You may have heard about the benefits of protein powder for building muscle mass, supporting a functioning metabolism, and weight management with proper diet and exercise, but what you may not realize is that there is a huge range of protein powder flavors on the market.
Gone are the days of choking down chalky protein powders added to water after your workout. Today, there are lots of delicious protein flavors that can be seamlessly incorporated into virtually any recipe. Read on for our list of the ten best protein powder flavors you can get your hands on.
First, What Are the Different Types of Protein Powder?
If you don’t know much about protein powder, you might think that all protein powders are created equally and derived from the same sources.
You might be surprised to learn that there are many different types of protein powder, each of which can be used to boost your protein intake in a variety of ways. It’s common for athletes and those looking to change their body composition to incorporate protein powder, but adding protein powder into your daily diet can be beneficial for others, too.
There are three primary types of protein powder:
- Plant-based protein powder, derived from pea, rice, or other ingredients
- Dairy-based protein powder, derived from whey or casein protein
- Other types of protein powder, including those derived from egg whites or collagen
Protein powder is so named because it contains substantial amounts of protein per serving, but it also contains other nutrients. Most protein powder is also formulated with fats and carbohydrates to provide a more complete option for meal replacement. Many formulas also add vitamins and minerals. Some products use natural or artificial flavors and sweeteners in order to improve the taste of the plain powder. Protein powder may also contain thickening additives that are designed to improve the creaminess of the powder when it is added to liquid.
Why Do People Use Protein Powder?
There are a wide range of benefits associated with protein powders, making them one of the most popular nutritional supplements available.
Our bodies need protein in order to repair, produce, build, and maintain cells, including muscle tissue, and also use protein to produce enzymes, hormones, and other chemicals.
Each person’s protein needs vary depending on their age, gender, activity level, and other factors, but the average sedentary person needs to take in at least 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound of body weight.
Benefits of taking in extra protein from protein powder may include:
- Helps to muscle growth and strength
- Supports functioning metabolism
- Weight management with proper diet and exercise
- Increases feelings of fullness between meals
- Supports recovery after a workout
Adding extra protein intake above the recommended minimum is critical for people who exercise on a regular basis and lead active lives. One of the easiest ways to increase your protein intake is adding protein powder to your diet.
10 Best Protein Powder Flavors
Gone are the days of having just a couple of bland options for protein powder flavors. Today, there are tons of options on the market that can cater to your unique taste buds and slide seamlessly into your favorite recipes. Here are our top ten!
Peppermint Hot Cocoa
The holiday season is one of the best times of the year thanks to all of the delicious seasonal food and flavors, so why should your protein powder be the lone exception? Peppermint hot cocoa protein powder is a delicious seasonal offering that blends perfectly into hot chocolate, of course, but why stop there? Add a scoop or two of peppermint hot cocoa to your holiday cookies for a boost of protein that tastes delicious.
Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt
Chocolate caramel sea salt is one of the trendiest flavors on the market for coffee, candy and more, and now you can enjoy the taste in your protein shake. Chocolate caramel sea salt protein powder is a delicious alternative to plain chocolate protein powder that adds the savory element of salt to the sweet flavors of chocolate and caramel.
Iced Coffee
If you’ve never tried mixing protein powder into your coffee before, you’re in for a treat. While you can mix any flavor of protein powder into your coffee, those who want the boost of protein in the morning without compromising the flavor of their coffee should look no further than iced coffee flavored protein powder.
Vanilla Horchata
Love the creaminess of horchata and the smooth, sweet notes of vanilla? Try vanilla horchata flavored protein powder. This delicious flavor blends smoothly into smoothies, coffee, and shakes alike and can also be added to your pancake or waffle batter for an extra note of sweetness.
Chocolate Coconut
Chocolate coconut protein powder is relatively new to the protein powder, but it has made a big splash in a short amount of time. Evoking notes of your favorite candy bar or dessert, chocolate coconut protein powder makes a delicious addition to any of your favorite dessert recipes or beverages.
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Chocolate peanut butter protein powder is a universal favorite that incorporates the sweetness of chocolate with the salty, savory notes of peanut butter. It’s delicious in protein shakes, coffee, pancakes, waffles, cookies, and other recipes on the sweeter side.
Vanilla Bean
If you’re looking for a more subtle flavor that still has a hint of sweetness, try vanilla bean protein powder. Vanilla bean protein powder can mix easily into nearly any recipe you can think of, including fruit smoothies, without creating an overpowering flavor. Try it if unsweetened protein powder isn’t right for you but you’re looking for something more mild.
Creamy Chocolate Fudge
Is there a more classic flavor than creamy chocolate fudge? The merits of this protein powder flavor are right there in the name. Adding a creamy note to your shakes, smoothies, and other recipes, creamy chocolate fudge is a tried and true classic that won’t disappoint.
Peanut Butter
It’s common to add a scoop of nut butter to your smoothie in order to add some protein and healthy fat to your meal, but peanut butter has far less protein than peanut butter protein powder. Adding a scoop or two of peanut butter flavored protein powder will give you the boost of protein that helps keep you full longer without overpowering the fruity notes of your smoothie.
Natural Unsweetened
The other flavors might get more attention, but there is something to be said for natural unsweetened protein powder, which can be easily added to beverages and recipes where the addition of another flavor would be overpowering, such as hot tea or soup. Because most protein powder flavors tend to skew towards the sweeter side, natural unsweetened protein powder is perfect for incorporating into your favorite savory recipes.
Summary
While many people think of protein powder as a chalky, bland ingredient to be used in protein shakes or smoothies only, there is actually a wide range of delicious protein powder flavors on the market that can be incorporated into virtually any recipe.
The ten best protein powder flavors include peppermint hot cocoa, chocolate caramel sea salt, iced coffee, vanilla horchata, chocolate coconut, chocolate peanut butter, vanilla bean, creamy chocolate fudge, peanut butter, and natural unsweetened.
To explore even more delicious options, check out Orgain’s wide selection of organic protein powder here!
Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and is not intended as individual or specific medical advice, nor is it intended to replace advice by your qualified healthcare provider. We strongly encourage consulting with a qualified healthcare provider about your interest in, questions about, or use of dietary supplements and what may be best for your overall health.
Sources:
How much protein do you need every day? | Harvard Health
Why Is Protein Important In Your Diet? | Piedmont Healthcare
