Struggling to lose weight and hit your protein goal? Say no more. We’ve tracked down the best protein powders for weight loss and muscle gain. (And they say you can’t have your cake and eat it…) Here are the 5 best protein powders for weight loss & muscle gain to add to your basket at checkout.
Do I Need Protein Powder?
Heavy gym-goers will know the pains when it comes to gains – especially on a cut. But, thanks to the Protein Gods that be, many brands have developed a blend of diet whey and lean protein powders so you can still hit your macros.
Of course, you don’t need protein powder. You do need protein though – especially for muscle gain.
Plus, if you’re someone that struggles to hit their protein intake, protein powders are a great supplement. On average, one scoop of protein powder contains the same amount as a chicken breast. Supplements are also much easier to add to meals and help bulk up muscle, which are not carb-heavy or too filling.
5 Best Protein Powders For Weight Loss & Muscle Gain
- Optimum Nutrition Lean Whey
- PhD Nutrition Diet Plant Protein
- Protein Works Diet Whey Complex
- MyProtein Diet Whey
- Nuzest Clean Lean Protein Powder
Optimum Nutrition Lean Whey
Optimum Nutrition is one of the OGs when it comes to protein powder. Their lean whey protein powder for weight loss is packed with nutrition – and the vanilla flavour tastes like ice cream!
A firm favourite, Optimum Nutrition lean whey is rated 4.3 stars (62% voted for the full 5 stars).
Nutritional content per 32g serving (vanilla flavour):
Calories: 85, Fat: 1.7g, Carbs: 0.3g, Sugar: 0.1g, Protein: 17g
Reasons to buy:
- Low in calories and sugar
- Goes well in smoothies, oats and in baking
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Staple flavours (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry)
Reasons to avoid:
- Not for vegans
- Limited range of sizes
PhD Nutrition Diet Plant Protein
PhD Nutrition is a global brand established way back in 2006. Naturally, it’s one of the most popular protein powders for weight loss on the market.
Now they have a certified vegan diet protein powder which has an average rating of 4.5. Vegan protein is hard to nail due to its poor mixing quality and sometimes tangy aftertaste (especially if made solely with pea protein). But the PhD diet plant protein is made with the same formula as its non-plant version.
Nutritional content per 25g serving (chocolate flavour):
Calories: 92, Fat: 0.9, Carbs: 2.3g, Sugar: 0.1g, Protein: 18g
Reasons to buy:
- Mixes well in oats, shakes and by itself with water
- Minimises hunger pangs
- Added BCAA’s which stimulate muscle growth
- Minimal bloating or laxative side effects
- Not overly sweet
- Affordable – £32.99 per 1kg
Reasons to avoid:
- New packaging is difficult to reseal
- A little thick and grainy – requires more liquid
Protein Works Diet Whey Complex
The Protein Works have developed a meal replacement shake that’s incredibly nutritious, low in calories and super high in protein.
This diet whey complex has a 95% positive rating (from 256 reviews) and most customers rave about their flavours. The best part? Protein Works have a vegan diet range which has 22g of protein powder!
Nutritional content per 30g serving (vanilla flavour):
Calories: 114, Fat: 1.3g, Carbs: 4.1g, Sugar: 3.3g, Protein: 21g
Reasons to buy:
- No lumpy bits
- A mix of whey and soya protein which prevents bloating
- Works well as a shake and in pancakes
- Satisfies and staves off hunger pangs
- Green tea extract with CLA and ALCAR to promote weight loss
Reasons to avoid:
- Artificially sweet
- On the pricey side (£42.99 for 1kg)
- Needs regular shaking if drinking as the mixture separates
MyProtein Diet Whey
MyProtein has two types of lean protein powders which are incredibly popular on the market, especially because it’s more budget-friendly than the majority on this list.
The Impact diet whey is by far their best seller, with over 4,000 reviews averaging at around 4.3 stars.
Nutritional content per 60g serving (vanilla flavour):
Calories: 220, Fat: 3.5g, Carbs: 7.3g, Sugar: 3.9g, Protein: 37g
Reasons to buy:
- Natural and high-quality ingredients including glutamine (essential amino acid)
- Mixes well with water, almond milk and oat milk
- Supports metabolism
- Suitable for vegetarians
- 9 different flavours
Reasons to avoid:
- Not for vegans
- A little on the grainy side
To go a step further, MyProtein developed a clear whey isolate which is perfect for the hot summer (and British heatwave). It contains 20g of protein per portion, with only 90 calories and less than 0.1g of fat. The clear whey has over 20 different flavours including the original Vimto! Refreshing and nutritious.
Nuzest Clean Lean Protein Powder
It’s hard to come by a natural protein powder for weight loss that is yummy, vegan-friendly and packed with protein. But Nuzest has nailed it. One reviewer even asked Nuzest for a scientific report, finding that it had almost 0 levels of pesticides, lead and mercury.
Nuzest’s clean lean protein range is completely plant-based and has over 3,000 reviews, with an average rating of 4.2. We’re nuts for Nuzest!
Nutritional content per 25g serving (vanilla flavour):
Calories: 104, Fat: 2.2g, Carbs: 1.2g, Sugar: 0.1g, Protein: 20g
Reasons to buy:
- Only 3 ingredients
- Sold in 9 flavours
- Easy to digest – contains no gums or fillers
- Essential amino acids including leucine for muscle building
- Sustainable and environmentally-friendly produce & packaging
Reasons to avoid:
- A tad expensive (£43 per kg)
- Artificially sweet due to Stevia
The key takeaways
Protein powders are a great addition to your diet, especially to see results quickly. In terms of weight loss, the high protein and low-carb benefits are a super combo because they’ll keep the tummy growls at bay, whilst also powering your muscles. It’s a double whammy.
Fancy trying some protein powder for free?
Finding the right protein powder is tricky. There are loads on the market and everyone’s taste buds are different. So get in touch to try out the best protein powders for free and make sure you’re happy. Or browse our site for the best discounts on protein powders for weight loss and muscle gain. Let’s make nutrition easy and attainable!
