10 Protein Powders That Will Help You Lose Weight

Spend less time staring at labels, and more time losing lbs.

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Think protein powder is just something bodybuilders use to gain muscle upon muscle? You may have to reevaluate what you think you know about this must-have pantry staple. While protein helps build strong muscles and bones, it also helps keep our bodies trim and our bellies full—making it a crucial part of any weight-loss plan.

“Getting adequate protein per meal has been shown to control appetite, increase satiety, manage weight, and maintain muscle mass while decreasing body fat,” says Heather Mangieri, R.D.N., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and author of Fueling Young Athletes. “Studies suggest that eating protein may prevent the secretion of the hunger hormone ghrelin and stimulate secretion of other satiety hormones, [which signal to your brain that your stomach is full].”

If you’re looking to rev up your metabolism, a top-notch protein powder is just the tool you need to easily sneak the macronutrient into your every meal. Sprinkle a scoop into your smoothies, dairy-free milk, coffee, oats, homemade nutrition bars, pancake/waffle mix, hot cocoa—pretty much anything you want—and pow, you’ve made a snack with a big protein punch. This is especially beneficial for vegetarians and vegans, who may or may not be getting enough protein from their meat-less diets.

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“Protein powder can fill in any gaps between the amount of protein we eat and the amount of protein we need,” says Lauren Antonucci, R.D.N., a registered dietician and board-certified sports dietician, and owner/director of Nutrition Energy, a nutrition consulting practice in New York City. “Many women, especially women who work out most days, have trouble getting their total daily protein needs. Plus, they often don’t get adequate protein intake post-workout, which is critical to muscle repair. Using a good-quality protein powder post-workout or with meals can add the [recommended amount of] protein you need throughout the day.”

But with all the different types of powdery stuff crammed on store shelves, it might seem easier to shrug your shoulders and walk away than to analyze which one is best for your slim-down goals. So we took it upon ourselves to talk to a panel of nutrition experts and whittle down the choices for you. These are the top 10 protein powders our pros recommended, so you can spend less time staring at labels and more time losing lbs.

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When it comes to weight loss, whey reigns as king among protein powders. A milk-derived protein, it’s been scientifically proven to help build up muscle and break down body fat, and it even acts as an antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and antimicrobial agent.

The secret sauce of whey protein powder is that it packs a ton of nutrients into every scoop, making it an ideal option for anyone looking to shed some pounds: “It has a high concentration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are absorbed quickly, making it highly digestible,” says Mangieri.

These are the whey protein powder brands the experts swear by:

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF OPTIMUM NUTRITION

“One of the better-tasting protein powders, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard has 24 grams of high-quality whey protein isolates per scoop and only two grams of sugar.” —Lisa Moskovitz, R.D., CEO of The NY Nutrition Group, a private New York City-based nutrition practice.

Buy it: $55, amazon.com

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF POWER CRUNCH

“Power Crunch comes in a variety of delicious flavors, from cookies and cream to café mocha, and it’s easier on the digestive system than many other protein powders. One scoop has 20 grams of protein and three grams of belly-filling fiber.” —Lisa Moskovi

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ORGAIN

“When you want a simple yet tasty protein powder that comes from organic, good-quality sources, Orgain is a superior option. This company prides itself on offering products with no artificial ingredients or sweeteners, and their protein powder is sourced straight from New Zealand.”

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF BIPRO

“BiPro is a whey protein isolate that is a highly biologically available protein. Their plain flavor is simple whey protein, while the flavored ones simply have natural flavors, some stevia and sunflower lecithin. I like that it has 20 grams of protein for only 90 calories.” —Tara Collingwood, R.D.N., team dietician for the Orlando Magic and nutrition consultant for UCF Ath

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Casein powder is a bit less common than whey, but it’s just as effective at melting off pounds. In a 2009 study published in the International Journal of Obesity, diets high in casein protein proved to be more effective than low-fat diets for weight control.

“Casein is another protein powder derived from milk, but it is absorbed slightly more slowly and steadily than whey,” says Mangieri. “That makes it a great option for adding protein as a meal replacement.”

If you want to give it a try, go for this top pick:

What makes egg-white protein a great pick for shedding pounds is that a single scoop of powder contains about four times the amount of high-quality protein found in an egg, and it also has hefty amounts of essential amino acids and vitamins A, B, and D.

“Egg-white protein is also fat-free, cholesterol-free, and is very low in carbs,” says Collingwood. “[It’s lactose-free as well, so] some people who have trouble digesting whey protein can tolerate egg-white protein really well.”

Here’s what the experts say is their go-to brand for egg-white protein powder:

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF NAKED NUTRITION

“Naked Nutrition uses clean ingredients and non-GMO eggs, and the only other ingredient is sunflower lecithin. It doesn’t have any added sweeteners or colors, and it packs 25 grams of protein for 110 calories.” —Tara Collingwood

WOMEN'S HEALTH

Swearing off animal products doesn’t mean you have to miss out on fat-blasting, muscle-building, nutrient-filled protein powder. Whether you’re on a strictly plant-based diet or just prefer to stick to greens over meat, there are plenty of natural vegetarian protein options that are made from veggies, soy, hemp, pea protein, brown rice, or any combination of those ingredients.

“The higher fat and fiber content of vegetarian protein powders slows down digestion and absorption, which may be beneficial for a woman looking to lose weight,” says Mangieri.

These earthy varieties are favorites among professional dieticians:

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF VEGA

“If you prefer something more animal-friendly, VegaOne is a great option for adding more protein in your diet. Vegans especially can benefit from the extra protein boost, as many vegan-friendly foods lack sufficient amounts of protein. Just one serving offers up 25 grams of protein with no added sugars.” —Lisa Moskovitz

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF GARDEN OF LIFE

"Garden of Life is a trusted brand, and their plant-based variety of protein powder doesn’t have a significant aftertaste like many others do.” —Tara Collingwood

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SOTRU

“This organic fermented protein-and-greens uses brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, and mushroom powder, plus fruit and veggie powder and probiotics. With powders such as these, women can really feel good about the protein they’re putting into their bodies. They are healthy, keep your energy stable,