7 Best Protein Shakes & Protein Powders of 2023

Protein shakes are a great way to get extra protein into your diet and support your overall health. An adequate protein intake is necessary for the optimal function of your entire system, as this macronutrient is involved in almost every body process^[1]. 

Protein is important for repairing and building your muscles and tissues; it encourages metabolic reactions, coordinates bodily functions, helps you lose weight, balances out your pH, and helps you maintain adequate fluid balance. 

Health Benefits of Protein Shakes

Protein shakes can bring a plethora of health benefits to your diet:

• Promote muscle growth – probably their most important function^[5], protein shakes help increase muscle growth, and research proves they are effective in increasing both size and strength
• Aid in post-workout recovery – studies show^[6] how protein shakes reduce muscle damage, improve protein synthesis, and increase muscle performance
• Help with weight loss and weight management – protein shakes have a positive effect^[7] on fat loss and weight loss, as well as reduced cholesterol and blood pressure

The Line Up At A Glance

7 Best Protein Shakes in 2023

How to Choose The Best Protein Powder?

Before you rush and buy the first protein powder you see in your grocery store or hear about on social media, here are a few important factors to take into account:

• If possible, choose grass-fed whey – grass-fed whey protein is higher in quality and contains all of the naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals. It’s also higher in healthy fats and contains a larger number of BCAAs due to less processing.
• High-protein count – choose a protein shake with a high protein count per serving as it’s less likely to have other “fillers” to fully justify their caloric amount.
• If possible, choose organic – organic protein powders that are pure, clean, and really high- quality.
• Check for a National Science Foundation (NSF) or Informed-Sport certificate – these certificates can ensure you that their product contains no banned substances.
• Opt for real ingredients – avoid brands with large amounts of added sugars, artificial flavors, dyes, artificial sugars, and colorings, and choose those with only a few clean ingredients derived from real foods.
• Complete protein – when choosing a vegan protein shake, it’s important to look for formulas that contain a complete protein profile with all the essential amino acids. This can be accomplished by using a source complete in all nine essential amino acids such as whey, soy, or hemp or combining vegetable proteins to complete an amino acid profile.

Dosage

The usual serving size contains 20 to 30 grams of protein, depending on the brand. Your lifestyle choice, daily diet, and caloric expenditure will determine your optimal daily protein intake, so you can plan your meals accordingly. 

Some people take one protein shake a day, usually post-workout, but others take more, knowing they can’t reach their protein numbers with just food alone. Whey protein is derived from milk, and those who are lactose intolerant may have digestive issues^[11] if they drink too many protein shakes per day. 

If you’re new to protein shakes, start with one after a hard workout and slowly build up as needed to reach your health and fitness goals. 

Final Thought

Protein powders are a great way to get additional protein into your daily diet. Many people struggle with even the baseline numbers, and if you’re an active individual who participates in physical exercise, it can be even harder to obtain it from food. 

Choose the ones without artificial ingredients, try to aim for grass-fed and organic, and keep your dosage moderate in line with your health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

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