{"id":87151,"date":"2025-08-21T21:25:13","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T21:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/87151\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T21:25:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T21:25:13","slug":"guide-4-kinds-of-protein-powders-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/87151\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide: 4 Kinds Of Protein Powders 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

When deciding on the best kind of protein powder for you, it\u2019s important to consider your health and diet goals\u2014then find a formula that aligns with them. With help from nutritionists and fitness experts, we broke down four popular types of protein powders to help you decide on the best type for you. You\u2019ll also find our top product recommendations, from the whey-based Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard<\/a>, which is ideal for building muscle, to the plant-based Orgain Organic Protein<\/a> that\u2019s suitable for vegans and those sensitive to dairy.<\/p>\n

\"Three<\/a><\/p>\n

We’ve broken down four kinds of protein powders to help you determine which one is right for you. <\/p>\n

Illustration: Forbes \/ Photo: Retailers<\/p>\n

There are a few factors you should keep in mind when choosing a formula, according to Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta, a fitness enthusiast who also authored our roundup of the best protein powders<\/a>. \u201cI think anyone shopping for protein powder should consider the type of protein they want to consume, the flavors they prefer and how much they\u2019re willing to spend, which will impact the quality of the ingredients,\u201d he says. Below, we detail four common types of protein powder, along with the best use cases for each.<\/p>\n

\"Graphic<\/a>\"Graphic<\/a>
\nAnimal-Based Protein Powder<\/p>\n

The main types of animal-based protein powders are whey, casein and collagen. Whey and casein are derived from the by-products of animals, while collagen powder is extracted from the animal itself. There are also less common animal-based varieties for those with dairy sensitivities, including egg-based protein powder.<\/p>\n

Whey Protein Powder<\/p>\n

Whey is a type of protein derived from milk, specifically as a by-product of cheese production. It\u2019s considered a complete protein, which makes it great for post-workout recovery and muscle gain.<\/p>\n

Best for: <\/p>\n

Post-workout recovery
\n Muscle growth
\n Improving athletic performance<\/p>\n

Skip if:<\/p>\n

You\u2019re allergic to milk
\n You follow a vegan diet
\nOptimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein PowderShop At Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

Protein per serving: 24 grams | Serving size: 1 scoop (31 grams) | Servings per container: 29 | Flavors: 20 total, including Double Rich Chocolate and Coffee<\/p>\n

This whey protein powder topped our list of the best protein powders due to its nutritional value and wide selection of flavors, including customer-favorite Rocky Road. It offers an impressive value for the price, and its straightforward formula makes it a solid pick for most people. However, note that some flavors are artificially sweetened with sucralose, which has the potential to irritate sensitive stomachs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Casein Protein Powder<\/p>\n

Similar to whey protein, casein protein is another supplement derived from milk. In this case, it\u2019s made of the phosphoproteins that slowly release amino acids into your body. \u201cCasein protein is also a complete protein, but it takes longer to digest, so it\u2019s better for long-term muscle repair and recovery, maybe over the span of a night,\u201d says Vigliotta.<\/p>\n

Best for: <\/p>\n

Long-term muscle repair
\n Boosting your metabolism and supporting weight loss
\n Those struggling to meet daily protein goals<\/p>\n

Skip if:<\/p>\n

You\u2019re allergic to milk
\n You follow a vegan diet
\n You\u2019re looking for a fast-acting formula
\nOptimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Micellar Casein Protein PowderShop At Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

Protein per serving: 24 grams | Serving size: 1 scoop (33 grams) | Servings per container: 25 | Flavors: 4 total, including Chocolate Supreme and Creamy Vanilla<\/p>\n

Similar to our top whey protein pick above, this casein supplement from Optimum Nutrition offers 24 grams of protein per serving. However, it\u2019s a bit more expensive, and there are only four flavor options available. That being said, this clean formula is not only good for supporting long-term muscle recovery\u2014it also boosts your metabolism. In fact, this formula is our top recommendation for weight loss, and you can read more by checking out our Optimum Nutrition Casein Protein Powder Review<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Collagen Protein Powder<\/p>\n

Collagen protein powder is derived from animal sources, including bone, tendon and skin. The final product, known as hydrolyzed collagen, offers a variety of benefits for your joints, skin and hair. However, it\u2019s not as effective as whey protein for promoting muscle growth.<\/p>\n

Best for: <\/p>\n

Promoting healthy joints and bones
\n Strengthening hair and nails
\n Maintaining skin elasticity<\/p>\n

Skip if:<\/p>\n

You follow a vegan or vegetarian diet<\/p>\n

Protein per serving: 25 grams | Serving size: 2 scoops (36 grams) | Servings per container: 21 | Flavors: 4 total, including Vanilla and Chocolate<\/p>\n

This collagen peptide supplement from Vital Proteins is formulated to support your hair, skin, nails and joints thanks to 25 grams of protein per serving. It\u2019s made from lactose-free milk protein isolate and collagen peptides from bovine, so it\u2019s a bit easier to digest than lactose-containing alternatives. The formula\u2019s ingredients have also been third-party tested for safety and label accuracy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Plant-Based Protein Powder<\/p>\n

Common sources for plant-based protein powder include peas, soy, brown rice and hemp\u2014and many blends include a mix of different foods. \u201cPlant-based protein isn\u2019t always a \u2018complete\u2019 protein, so you may need to blend it with other foods or forms of protein to make it more complete,\u201d says Vigliotta. “It’s easy to digest and ultimately a good choice if you’re a vegan or vegetarian.”<\/p>\n

Best for: <\/p>\n

Vegans and vegetarians
\n Boosting your protein intake
\n Those with milk sensitivities<\/p>\n

Skip if:<\/p>\n

You want a complete protein powder<\/p>\n

Protein per serving: 21 grams | Serving size: 2 scoops (46 grams) | Servings per container: 20 | Flavors: 11 total, including Vanilla and Fruity Cereal<\/p>\n

Orgain\u2019s Organic Protein Powder consists of pea, brown rice, chia and mung bean proteins, which combine to cover all nine amino acids, making it a complete protein source on its own. The vegan-friendly formula has a light flavor and mixes well with other liquids. Just keep in mind that it contains a lower amount of protein per serving than our other recommendations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/p>\n

No matter which type of supplement you buy, Vigliotta says it\u2019s often worth spending a bit more money on a high-quality blend. \u201cI prefer to think of what I put in my body as an investment in my personal health\u2014it\u2019s a \u2018you get what you pay for\u2019 purchase.\u201d While protein powders are generally safe for healthy individuals, it\u2019s a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider or dietitian before adding this kind of supplement to your diet.<\/p>\n

Why Trust Forbes Vetted<\/p>\n

The Forbes Vetted team is dedicated to providing the best recommendations on fitness topics<\/a> and wellness products<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This guide was written by updates writer Claire Epting<\/a>, who has five years\u2019 experience researching and reporting on lifestyle topics. Her coverage for Forbes Vetted includes activewear roundups on the best leggings for women<\/a> and the best tennis dresses<\/a>.
\n For this article, Epting spoke with Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta<\/a> to gain insight into what to consider when selecting a protein powder. In addition to holding a degree in kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Vigliotta is an active hiker, runner and cyclist who has experience using protein powders firsthand.
\n The Forbes Vetted gear team is experienced in reporting on this particular topic. Our popular guide to the best protein powders is based on firsthand experience with different blends, rigorous research and expert interviews.
\n We will continue to review this guide regularly and update it with any additional relevant information as necessary.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When deciding on the best kind of protein powder for you, it\u2019s important to consider your health and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":87152,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[49,48,84,395,51675],"class_list":{"0":"post-87151","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-health","11":"tag-nutrition","12":"tag-types-of-protein-powders"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87151"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87151\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/87152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}