Remember when women were scared to use creatine and then found out how important and beneficial it is? The same has happened with protein powder, and women were afraid to “get bulky” while using it. That myth has thankfully been debunked, and now the question is asked: What is the best protein powder for women?
While I’d like to simply provide you with a single link, things are not that easy.
That said, don’t get confused by protein powder that is “made for women.” That’s all marketing hype. The protein powder I use is the same one my wife and female training clients use after we train together.
Why?
Because, in the end, protein is a macronutrient that does not change or become altered depending on what gender consumes it.
Does that mean any protein powder will do?
No, not exactly. We need to take into account your personal preferences and protein needs. For instance, if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you’re not going to want an animal-based protein like a whey protein powder. Instead, you would want a plant-based protein.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing the best protein powder, and your needs may differ from your friend’s.
To simplify the process, in this article, we will dive deep into what makes the best protein powder for women, why you need protein, what to look for, and some top picks to consider that allow you to easily hit your daily recommended protein intake.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any health condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, making changes to your sports nutrition plan, or adding any new supplements to your current regimen.
Why Women Need High-Quality Protein Powder
Protein is one of the macronutrients you need to focus on in your nutrition plan. While many diets out there tell you to lower calories, cut out certain carbs, fats, and sugars, protein is something that should stay consistent, no matter what your goal is. Protein is the last thing you want to lower or remove from your diet.
You need a high-quality protein powder if you’re unable to get in enough protein from your daily nutrition alone. That being said, using a high-quality protein powder following workouts would be ideal as the liquid form of protein can more easily and quickly get into your system to help improve muscle recovery following intense training sessions.
Let’s take a deeper dive into why using a high-quality protein powder matters for women.
1. Supports lean muscle growth and toning without unwanted bulk
One benefit is that protein powder helps build lean muscle and tones your body without causing you to look bulky.
Remember, men tend to add a lot more mass due to their higher testosterone levels. Being that your levels aren’t anywhere near that of a man, it’s going to take a lot more work, effort, and time to add size.
The goal of using protein powder is to help improve muscle recovery and reduce muscle soreness following training sessions.
Scientific studies have shown that high-protein diets can improve feelings of fullness and support weight loss. Women and athletes gain strength with resistance training and high-quality protein supplementation.
Since there is no “one size fits all” approach to finding the best protein powder for women, you have the ability (and choice) to control your nutrition with clean ingredient lists and a low sugar, low carb profile.
You can benefit from whey protein isolate and plant-based options that meet guidelines for dairy allergies and lactose intolerance.
2. Aids post-workout recovery and reduces muscle soreness
If you’re reading this article, there’s a reason. You train hard and frequently. You’re active, and therefore, you need to focus on your recovery protocols.
The use of a high-quality protein powder helps improve your post-workout recovery and reduces muscle soreness. This is a great thing, as it not only helps you feel better (that is, until you beat up your body again during your next workout), but it also helps you achieve the results you’re looking for.
The best protein powder helps repair muscle fibers and reduces muscle soreness following that intense gym session you just had. It also helps boost ATP production.
But just simply taking a protein powder doesn’t mean you’re going to get the results you want. You need to get a good amount of protein per kilogram to build lean muscle and recover quickly. That’s important not only for protein supplements but also for the protein sources you include in your whole-food meals.
Something else to consider is the amino acid profile. You get a complete amino acid profile from whey isolate. On the other hand, there are some sources, like plant-based options, that don’t always have a complete amino acid profile, and you may be missing some essential amino acids.
3. Helps manage appetite and supports healthy weight loss
When searching for the best protein powder for women, many look for one that helps curb hunger and supports weight loss. To do so, you’re going to want a high-quality protein powder that delivers around 20 grams of protein per serving.
Being able to better control your hunger supports your weight management goals. The last thing you want to happen is to feel hungry throughout the day while you’re in a caloric deficit (which is stressful enough).
Look for a protein powder that is lower in carbs and sugars, as that will help improve satiety and won’t cause a rollercoaster of energy that will cause you to crash and destroy your energy levels, essentially causing you to want to be more sedentary rather than active (not conducive to weight loss).
4. Fills nutritional gaps in busy or restrictive diets
I stopped counting how many of my clients tell me that they get all of their nutrients from whole food sources. I just want to tell you that it’s nearly impossible to do that unless you are consuming a ton of food (which would put you into a caloric surplus) and in such a wide variety that it would cause your head to spin.
It may be wishful thinking, but you’re going to need some supplements to fill in nutritional gaps. Most women tend to be light on protein, which prevents them from achieving their recommended daily intake.
A protein powder is great if you’re trying to fill nutritional gaps in busy or restrictive diets. Look for a protein supplement that helps you achieve 1.2 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight to support lean muscle gain and ease muscle soreness.
The best protein powder for women should supply you with key vitamins, dietary fiber, and amazing flavors that can help calm your urges and cravings.
You can mix your protein powder in shakes, smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, or baked goods. Protein powder is truly versatile, and your imagination is the only thing stopping your creativity with its use.
What to Look for in the Best Protein Powder for Women
If all protein powders were created equal, it would make things much easier when shopping for the best protein powder for women. However, you have different protein sources, different ingredient profiles, different bioavailability, and more.
RELATED: How to Choose the Right Protein Powder for Your Fitness Goals
Let’s dive a little deeper into what you should look for when searching for the best protein powder for women.
1. Clean ingredient profile with no artificial fillers or amino spiking
Protein content matters. The last thing you want is a product that’s amino spiking, and while the label may show a certain total for the overall protein content, it’s not accurate.
If a product says it yields 20 grams of protein, you expect that protein content to be correct, right?
NutraBio actually takes things a step further by not only telling you how many grams of protein per serving, but also showing you what you will yield from that protein content. We offer products with a clean ingredient profile, with full transparency and zero amino spiking.
Our protein powder formulas use high-quality ingredients that avoid fillers and unnecessary junk that don’t align with your goals. We refuse to compromise when it comes to the quality and purity of our products.
The goal of the NutraBio protein powder collection is to support lean muscle growth and speed up your recovery period following intense training sessions that cause microtears and break down muscle fibers.
NutraBio meets the strict dietary needs of athletes and fitness enthusiasts with pure, transparent ingredients that work on all types of diets. Each serving delivers complete amino acids and benefits similar to those found in whole food options.
All of our protein powders come from our very own GMP-certified facility in New Jersey. You receive a product free of additives that can affect absorption and performance. Each product goes through extensive testing throughout the entire manufacturing process to ensure you get the highest quality and highest potency possible.
2. High bioavailability and complete amino acid profile
NutraBio’s protein powders offer high bioavailability that helps your body quickly and efficiently absorb key nutrients. Our whey protein isolate provides a complete amino acid profile rich in essential amino acids and BCAAs.
Animal products in the formula supply every vital nutrient that many veggie sources lack. I have my clients using NutraBio protein, and they have seen amazing results in recovery and lean muscle growth.
Your post-workout recovery gets a boost from every scoop.
NutraBio uses ingredients like grass-fed sources and non-dairy milk to keep the mix pure, sugar-free, and safe for those with food sensitivities or celiac disease.
I, myself, am a user of the NutraBio Whey Protein Isolate and have experienced improved post-workout recovery and reduced muscle soreness firsthand with its clean ingredient profile. Not only that, but the flavors are some of the best in the industry.
3. Low sugar and carb content for lean-body goals
NutraBio offers many different protein powders that cut carbs and sugar. You get a product that limits carbohydrates to 5 grams or less and uses nearly zero added sugars. The formula shows a short ingredient list, free from artificial fillers and junk that doesn’t align with your health and fitness goals.
Our clean and lean formulas help build muscle and aid in proper muscle recovery. A low carbohydrate count and clean protein source help boost protein intake without extra calories.
Even though the protein powders are low in carbs and sugar, be ready for an explosion of flavor in your mouth with each sip. With over a dozen different flavors to choose from across several of our options, you’ll be able to find something that your taste buds will thank you for.
In fact, you’ll look forward to drinking your NutraBio protein shake rather than feeling like you have to choke down a clumpy and chalky powder.
4. Third-party tested for quality and transparency
NutraBio protein powders pass third-party tests that check quality, taste, and solubility. You see clean ingredients without artificial fillers or amino spiking.
Third-party tests certify each batch for proper dosage and quality, with verified amounts of each ingredient. You get a product that checks for heavy metals and other materials that can sometimes get into protein powders that don’t have strict testing like NutraBio products go through.
The label clearly displays information, including the recommended daily allowance and dosage details. You also have the ability to go online and check the actual product you purchased and see the lab results with your own eyes.
We don’t hide anything from our consumers and are completely open and transparent. You need to be confident in what you’re buying, right? And with NutraBio, you can be certain what you’re getting is the highest quality possible.
NutraBio’s Top Protein Picks for Women
NutraBio offers protein powders that help you build lean muscle and boost recovery after workouts. You enjoy clean formulas set to the highest standards that fill your nutritional gaps and support a busy, active lifestyle.
Let’s look at some of the best protein powder options in our lineup:
100% Whey Protein Isolate: Fast-digesting, ideal post-workout fuel
By far, this is one of our best-selling protein powders for women.
You get 25 grams of protein per scoop in this 100% whey protein isolate. The NutraBio Whey Protein Isolate powder offers a complete amino acid profile and serves as fast-digesting post-workout fuel.
It digests quickly, allowing your muscles to absorb the nutrients they need to recover properly. The product excludes soy, gluten, and inferior fillers while keeping carbs low for lean gains and fast recovery.
Use this protein as a safe meal replacement or post-workout supplement. Fast absorption supports rapid replenishment of key nutrients following brutal training sessions.
Get ready for a flavor explosion with options like Chocolate Dipped Macaroon, Cinnamon Sugar Donut, Blueberry Muffin, and more.
We also have a grass-fed formula if you prefer that as a protein source.
Muscle Matrix Protein: Balanced whey/casein blend for sustained support
Some women feel that the best protein powder is a blended formula. This works for many women who want something that is both fast- and slow-digesting to provide a quick and delayed release of amino acids to fuel muscle recovery.
The blend in NutraBio Muscle Matrix Protein mixes 55% whey protein isolate and 45% micellar casein. Each serving provides you with 25 grams of protein.
Because of the precise blend, you can use it at night or between meals to support ongoing muscle development and recovery.
NutraBio uses a clean ingredient list with no artificial fillers or soy-based additives. This blend helps you maintain your health and meets your nutritional needs.
Classic Whey: Budget-friendly without compromising quality
When it comes to mouthwatering flavors, it’s hard to beat Classic Whey, which is why many consider it the best protein powder.
With flavors like Caramel Crème Brulee, Pumpkin Spice Latte, Cake Batter, Orange Dream, Pistachio Delight, and more, you’re going to have a hard time deciding what flavor you want to mix up.
NutraBio Classic Whey packs 25 grams of protein per scoop. It uses high-quality WPC80 whey concentrate and delivers an essential amino acid profile with BCAAs. You get a product free from fillers and additives.
The formula offers a low glycemic index and undergoes independent lab tests from NutraBio’s GMP-certified facility.
This protein powder can help support your results, manage your appetite, and keep your eye on the prize.
You enjoy the smooth texture and flavor while staying within budget, all without sacrificing quality.
Plant Protein: Vegan-friendly with a smooth texture and great flavor
Do you enjoy a vegan protein powder made from whole yellow peas and brown rice? If so, we have your plant-based needs covered with NutraBio Plant Protein.
This vegan-friendly protein powder contains 23 grams of complete protein per scoop. The protein is vegan, organic, lactose-free, and dairy-free.
Unique flavors such as German Chocolate Cake, Snickerdoodle, and Mochaccino Mousse Cake will have you coming back for more, long after you finish off the last sip of your protein shakes. Patented Frutalose® prebiotic fiber is added to the profile to boost its benefits.
You get a product that is non-GMO, gluten-free, and free from common allergens. NutraBio delivers a clean ingredient profile without artificial fillers or amino spiking.
Leverage the power of plant-based protein to drive your workout and recovery.
All products are fully disclosed, non-GMO, and manufactured in NutraBio’s GMP-certified facility
NutraBio shows clear ingredient details on every product label. You see full label lists with no hidden fillers or proprietary blends. Each product is non-GMO and uses high-quality ingredients.
We produce all of our products in our GMP-certified facility.
What you get from our testing is true transparency and strict quality control. The NutraBio supplements you purchase meet the highest standards with clean sourcing and full disclosure.
Conclusion
Your path to strength and muscle recovery starts with a quality protein powder from NutraBio.
Remember, don’t believe all the hype and marketing behind “women-specific” protein powders. Protein is protein. It all comes down to the formula.
Whether you choose a clean whey protein isolate, a budget-friendly whey protein concentrate, a blended protein, or a plant-based option, we have the best protein powder options for women.
All that’s left for you to do is figure out which protein is right for you and a flavor you can’t wait to mix up after your next training session.
Resources
Author:
Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN, is the owner of Weik Fitness. He is a globally recognized and prolific writer. With a passion for creating health and fitness content, Matt’s work has been featured on thousands of websites, over 100 magazines, and he has authored over 20 published books.
