

When making a selection, be sure to consider your individual needs and health goals. We also had a registered dietitian on our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Most protein shakes are sweetened either with sugar or alternative sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit extract (some also contain artificial sweeteners). When choosing the best protein shakes, our dietitian considered recommendations from experts, including sports and prenatal dietitians other considerations included taste, consistency, protein content, sugar or alternative sweeteners, and the presence of other nutrients. If you rely on them too heavily, you may miss out on other important nutrients. But, while protein shakes are helpful for filling gaps or for when you’re short on time, they are often highly processed and are not meant to replace whole foods. “Spreading protein intake throughout the day is recommended and protein shakes can assist individuals with accomplishing this goal.” adds Mandy Tyler, M.Ed., RD, CSSD, LD, LAT. This may apply to you if you follow a vegan diet, are an athlete, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a medical condition that reduces your appetite or requires a higher protein intake.

Protein shakes can be especially helpful if you struggle to get enough protein in your diet or have higher protein needs. While most people can get all the protein they need with food, “protein shakes are a super easy and convenient way to meet your protein needs on-the-go with minimal effort,” says Kristy Baumann, RD, LD, dietitian for runners.
