The Fast Facts
- Increasing your protein intake can help support weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness, boosting metabolism, and preserving lean muscle mass.
- Our picks for the best protein powders for weight loss are dietitian-approved, contain fewer than 200 calories per serving, and are low in added sugar and high in fiber.
- Our top choice, Naked Whey Flavored Protein Powder, tastes great and offers 25 grams (g) of protein.
- Best plant-based organic: Ora Organic So Lean & So Clean Plant-Based Superfood Protein | Skip to review
Pricing guide
- $ = under $1.50 per serving
- $$ = $1.50 to $2.00 per serving
- $$$ = over $2.00 per serving
Disclaimer: Some of the products below were provided to Healthline testers for free. Our opinions and reviews are ours alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the brands.
Healthline’s registered dietitians helped us select the best protein powders to support weight loss. Here’s what they considered:
- Nutrition content: We looked for products that are lower in calories to support a reduced-calorie diet. All products contain less than 200 calories per serving. We also prioritized powders with fewer added sugars and high fiber content.
- Quality: We selected protein powders that are made by reputable companies and tested throughout the manufacturing process, ideally by third-party labs.
- Vetting: We vet products to ensure they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and well-being approach.
We then tested each protein powder. Our reviewers tried each protein powder for a minimum of 2 weeks, except for Naked Whey, for which the reviewer tested sample packets of several flavors.
Reviewers commented on each protein powder’s taste, texture, and other attributes, helping us determine our final scores.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We fact-check health claims, evaluate ingredients, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the products on this page, we considered all the protein powders that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further.
Protein powder can help increase overall protein intake, which can support weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness, boosting metabolism, and preserving lean muscle mass, even in a calorie deficit.
Specifically,
However, it’s important to integrate protein powder into a balanced diet and regular exercise routine for the best results.
Protein powders are a convenient way to add more protein to your diet, but they can also:
- Increase feelings of fullness: Protein helps you feel full longer, which can help you consume fewer calories.
- Boost metabolism: Compared with carbs or fat, protein demands the most calories during digestion and utilization. Therefore, raising your protein intake may increase calorie burning.
- Maintain lean muscle mass: You might also lose fat and muscle when you lose weight. Consuming enough protein, alongside resistance training, can help you maintain muscle and prevent a decline in metabolism.
Incorporating protein powder is an effective and convenient way to consume plenty of protein, helping you feel full and maintain muscle while eating in a calorie deficit.
You can blend most protein powders into smoothies, mix them into oatmeal or yogurt, or even use them in baking to increase the protein content of meals and snacks without significantly raising the calorie count.
You can use protein powder any time of day, but consuming it after workouts can aid in recovery, muscle maintenance, and growth. This can be particularly beneficial if you’re interested in body recomposition, which involves losing weight while building muscle.
Remember, protein powder can be a helpful component of a weight loss plan, but supplements should never replace the basics — balanced nutrition, sleep, stress management, and regular physical activity.
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While there are several protein powder options, including whey and casein (made from cow’s milk) and plant-based options such as pea and hemp, none are necessarily better for weight loss than the others.
Research suggests that whey protein may preserve lean muscle mass during weight loss, but other studies have shown that plant protein offers similar benefits.
Ultimately, the total calories consumed and burned appear to be the most important factors for weight loss.
Some companies market protein powders to women, but most healthy adults can enjoy them as well. No one protein powder is best for weight loss in women.
As mentioned earlier, whey protein may be desirable for protecting lean muscle mass during weight loss due to its higher leucine content, but many other products can help women meet their protein needs during weight loss.
Protein powders can help you meet your target protein needs and support body recomposition, a process in which you gain muscle and lose fat at the same time. But remember that resistance training is the primary driver of body recomposition.
It’s generally safe to use protein powder daily as part of a balanced diet. However, you should always choose high quality, third-party tested products to ensure safety and purity. Also, be sure to read the label thoroughly, as some products may contain additional ingredients that could be contraindicated for certain populations.
There is no single exercise or supplement that can target weight loss in specific parts of the body. However, if you are using protein powder for weight loss, you will notice a reduction in belly fat as you lose weight.
Many people use protein powders to build muscle, but they can also support weight-loss goals.
While these products may help you lose weight, you’ll get the best results using them alongside a balanced, reduced-calorie diet and an exercise routine.