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The Healthiest Protein Powders On the Market

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 bottom 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 its 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…

    1. Organic Plant Protein Superfood 30 Shake ($39.99 from Nutiva for 18 servings)Nutiva’s shake is made from certified organic whole food plant proteins – no processed whey or isolated soy and contains 20 grams of protein per serving! This shake is a blend of organic pea, pumpkin, sunflower, chia, hemp and sacha inchi proteins, along with 30 superfoods including reishi mushroom, baobab, moringa, kale, hawthorn berry, purple corn, sea buckthorn, kelp and cinnamon. It also tastes amazing, despite having no fake flavors, nasty chemical additives, and only 2g of sugar per serving. Unlike other protein manufacturers that never tell you what’s in their “natural” or “organic” flavors, Nutiva uses an organic flavor where they actually list what’s in it – vs. hiding it! All of these ingredients are ORGANIC too – so they are not using Roundup-Ready GMO corn and they use all organic ingredients to make the carriers for the flavors! This is a huge deal – not just with transparency, but the high level quality of each ingredient they choose. Also note – the sugars in the product come mostly from plants and fruits – not added sugar or stevia (which I think makes most protein powders taste kinda too sweet and some nasty!) I’m so happy that Nutiva formulated the BEST plant protein powder out there!
    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 – ($21.99 for 30 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.

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!

Vani

Updated 08/25/2016 to include new Nutiva protein powder and remove others I no longer use because they contain stevia and gums.

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1,868 responses to “The Healthiest Protein Powders On the Market

  1. I just found out today about the Naked Juice, which I have been including in smoothies for me and my 2 boys for about 4 years every morning… and am very frustrated and upset! My childhood friend is a nutritionist and passionate about Juice Plus. Last November she asked me to try their new Complete Powder, which has the chick pea, non-GMO soy, chia seeds and many other “healthful” ingredients. As much as I love and trust her expertise and note that my sugar cravings went away and my digestion/gut and energy levels seemed to improve slightly… I’d like confirmation from a non-involved resource that their ingredients are what they say they are and my family is getting the best our money can buy. I buy my product at wholesale, so I have a website where the company has its documents on research, ingredients, etc. if you need it. I’d really appreciate an objective, truthful answer to what’s the best I can feed my family!

    1. I would like an unbiased opinion about the Juice Plus+ Complete powder as well. I have a couple of friends who are distributors and swear by it. I have been using it for a little while, but am concerned about the soy and the stevia mainly. I do fine with one shake a day, but if I go beyond that, it gives me really bad gas and other soy products do that to me as well. Thank you for your post.

      1. I have been using it too and I would love it if Vani would do an investigation!

    2. I have heard that Naked Juice has actually been taken to court, I saw the court documents. They were accused of not putting organic veggies or fruits in their drinks, there is also the claim of using GMO.

      1. It would not surprise me that Naked Juice could be adulterated. It is owned by Pepsi-Co.
        My theory is that the “evil industrial food complex” is buying out previously trusted brands and modifying the ingredients. They’ve infiltrated the ranks of organic and “natural” and we have to be ever vigilant about WHO these companies are. Frankly, I don’t even trust their ingredient lists.

    3. Juice plus complete is certified by NSF. What that means is that what is in the product IS listed on the label. Nothing added. Not too many protein powders have this certification. The other thing that stand out on all of their products is that they have a food label rather than a supplement label. Further from that their product is indeed REAL food! Hope this helps some.

  2. Arbonne’s vegan protein is kosher, low GI certified and tested in independent labs to have no heavy metals. The rice/pea/cranberry blend also has coQ10 for heart health as well as other vitamins & minerals. Contact me if interested in ordering some or if you don’t already have an Arbonne contact. We have a great discount program as a preferred client or wholesale buyer. Just email me via my website.
    Vanilla and chocolate both are divine! …Lisa

    1. OH!! and the sweetener is a blend of pure cane sugar and stevia. No harmful chemical ingredients, no artificial colors or preservatives. .

    2. No GMOs either-they are not allowed in the UK, where our Swiss formulators are based. It’s made in the US though of the best ingredients available

    3. Hi Lisa.

      I’m a fan of Arbonne protein powder as well as their fiber boost. I’d like to find it at a more affordable price. Can you help me?

      Sue

      1. For sure – Arbonne protein is certified vegan. That’s why I use it. Have a serious sensitivity to soy and don’t want the whey stuff.

    4. I am looking for a Protein powder that tastes good and doesn’t contain GMO, Soy or Dairy. I was using Garden of Life until I learned it contained soy. I bought Sun Warrior just recently and wasn’t a fan of the taste. I stored it in our kitchen cabinet. Left town for 10 days and just made a smoothie with it and I swear it tastes rancid. There has to be a better option!

      1. Check out Yoli YES shakes. Non GMO grass fed cows, cold processed, non denatured whey. No artificial anything. They are so delicious! Contains probiotics as well. Cindyw1.yoli.com

  3. I have a friend who has decided to sell “Zeal for Life” products (protein, cleanse and burn powders) sold by the Marketing Network company Zurvita. I dont think there has been any testing on their products. I hesitate to try the product. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about their products and the company itself.

    1. I have friend who swear by Zeal and introduced me to it about a month ago. I am taking their wellness and have sampled the shakes and like the taste (which is a huge thing for me) but would like to see an investigation in comparision to the rest of the brands as well.

    1. I started using Isagenix as well 15months ago, as they use undenatured whey from New Zealand “happy” cows, with nothing artificial (colors, sweeteners, etc). They are also GMO free and organic. The quality is the purest I’ve seen. They also have a vegan shake made with hemp, chia, and pea protein. Satisfying, yummy, and clean.
      I can send anyone more info if you are interested.

      1. Good Evening, can you send me more info in regards to the protein you recommend. Im looking for a really good all natural powder to help build muscles and any other great healthy benefits. any information is gladly appreciated.

  4. I used to consume Garden of Life protein but found a different company with incredibly pure whey protein, in addition to other products. The company is called Isagenix. The science behind and effectiveness of these products has far surpassed my expectations.

    1. Yeah, nice try at marketing Isagenix. It’s a sorry excuse for a company that is based on a pyramid scheme. The company is more about getting other people to sell their products (like a make money scheme) than a health food company, so don’t even.

      1. I’m sorry you feel that way. I would never promote a product that I don’t believe in 100%. I chose Isagenix because it’s pure and effective. I also chose it because the whey is from A2 cows. If you research A1 vs A2 cows you will understand what I mean. As for the fact that Isagenix is a network marketing company, I’ve never had a problem with that business model. They pay their distributors instead of an advertising company to promote their products. I’m fine with that. But if you’re not, I’m fine with that too 🙂 I buy many products from network marketing companies because I like the quality and personal relationship with my distributor. Oh well, it’s not for everyone. Isagenix is, in fact, a health food company. There was a clinical study done by the University of Chicago Illinois comparing Isagenix with the Heart Healthy Diet and Isagenix came out ahead. I’m impressed, feel great, have a product line to help people achieve their health goals, and get paid for it! It’s a win-win in my opinion! Hope you have a great day!

      2. Isagenix is not a health food company. They have no real scientific studies to back their product, have tons of bad reviews – one being my own experience with their products, and they don’t stand behind their product. I’m a researcher, like Vani, and if you seriously dig a bit you’ll find this company is not what it says it is. Also, network marketing is never the way to go with supplements. Always stick with scientific & proven based products. To your health:)

    1. Been using Arbonne protein for a year and it ended my search for one I love. Choc is my fav but I use vanilla too. I’ve seriously tried dozens and it tastes the best, dissolves really great, and the pure vegetable protein is a whole lot better for me than the animal and soy stuff I used to use. I have a great gal who is my rep and I get a really good discount. I can put you in touch if you want.

      1. I cannot stand the taste if stevia, which seems to be the sweetener if choice in most vegan protein powders. Can you comment on the taste of this with regard to the (sometimes) after taste of stevia?
        Thanks!!

      2. Not sure how to respond to these comments so I’ll just make another post. Can’t really speak to the Stevia question because that’s probably all about personal taste. I don’t like Stevia out of the packet straight into food or drink, and there is a small mount of Stevia extract in this protein powder, but I don’t really taste it. I also don’t notice an “after-taste” from arbonne protein. I’d rather have that than the artificial stuff anyway. As for where to get it, I have an independent consultant I order all my stuff from. You can probably find one if you just ask around. They don’t have to be local. Mine is in my home state. Hope that helps!

  5. Hi, Vani – Do you have an update on the Garden of Life issue? I have been enjoying their Perfect Food Raw 100% Organic Young Wheat Grass Juice Powder each morning. I feel energized by this, but definitely now concerned based on the latest news. Do you have a recommendation for an alternative? Thanks!

  6. I have had an extremely difficult time finding information about Jarrows Fomulas Organic Whey Protein. It has soy lecithin in it. Do you have any insider information about this specific protein brand?
    Thank you very much.
    I love your website. It has changed my life.
    Cheers,
    Renae

  7. Sad to see you removed garden Of life. Mike Adams consumer wellness lab is completely run by him without any third party or credible sources to back up his claims. Sadly it seems the whole article is screwed by tricking consumers by using high percentages of tungstun found in the powders, when most heavy metals are measured by a completely different measuring way. All rice products contain naturally occurring heaving metals. And the fact he pushes his own protein powder so much in the article makes me wonder….

  8. Arbonne’s protein powder is the way to go – vegan certified & kosher. The vanilla and chocolate shakes taste fabulous, and are very affordable! 20 grams per serving, plus over 20 vitamins & minerals, and is a complete amino! Free of: GMO’s, artificial sweeteners, dyes, soy, whey, dairy, heavy metals, or preservatives. Let me know if anyone is interested.

      1. I have severe psoriasis and I have cut out dairy, gluten, soy and anything else that I can think of that could be triggering it.
        I have been using Arbonne Protein Powder and the Fiber Boost for the last 2 yrs.
        I haven’t found anything better and since I signed up to be a consultant I can’t beat the price.
        I make protein bars and my kids who are picky eaters love them, their healthy and cost effective too.
        If your interested in trying it, they offer money back guarantee even if you use half the bag.
        Doctors recommend pea protein to a lot of patients and people who struggle with other health issues.
        All in all I guess it depends on what your needs are. Let me know if you have any questions, I’d be happy to help you out.

  9. Have you tried Warrior Whey? I also regularly use Perfect Fit protein (a raw non GMO brown rice protein). Are those okay to be using? Thanks!

  10. Hey Food Babe,
    What about all those plant-based Vega products? Are they any good? They seem to be hugely popular these days. There are also a bunch of vegan products from a company called Progressive Nutritional Therapies (I think they are Canadian) do you like their line of products?

  11. I want to start taking some protein for weigh loss and i was reading all the comments, too many to choose from and confusing at same time, not sure what to buy ..any advise more simple? thank you very much.

  12. I need a protein powder with no Stevia, no artificial sugars, etc. So far the only one I’m ffinding that fits is Swanson brand. Can anyone tell me of another? ?

    1. I like Sunwarrior’s Classic Protein the natural flavor. Only ingredient is Raw Whole Grain Brown Rice Protein. Then you can add your sweetener of choice.

  13. I was reading about stevia leaf on your site and how we should not use stevia leaf extract but you recommend a protein powder with the extract in it. Tera’s Protein powder uses the extract not the whole leaf. Why is this recommended? I have had a hard time finding any decent Whey concentrate, organic protein powders without stevia leaf extract. What happened..formula change with Tera’s powder?

  14. I’ve been considering joining my friends on the 21 day fix, but really didn’t want to get involved in something I couldn’t believe in or comfortably promote. I have searched foodbabe for an update to the original “is your protein powder safe” article and finally came across this (not from an unbiased party, but he most comprehensive I could find and it directly responded to the food babe findings from a while back) It’s worth the read and I’d love to Vani’s take on it? As of right now I have still not decided whether shakeology is something I will embark on or not. I have never done any specific diet befor. I have always been a proponent of excercise, portion & quality control instead of any quick fixes and I am not a sales person by nature, so I’ve never done anything like that either and can’t picture myself becoming a shakeology coach. I do however love the idea of embarking on a disciplined, already outlined coarse toward better health & fitness with a great goup of friends, so I’m considering the 21 day fix. Posting this for others in my shoes 🙂 http://www.onesteptoweightloss.com/shakeology-review-response

  15. Thanks for the great webpage I stopped buying musclemilk since I read about the bad chemicals it has, im looking to get either the organic hemp protein or teras, might try both of them out to see which one taste better, thanks. Hopefully they are truly organic.

  16. Hi, I personally use isagenix isalean shake and love it; I breastfeed my toddler; im taking it twice a day and it keeps me not feeling hungry when before I could not even do veggie/fruit one day diet because I would feel starved. There has been no change in my milk supply at all. and it’s safe for breastfeeding ofcourse.

  17. I use the protein by It Works – we have chocolate and vanilla that you can bake with, use in a shake or sprinkle on your food. Non hormonal and non GMO. Visit my website if interested smithjessica.myitworks.com or find me on Facebook at Living Green.

  18. I was wondering if anyone tried Source Whey Protien? Would it make the foodbabe’s list?

  19. Do you know anything about Immunocal from Quebec, Canada? It’s a protein powder with no soy.

  20. Try Arbonne essentials protein shake mix (chocolate or vanilla).
    Arbonne’s protein powder is the way to go – vegan certified & kosher. The vanilla and chocolate shakes taste fabulous! 20 grams per serving, plus over 20 vitamins & minerals, and is a complete amino! Free of: GMO’s, artificial sweeteners, dyes, soy, whey, dairy, heavy metals, or preservatives.

    no nutrasweet
    no stevia
    no sucralose

    uses plain ole cane sugar. This is a healthy option of all the protein powders that I have found

  21. I use a pea protein powder called my Victory! Protein boost. A NU SKIN product. The ingredient list is
    Pea protein, organic rice protein, Natural flavor, fructose, Chia seed, xylitol,Salt, Rebaudioside A ( Stevia Extract). Have you tested this?

  22. I use sunwarrior warrior blend (vanilla) it has 19 grams of protein and complete amino acids…does anyone else use this??

  23. Ok i been using “sponser why protein 94 ”
    Is lactose free but have aspartame , xanthan 🙁
    So do not use this one !!!!!!
    The price is 100 euros for five kilo is a pitty that is not healthy .

  24. Great article. Can’t believe I could have been drinking rat droppings all this time! Thanks for all the investigative work you do!

  25. Thank you so much for this article! It definitely opened my eyes to the chemicals I’ve been consuming from what I thought were ‘healthy’ protein powders. Thanks for posting alternatives as well! 🙂

  26. I love Tera’s Whey. They sell individual packs too so convenient for travel or work. I mix with water, coconut water and coconut milk. Done! I have a shaker and that’s all I need for breakfast. Works great. Also, Dr. Mercola sells a great product. He is very concious about GMO’s, grass-fed cows, organic, etc.

  27. I am curious as to why I see no response from Food Babe regarding questions about this article?? I use Garden of Life and just saw this. It amazes me that you would report on these findings and not follow up with viewers who have concerns and questions. So, do you still stand behind this article or do you have any changes to follow up with?

  28. I just checked out the tera’s whey website and in their FAQ it says that they add MSG to all their products. Thats disappointing :/

    1. Umm, no it doesn’t. Please share where you found that (seriously I’m interested b/c I was just about to buy a big tub of it)!

      Here’s where I am looking: http://www.teraswhey.com/faqs.html

      Specifically, this:

      Q: Is tera’swhey® msg-free?
      A: No MSG is added to any of our products. All of our finished products have been tested for MSG and have tested to be below the minimum testing level for MSG.

      Note the very first sentence, “No MSG is added to any of our products.”

      I just tried Tera’s for the first time last week and loved it (bought a bunch of those little test packs from different brands and Teras was the winner). I have no allegiance to Teras but also don’t like when I see misinformation. So please, if you are seeing something different on their website, please share your link.

  29. You should check out thebodyevolution.com and try their calibrate (meal replacement) and recalibrate (whey protein). It’s so good! My favorite flavors are chocolate caramel and raspberry cheesecake! 🙂

  30. Has anyone tried Zija moringa based protein powder? I am trying to choose the healthiest and most natural protein shake option to help with weight loss and energy in the morning.

  31. Hey I was wondering what you think about proggressive all in one vege essentials protein. Its vegan and all natural plant based. I really like it and it tastes amazing I was wondering what you think about it?

  32. I have been including Manitoba Harvest, Organic Hemp Protein in Dark Chocolate to my daily lunch “concoction”. Tastes good and the label has convinced me it’s a good one!

  33. Wondering why you don’t recommend Jarrow Organic Whey Protein Powder? In a Consumer Reports that I read, this rated high and was free of heavy metals.

    I was using soy protein before switching to Whey. I thought it might be causing me to gain weight, but maybe it’s just my age- 60. Not sure. I workout 3x week, occasionally adding a 45 min brisk walk.

    What about a greens powder (recommendations?) instead of the protein powder? I make a smoothie using unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened frozen fruit, a little banana and the powder.

    Thanks for your feedback.

  34. Have you tried Perfect Fit Protein? It was created by Karena & Katrina, the girls from Tone It Up. It is Organic, Vegan, Raw, Fat free and does not contain cane or beet sugar, gluten, dairy, lactose, soy, corn, any of the 8 major allergens, or GMOs. I’ve tried the chocolate and absolutely LOVE it, taste delicious! They have so many good recipes on their website too. Just thought I’d put it out there for you girls to try because I love it!

  35. I’ve been using Garden of Life when Vani recommended it. It doesn’t taste that great. I guess I’ll try Nutiva next.

  36. Check out buotrust.com . Best protein powder out there ! Nutritious and delicious!
    NO SOY !

  37. Was looking into ordering some of the warrior & found this resent review:

    “Alarming levels of cadmium, lead and tungsten
    By theoluna – May 1, 2014
    The rice protein used in this product is sourced from China. Mike Adams from Natural News tested this protein and discovered
    Warrior Food Lot #31105010, purchased from Whole Foods on 4/28/2014 contains:

    * .3 ppm lead
    * 1.791 ppm cadmium
    * Substantial levels of tungsten

    Mike Adams from Natural News quote:

    “Their current label on their current product is simply misleading, claiming the product is “NON-TOXIC” and “100% TruGanic” with the claim that it is “a purist, hard-core, quality standard significantly beyond Organic standards, with much more stringent criteria and actual verification via testing that Organic does not have.”

    This is so very upsetting. I have been purchasing Healthforce Nutitional products for years for myself and for my family if this is the case then I can no longer trust this company.”

    I’m not sure who Mike Adams is or what his credentials are but I figured this was worth sharing.

  38. I bought the Garden of Life Protein from your earlier recommendation…. 🙁 Should I continue to use it? I am going to switch to the Hemp Protein, I hope it is still safe too!

    Thanks for all you do Food Babe!

    Namaste

  39. found news on naturalnews.com regarding Health Force Nutritional’s Warrior Food Extreme that it contains heavy metals. Can we get a review and update?

  40. Do you have an opinion on the Isogenix protein drinks? They are supposed to be all natural. Thanks!

    1. I am interested in hearing your opinion on Isagenix too! I have been using their products for a few months now.

      1. I too have been on Isagenix for over a year and love it. I would like to know your thoughts on these shakes.

      2. Ladies.. I hate to break it to you but Isagenix is not natural, not healthy and not good for you. That list of ingredients is horrible and it has everything you should stay away from .

      3. Isagenix is definitely all natural – not sure where the previous poster is getting this info??

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