Nutrition Products Protein Powders These Are the Best Whey Protein Powders for Men, According to a Dietitian Garden of Life Organic Grass Fed Whey Powder is our top pick 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 June 06, 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 Mia Syn, MS, RDN Medically reviewed by Mia Syn, MS, RDN Mia Syn, MS, RDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a master of science in human nutrition. She is also the host of Good Food Friday on ABC News 4. 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Whey is a milk protein that contains all essential amino acids, including branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) that support muscle repair. It is also highly bioavailable, meaning our bodies can readily absorb and utilize it. Consuming milk-based proteins (including whey) after resistance exercise helps with muscle maintenance, repair and synthesis. Shawn Wells, MPH, LDN, RD, CISSN, FISSN says, “For men focused on lean mass gains or muscle maintenance, whey protein is ideal, but anybody looking for optimal body composition and to prevent sarcopenia (muscle breakdown) as we age can also benefit." While it is recommended to consume protein from whole foods first, including a variety of both animal and plant-based proteins, whey protein powder is a convenient option for men who have difficulty meeting their protein needs from food alone. It is important to note that consuming whey protein powder will not build muscle on its own. Weightlifting and other strength training exercises help to build muscle, and consuming protein, in whole food or supplement form, simply provides muscles with nutrients necessary for muscle repair, supporting muscle growth. The two main types of whey protein are isolate and concentrate, which vary slightly in their protein and carbohydrate content—whey protein isolate contains a higher concentration of protein and is lower in carbohydrates including lactose. Wells adds, "Whey protein isolate may be better if you have lactose intolerance, and hydrolyzed whey protein is slightly easier to digest.” When selecting our list of whey protein powder for men, we considered amount of protein, quality of ingredients, overall nutritional content, type and taste. Verywell Fit Approved Whey Protein Powders for Men Best Overall: Garden of Life Organic Grass Fed Whey Powder contains 21 grams of high-quality, grass-fed protein per serving, flavored with organic vanilla flavor and sweetened with stevia leaf extract. Best Budget: If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, try Naked Whey 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein, with 25 grams of protein per serving and no added ingredients. 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 What to Look for Why Trust Verywell Fit? How We Select Supplements Best Overall: Garden of Life Certified Organic Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder Vanilla Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Who else recommends it? Insider also picked the Garden of Life Organic Grass Fed Whey Powder. What do buyers say? 86% of 1,700+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. This Certified USDA Organic (rBST and rBGH-free), Non-GMO Project Verified tops our list with 21 grams of high quality, whey protein in a tasty vanilla flavor. The budget-friendly powder comes in five flavors, including chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, lightly sweet, strawberry, and vanilla. The Garden of Life whey is sourced from pasture-raised, grass-fed cows and is American Humane Certified. Each serving provides 21 grams of protein, 2 grams of sugar, 120 calories, and 4.7 grams of BCAAs. The product also contains 2 billion CFU of probiotics. Price at time of publication: $29 The 8 Best Protein Powders for Women, According to a Dietitian Best with MCTs: Primal Kitchen Primal Fuel Vanilla Coconut Whey Protein Powder Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Thrive Market Primal Kitchen's Primal Fuel comes in two delicious flavors including vanilla coconut and chocolate. Monk fruit extract is used for sweetening, so the product is low in sugar, with only 1 gram per serving. Each scoop provides 10 grams of protein, 4 grams of carbohydrates and approximately 2.2 grams of BCAAs. The soy-free, gluten-free, keto and paleo-friendly product provides 4 grams of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut milk fat. Research suggests that consumption of MCTs is associated with weight loss and greater usage of fat as fuel. Note that the product is not technically paleo, as whey protein is made from dairy. Primal Fuel also contains prebiotics, or the food for gut-healthy probiotics, from inulin. This prebiotic fiber is thought to improve digestive health. Price at time of publication: $46 Best Gluten-Free: teraswhey Simply Pure Whey Protein Bourbon Vanilla Courtesy of Thrive Market View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Luckyvitamin.com For men looking for a gluten-free whey protein powder, Tera's Whey Simply Pure is a great option. The certified gluten-free product is sweetened with stevia and provides 21 grams of protein per serving. Each serving also provides 5.29 grams of BCAAs along with 3 grams of sugar and 4 grams of carbohydrates. The USDA Organic, rBGH-free, and rBST-free whey protein is sourced from grass-fed cows raised on small farms in Wisconsin. The bourbon vanilla flavor is sweet and mixes well with water or your favorite beverage. Note that the product mixes best using a shaker bottle or blender. Price at time of publication: $22 Best Low in Sugar: Biochem 100% Whey Isolate Protein Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Biochem is known for creating high-quality whey protein from grass-fed cows. The soy-free, non-GMO product contains no artificial ingredients and contains all essential amino acids. Each serving contains 20 grams of protein with no fat or sugar. Biochem uses a specific cold process without chemicals to create a pure whey protein isolate. Their micro-filtration method removes fat, cholesterol, and lactose to create a highly pure whey protein powder. The low-FODMAP product is also great for those with food allergies and sensitivities as it is Certified Gluten-Free, soy-free, and 99% free of lactose. Price at time of publication: $48 Best Organic: Natural Force Grass Fed Organic Whey Protein Powder Source: Natural Force View On Amazon For men who prefer to choose organic products, Natural Force Organic Whey Protein is a fabulous choice. The vanilla flavor contains just three ingredients—organic whey protein concentrate (sourced from grass-fed cows from family-owned farms in California), organic vanilla flavor, and organic Stevia leaf powder. Each serving (one scoop) contains 110 calories, 3 grams of carbs, 20 grams of protein, and less than 1 gram of sugar. The USDA-Organic, Non-GMO Project Certified, kosher protein comes in three additional flavors including cacao bean, coffee bean, and an unflavored variety. Natural Force recommends mixing the powder into protein shakes, smoothies, or baked goods. Price at time of publication: $30 The 7 Best Organic Protein Powders, According to a Dietitian Best Budget: NAKED Nutrition Naked Whey Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Nkdnutrition.com Containing only one ingredient (100% grass-fed pure whey protein), Naked Whey is a high-quality whey protein product with a reasonable price tag. The whey is sourced from small dairy farms in California and is cold-processed to ensure no contamination from chemical detergents, synthetic additives, or heavy metals. This pure product is also free of flavors, sweeteners, and colors. The GMO-free, soy-free, and gluten-free product provides 25 grams of protein, 2 grams of sugar, and 5.9 grams of BCAAs per serving. Naked Whey is also a great choice for athletes, as it has the Informed-Choice Certification, assuring that it does not contain banned substances. Price at time of publication: $24 Good to Know Whey protein is a convenient way to boost protein intake. Whey itself is a by-product of cheese production and is found in the watery portion of milk that separates from curd during this process. The liquid whey is then processed using various techniques to create whey protein powder. Best Lactose-Free: LEGION Whey+ Chocolate Whey Isolate Protein Powder Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon For those who can’t tolerate lactose, Legion Whey+ is a high-quality, lactose-free whey protein isolate powder sourced from grass-fed cows. Sweetened with stevia, it’s also sugar-free and non-GMO. Each serving (one scoop) contains 100 calories, 22 grams of protein, and 3 grams of carbohydrates. It comes in six flavors, including chocolate peanut butter, cookies and cream and an unflavored version. The product ranks #1 in purity and accuracy among protein supplements on LabDoor, an independent supplement testing company. Legion uses cold micro- and ultra-filtration to prevent denaturing of the whey protein during processing. Price at time of publication: $60 The 7 Best Protein Powders of 2022, According to a Dietitian Final Verdict For an excellent vanilla-flavored whey protein powder for men that tastes great and is made with top-quality ingredients, try Tera's Whey Simply Pure Whey Protein Powder (view at Amazon) or Garden of Life's Organic Whey Protein Powder (view at Amazon). What to Look for in a Whey Protein Powder for Men Taste: It’s a no-brainer that people would rather drink something that tastes good—and protein powder is no exception. Some whey protein powders have a chalky aftertaste, but there are plenty of flavors on our list that you’ll actually look forward to drinking. You may have to sample a few to find your favorites, though, because taste is such an individual thing. Type of Whey Protein: Whey protein comes in many different types including concentrate, isolate, and hydroisolate, which vary in protein content, taste, and digestibility. When possible, choose a grass-fed, GMO-free concentrate that is processed using a cold, acid-free method. Ingredients: While all whey protein powders contain protein derived from whey, their other ingredients can vary widely. If you have dietary restrictions, there are formulas that are free of most allergens. There are also organic, kosher, and sugar-free options that can likely meet your needs. Why Trust Verywell Fit? A personal note on my recommendations written above. As a dietitian, I am careful to recommend supplements, including protein powders. I spent time reviewing the most current clinical research on whey protein supplementation and optimal forms and looking at multiple products and brands. I believe the whey protein powders in the round-up are made by trusted brands that are devoted to product purity and are composed of high-quality ingredients. While I am a female, I have used a few of these products in my daily smoothies to boost protein content. I also frequently recommend some of the products to male clients and include them in my husband's overnight oats or smoothie bowls. — Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN How We Select Supplements Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here. 4 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. The 5 best natural, artificial-free protein powders, backed by sports nutritionists. Insider. https://www.insider.com/guides/health/fitness/best-natural-protein-powder St-onge MP, Jones PJ. Greater rise in fat oxidation with medium-chain triglyceride consumption relative to long-chain triglyceride is associated with lower initial body weight and greater loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2003;27(12):1565-71. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802467 Carlson JL, Erickson JM, Lloyd BB, Slavin JL. Health Effects and Sources of Prebiotic Dietary Fiber. Curr Dev Nutr. 2018;2(3):nzy005. doi:10.1093/cdn/nzy005 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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