What to Look for in a Protein Powder

1. Protein Quantity

Protein quantity refers to the amount of protein (in grams) in a serving, typically one scoop. 

That said, protein quantity can be misleading because the serving size can vary between brands. For example, one brand says there’s 19 grams of protein per serving, and another says there’s 25 grams per serving.

The second is better, right? Not necessarily.

The first brand might have smaller serving sizes of 25-26 grams, whereas the second might use larger 32-35-gram scoops. 

So, make sure you compare apples to apples. When comparing protein quantities, always use the same serving sizes, whether 30, 50, or 100 grams.

2. Protein Source

Protein powders are plant-based or animal-based. Examples of plant-based proteins include pea, rice, hemp, and soy. You can also find vegan blends that include protein from two or more sources, such as hemp and pea. (1) (2)

Animal-based proteins typically come from whey, casein, beef, eggs, and collagen. These offer more protein per serving, especially the purer (but more expensive) whey protein isolate, which is around 85-90% protein by weight. (3)

Animal proteins are generally better because there’s more protein per serving, and the protein itself is of higher quality, as it has enough of the nine essential amino acids.

That said, plant protein can be preferable if you don’t tolerate dairy well or prefer a protein powder with a more balanced nutritional profile (having more complex carbs, vitamins, minerals, and fiber). Plus, plant-based protein is vegan-friendly.

3. Third-Party Testing

Third-party testing is essentially an independent lab that tests a supplement to determine its purity and the authenticity of the nutritional label. 

Transparent companies send their products for testing and are rewarded with a stamp of approval.

Though somewhat more expensive, third-party tested protein powders are the better option because you can rest assured that there are no harmful substances and that what’s listed on the label is inside the product.

4. Price

Price will always be a factor, but it can be difficult to tell if what you want to buy is fairly priced. A few ways to determine that include:

• Consider the brand’s strength and reputation
• See if the product is third-party tested
• Look through the ingredient list and scan for artificial compounds
• Calculate the percentage of protein per serving (ideally, it will be 80+%; so, if a scoop is 30 grams, you should get 24-26 grams of protein)
• Compare the product’s cost to that of other brands

5. Social Proof

The last thing worth discussing when asking, “What to look for in a protein powder?” is social proof. In other words, do people like the product and say good things about it?

This one is pretty straightforward. You can find the products on multiple platforms (say, Amazon, the brand’s website, and a couple of independent supplement stores) and see the reviews. 

This can provide much insight into the product and what makes it good.

Additionally, see if the product has high-powered endorsements, such as from a famous athlete, celebrity, or magazine. A person or entity with an established reputation won’t put its name behind a protein powder with a sketchy reputation.

Click to learn the difference between Balance of Nature and Juice Plus.