The Healthiest Protein Powders On the Market

...by Food Babe

Years ago, I started adding a very delicious vanilla whey protein to my smoothies that I got from GNC. I was religious about using this one brand, and when they suddenly discontinued it, I became outraged!  I called every GNC in town searching high and low for it. It was the best tasting whey protein on the market and I didn’t want to go on a hunt for another kind. Well… long story short, I got to the botttom of why they discontinued it – the health department found rat droppings in samples of the protein at the manufacturing plant! WHAT. I’d been drinking rat droppings for all those years? @#$%&%&*^%^$$!

Needless to say, I have never looked at protein powders the same again. I research the heck out of them before I ever consider putting them in my body.

The key to finding a high quality protein powder is figuring out the right questions to ask…. Is it organic and free of pesticides? Is it GMO free? How is it processed? Does the processing retain it’s nutritional quality, vitamins and minerals? Does it contain artificial or refined sugars? Do they have heavy metals?

Yes…I said heavy metals. Consumer Reports conducted an eye-opening investigation that revealed that several popular highly processed protein powders like Myoplex, Muscle Milk, Designer Whey and GNC brand all contained arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Yikes.

This is just another reason why it is incredibly important to know what you are buying, where it is from and how it is produced.

So today…I want to share with you my Food Babe approved list of protein powders that are free of pesticides, GMOs, all those nasty chemicals and other grossities…

Protein Powders

 

  1. Health Force Nutritional’s Warrior Food Extreme ($59 from Amazon for 45 servings) – This company practices the highest quality processing methods and uses ingredients that are beyond organic – holding the word “organic”  true to it’s original meaning which they call “TruGanic.” This includes authentic standards for production, non-toxic cleaning agents and pest control, electromagnetic radiation, processing agents additives, air quality, and actual verification of purity. The protein here is half “enzyme active” sprouted brown rice and half hemp seed based. The addition of organic raw vanilla and a little raw whole leaf stevia make it tolerable to consume even by itself without any add ins.


  2. Tera’s Organic Whey ($25 from Amazon for 12 servings) – There’s a lot of controversy about whether or not to consume whey within the health food community and from what I have researched – the benefits of consuming whey are valid for muscle building, muscle recovery and weight management. It just depends on what kind of whey you get and from where. You either you can pick low quality heat processed alkalinity stripping whey protein isolate – or you can pick cold processed whole food whey concentrate made from organic fed cows not treated with growth hormones or antibiotics. Tera’s whey is actually made in small batches and takes considerable care in how the whey is processed. Tera’s whey also comes in some very delicious flavors like blueberry and coffee that are real food based – not loaded with ambiguous “natural flavors.”

    (One caveat, I’d like to mention – if you decide to go with a whey protein, it’s crucial to maintain a diet high in other plant-based foods. This whey, although a good product that retains its nutritional profile, can be acid forming in large quantities just like a diet with an over emphasis on meat and dairy. Remember keeping your body alkaline is key to avoiding disease and eating a diet full of plant based foods is the only way to keep it that way.)


  3. Nutiva’s Hemp Protein – ($11 from Amazon for 15 servings) – The ingredient label of this very nutritional protein supplement has one beautiful ingredient “organic hemp seeds.” This protein powder may not be for everyone, because the taste is definitely something to get used to.  But when combined with the right tasty ingredients like fruit, raw cacao and/or almond butter, it can be very appetizing. Finding the right balance of hemp protein to additional ingredients is the key to enjoying this rich in Omega 3 fatty acid supplement.


  4. Garden of Life Raw ($24 from Amazon for 28 servings) – This is a very high quality, plant based protein that is gluten free, vegan, dairy free and Non-GMO project certified.  What makes this organic protein powder stand out from the rest is definitely the taste.  It is by far one of the most tasty plant based protein’s available and it is made with a unique blend of raw sprouted bio-available protein from brown rice, amaranth, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, garbanzo beans, lentils, adzuki, flax, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, chia seed, and sesame seed sprouts. If you supplement protein everyday in your diet – this would be a great one to choose because of the varieties of plant food used.

I’d love to know if you have tried any of these before or found any protein powders you like better.  Please leave a comment and let me (and others) know.

Bottoms up!

Food Babe

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Thursday, December 13, 2012
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364 comments on “The Healthiest Protein Powders On the Market”

  1. I am addicted to the Sun Warrior Brand – Warrior Blend, Raw Protein & Plant Based – Vanilla!
    Gluten Free, Soy & Dairy Free – NON GMO & Hypo Allergenic! yum

    Reply ↓

    • I am a HUGE Arbonne fan in the skin care products. The protein powder I had tried contained soy. Does yours? I avoid soy unless it is a hidden ingredient.

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      • All Arbonne protein are soy free, dairy free, GMO free, vegan, 100% animal and animal bi-product free.

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        • Arbonne’s protein is ooberly delicious! I mix mine with unsweetened almond milk, and I feel like I’m drinking a chocolate milkshake! Arbonne’s protein used to contain soy-lecithin but they have reformulated to contain NO soy :)

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          • I LOVE ARBONNE Protein! Certified Vegan, No GMO, free of soy, whey, dairy, artificial coloring, and sweetner. I CRAVE my blueberry muffin breakfast shake and banana/almond butter recovery/lunch shakes!

  6. hi,
    It’s good to know there are others out there that are concerned with what they are taking in their bodies. I have not tried the ones you listed, but I have been using Isagenix for almost 3 years now. It is free range grass fed, no pesticides, no growth hormone, steroids, or antibiotics. It is undenatured cold processed. Not pasteurized. There are no artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors. I love knowing I’m getting a pure clean protein source, and the taste is VERY good! There are some nasty tasting protein shakes out there! It can only be ordered on line and I am a consultant with this company. I am happy to give more info to anyone that wants it. I have a website you can check out if you like.

    Reply ↓

    • Absolutely agree. I love the ingredients in Sunwarrior and it’s by far one of the best tasting plant-based protein powders I’ve tried (both vanilla & chocolate).

      Reply ↓

  9. If anyone’s looking for an alternative to whey, soy and something that won’t strip your wallet clean, look into Canadian Yellow Pea Protein Powder from these guys:http://pforlife.com/pea-protein-non-gmo-canadian-yellow-pea-protein-isolate-powder.html

    Each serving contains well over 75% protein that can mix with anything and requires no blender. this stuff has the most versatile flavor I’ve ever experienced in a powder mix. if you order two 5lbs bags, you get free shipping too. doesn’t make you feel bloated or weighed down and is completely vegan. most of all it doesn’t taste like shit. everything else on this list is amazing, but it costs too much if you intend to drink it every day with your workouts. the only noticeable difference in adding yellow pea protein to any drink is that it’ll affect the texture and give it a real earthy/grassy taste but i can assure you its nothing that would turn you off or make you want to blend it with a strong flavor. convenience is also key here as I’ve yet to use a blender to mix it- doesn’t clump at all.

    Reply ↓

  10. Arbonne’s rice and pea protein shakes are so great! 20 grams of vegan protein. Vegan certified! Oh and did I mention they taste really really good! I seriously crave them and can’t imagine my mornings without them.

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  12. My favorite is Arbonne’s Vegan Certified Protein Powder. It is made with Brown Rice, Pea and Cranberry Protein. Also without any artificial sweeteners (so it does not throw off diabetics), no artificial flavors, non-GMO, no soy, and obviously no whey, 60 servings for about $60 and both the Vanilla and the Chocolate flavors are tasty! They even have it in ready to go single serve size. Love the product so much, I became a consultant :) I get a discount and I share it with others :) Message me and I’ll pop a sample in the mail for you!!Cheers!

    Reply ↓

  13. I have been using Shaklee 180 soy protien for two years now. Free of pesticides, non GMO, no artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors. Plus this protein has Luciene which is an amino acid the burns fat and retains muscle.

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  14. I am 71 and an avid cyclist, and have been using Raw Protein…Thanks for putting it on you approved list, I feel better already!!!

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  15. Biotrust.com, I use several of their products and they use all natural ingredients, and the taste is amazing!

    Reply ↓

    • This is what I use daily as well (Vanilla Chai) concerned now and would love to hear what you think of this company and product.

      Reply ↓

  17. Other options can be STRONGER FASTER HEALTHIER, which makes a wonderful different whey proteins for multiple purposes as well as fish oil. If you have problems with whey then Biotics Research makes both whey and non whey products.

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  18. Juice Plus is the one I use. Very disappointed that it wasn’t mentioned. Several scientific studies have been done on Juice Plus and it has the NSF code on it which means that even Olympic athletes can take it. Don’t know if these top 4 have been approved by NSF. If not, I won’t trust it.

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  19. What do you recommend if you need Soy? I’ve got to have the estrogen – can’t get it any other way due to Hashimoto’s. Is there an authentic NON-GMO soy protein powder? I’ve been doing a GNC “non-GMO” (supposedly – I’m skeptical) that has no other ingredients like sweeteners or whatever.

    Reply ↓

      • Hi Laura,
        Thought this would be helpful for you in your investigation of protein products. I posted a link to an article on the quality of Shaklee products -they are the #1 nutrition company in the US and have an impeccable reputation and been producing quality health products for 57years – this is why I’ve been using their protein daily for over 20 years. If you have any questions you can contact me from the link: http://www.wellnessnewsonline.net/naturesresources/shaklee_difference.html. Happy investigating!

        Reply ↓

  20. I start my mornings with Sunrider Nuplus and it is delicious, It has a unique combination of ingredients bear essential nutrients, naturally-occurring bioflavnoids, and phytochemicals. Delicious flavors!

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  24. Yeah, what about PERFECT FIT and VEGA? What is your opinion of these? Are they just as good? Thanks! PS – please do a post about greens powders! :)

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  25. Any thoughts on the Trader Joe’s Vanilla Flavored Whey Protein Powder? I’ve been using it for a couple of years now with no ill effects (that I’m aware of, anyway). It has a pretty good taste and mixes well with frozen fruit and juice for smoothies. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts one way or the other.

    Reply ↓

    • Although I love Trader Joe’s, we have started to stayed away from dairy products. Since removing dairy (whey is a leftovers from the cheese making process, remember “curds and whey”) we have notice a considerable difference in our bellies. No more gas and bloating! You usually do not notice that dairy could be the culprit since the bloating and gas appears long after your consumption. No soy and no whey for us!

      Reply ↓

  27. I am a consultant for Arbonne and we sell a delicious vegan protein shake in chocolate and vanilla! Free of animal by-products, parabens, PABA, synthetic dyes, gluten free, no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. If you want to know more let me know and I can offer great discounts!

    Reply ↓

      • Leah, send me your address and I can mail you some samples. I drink one for breakfast and one for lunch most days, the recipes for these are endless! krharriger@gmail.com All are welcome to send me info for some samples :)

        Reply ↓

  28. All forms of diabetes have been treatable since insulin became available in 1921, and type 2 diabetes may be controlled with medications. Insulin and some oral medications can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugars), which can be dangerous if severe. Both types 1 and 2 are chronic conditions that cannot be cured. Pancreas transplants have been tried with limited success in type 1 DM; gastric bypass surgery has been successful in many with morbid obesity and type 2 DM. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after delivery.”-

    Catch ya later
    <http://www.caramoan.ph/

    Reply ↓

  30. Tera’s Whey isn’t even grass fed. How can a corn fed whey be one of the healthiest? There are some better, more ethical, and more recognizable purveyors out there. The top would be SFH whey. Cheers!

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  32. Curious on your thoughts about Paleo-meal, dairy free option? It is recommended by j.j. Virgin and we love the taste!

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  33. Very good day time very nice internet site! Gentleman. Exceptional. Great. I will book mark your website and go ahead and take nourishes also? I am just thrilled to get hold of numerous valuable information and facts the following in the create, we really wish for develop added techniques on this reverence, appreciation for sharing.

    Reply ↓

  35. Wow! Thanks for letting us know, Vani! Keep me updated. Could you email me possibly some other protein powders and ways to intake protein? Thanks!

    Reply ↓

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