While it isn’t as dense as Nutella, that is far from a detriment to this drink, as it allows both the hazelnut and chocolate flavors to balance each other out. Though it has a little less protein, and isn’t as strong as some of the other shakes, the Chocolate Hazelnut with Oats makes up for that in taste. Neither flavor really overpowers the others, making this drink a must-try in our books.
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The Top 12 Best Tasting Protein Powders: Theyre Delicious
To get together a list of the dozen best protein powders based on taste, we did our homework.
We sampled many of the best-selling and most-available protein powders out right now to score each on how their taste matched out to their claims.
After much testing and taste comparison, heres our definitive list of the yummiest protein powders you can try today.
Why Should I Want To Use A Protein Shake
It is recommended to have 0.8 grams of protein in your diet for every kilogram of weight, just to maintain health. But, if youre recovering from an injury or illness, or if you want to build muscle mass, youll need at least twice the amount of protein in your diet . There are several reasons why a protein shake is recommended:
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Helps in muscle recovery after a workout: When you work out, you essentially damage your muscles to an extent, and they start to repair the damage by increasing in size and strength. Your body demands protein for this repair. Its recommended to have as much as 30 grams of protein after an intense workout. A protein shake can help you reach that goal.
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Nutritional substitute for junk food: There are even protein shakes that are suitable for children and young adults! A good-tasting protein shake, such as the Go! Pro Shake, can provide vitamins, fiber, and Omega-3 oils. Its suitable for children as young as 7 years of age, and it will ensure that your child gets good nutrition. It will also help them avoid consuming junk food when theyre hungry since a protein drink will provide them with the fuel their body craves until meal time.
The Go! Pro Shake For Kids
Healthy Height Protein Mix
SkinnyJane Skinny Blend Protein Shake for Women
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Enhance The Taste Of Your Protein Shake
Hate the taste of protein shake? Youre not alone! Plenty of people hate drinking protein shakes because lets face it the healthier something is, the more it tastes like cardboard. Most protein shakes use boatloads of artificial sweeteners and processed protein powder that combine for a taste that could make anyone rethink their diet. Try these tricks to significantly improve the taste of that diet-keeping, muscle-building concoction that will keep you scooping, mixing, and enjoying!
Add Fruit
Fruit adds a delicious kick to your protein shake without adding a tremendous amount of calories. Nearly any fruit can be thrown into a protein shake to make it taste better, but we have found that strawberries, raspberries, and bananas are the more flavorful. By using fruits in your protein shakes, you protein shakes will be sweeter and give you an extra serving of fruit!
Add Milk
While milk does not necessarily change the overall taste of the protein shake, it does make it more like a milkshake. Who doesnt like milkshakes? Nobodythats who. You can also add some type of sweetener such as artificial sweetener or honey to make it even tastier!
Add Cocoa Powder
Like chocolate? Love chocolate? So do we! Thats why we suggest adding cocoa powder to your protein shake. The cocoa powder will add some flavor without adding all of those unnecessary calories.
Add Yogurt
Toss In Some Peanut Butter!
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Shake
Image courtesy Optimum Nutrition
Whey protein isolates are the most pure form of whey protein available. WPIs are more expensive to use than other forms of whey protein, but they’re among the highest quality proteins on the market. That’s why, on the Gold Standard 100% Whey label, they’re listed as the first ingredient.
WPI can be used to make a protein shake that has 24 grams of protein per serving, with top ultra-filtered whey protein concentrate to assist you gain muscle after exercise.
The Ultra Keto producer touts the product’s mixability. The powder has been instantized to easily mix with a shaker cup or a glass and spoon, as is proper for this high-quality substance. There’s no doubt that this is the gold standard against which all other whey products are compared.
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Core Power Protein Milk Shake Review From A Momma On The Run
Kellys three flavors of Core Power to try out.
As you may have read in Brians and Annes reviews of Core Power, there were three of us testing this protein milk shake out. We all have vastly different lives and training goals. For me, training is simply running when I can to stay fit and for a little me time. My running goal is simply to run, and if I average under a 10-minute mile Im pretty darn happy with myself. Life with an almost-two-year-old means that nutrition has to also be quick and convenient.
I was all set to try three flavors of the Core Power natural high protein milk shake Strawberry Banana, Vanilla, and Chocolate. I decided to try each one at a different time of day, to see how the drink treated me in different circumstances.
Mid-morning snack: For this trial, I went with what I assumed would be my least-favorite flavor: Strawberry Banana. I firmly believe that the only thing that should taste like bananas are bananas. But, one day at work, around 10a, I looked at the noon calendar on my meeting, thought back to my paltry bowl of Cinnamon Life from 7a, and decided Todays the day for a little Core Power.
Id recommend this to other runners looking for a yummy post-run protein snack. Definitely delicious and not so filling that I couldnt rehydrate with some good, old-fashioned water and then have lunch an hour later.
The post-work pre-run snack: It was time. For some chocolate Core Power!
Who Should Buy Huge Supplements Whey Protein
- Those who want a large dose of protein will like the 23.5 grams per scoop here.
- Customers who like some help with digesting will enjoy the digestive enzymes papain and lactase in this formula.
- Anyone looking for a protein that you can take any time of the day and after a workout. The combination of whey concentrate and whey isolate makes this a solid choice.
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Use Plant Milk Instead Of Water
Protein shakes almost always taste better with milk than water. This is because the fats in milk combine with the powder more fully.
There are very few protein powders that taste good with water alone. Free Soul is the only one that ticks this box for us. If your shake tastes powdery, then adding milk could be the solution.
Mixing them with almond, coconut or hazelnut milk can make them a lot tastier. They add a creaminess and an extra nutty flavour. Plant-based milk also helps the protein powder to dissolve more fully which creates a smoother texture.
Using 250ml of unsweetened plant-based milk instead of water will add about 75 calories. If youre worried about adding calories to your shake, then use a 50:50 mix of water and plant-based milk instead.
Huge Supplements Whey Protein
Unlike most protein powders that only contain one type of protein, this product is made from a combination of whey protein isolate and whey concentrate. This makes for a higher protein content per scoop without any extra fillers or additives. Each scoop provides a solid 23.5g of protein and 120 calories with only 2g of fat. Huge also includes the digestive enzymes papain and lactase, which can help you better break down and absorb the protein, and work against bloating.
Huge sweetens their protein with sucralose, and offers their whey in four delicious flavors, including Strawberry Cheesecake and Chocolate Peanut Butter. For those of you who are looking for a low carb option, or just trying to keep the calories per scoop down, this protein only has 2.5g of carbs per serving.
A blend of whey isolate and whey concentrate, Huge Supplements Whey Protein packs 23 grams of protein into each serving. It also contains 5g of BCAAs with only 2g of fat and 2.5g of carbs per serving.
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Add Some Natural Protein
You can also try adding a spoonful of peanut butter to your shake, which will add both flavor and protein. If youre looking for an even healthier alternative then consider using Greek yogurt since this is lower in sugar compared with regular fruit or nut butters/pastes.
As well as being nutritious, these ingredients are healthy too so dont feel guilty about enjoying them.
Read More:How To Make A Protein Shake 3 Healthy & Delicious Recipes
Add Your Favorite Fruits
Start by finding a high quality brand that doesnt include any kind of flavorings at all. From here, you can add your preferred natural sweeteners fresh fruit and honey are popular options.
It goes without saying that this is a lot easier to do if youre making the shake at home, and Ive got a guide to buying a good protein shake blender if you need some help choosing home equipment.
The good thing about adding fruit is youre also adding extra nutritional value, without dramatically increasing the calorie count.
Popular options for this method include:
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Muscle Milk Pro Series
Muscle Milk is an excellent source of protein, and dont let the name fool youits not just for post-workout refueling.
It delivers an impressive 32 grams of protein per serving in the form of milk and casein protein, and aside from some flavoring agents, the only other ingredients are vitamins and minerals. Surprisingly, its one of the most focused, minimalist protein shakes out there, and its carb content is incredibly low.
How To Incorporate Protein Shakes Into A Healthy Diet
While protein shakes are a great addition to your diet they are just one piece of the puzzle! Make sure you are getting a variety of nutrients in through a balance of fruit, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats. Heres an example meal plan that includes a protein shake:
- Breakfast: I have been hooked on oatmeal for breakfast lately! So many different ways to enjoy this yummy breakfast.
- Lunch: I typically have a salad for lunch its always a mixture of lots of vegetables, protein and healthy fats.
- Snack: Protein shake make a protein shake for an energy boost to get over the afternoon slump. Youll get energy and feel satisfied until dinner.
- Dinner: Take your pick when it comes to dinner options! Again, make sure theres a mixture of vegetables, protein and fat.
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Other Protein Shakes We Tried
Kate Farms: Editors’ note, August 11, 2022: Kate Farms parent company, Lyons Magnus LLC, voluntarily recalled some of its pediatric, standard beverages and nutrition shakes. See the details of the recall.
Kate Farms uses organic yellow pea protein in its plant-based shakes that are free of gluten, soy, dairy and artificial sweeteners. I loved how creamy and delicious these protein shakes were. They’re higher in calories , which isn’t a problem since it’s considered a meal replacement beverage, not just a protein shake. This product almost made the best list, but it fell short in one important area: It only has 16 grams of protein per serving compared to the other plant-based brands, which have at least 20 grams of protein. If Kate Farms reworked its formula to include 20 grams or more of protein, it would’ve easily made the best list.
Orgain Organic Nutrition Shake: I’m familiar with Orgain’s plant-based protein powders because I’ve had them in the past. However I had never tried its shakes before, and they fell short for me. I really wanted to like them, but they had an aftertaste that their powders normally don’t have, and even the creamy chocolate fudge flavor didn’t taste the same to me. If it were up to me, I’d stick to Orgain in powder form and mix it with my dairy-free milk of choice as I normally do.