11 Top Protein Powders Designed For Men
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Over 46 percent of Americans consume protein drinks and shakes. This indicates how large the protein supplement market is today, with many new brands and outfits. Many of these businesses have great products, but others are not so impactful.
Determining the most effective and best-tasting protein powder brands is not a walk in the park. Many people try a number of brands in an attempt to discover a favorite. We’ve made this process easier for you — continue reading to check out our list of the best protein powders designed for men.
What Protein Powder is Most Effective?
Choosing the most effective protein powder depends on your health goals and dietary restrictions. Whey protein is very popular for building muscle because it is absorbed quickly by the body, so it’s great for a post-workout boost.
However, if you’re a vegan or allergic to dairy, you might prefer plant-based options like soy, pea, or hemp protein. These are good alternatives and provide essential amino acids for muscle repair and growth.
Casein is another dairy-based protein that works slower than whey, gradually releasing amino acids. This makes it ideal for consuming before bedtime, as it helps with muscle recovery through the night. Ultimately, the best protein powder for you also depends on how well your body can digest it and how it fits your overall dietary needs.
Benefits of Protein Powder For Men
Muscle Growth and Repair
Protein is essential for muscle growth and repair, which is crucial for men who exercise regularly, especially strength training. Whey protein, in particular, is effective because it contains all the nine essential amino acids needed for muscle recovery. This can help enhance performance and increase muscle mass over time.
Enhanced Satiety
Research shows that protein-rich diets are known to enhance feelings of fullness, which can prevent overeating. For this reason, protein powder is a useful dietary addition for men looking to control their hunger levels and manage their dietary habits effectively.
Weight Management
Protein supplements can help with weight management by increasing satiety, which reduces overall calorie intake. This is especially beneficial for men looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. The high protein content in these powders can boost metabolism and help preserve lean muscle mass during weight loss.
Improved Recovery
Protein powder could play a role in wound healing because it is rich in amino acids. In this regard, the supplement can be valuable to men recovering from surgery or illness, providing the necessary protein when normal dietary intake does not cut it.
What Type of Protein is Best For Men?
Most men would be fine using any protein powder containing all nine essential amino acids, such as whey, soy, or egg-white protein.
Protein powder derived from animal sources usually contains the necessary amino acids, while plant-based sources do not. However, to make protein supplementation accessible, many manufacturers create plant-based blends.
Mixing and matching plant protein powder sources could result in a product that contains all the amino acids and is also completely plant-sourced.
11 Best Protein Powders For Men
1. Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate (affiliate link) is made from hormone-free grass-fed cows and is available in different flavors, such as French Vanilla and Milk Chocolate. Transparent Labs boasts of putting out the best quality product, as this protein powder lacks artificial additives and undergoes third-party testing for safety and purity.
A scoop of Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate has about 28 grams of protein, which is higher than usual, and 120 to 150 calories. This product’s high protein availability and natural state make it a perfect choice for men looking to gain muscle and strength in a healthy way.
2. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey (affiliate link) is a blend of whey protein concentrate, isolate, and hydrolyzed whey protein. Among the product’s perks are that it mixes well with liquids without clumping and comes in more than 20 flavors, including Cinnamon Roll and Chocolate Mint.
While Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey contains artificial sweeteners, flavoring, and colors, it’s suitable for men who prioritize taste and flavor. A scoop of this protein powder contains 130 calories and 24 grams of protein.
3. KOS Vegan Protein Powder
KOS Vegan Protein Powder (affiliate link) is made with a blend of ingredients, including pea, quinoa, chia seed, and pumpkin seed protein. Together, these ingredients enable the protein powder to have a complete amino acid profile, even though it is plant-based.
The KOS Vegan Protein Powder also comes with digestive enzymes and comes in flavors like Blueberry Muffin, Salted Caramel Coffee, and Vanilla. Each serving of this product contains 20 grams of protein and 160 calories.
4. NOW Sports Nutrition Whey Protein Isolate
NOW Sports Nutrition Whey Protein Isolate (affiliate link) is unflavored and can be easily mixed with other beverages. This is an advantage for men who like to give their protein shake a personal touch by mixing it with other substances like milk and coffee.
Additionally, this protein powder has no sweeteners, so you can choose one to add, depending on your preferences. The NOW Sports Nutrition Whey Protein Isolate has only 110 calories and 25 grams of protein in each serving to accommodate all the extra ingredients you may want to add to your protein drink.
5. Gainful Vegan Protein
Gainful Vegan Protein promises a complete amino acid profile by incorporating brown rice and pea protein. Through a Gainful subscription, users can also access their own registered dietitian.
While Gainful Vegan Protein is unflavored, users could get flavor packs with their protein powder to enhance the taste. One serving of this product has 24 grams of protein and 120 calories.
6. PEScience Select Premium Whey + Casein
PEScience Select Premium Whey + Casein (affiliate link) has the best of both worlds — whey and casein protein powder. While it may not be absorbed very quickly like whey or digest very slowly like casein, it presents a protein supplement that would help you stay satiated for longer periods and meet your daily protein goals.
PEScience Select Premium Whey + Casein only contains 120 calories in each serving, accompanied by 24 grams of protein. It also has an array of interesting flavors, including Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Mint Cookie, Cake Pop, and Strawberry Cheesecake.
7. Naked Whey Chocolate Protein Powder
Naked Whey Chocolate Protein Powder (affiliate link) promises a great, natural drink without added additives. The supplement consists of only three ingredients: whey protein concentrate, cacao powder, and coconut sugar. The chocolate flavor in this protein powder, created by the raw cacao powder, is unmatched, making it a great choice for both taste and effectiveness.
A drawback of the Naked Whey Chocolate Protein Powder may be that it has up to 160 calories per serving. However, the powder’s protein content per serving is also as high as 25 grams, not to mention the use of wholly natural ingredients, including coconut sugar. All these great ingredients could contribute to higher calories, but they also give quality nutrients.
8. Onnit Grass-Fed Whey Protein
Onnit Grass-Fed Whey Protein (affiliate link) is a great option for men who are trying to gain muscle. It contains 20 grams of protein per 110 to 120-calorie serving and has digestive enzymes and a probiotic. This means that this product would likely digest easily and also aid in the digestion of other foods, making the bulking process more effortless.
While it is a whey protein brand, Onnit Grass-Fed Whey Protein is free from other allergens such as soy and gluten. The protein powder is also highly soluble, as testers have mentioned that it mixes very well with other liquids.
9. Jacked Factory Authentic Whey
With 25 grams of protein and 110 to 140 calories in each scoop, Jacked Factory Authentic Whey (affiliate link) is a superb option both for muscle building and weight management. The low-calorie protein powder comes in multiple flavors, such as Chocolate, Blueberry Muffin, Cinnamon French, and Vanilla Oatmeal Cookie.
10. Ritual Essential Daily Shake 18+
Ritual Essential Daily Shake 18+ (affiliate link) contains most of its protein from yellow peas; however, the company adds more amino acids to improve the protein profile. The protein powder comes in only one flavor and has a subscription model, which could work if you like to automate your grocery or supplement shopping.
Ritual Essential Daily Shake 18+ offers 20 grams and only 115 calories for each serving, which are great numbers for a plant-based protein powder.
11. Xwerks Grow
Thinking about going through a strict fat-cutting phase without sacrificing the taste of your protein powder? Xwerks Grow (affiliate link) is the answer. The protein powder is made from New Zealand grass-fed cows, which are known for being raised without exposure to hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides.
Even better, this brand promises upwards of 25 grams of protein per serving with only 110 calories. Xwerks Grow also tastes great, coming in Vanilla, Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Strawberry. The peanut butter flavor, however, has less protein per serving (23 grams).
Final Thoughts
There are many great reasons to take protein powder, especially as a man. If you’re trying to build muscle and strength and have any difficulties with meeting your protein goals for the day, protein powder could help a ton. It could also help if you don’t like to eat large amounts of protein in your meals.
Nonetheless, protein powder is still just a supplement; you do not need it. There is no secret substance to take for strength, muscle growth, or even weight loss. It is still important to eat whole foods as much as you can and exercise regularly.
Additionally, when choosing a protein powder, it’s important to pick a brand you like. Find a balance between prioritizing your health and fitness and your taste; this will aid consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the No 1 protein powder in the world?
Determining the “no 1” protein powder in the world is quite challenging because it varies based on criteria such as sales, popularity, expert recommendations, and customer reviews. However, some products you should try are the Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate, Naked Whey Protein Powder, and Naked Pea Protein Powder. These are some of the most highly recommended protein powders on the market right now.
Is protein powder good for your guy?
Protein powder is great for men, especially those who are trying to be physically active, build muscle, or manage their weight. Protein is essential for muscle growth and repair, making protein powder a popular supplement among people who want to build muscle.
Protein also promotes satiety, so it helps with weight loss and management by reducing overall calorie intake. Altogether, protein could definitely be a valuable addition to any man’s diet.
Is whey or pea protein better for men?
Both whey and pea protein offer distinct advantages. Whey protein is generally flavored for muscle protein synthesis and quick recovery, while pea protein is excellent for those seeking a plant-based option and have specific dietary restrictions. Your choice should align with your dietary needs, tolerance, and health goals.
What is the number 1 healthiest protein?
The “number 1” healthiest protein would depend on many factors and be highly objective. However, there are some things to consider when determining how healthy a protein powder brand is. Examples are the use of artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, quality of raw materials, and amino acid profile. All these point to how a protein powder brand would impact your overall health.
Main image credit: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
