
Sustainability: Small New Jersey farms, Certified B Corporation.Pros: Excellent sustainability, certified and approved by stringent testing boards, in the most effective form of proteinĬons: Dairy allergy prohibitive, some people don't like stevia, erythritol can be a digestive irritant for some Garden of Life Organic Whey Protein is the only Non-GMO Project-Verified Whey with impeccable ingredient standards, great taste, and RD approval. The main downside is if you're lactose intolerant or vegan, whey isn't an option for you - in which case, we highly recommend our top plant-based protein pick. What's more, the brand practices conscious ingredient sourcing they partner with small California dairy farms, whose cows are grass-fed year-round without hormones to then produce whey.Īnd at just over a dollar an ounce, it's competitively priced. We love that Naked Whey is a formula that will not only agree with most people, but fully support their health goals (so long as they aren't allergic or intolerant to whey). And 30 grams per scoop at that.Įven though the natural additives you'll find in other brands' products (like stevia or erythritol) aren't necessarily unhealthy, they may cause digestive distress for some. While there are a lot of great whey powders on the market (we particularly love Garden of Life's whey - see more in what else we recommend below), Insider Reviews fitness editor Rick Stella, alongside thousands of reviewers, loves Naked Whey Protein above all others for one main reason: In addition to not tasting chalky or artificial when added to a shake, the powder only has one ingredient - high-quality whey protein. Plant protein has its own benefits, but when it specifically comes to building muscle, whey is best for the job. That's because it has a much higher amount of leucine, a branched-chain amino acid shown to help jumpstart muscle protein synthesis, explains Pam Bede, RD, CSSD, LD, certified sports dietetics specialist and author of " ". When it comes to a protein powder to help you build muscle mass, whey takes the top spot for those who aren't lactose intolerant. Sustainability: sourced from small California dairy farms.Sweetener: None, or organic coconut sugar.Pros: Flavorless (versatile in different shakes and recipes), only one ingredient, excellent ingredient sourcingĬons: Dairy allergy/aversion prohibitive, only sold in large quantity Naked Whey Protein is third-party tested and has just one ingredient sourced from small dairy farms that mix well with any shake - and it's tasty. Best natural customizable protein powder: Gainful.Best natural casein protein powder: Naked Micellar Casein Protein Powder.Best natural plant-based protein powder: Vega Sport Plant-Based Protein Powder.Best organic protein powder: Garden of Life Organic Whey Protein.Best natural protein powder overall: Naked Whey Protein.Otherwise, read on for the healthiest, best tasting natural protein powders. Overall, this makes for a less digestive-irritating, less questionable, more sustainable protein powder to add to your whole-food diet.Īt the end of this guide, we go into more detail around what exactly defines a natural protein powder and what you should look for in a quality supplement. While there isn't a set definition of what qualifies as a "natural" protein powder, the three sports nutritionists we interviewed for this piece generally agree a natural protein powder is different in that it doesn't have artificial ingredients, fillers, or irritants goes through minimal processing and was farmed and manufactured with a low environmental impact. Others, meanwhile, aren't going through safety testing or disclosing results - some protein powders are adulterated (aka cut with cheaper fillers to reduce manufacturing cost, and not actually all protein). However, there are still a lot of protein powders on the market using artificial sweeteners and other questionable ingredients. But supplementing with high-quality protein powder can help you reach those higher daily protein goals, easier. Let's be clear: The more nutrients you can consume from whole foods, the better. 56/g/day for a 154 pound person) is adequate for most adults, that number nearly doubles (1.2 to 1.6g/kg, or 84-112g for the same person) to build muscle mass and properly recover as an athlete. While 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight per day (e.g. "In the context of an otherwise healthful diet, getting enough protein allows the body to grow, maintain, and repair tissues, hormones, and immune cells," Ryan Andrews, RD, CSCS, RYT, principal nutritionist and adviser for Precision Nutrition told Insider.īut if you're active, trying to gain muscle mass, or eating a plant-based diet, it can sometimes be hard to hit your daily protein with whole foods alone. By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from InsiderĪs well as other partner offers and accept our
