The Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss 2025, All Approved by a Dietitian

Transparent Labs Casein is our top pick for a weight-loss protein powder because of the type of protein it’s made from: casein. Casein makes up about 80 percent of all protein found in milk—the rest is in whey—and is digested slower than whey or other types of protein. This keeps you fuller for longer, which could lead to reduced caloric intake and create a caloric deficit, which is necessary for weight loss.

Sure, you can drink it as a shake or you could turn it into a protein pudding (the pudding’s thicker texture will also make you feel more full than a liquid-y shake). That’s exactly what certified sports nutrition coach and GGR senior staff writer Amanda Capritto did when she discovered this powder tastes exactly like those chocolate pudding cups you can find in grocery stores.

“It’s so good! I actually crave this,” Amanda says, awarding the flavor a perfect 5 out of 5. “All you do is mix it with less liquid than usual.” We recommend mixing in a splash at a time until you find your desired texture.

If you’ve never had casein protein powder before, we’ll warn you that it’s naturally thicker than whey, so it may take a little extra elbow grease to get everything incorporated. Amanda gave this particular powder a 4.5 out of 5 for solubility, saying, “It mixes into a nice, thick shake or into delicious pudding! Unlike with most casein powders, I don’t find it particularly difficult to break up all the clumps with this one.”

Transparent Labs lives up to its name by displaying every ingredient in the tub and undergoing third-party testing by Informed Choice. This certification means it’s been tested for potentially harmful materials and banned substances that might show up on an athlete’s drug tests. So sip away, you’re in good hands.

The only thing to call out is the price. At $1.99 per serving, this is a little expensive and earns 2.5 out of 5 for the price per serving.

Our Transparent Labs casein protein review has everything else you’ll need to know about this product.

If you’re looking for something a little more affordable and don’t feel like you need a casein protein, we recommend trying Nutricost Whey Protein Concentrate.

Losing a lot of weight doesn’t have to involve losing a lot of money. Each scoop of Nutricost Whey Protein Concentrate costs anywhere from 78 cents to $1.15, depending on the flavor and container size you order (there’s a 2- and 5-pound option), earning a 5-out-of-5-star rating for price per serving.

Affordable protein powders come with some trade-offs, and in the case of the flavored versions of Nutricost protein that trade-off is having artificial ingredients (the Unflavored version has all-natural ingredients). That said, GGR Senior Head of Content and Level weightlifting coach Kate Meier says it doesn’t taste artificial.

“Absolutely amazing,” she says of the Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor, giving it a 5 out of 5 on taste. “It tastes like a melted milkshake. All around, a great product. Would definitely buy it again.” She also rated the solubility a 5 out of 5, saying it mixed well in a shaker cup with water and milk.

As registered dietitian Perry Nix notes, whey protein concentrates may not be a good choice for those who are sensitive to dairy since it contains more lactose than whey protein isolates. Kate, however, says this seems to be pretty easy on the digestive tract.

“My partner has stomach issues with some proteins but didn’t have any with this one,” she says in our  Nutricost Whey Protein Concentrate review.

If you have a sensitive stomach, you may want to try a whey protein isolate instead of a concentrate, like Legion Athletics Whey+ Whey Isolate Protein Powder.

Men can, of course, enjoy Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein, but we like it for women because it’s easy to digest. It’s made from whey protein isolate that contains less lactose and sugar than whey protein concentrate, which is what many protein powders are made from. And because it’s Informed Choice certified, you’ll have peace of mind that it contains zero harmful compounds or banned substances. We give this 5 out of 5 for the formulation.

The 28 grams of protein and under one gram each of carbs and fats don’t hurt, and neither do the 12 delicious flavors (including an unflavored option).

Certified personal trainer and GGR performance editor Anthony O’Reilly tried the limited edition Peppermint Hot Cocoa flavor around the holidays and gifted it a 5 out of 5 on taste. “This is the kind of protein shake I’d leave out for Santa,” Anthony says. “I stashed away a second tub of it so I can have a cup of hot protein cocoa when it gets cold at night.”

RELATED: Best Protein Powders for Women

Let’s talk stevia for a second. You may have heard a social media influencer say it’s one of the worst things you could put in your body, and nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, some people may be sensitive to this sweetener, but the general population can consume up to 4 grams per kilogram of bodyweight before experiencing negative symptoms.

That means a 120-pound woman can eat more than 200 grams of stevia before getting sick—Transparent Labs uses less than a quarter of a gram of stevia in each scoop.

Our only call out is the cost. This is a high-quality protein, so it’s not cheap at $1.99 per serving, but we still give it 3.5 out of 5 stars for the price per serving.

Read our Transparent Labs protein review for the rest of our thoughts about this product.

For a more budget-friendly option, you may want to try Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard Whey.

Jacked Factory Authentic Whey caps its carbs and fats at 2 grams across the board, making it one of the few flavored keto protein powders that’s mostly protein. Sure, there are others on this list that may have a similar nutritional value, but Jacked Factory has them beat on cost—$1.50 per scoop with 24 grams of protein? Sign us up. 

There’s also zero added sugar, but they do use stevia and sucralose, which might cause some digestive issues in some people³. Besides that, there are some thickeners such as Xanthan gum that have little to no nutritional value. We still give the formulation 5 out of 5 stars due to the high protein ocntent and relatively low carb and found content, but some may not like those added ingredients.

Certified personal trainer and GGR performance editor Anthony O’Reilly went with the Fruity Cereal flavor, and while it reminded him of his childhood breakfast cereal there was a slight aftertaste, most likely due to the stevia and sucralose.

“Tasted like Froot Loops but with a slight medicinal aftertaste,” he says, giving the protein powder a 4 out of 5 on taste. The solubility was a perfect 5 out of 5—no clumps—but Anthony noted the powder does change color once you add liquid.

While it does contain whey protein concentrate there’s also whey protein isolate, so it might be easier for some people to digest due to the removal of lactose⁴. Anthony and several customer reviewers experienced no issues with this protein powder compared to other supplements that can sometimes cause upset stomachs. 

RELATED: Learn the difference between whey protein isolate vs concentrate.

Our Jacked Factory Authentic Whey review details our comprehensive thoughts about this product.

If you’re looking for a great whey protein that doesn’t have any artificial ingredients, we recommend trying Legion Athletics Whey+ Whey Isolate Protein Powder.

Legion Athletics Casein+ protein powder contains up to 26 grams of slowly digested micellar casein protein that can help you feel full throughout the night or long workday. 

GGR Performance Editor and certified nutrition coach Anthony O’Reilly opted for Banana Cream Pie flavor and said the only reason it got a 4.5 out of 5 was because the name was a tad misleading for him. “It tasted more like a banana, more specifically a slightly under-ripe banana, than a pie but hey, I’m not complaining much since it still tasted amazing. I’ve been drinking one of these every night before bed and I wake up still feeling full.”

Casein is naturally thicker than whey protein powder, but Anthony says the solubility is still a 5 out of 5 since his shakes had no clumps or grittiness.

Legion was also one of the few casein protein powders we tried out that came from grass-fed cows, and in case you’re wondering, yes that actually makes a difference. A February 2021 review⁵ found that grass-fed dairy had a higher amount of phytonutrients than dairy from grain-fed animals. Phytonutrients are antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties and have been linked with reduced disease risk and improved heart health.

The omega-3/omega-6 ratio also tends to be better in grass-fed dairy than conventionally raised cattle, according to this 2018 study⁶. Omega-3 and omega-6 are the so-called “good” fats, but you generally want a higher number of omega-3s due to their anti-inflammatory effects (studies have also found they support brain and heart health⁶). 

Legion is on the more expensive side so it’s not for everyone, and only earns 2 out of 5 for the price per serving, but if you have the budget for it and you’re looking for a high-quality protein supplement, it’s one that we’d strongly recommend. Just be warned that casein protein powders sometimes require a lot more mixing than what you might be used to. Our Legion Casein+ review details the rest of our thoughts.

If you want Legion’s quality but don’t like the thick texture of casein protein, we also love Legion Athletics Whey+ Whey Isolate Protein Powder.

Unlike other plant-based protein powders that contain excess carbs and fats and a low amount of protein, Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake contains 20 grams of protein, plus 3 grams of fiber that can help increase satiety (the feeling of being full). Although it has some carbs and fat, it’s a relatively low amount – 2 and 3 grams, respectively. In other words, it’s perfect as a morning shake or mid-day snack to help curb hunger pangs.

RELATED: Plant-Based Protein Powder Benefits

Our testers rated the formulation a 5 out of 5 not only because of the macronutrients, but because Ritual ensures it has a complete amino acid profile. With the exception of soy, all plant-based proteins are lacking at least one essential amino acid (EAA), the building blocks of protein molecules. Pea protein, which is what Ritual uses, is deficient in the EAA methionine, so the company adds an additional 400 milligrams of it to ensure you’re getting a high-quality plant protein.

We dived into the age-old debate between plant-based protein powder vs whey.

Now for some good news and bad news. The bad news first: Ritual only has one flavor, Vanilla. The good news is it’s a 4 out of 5 on taste, according to certified personal trainer and GGR Senior Director of Content Kate Meier. “Even just with water, this has a nice taste,” she says in our Ritual Protein Powder review. “It’s not super plant-y or hemp-y like some plant-based proteins are.”

She gave it a 5 out of 5 for solubility, saying it easily mixes into any liquid when using a hand shaker or blender. “It’s not thick, but it’s not watery like some proteins I’ve tested,” Kate says.

One area where Ritual doesn’t shine is cost. For one, it’s a monthly subscription that costs $44 per bag (as of this writing, they’re offering 20 percent off for first-time buyers) and only has 15 servings per container, which comes out to nearly $3 per serving, which gets a 1 out of 5 from us on cost.

The bright side is it’s Informed Sport certified, meaning it’s been checked for harmful and banned substances.

This plant-based protein is expensive, so if you want to consider another plant-based option that’s only slightly more expensive but acts as a full meal replacement, not just a protein shake, we recommend checking out Huel Black Edition.

Certified personal trainer and GGR performance editor Anthony O’Reilly has tried more than 50 protein powders in his role as an expert product tester and as an everyday gym-goer, and the best-tasting protein powder he’s had to this day is Cellucor Cor-Performance Whey.

He went with the chocolate flavor, which to him tasted like a protein version of Yoohoo and earned a perfect 5 out of 5 on taste. “I wouldn’t be able to tell this was a protein drink,” says Anthony, who noted this was one of the most soluble protein powders he’s tried—another 5 out of 5. “Cellucor is well-known for their great tasting pre-workouts and energy drinks, and they’ve proven they can do it with protein powder, too.

Anthony’s girlfriend agrees, and she doesn’t always like the protein powders he brings home for work. If you don’t want to take our word for it, scroll through the various customer reviews that rave about the different flavors and really makes us want to get our hands on the Whipped Vanilla flavor. 

Another reason we’re big fans of Cellucor is the price. Granted, a container is $70 but it comes with 70 servings so you’re only paying $1 per scoop. It earns a 5 out of 5 on pricing.

Cellucor uses two digestive enzymes in their protein powder. We’ll look at protease first. Studies⁷ have linked this enzyme with increased protein absorption and researchers claim it could also help in the overall digestion process. Lactase⁸, the other enzyme, is useful for people with dairy sensitivities since there is whey protein concentrate in this supplement, and for those who don’t know that means it contains more lactose than whey protein isolate, which is also present in this blend.

This is one of the best-tasting protein powders we’ve tried, but if you’re looking for more flavors, we also really enjoy Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Protein.

Gainful Vegan Plant Protein is one of our favorite vegan protein powders because it has a good macronutrient profile (24 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbs, and 1.5 grams of fat) and contains green tea extract, an ingredient that’s been linked with increased weight loss when combined with a proper diet and adequate physical activity. We give it a 4.5 out of 5 on formulation.

Beyond that, it’s highly customizable. Each Gainful orders comes with two flavor boosters (there are eight to pick from). The powder itself is unflavored, which is fine if you’re using it in a smoothie. Or, you can add one or two of the boosters to create your own flavor combination.

For its 20 grams of protein per serving, Gainful uses organic pea protein and organic brown rice protein. This ensures that all the amino acids necessary to build muscle are present by using complementary proteins. Most plant-based protein sources, with the exception of soy protein, are deficient in some amino acids, so to ensure you’re getting all essential amino acids, manufacturers will use a blend that contains all of them. 

Certified personal trainer and nutrition coach Erin Chancer tried Gainful Vegan’s base protein first, saying it’s “pretty standard for unflavored plant protein. You can definitely taste the pea protein.”

“It’s also a bit thicker than other plant proteins I’ve had and settled like silt at the bottom of the shaker cup,” Erin adds, though she notes the solubility is a 4 out of 5.

For her flavor booster, she went with Caffe Mocha. “While pleasant, I didn’t find it to be very coffee-flavored,” she says, rating it a 3.5 out of 5.

Be warned, this is an expensive protein powder. Each pouch only has 14 servings and is delivered on a monthly basis, which comes out to $3.21 per serving, a 1 out of 5 on cost.

For a more affordable plant-based option, we suggest Ritual Essential Protein.

While we recommend a food-first approach to weight loss, Huel Black Edition is the best meal replacement shake you can get due to its superior macronutrient and micronutrient profiles. “Each serving contains 8 grams of fiber, which may support gut health,” says registered dietitian Perry Nix. Fiber has also been linked to satiety, or the feeling of being full. “Soluble fiber, from ingredients like ground flaxseed, serves as a prebiotic that nourishes and promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.”

As Nix points out, Huel is great every once and a while when you need a few calories on the go but it shouldn’t be your primary food source. “Repeating the same meal replacement shake over time is unlikely to offer the sensory and culinary experience that whole foods provide,” she says.

We rate Huel Black a 5 out of 5 on formulation because it comes with 40 grams of plant-based protein (with a complete amino acid profile), has high concentrations of vitamins and minerals, and comes with probiotics to help with digestion and other bodily processes, such as brain function. As an added plus, it uses coconut sugar and stevia, two natural sweeteners. While it’s free of most allergens (such as gluten and lactose), it does have tree nuts so it might not be right for everyone.

Brittany Combs, GGR’s social media manager, tested the Cookies & Cream flavor and rated it a 5 out of 5 on taste. “It had just the right amount of sweetness,” she says in our Huel review. Each serving is two scoops that’s mixed with 17 ounces of liquid, so it’s a bit thick but Brittany rates the solubility a 4.5 out of 5. “I did taste a few chunks here and there, but with a really hard shake, they seemed to go away fine,” she says.

If you want a plant-based protein that’s not a full meal replacement formula, we recommend trying Gainful Vegan Plant Protein.

Losing weight and gaining muscle can be a challenge, but Sports Research Whey Protein makes it easier by having a well-balanced protein supplement with a modest amount of carbs and fat. As you probably know, carbs are the body’s preferred energy source so we don’t mind having a few in our protein shakes, and studies have shown that moderate dietary fat intake, around 1.6 grams per kilogram of bodyweight, can benefit muscle mass and strength.

In other words, as long as the rest of your diet is well-balanced the few extra carbs and fat here won’t break your goals. Plus, each serving gives you a whopping 25 grams of protein that can help keep you full and grow your muscles.

The formulation earns a final score of 4.5 out of 5, docking half a point because there are some artificial ingredients. It is Informed Sport-certified, so it’s been checked for potentially harmful and banned substances, and has been checked for any GMOs.

Certified personal trainer Anthony O’Reilly rates the Dutch Chocolate a 5 out of 5 on taste, saying it tastes exactly like an instant cocoa powder drink. “I want to have this with marshmallows over an open fire,” he says in his Sports Research Whey Protein review. “No protein aftertaste at all.”

The solubility fared less favorably, falling at a 3.5 out of 5. “I used one of those blender bottles and there was a good bit of clumping at the bottom of the blender, even after some additional shaking,” he says. “The half-point is because what got mixed was smooth and had no lumps, so at least the texture was good.”

If you’re looking for a whey protein isolate with more flavors to choose from, we recommend Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Protein.

One scoop of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey has as much protein as about three eggs, and has much fewer carbohydrates and fats. Optimum Nutrition uses hormone-free cows to create a protein blend of whey protein isolate⁴ and hydrolyzed whey protein¹⁷—both of which may be safe for those who are lactose-intolerant or have dairy sensitivities.

The blend does, however, also contain whey concentrate that has more lactose in it than whey isolate or hydrolyzed whey protein, so if you’re sensitive to dairy, talk to a professional before taking any supplement. 

Multiple GGR testers, some of who are sensitive to dairy, said they experienced no such issues.

Garage Gym Reviews Senior Editor and expert product taster Nicole Davis went with the Delicious Strawberry flavor and said it was a perfect 5 out of 5. “I wouldn’t have normally picked this flavor but my husband said this was his favorite protein back in the day and it didn’t disappoint. Even my kids liked it.” 

The per-serving cost varies by container size, and earns 3 out of 5. A good general rule to keep in mind is the larger the bag, the lower the per-scoop serving. For example, a 68-serving bag comes out to $1.26 per scoop but a 27-serving bag will run you $1.66 per serving. Better yet, protein powder can last more than a year when stored properly, and takes up less pantry space than most other protein sources. 

As is the case with most budget-friendly whey protein powders, Optimum Nutrition contains some artificial ingredients, preservatives, sweeteners, and fillers, but in very small quantities. And besides, there’s more to like about it than to not. 

Our Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard review details the rest of our thoughts about this popular product.

For another great whey protein at a similar price point, we recommend Sports Research Whey Protein.

We’ve already discussed much of what makes Legion protein so great for those looking for an all-natural, organic protein powder, but here’s a quick refresher: grass-fed whey protein, free of hormones, antibiotics, no added sugar, and third-party tested for banned substances and heavy metals. The formulation earns 5 out of 5 stars.

Certified personal trainer and GGR Performance Editor Anthony O’Reilly says the Cinnamon Cereal flavor could be a bit sweeter, but it’s still a 4 out of 5 for him on taste.

“It reminds me of the breakfast cereal he had every Saturday morning growing up, but specifically when you get to the bottom of your bowl,” he says. “I’ve also used it to create a protein French toast recipe that you can find in our full Legion protein review.” 

Legion also likes to point out that their dairy comes from “small” dairy farms in Ireland. A 2013 review²² found smaller farms on the Emerald Isle were linked with better milk quality. 

The Labdoor Tested for Purity certification is what tells us this protein powder has been tested for harmful or banned substances, as well as THC (which can sometimes be found in supplements in very small amounts). 

As with most protein powders, the nutritional content varies by flavor, but you’re getting anywhere from 22 to 24 grams of protein per scoop with a moderate amount of carbs and fats. It’s a little expensive and earns 3 out of 5 stars for the price per serving, but we feel the quality is well worth the cost.

If you’re looking for a more affordable whey protein, we suggest Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard Whey.

If you’re simply looking to add protein without any additional taste to your morning smoothie, NOW Sports Nutrition Whey Protein Isolate is our go-to choice. It’s the definition of “sometimes simple is better.” 

There are two ingredients: whey protein isolate and sunflower emulsifier, which is used to prevent the powder from splitting. As we discussed, whey protein isolate is more easily digestible than other forms of whey protein so it might be safe for those with dairy sensitivities⁴.  We love this simple formulation and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

GGR staff writer Lauren Strong said there was a hint of “whey taste” in this unflavored protein powder, but still liked it enough to give the taste a 4 out of 5 rating. “Blended just like you would want a protein powder to—no clumps, not too thick or thin. Pretty decent all around.”  

The lack of additional ingredients means it’s free of most common allergens, including corn, egg, soy, and is gluten-free and non-GMO. It’s also one of the few protein powders we’ve run into that’s both halal and kosher. 

Don’t let this protein powder’s simplicity fool you—it’s still a rich source of amino acids to help support muscle growth¹⁹. There’s also 25 grams of protein per scoop, and it can be as cheap as 66 cents per serving depending on how large of a container you order. This is one of the more affordable whey protein isolates we’ve tested, earning 4 out of 5 for the price per serving.

Our NOW Sports whey protein isolate review has more details.

If you want a whey isolate that offers two great flavors at an affordable cost, we recommend Sports Research Whey Protein.