The 5 Best Protein Powders for Smoothies

A good, balanced smoothie can make for a quick, filling, and healthful breakfast on even the busiest mornings. For best results, though, look beyond just fruit and juice. Finding the Best Protein Powder for Smoothies, and for your own personal goals, means you’ll love it enough to actually drink it. And that’s the goal here!

 

There are hundreds of protein powders on the market and it can be exhausting to try to find the best one. Beyond that, we all have different goals with protein powder. Maybe you are just looking for a quick and healthy breakfast, and a smoothie can be a great option in that regard. You might also have other goals outside the scope of this site such as building muscle, recovering after workouts, or just increasing your protein intake.

You might also have other qualifying factors you are seeking (or ingredients you are avoiding): nutritional requirements such as grams of protein, carbohydrates, or number of calories per serving, a protein powder that is vegan or dairy free, or one that is free from artificial sweeteners or fillers.

And on top of all that, it has to be tasty enough that you’ll eat it. To me, the stats on a protein powder can check all the boxes, but if I don’t love it, I’ll never drink it. Taste is King. And in my search, I’ve tried dozens of protein powders. Here are my top recommendations, but I’m not a dietician and this shouldn’t be consider nutritional advice. Protein powder is personal and I hope you can find one that you love.

Our Top Picks:

1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Healthy ‘N Fit 100% Egg White Protein – Vanilla Ice Cream – $57.91 on Amazon
2. Meggan’s Favorite Whey Protein Powder: Core Nutritionals ISO Protein Powder – Vanilla Cake – $54.99 on Amazon
3. Meggan’s Favorite Pea-Protein Blend: Transformation Protein Super Blend – Vanilla – $74.95 on Amazon
4. Meggan’s Favorite Vegan Protein Powder: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Plant Protein Powder – Creamy Vanilla – $33.22 on Amazon
5. Meggan’s Favorite Protein Powder Packets for Travel – Truvani Organic Vegan Protein Sample Pack – $28.99 on Amazon

Reviews of the Best Protein Powders for Smoothies

1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Healthy ‘N Fit 100% Egg White Protein Powder

When you start diving deep into protein powders and general nutrition around protein, you might eventually come across the term “bioavailability.” Bioavailability (or Biological Value) is a calculated number that defines how easily your body can use the protein you consume. That is to say, some proteins are digested more easily than others.

Which brings me to Healthy ‘N Fit 100% Egg White protein powder: Protein from eggs and egg whites is the most easily digested (bioavailable) source of protein, period. (Source: National Library of Medicine). When it comes to sources of protein, there is nothing better (provided you have no allergies nor sensitivities to eggs, of course).

Beyond that, I love the stats: 24 grams of protein per serving, low sodium, and ZERO carbs, fats, sugars, or artificial sweeteners (it is sweetened with Stevia). And MORE IMPORTANTLY: I love the taste. If I don’t love the taste, I’ll never drink it. I drink this one every single day.

I use the Vanilla Ice Cream for smoothies, but I also have their Egg White Protein Powder in Heavenly Chocolate which I will shake up in a Blender Bottle with just water. In my quest for the Perfect Protein Powder, this brand is my top choice. I absolutely love both flavors.

The Specs:

• Protein source: 100% egg whites
• Serving size: ¾ scoop*
• Protein: 24g
• Fat: 0g
• Net Carbs: 0g
• Calories: 100
• Sweeteners: Stevia

Pros:

• Best bioavailable source of protein (egg whites)
• Great nutritional profile
• Great flavor (this is subjective)
• Contains additives and/or fillers
• Good texture; blends easily with water
• Multiple sizes and flavors available including Banana, Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, and Natural (unflavored).
• Suitable for people with dairy intolerances
• No additives and/or fillers

Cons:

• Not suitable for vegans or people with egg allergies and/or intolerances

*Note: The serving size for this brand is considered ¾ scoop using the scoop provided. I used my digital scale to weigh out a full scoop and calculated the stats: 1 full scoop is 133 calories, 29.3g protein, and 2.7g net carbs.

2. Meggan’s Favorite Whey Protein Powder: Core Nutritionals ISO Protein Powder

I love, love, LOVE the taste of Core Nutritionals ISO Protein Powder in Vanilla Cake. If you have no dairy sensitivities, this will make every smoothie taste like a milk shake. It has 25g protein and just 1g carbohydrates per serving. It’s also the lowest-sodium protein powder I’ve come across at just 63mg per serving (most powders have at least 200mg).

I have tried the Core Nutritionals Vegan protein powder too, but I didn’t like the flavor. Taste is subjective, though, and someone obviously likes it. I tried Vanilla Creme, Mixed Berry, and Maple Pancake Batter.

The Specs:

• Protein source: Whey protein isolate
• Serving size: 1 scoop
• Protein: 25g
• Fat: 0.5g
• Net Carbs: 1g
• Calories: 105
• Sweeteners: Sucralose

Pros:

• Good nutritional profile
• Outstanding flavor (the best one I’ve ever tasted)
• Good texture; blends easily with water
• Multiple sizes and flavors available including Chocolate, Peanut Butter Toffee, Lemon Pound Cake, Chocolate Mint, Red Velvet, Strawberry Shortcake, and Cappuccino

Cons:

• Sweetened with Sucralose (Splenda)
• Contains additives and/or fillers
• Not suitable for vegans or people with dairy allergies and/or intolerances

3. Meggan’s Favorite Pea-Protein Blend: Transformation Total Body Protein

This is an excellent protein powder for anyone who experiences bloating from whey (dairy) protein but doesn’t love the taste of pea protein in your standard vegan powder. Because Transformation Protein includes egg whites in the mix, the pea flavor is mild (and you get way more protein, too).

This protein powder was top contender for me. It has a whopping 30g of protein and is enriched with digestive enzymes to help your body utilize as much protein as possible.

However, it is one of the most expensive protein powders on the market. And, you need 2 scoops for a “serving,” so you go through the bag pretty quickly. It also contains carrageenan, in case that is something you want to avoid.

The Specs:

• Protein source: Egg whites, collagen, pumpkin seeds, and pea protein
• Serving size: 2 scoops
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 4g
• Net Carbs: 4g
• Calories: 160
• Sweeteners: Stevia and monk fruit

Pros:

• Great nutritional profile
• Good texture; blends easily with water
• Suitable for people with dairy intolerances
• Choose between Vanilla and Chocolate flavors
• Small packets available for travel

Cons:

• 2 scoops required for 1 serving
• Contains carrageenan
• Not suitable for vegans or people with egg allergies and/or intolerances
• Much more expensive than other protein powders

4. Meggan’s Favorite Vegan Protein Powder: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Plant Protein Powder

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of vegan protein powders on the market. Some of them have extremely attractive packaging and high-profile influencers on the docket, but I haven’t found one that beats this basic, Walmart-available vegan protein powder.

At 24g protein per serving, this is a hefty amount. There are 5g carbs per serving, but that is expected (and comparatively low) because the protein sources are peas and brown rice. Compare that to Orgain, a widely popular vegan protein (it’s even at Costco), which has 21g protein and 15g carbs, and you can see how Optimum Nutrition is ideal if you’re aiming for a low-carb protein powder.

I don’t “love” the taste of this or any pea protein powder, but among the ones I’ve tried, this one was tolerable. If I’m being honest, it’s a little sweet, and it benefits from being mixed into a smoothie with other ingredients to tone down the sweetness.

The Specs:

• Protein source: Pea and brown rice protein
• Serving size: 1 scoop
• Protein: 24g
• Fat: 3.5g
• Net Carbs: 5g
• Calories: 150
• Sweeteners: Stevia

Pros:

• Good nutritional profile
• Good texture; blends easily with water
• Suitable for vegans or anyone with dairy and/or egg intolerances
• Two flavors to choose from (Vanilla and Chocolate)
• Widely available, even at Walmart
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Has a strong pea taste
• May taste overly sweet
• Contains additives and/or fillers

5. Meggan’s Favorite Protein Powder Packets for Travel – Truvani Organic Vegan Protein Sample Pack

Our lives are often paved with good intentions, and for me, keeping up my protein shake routine while traveling is always a goal. But packing a giant container of protein powder is never practical, so protein powder packets are an awesome asset to keep in mind.

I love these little Truvani travel packets because they keep me on track with protein while letting me “have fun with it.” With a variety of fun flavors, I can feel like it’s my “vacation protein powder” which is a little tastier and a little less protein-heavy than my usual daily shake.

Flavor is always subjective, but I enjoyed all of these in the variety pack. They are vegan but without the usual chalky pea-protein taste. I just packed a small blender bottle and mixed a packet with bottled water (I don’t recommend using water from your hotel room, and I have the stories to prove it).

I also think if you’re seeking your new daily protein powder, Truvani is a great choice (albeit a little low in protein for me, but your goals may be different). If you like the nutritional specs, the variety pack allows you to sample all their flavors without investing in a full-size container of each kind.

My only gripe is as of the time this story is being published, the Truvani travel variety pack isn’t available with Prime shipping. So, plan ahead and order it now.

The Specs:

*These are based on the Vanilla protein powder as specs vary by flavor.

• Protein source: Pea, pumpkin seed, and chia seed protein
• Serving size: 1 packet
• Protein: 20g
• Fat: 3g
• Net Carbs: 3g
• Calories: 130
• Sweeteners: Monk fruit

Pros:

• Maintain your protein shake routine/intake on vacation, but have fun with it by trying fun new flavors that taste great
• Good texture; blends easily with water
• Great taste, especially for a vegan protein powder (this is subjective)
• No additives and/or fillers
• Suitable for vegans or anyone with dairy and/or egg intolerances
• The sample pack makes it easy to try all the flavors without investing in a full-size container of each (Vanilla, Chocolate, Vanilla Chai, Matcha, Peanut Butter, Banana Cinnamon, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Unflavored)

Cons:

• Only 20g protein per serving (a little low)
• The variety pack has a long delivery time (no Prime shipping)
• Too expensive for daily use, so use the sample pack to pick your favorite flavors or reserve for travel only

More Protein Powders Meggan Has Tried

True Nutrition Grass Fed Beef Protein Powder Isolate

During my question for a non-dairy protein powder, I ordered 4 different flavors of True Nutrition protein powder, each made with 100% Beef Protein Isolate.

While I enjoyed the True Nutrition Chocolate Mint flavor the best (sweetened with Stevia), I could never shake the feeling that I was drinking meat. Online resources insist that beef protein isolate is flavorless, but this was not my experience. But, the nutritional profile of the blend was excellent and overall I had a great experience with the company.

You can also customize your own blend at TrueNutrition.com. Choose from one or more protein sources such as whey, egg whites, pea, soy, or brown rice protein. Then, add a flavor and choose its intensity (light, regular, or heavy). Last, add up to 3 optional boosts such as psyllium husk fiber, turmeric, probiotics, vitamins, or super greens. The whole process takes just a couple of minutes, and the powder is reasonably priced (about $23 or so for a pound of your custom blend).

Vega Sport Vegan Protein Powder

This plant-powered protein powder has 30g of protein per serving, the most out of any vegan protein powder I’ve ever tried. The vanilla flavor is more mild than other pea-protein powders, although it isn’t my favorite. Choose from a variety of flavors such as chocolate, berry, mocha, and peanut butter. The basic flavors, such as chocolate and vanilla, are widely available at Whole Foods, Target, and Walmart.

TumLove Low FODMAP Vegan Protein Powder

For anyone with digestive issues, Low FODMAP foods can be life-changing. The diet involves restricting all fermentable carbohydrates for a prescribed period of time, and the list of what you can eat is limited. This protein powder is certified Low FODMAP by Monash University where the diet was originally developed.

This protein powder tastes surprisingly good and mixes well with water. I am not Low FODMAP, but my husband is, and this certainly did not aggravate him further, and maybe even helped. It at least helped keep him on track by providing a quick snack option when he was hungry.

Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder

This is one of the most popular protein powders on the market, not least because it is sold at Costco. It’s also at practically every other store too, including Kroger stores, Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods.

While the taste is good, the nutritional profile wasn’t ideal. It has 21g of protein which is decent, but the 15g carbs is too high for my goals. It might be perfect for you, though! I do appreciate that it is sweetened with stevia, and I love that they offer small travel-sized packets.

Why You Can Trust Us

I’m Meggan, a classically-trained chef, professional writer, and the Editor-in-Chief of Culinary Hill, a food blog visited by millions of readers every month. In real life, I fuel my work and family time with protein powder and regular sessions at the gym. I also run a few 5Ks a year. Although I am not a registered dietician and have no formal credentials in that area, I’ve been obsessively trying protein powders for years and know that finding the protein powder is a very personal journey. But, you can start with the stats, the ingredients, and the taste, and see how it makes you feel!

My Favorite Shaker Bottle: 24oz Crystal White Blender Bottle

If you’re making a basic protein shake with just protein powder and your favorite beverage, there is no need to bust out a blender. Instead, grab your favorite shaker bottle and get started!

I love the 24-ounce size best and I like the clear plastic walls of this version rather than the opaque gray of other blender bottles. But they come in many colors and sizes, so it’s best to pick your favorite!

Pro tip: Add a couple of ice cubes to the shaker. It helps mix the protein powder with the wire whisk ball while making every sip icy cold.

The Best Smoothie Recipes

Now that you’ve discovered your favorite protein powder (or maybe you’re still on that journey and need some recipes to try out), here are some of the best smoothie recipes on Culinary Hill.

• Spinach Smoothie: Fresh spinach, banana, pineapple, and yogurt make for a super simple, totally delicious way to eat more greens.
• Carrot Smoothie: You’ll love the flavors of mango, bananas, and orange juice in this colorful, vibrant smoothie starring a secret ingredient: frozen carrots.
• Mango Smoothie: This simple smoothie is flavored with mangoes and bananas with Greek yogurt for protein and milk for creaminess. 
• Peanut Butter Smoothie: Even with a no-sugar peanut butter, this 4-ingredient protein-packed Peanut Butter Smoothie recipe tastes sweet and light while keeping you full.

Prices were accurate at time of publication.

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