Key takeaways
- Increasing your protein intake can help support weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness, boosting metabolism, and preserving lean muscle mass.
- Our picks for the best protein powders for weight loss are dietitian-approved, contain fewer than 200 calories per serving, and are low in added sugar and high in fiber.
- Our top choice, Naked Whey Flavored Protein Powder, tastes great and offers 25 grams (g) of protein.
- Best plant-based organic: Ora Organic So Lean & So Clean Plant-Based Superfood Protein | Skip to review
In addition to reducing your overall calorie intake, increasing the amount of protein you consume may help you lose weight. Protein powders are a convenient way to add more protein to your diet, but they can also:
- Increase feelings of fullness: Protein helps you feel
full longer , which can help you consume fewer calories. - Boost metabolism: Compared with carbs or fat,
protein demands the most calories during digestion and utilization. Therefore, raising your protein intake can increase calorie burning. - Maintain lean muscle mass: You might also lose fat and muscle when you lose weight. Consuming enough protein, alongside resistance training, can help you maintain muscle and prevent a decline in metabolism.
Keep reading to get our list of the seven best options for all budgets and dietary needs.
Disclaimer: Some of the products below were provided to Healthline testers for free. Our opinions and reviews are ours alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the brands.
A note on price
Below are general price ranges indicated with dollar signs ($ to $$$). One dollar sign indicates the product is rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher cost.
Generally, prices range from $1.25 to $3.12 per serving, or $25.49 to $95.80 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop. Prices may also vary by flavor and container size.
Pricing guide:
- $ = under $1.50 per serving
- $$ = $1.50 to $2.00 per serving
- $$$ = over $2.00 per serving
Note that the serving recommendations vary between 1 and 2 scoops.
Here are a couple of other protein powders that we considered but didn’t quite make the cut:
- Drink Wholesome Egg White Protein Powder: This product is unique because it uses egg whites as a source of protein. We liked that it’s low in calories for the amount of protein, but the flavor and texture weren’t a hit with our tester.
- Orgain Simple Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder: This protein powder is rated well with our tester, but it’s a bit high in sugar.
Healthline’s registered dietitians helped us select the best protein powders to support weight loss. Here’s what they considered:
- Nutrition content: We looked for products that are lower in calories to support a reduced-calorie diet. All products contain less than 200 calories per serving. We also prioritized powders with fewer added sugars and high fiber content.
- Quality: We selected protein powders that are made by reputable companies and tested throughout the manufacturing process, ideally by third-party labs.
- Vetting: The products on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.
We then tested each protein powder. Our reviewers tried each protein powder for a minimum of two weeks, except for Naked Whey — for this product, the reviewer tested sample packets of several flavors.
Reviewers commented on each protein powder’s taste, texture, and more, helping us devise our final scores.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We fact-check health claims, evaluate ingredients, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the products on this page, we considered all the protein powders that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further.
Protein powder can help increase overall
Specifically,
However, it’s important to integrate protein powder into a balanced diet and regular exercise routine for the best results.
Incorporating protein powder is an effective and convenient way to consume plenty of protein that can help you feel full and maintain muscle while eating in a calorie deficit.
Most protein powders can be blended into smoothies, mixed into oatmeal or yogurt, or even used in baking to increase the protein content of meals and snacks without significantly raising the calorie count.
You can use protein powder any time of day, but consuming it after workouts can aid in recovery and muscle maintenance and growth. This can be particularly beneficial if you’re interested in body recomposition, in which you lose weight and build muscle.
Remember, protein powder can be a helpful component of a weight loss plan, but supplements should never replace the basics — balanced nutrition, sleep, stress management, and regular physical activity.
While there are several protein powder options, including whey and casein (which are made from cow’s milk) and plant-based options such as pea and hemp, one is not necessarily better for weight loss than others.
Some research suggests that whey protein may be better for preserving lean muscle mass during weight loss, but other research has shown that plant protein may offer similar benefits to whey.
Ultimately, the overall amount of calories consumed and burned appears to be the most important factor for weight loss.
Some protein powders are marketed to women, but they can be enjoyed by most healthy adults. No one protein powder is best for weight loss in women.
As mentioned earlier, whey protein may be desirable for protecting lean muscle mass during weight loss thanks to its higher leucine content, but many products can help women meet their protein needs when losing weight.
Protein powders can help you meet your target protein needs and support body recomposition, a process in which you gain muscle and lose fat at the same time. But remember that resistance training or weightlifting is the primary driver of body recomposition.
It’s generally safe to use protein powder daily as part of a balanced diet. However, you should always choose high quality, third-party tested products to ensure safety and purity. Also, be sure to read the label thoroughly, as some products may contain additional ingredients that could be contraindicated for certain populations.
Many people use protein powders to build muscle, but these powders can also benefit your weight loss goals.
While these products may help you lose weight, you’ll get the best results using them alongside a balanced, reduced-calorie diet and an exercise routine.