My Fave Protein Powders
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Published Feb 18, 2023, Updated Feb 05, 2025
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Want to start using protein powder, but not sure which one to try? Here’s a guide for choosing the right protein powder for you, a list of my favorites and coupon codes.
One question I get asked all the time is what protein powder I use! I’m happy to share my favorites because I know how challenging it can be to find a good, high-quality protein powder that actually tastes great too.
It’s no fun to spend money on a huge tub of protein powder only to realize it has a chalky texture and has the flavor of wet cardboard. Been there, done that!
Whether you’re making protein shakes or making recipes with protein powder, the type and brand of protein powder you use will definitely affect the recipe’s outcome. For the recipes here on EBF, I always specify what type of protein powder to use because it does make a difference.
Table of Contents
How to Choose the Best Protein Powder?
There are so many protein powders on the market. From whey, soy, egg white, casein, collagen, hemp, rice, pea, etc. If you’re new to protein powder, learn more about the seven best types of protein powder. In general, it’s hard to know which protein powder is right for you. It really depends on your dietary needs and how well your body digests the different protein sources.
I personally like using plant-based protein powders, but I will occasionally use whey as well for certain recipes.
Besides good flavor (which is one of the biggest factors for me!), this is what I look for when choosing a protein powder:
- Complete protein with all nine essential amino acids.
- High in protein (obviously) – I look for powders with at least 15 grams of protein per serving.
- Low in sugar – I look for options with less than 5 grams of sugar per serving.
- No artificial sweeteners like sucralose or aspartame. I’m okay with natural sweeteners like stevia and monkfruit.
- Free of soy, milk, yeast, wheat, and other allergens that often cause allergic reactions.
Why Use Protein Powder?
Let me start by saying that I don’t think you need protein powder to eat healthfully or lose weight. In college, when I lost over 20 lbs, I didn’t use any supplements or protein powder (I just ate healthy real food). At this point in my healthy eating journey I try to get most of my daily protein intake from whole, minimally processed foods like fish, dairy products, eggs, beans, grains, nuts and seeds. But protein powder makes for quick protein-packed snacks and on-the-go meals when needed.
I personally love using protein powder to help make macro-balanced meals and snacks. If you’ve been a blog reader for a while, you know that I recommend having every meal consist of lean protein, fiber and healthy fats. I love adding protein powder to certain meals (especially snacks) to up the protein level, especially after a workout. The extra protein makes meals more satisfying and keeps you feeling full longer. Some examples?
- Protein balls + energy balls
- Protein bars
- Protein oatmeal
- Protein pancakes
- Protein shakes
- Protein muffins
- Protein cookies
- Chia pudding
- Overnight oats
My Favorite Protein Powders
Truvani
Why I like Truvani:
- Super short ingredient list (almost all of their flavors have less than 8 ingredients)
- Great nutrition facts
- No fillers, preservatives, artificial sweeteners or stevia
- Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, lectin-free and non-GMO
- Easy to digest
- Both the vanilla and chocolate have a great flavor and aren’t gritty.
My picks: Vanilla + Chocolate
Coupon Code: use this link for 10% off your oder
Clean Simple Eats
Why I like Clean Simple Eats:
- Great nutrition facts
- 100% grass-fed whey
- No artificial flavors or sweeteners
- Soy-free, made with all-natural ingredients and a digestive enzyme blend.
- One of the only whey protein powders that’s easy for me to digest
- Third party tested
My picks: Simply Vanilla + Chocolate Brownie Batter
Coupon Code: use this link or the code EBF for 10% off your oder
Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
Why I like Nuzest:
- Super short ingredient list (almost all of their flavors have less than 5 ingredients)
- Great nutrition facts
- Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, lectin-free and non-GMO
- Easy to digest
- Both the vanilla and chocolate have a great flavor and aren’t chalky.
My picks: Smooth Vanilla + Rich Chocolate
Coupon Code: use code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order.
Sun Warrior
Why I like Sun Warrior:
- Great nutrition facts
- Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, organic, synthetic free and non-GMO
- Easy to digest
- Complete amino acid profile with 6 grams of BCAA’S per serving
- No added sugar because it’s stevia sweetened
- Delicious flavor – not chalky at all
My pick: Vanilla Warrior Blend
Yes, absolutely! I wouldn’t recommend that you have protein powder with every single meal and snack. I like to get my protein from a variety of sources – chicken, fish, tofu, beans, legumes and yes, protein powder. When possible, I recommend incorporating real, whole food sources of protein and using protein powder as a supplement when needed.
Most protein powders say to consult your physician if you’re pregnant or nursing on the package, which I recommend as well. For me personally, I felt comfortable using organic, plant-based protein powders and collagen while pregnant, but to be honest it wasn’t something I craved so I didn’t have it very often. I also feel comfortable using protein powder and collagen while nursing. Since having Olivia I’ve been incorporating more protein-based snacks and using collagen to help with postpartum hair loss.
I get asked this question a lot, especially because some of my recipes like the protein balls and protein muffins are something kids would certainly enjoy the flavor of. For me personally, I don’t make things with protein powder for my kids (Olivia (4) and Tucker (2), but if I’m eating something like a protein smoothie or homemade protein bar and they want a bite, I will share some with them. So I feel comfortable to an extent but it’s not something I give them on the regular. Of course it’s best to always ask your pediatrician as they will have more knowledge about whether it’s safe for children to consume protein powder or not.
Protein Powder Recipes:
Sharing my top 6 favorite protein powder recipes below, but also be sure to check out the full collection of protein powder recipes on EBF!
Thanks for breaking down the pros and cons of each protein powder. I’ve been using a plant-based protein, but I feel like it’s not as effective post-workout. Based on your guide, I’m thinking of switching to a blend that includes pea protein.
Discover the delicious benefits of butterscotch protein powder for a flavorful protein boost.
hello Brittany, I work overnight and I am new to the weight loss journey, I found your website and it fits me . question , can you please give me an example of eating overnight ? I find myself to be hungary and I don’t normally eat late night and the right food choices and snacks.
Hi Katrina. I would try and stick to a normal eating plan during your work schedule. Eating breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the course of your night shift similar to how you would if you were working day shift. Here is a meal plan I put together that might work great for you! Hope this helps!
Hi. I live in Norway and can only find the Sunwarrior Protein Classic Plus (vanilla). Will it be ok instead of the sunwarrior protein warrior blend? Thanks.
Absolutely! It’ll still be delicious. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
I have been supriesed about the variety of food. I am from Germany, near the baverian alps and we used to do lot’s of Herbs eating. And with some ideas from my friends from Brittany I have changed all my Diet. I eat wide Strawberries, wild Garlic, stingy nettles, Lemon balm, Ganseblumchen, Eefy leaves and lots others. I found a Webqside Blatt und Dorn where I learn like with you live healty. I make nettle Quiches, nettle turnovers, nettle pasta and nettle Pesto. I am a Welsh learner and we the students exchancge lots of recetts from before. As I am from the Alps, I wrote Gegin and Kuchl on my kitchen door. I also do Buckweed pancaks making. Buckweed Spatzle with nettle and chedar Sose. Bon Appetit
Aw this is great! I am so glad this is helpful and you are enjoying trying out different foods!
I loved your article on protein powder! I have struggled to find an affordable protein powder that tastes good. I appreciate all of the information and recipes!
Yay! I am so glad you found this article helpful, Sara. Thank you so much!
Hi! I am looking at the Bob’s Red Mill website and there are four different types of protein powder: almond, hemp, soy, and whey. Which is the one you like? Thanks so much!
Hi Jessica – I personally like plant-based protein powders and collagen options because my body doesn’t process whey protein very well and I’m not a big fan of processed soy.I would probably opt for the almond or hemp. But it really depends on your dietary restrictions/needs (if any). If you read above, I mention what I look for when choosing a protein powder so I would check that list out before purchasing. Let me know which one you choose and how you like it!