The Best Protein Shakes for Women, According to a Dietitian Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Nutrition Products Food and Beverages The 5 Best Protein Shakes for Women, According to a Dietitian Packed with plant-based protein, Vega Protein Nutrition Shake tops the list By Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN Eliza Savage, MS, RD is the Associate Editorial Director at Verywell Fit, a registered dietitian, and a published author. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 11, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Marisa Moore, RDN, MBA Medically reviewed by Marisa Moore, RDN, MBA Marisa Moore is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a BS in nutrition science and MBA in marketing. She is also the founder of Marisa Moore Nutrition. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Shereen Lehman, MS Fact checked by Shereen Lehman, MS Shereen Lehman, MS, is a healthcare journalist and fact checker. She has co-authored two books for the popular Dummies Series (as Shereen Jegtvig). Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Protein shakes can be a convenient way to add protein and other nutrients to your diet, particularly if you lead a busy, on-the-go lifestyle and have trouble meeting your nutritional needs from food alone. They can also serve as a good post-workout snack to help replenish your carbohydrate stores and aid in muscle repair.In general, protein shakes are best consumed in moderation, as part of a balanced diet focused on whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and proteins. There are many protein shakes on the market to consider, including both plant and animal-based products. When selecting our top list of protein shakes for women, we considered taste, protein content, amino acid profile and additional ingredients, including sugar and other additives. Verywell Fit Approved Protein Shakes for Women Best Overall: Vega Protein Nutrition Shake provides 20 grams of protein from a blend of organic pea, sunflower seed, and pumpkin seed proteins. Best Milk Protein Isolate: ICONIC Low Carb High Protein Drink Each drink contains 20 grams of grass-fed milk protein. Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs and which dosage to take. In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Select Supplements What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Fit Best Overall: Vega Protein Nutritional Shake Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target What do buyers say? 78% of 3,000+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. With a fruit and vegetable packed ingredient list and impressive nutritional stats, Vega Protein's Ready to Drink Vegan Protein Shake takes the top pick. Made with real, plant-based food ingredients, Vega is committed to providing a superior product with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The Certified Vegan shake provides 20 grams of protein from a blend of organic pea, sunflower seed, and pumpkin seed proteins. Each ready-to-go bottle contains 170 calories with only 7 grams of sugar. You'll also get 25% of your daily value of eight key vitamins and minerals in each serving, all derived from veggies, greens, and plant-based proteins. The convenient four-pack comes in chocolate or vanilla flavor and it is great to stash in the fridge before bringing with you on the go. For those with allergies, the drink is free of dairy, soy, and gluten. Best Low-Sugar: ICONIC Low Carb High Protein Drinks Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Typical pre-made and powdered protein beverages contain tons of added sugar or tummy-troubling artificial sweeteners. Iconic Protein's Vanilla Bean Grass-Fed Protein Drink contains an impressively low 3 grams of sugar per bottle and is sweetened with a mix of agave, monk fruit, and stevia. It comes in five additional flavors including Café Au Lait, Chocolate Truffle, Coconut Matcha, Golden Milk, and Cacao + Greens. The BPA-free bottle is easy to toss into your bag for a quick and filling snack on the run. Each drink contains 20 grams of grass-fed milk protein with 4 grams of fiber, 130 calories, and only 4 grams of net carbs. The sustainably farmed products are free of lactose, gluten, soy, GMOs, and carrageenan. Iconic Protein recommends using the high-protein drink as an alternative to coffee creamer, as a smoothie base, or even mixed into pancakes and waffles instead of regular milk or water. Best Vegan: OWYN Vegan Protein Shake View On Amazon View On Vitamin Shoppe Yes, you can still get plenty of protein even if you don’t eat meat and dairy. This ready-to-drink protein shake from OWYN is 100% certified vegan and contains 20 grams of protein per serving. It requires no refrigeration before you open it, so it’s great to take on the go to work, while hiking, or anywhere you need to refuel along the way. If you have allergies, OWYN is likely safe for you too as it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, and tree nut-free. This product has also been recommended for those following a low-FODMAP diet. It comes in delicious flavors like smooth vanilla, dark chocolate, golden milk, and cold brew coffee. OWYN, short for Only What You Need, combines pea protein, organic pumpkin seed protein, and organic flax oil to create their proprietary protein blend. Pea protein packs a ton of nutrition, and research suggests that it may be comparable to whey protein when promoting lean body mass in resistance-trained athletes. The 6 Best Vegan Plant-Based Protein Powders of 2022 by Verywell Fit Best Stevia-Free: ALOHA Organic Plant Based Protein Shake Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Thrive Market Stevia is debated to be a better choice than artificial sweeteners like sucralose, and some people experience side effects such as bloating, gas, or nausea when they consume it. Monk fruit, an alternative to stevia, is commonly used as a replacement to sweeten products without extra sugar and calories. Crafted with 18 grams of plant-based protein and organic MCT oil from coconut, ALOHA's Protein Drink uses both organic coconut sugar and monk fruit to create a deliciously sweet vegan drink. Made from a mix of organic pea and brown rice proteins, the plant-based drink provides easily digested protein that will provide you with an extra boost. It comes in three crave-worthy flavors including coconut, chocolate sea salt, and vanilla. The UDSA Organic beverage is also gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. Best Protein Powders for Women, According to a Dietitian Best Tasting: Siggi's Whole Milk Drinkable Yogurt Courtesy of Siggi's. View On FreshDirect If you're looking for a wholesome protein drink that tastes great, Siggi's Whole Milk Drinkable yogurt is a crave-worthy choice. With 180 calories and 8g of protein per bottle, Siggi's drinkable yogurt provides satiating protein and lasting energy. Made with only five simple ingredients, the drinkable whole milk yogurts are an awesome choice for on-the-go women. The beverages are available in nonfat and whole milk; however, for most women, whole milk may be a better choice as dietary fat can help to promote absorption of fat-soluble vitamins including vitamins K, A, D, and E. The whole milk version comes in deliciously creamy vanilla and blueberry flavors made with Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla and real blueberries. While the product does require refrigeration, the protein-packed yogurt drink is an easy grab-and-go option that is full of live active and probiotic cultures. Studies show that probiotics promote a healthy gut microbiome which in turn may prevent disease. Siggi's drinkable yogurt contains 17 grams of sugar per serving, likely attributed to the natural sugar found in whole milk as well as the organic agave nectar. The Best-Tasting Protein Powders of 2022 Final Verdict For a great-tasting, plant-based protein shake that's full of key nutrients for women, try Vega Protein Shake (view at Amazon). How We Select Supplements br Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here. What to Look For br Ingredients br Before you buy a protein drink, make sure to read the ingredient label. Check for artificial sugars, colors, and flavors. Also, keep an eye open for unfamiliar ingredients. Take a close look at the amount of added sugar and protein. Dietary Restrictions br When choosing a protein drink, you want to take into account any dietary restrictions or food sensitivities you may have. There are protein beverages to accommodate most diets, including dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options, as well as those that have no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors. If you have any questions about adding a protein drink to your diet, talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian. Taste br You don’t have to forgo flavor for nutrition just to get a few extra grams of protein into your diet. Many protein shakes come unflavored or with natural sweeteners that don’t leave a chemical taste in your mouth. Frequently Asked Questions How many protein shakes can I have each day? Protein shakes are one way to incorporate additional macro and micronutrients into your diet. They are best consumed as part of a balanced diet, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and protein. Recommended daily intake of protein shakes depends on individualized nutritional needs. For example, a high-endurance athlete may require a higher daily intake of protein and calories and therefore, they may want to incorporate more protein shakes in their diet to meet their needs. You should consider your daily intake goals for protein and calories to determine the quantity of protein shakes to consume. Are protein shakes good for weight loss? Protein shakes can support weight loss, but must be considered within the context of the diet in its entirety. Effective weight management plans consider the overall nutrition value of the diet as well as macronutrient intake (including protein, fats and carbohydrates) and overall calorie intake. Whether protein shakes are serving as meal replacements or snacks, they should be incorporated into a balanced diet including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and protein. Can protein shakes help you gain muscle mass? Adequate dietary protein intake and calories are essential for optimal muscle protein synthesis. Protein shakes are one way to increase your daily protein intake, but they are not necessary for gaining muscle mass. Incorporating protein at each meal through animal and plant-based proteins should be considered. The American College of Sports Medicine estimates the requirements for strength trainers at 1.6 to 1.7 grams per kilogram of body weight per day (about 0.8 grams per pound) and may require an intake of up to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. Some evidence suggests that protein supplementation before and/or after endurance or resistance training may enhance muscle recovery and rebuilding. Incorporating a shake with one-serving of protein powder, fruit (try banana), and milk or plant-based milk alternative may help to replenish carbohydrates and electrolytes lost through exercise and support muscle recovery post-workout. When should I drink a protein shake? Depending on the protein shake's nutrition profile, it can serve as a meal replacement or a supplemental snack. Consider your daily routine and overall dietary intake to determine when a protein shake may fit best into your diet. For example, a protein shake may be a good option for an on-the-go breakfast if you don’t have time to prepare a meal. If you practice resistance or endurance training, some evidence suggests that protein supplementation before and/or after training may enhance muscle recovery and rebuilding. Why Trust Verywell Fit A personal note on my recommendations written above. As a dietitian, I am careful to recommend supplements including protein drinks. I spent time reviewing the most current research on various types of proteins and looking at multiple products and brands. I believe the ready-to-drink protein supplements in the round-up are made by trusted brands that I would feel comfortable recommending to my clients, friends, and family. I personally spent years volunteering, interning, and working in a clinical setting where many ready-to-drink protein supplements were recommended to patients for various reasons. The supplements in this round-up are superior in quality and taste when compared to typical protein drinks on the market. —Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN Anne Cook Carroll, MS, RD, contributed to the FAQs. 5 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Thomas DT, Erdman KA, Burke LM. Position of the academy of nutrition and dietetics, dietitians of canada, and the american college of sports medicine: nutrition and athletic performance. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2016;116(3):501-528. Banaszek A, Townsend JR, Bender D, Vantrease WC, Marshall AC, Johnson KD. The Effects of Whey vs. Pea Protein on Physical Adaptations Following 8-Weeks of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT): A Pilot Study. Sports (Basel). 2019;7(1):12. doi:10.3390/sports7010012 Hemarajata P, Versalovic J. Effects of probiotics on gut microbiota: mechanisms of intestinal immunomodulation and neuromodulation. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2013;6(1):39–51. doi:10.1177/1756283X12459294 Schoenfeld BJ, Aragon AA. How much protein can the body use in a single meal for muscle-building? Implications for daily protein distribution. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018;15(1):10. doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0215-1 Cintineo HP, Arent MA, Antonio J, Arent SM. Effects of protein supplementation on performance and recovery in resistance and endurance training. Front Nutr. 2018;5:83. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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