9 Best Protein Powders in 2024, According to Registered Dietitians

• Animal-based | Key ingredients: whey protein | Protein per serving: 21 grams | Flavors: chocolate

• Pros: Complete protein profile, reviewers report it blends smoothly
• Cons: Not tested by third parties, chocolate and vanilla blends contain sugar substitutes, limited flavor options

Sunwarrior isn’t NSF certified, but Asche still likes it for people who are recreationally active (and probably aren’t as concerned about third-party testing). The brand’s Classic Plus line uses a combination of quinoa, brown rice, peas, amaranth, and chia seeds for its protein content, which amounts to a complete profile. Reviewers also note that it mixes really easily into protein shakes and smoothies, with little to no grit or chalkiness, and tastes great—especially the vanilla flavor, featured here.

• Plant-based | Key ingredients: organic fermented brown rice, organic fermented pea protein, organic quinoa, organic chia seed, organic amaranth | Protein per serving: 17 grams | Flavors: chocolate, vanilla, unflavored

Do you really need protein powder?

Now that you know the best ones to try, let’s get into the potential benefits of protein powder. Protein is one of the three vital macronutrients (along with fats and carbohydrates) that we need in large amounts. It helps support our immune system and build and repair muscle, Jones says. So while you certainly need to consume enough of it, who needs protein powder, specifically?

“In a perfect world, we would obtain all of the nutrients we need each day, including protein, from whole foods alone,” Jones says. But in the real world, you might not always have time to shop for and prepare high-protein snack recipes, especially if you follow a vegetarian or vegan eating style. That’s where a protein powder can come into play—it’s a convenient way to get more of this crucial macronutrient in your daily diet.

If you’re not sure how much protein you actually need, the current RDA is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (or 0.36 grams per pound). Keep in mind, that amount of protein is the average minimum to prevent deficiency—if you’re an active person, you may want to shoot for closer to 1.4 to 2 grams per kilogram (or 0.64 to 0.91 grams per pound), Jones says.

Ample protein is particularly important if you exercise a lot, because it helps build strength, power, endurance, and muscle mass, Jones says. If you don’t get enough protein every day, your body will have a harder time increasing (and even maintaining) the size of your muscles. Protein also plays an important role in workout recovery, as it helps repair the micro tears in your muscles that occur after intense workouts.

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