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Best Protein Powder For Women 2024: Top 7 Choices

Kate Barrington

Updated on - Written by
Medically reviewed by Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN

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Naked Grass-Fed Whey Protein

Naked Whey Grass-Fed Protein Powder

  • Made with a single ingredient, grass-fed whey
  • Doesn’t contain additives or artificial sweeteners
  • Available in unflavored, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry

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Personalized Protein Powder

Gainful Personalized Protein Powder

  • Personalized protein powders for women
  • Unflavored with an option to add flavor
  • Two types of plant-based protein

KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder

KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder

  • Great flavors
  • Best for developing muscle
  • All-in-one protein shake and multivitamin
  • Save 15% with a subscription

Protein is an essential component of a balanced diet. Made up of amino acids, protein plays a role in muscle growth and tissue repair. It helps your red blood cells transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body and plays a role in the body’s production of the enzymes needed to properly digest food and absorb nutrition. 

While individual requirements vary, it’s important to get enough protein in your daily diet. Meat, fish, and poultry along with certain plant-based foods are nutritious sources of protein. But if you’re eating these foods and still struggling to meet your body’s requirements, protein powder can help. 

Protein powder is a dietary supplement that contains protein. It typically comes from whey protein concentrate but also comes in vegetarian forms like pea protein and hemp protein. Protein powders even come in an assortment of tasty flavors like vanilla and chocolate peanut butter.

Best Protein Powders For Women On The Market In March. 2024

Best Protein Powder For Women: Top 7 Products 2024

Naked Whey Grass-Fed Protein Powder

naked nutrition

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See Naked Nutrition Reviews

When choosing a protein powder, you want to make sure it’s a high-quality formula made from transparent ingredients. The most natural option we’ve found comes from Naked Nutrition.

  • Made with a single ingredient, grass-fed whey
  • Doesn’t contain additives or artificial sweeteners
  • Available in unflavored, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry
  • More expensive than other options
  • Not vegan-friendly

Naked Whey is made from 100% premium grass-fed whey protein. It comes from grass-fed cows raised on small California dairy farms that are raised without growth hormones. The result is a protein powder that contains 25 g of protein per serving, including 5.9 g of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). 

In addition to being packed with protein, this formula is completely free from additives and artificial sweeteners. In fact, it has only one ingredient (whey isolate), so it is gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO. It comes in an unflavored powder as well as strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla flavors.

Gainful Personalized Protein Powder

If weight gain is your goal, a personalized formula from Gainful might do the trick. Gainful is our top pick for the best protein powder for women to gain weight.

  • Personalized protein powders for women
  • Unflavored with the option to add flavor
  • Two types of plant-based protein
  • Requires survey to view pricing

Your nutrition goals are unique, so you deserve a protein powder designed to suit your needs. Before purchasing Gainful protein powders, you complete a simple survey to assess your goals. Whether you want to gain weight or lose it, build or maintain muscle, or even support muscle recovery, you can create a personalized protein powder. 

Gainful protein powders are all free from gluten, soy, and artificial additives. You can choose from plant-based protein powders, including organic protein from peas and brown rice, or whey protein isolate option.

KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder

Whether you’re looking for the best protein powder for women over 50, something to help you develop muscle, or just something that tastes good, we recommend KOS Organic Plant Protein.

  • Contains 20 g of protein and 160 kcal per serving
  • All-in-one protein shake and multivitamin
  • Save 15% with a subscription
  • Contains some added sugar

Protein is an essential nutrient, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle for balanced nutrition. Women of all ages can often benefit from nutritional supplements, including multivitamins. This protein powder from KOS includes 20 g of plant-derived protein as well as over a dozen essential nutrients in each serving. 

This protein powder is also fairly low in calories, with just 160 kcal per serving. It is vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and certified United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)  organic.

Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder

When it comes to the best protein powder for women, Garden of Life is our top choice because it is made with organic plant-derived protein and has 12 certifications.

  • Certified organic, made with non-genetically Modified Organism (GMO) ingredients, vegan, kosher, gluten-free 
  • Made with traceable ingredients
  • Contains live probiotics and enzymes
  • Only 2 flavor options
  • Vegan protein blends are not suitable for allergies

Featuring a blend of organic plant-based proteins, Garden of Life Sport protein powder is a great option for women. Organic pea protein provides a smooth, creamy texture with added protein from organic garbanzo beans, organic lentils, organic navy beans, and organic cranberry seed protein. 

A single serving of this protein powder contains 30 g of protein, including a full profile of all nine essential amino acids. It also contains 2 billion Colony Forming-Units (CFU) of live probiotics to support digestive health and a strong immune system.

Vega Sport Premium Protein Powder

Vega Sport® Premium - Plant-Based Protein Powder

20% Off Coupon: HC20

See Vega’s Sport Reviews

Vega Sport Premium Plant-Based Protein Powder is a great way to give your diet an added protein boost to promote muscle growth and post-workout recovery.

  • Contains 30 g of protein per serving
  • Available in five flavors
  • Completely plant-based, certified vegan
  • Some flavors contain caffeine
  • Some people dislike the flavor of stevia

When it comes to the best protein powder for women, muscle gain requires a high-protein formula. This powder from Vega Sport contains a whopping 30 g protein per serving along with 5 g BCAAs. Perfect for use at home or the gym, this powder comes in a large or x-large tub as well as individual packets. 

Vega Sport vegan protein powder comes in five different flavors. On top of plant-derived protein, it contains tart cherry powder and probiotics. It is free from added sugars and, with just 6 g carbohydrates (carbs) per serving, it’s keto-friendly.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

In addition to supporting lean muscle mass, collagen[1] is good for your hair, skin, and joints. This collagen protein powder from Vital Proteins contains a full 20 g of protein per serving.

  • Contains 20 g of collagen protein per serving
  • Paleo-friendly and Whole30-approved
  • No added sugars, sweeteners, or flavors
  • Limited flavor choices

If you’re looking for a simple protein powder, your body will easily process it, collagen peptides are a great option. This powder from Vital Proteins contains 20 g of collagen per serving that is derived from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows. It also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and vitamin C for skin, hair, and nail support. 

This collagen protein powder is unflavored, so you can mix it with any beverage you like. It is certified Pale and Whole30 approved, completely free from added sugars and sweeteners. It’s also gluten-free and non-GMO. However, if you are looking for a protein powder with all of the essential amino acids, this is not the one. It is missing tryptophan, an essential amino acid that must be supplied by the diet.

Bulk Powders Diet Protein Shake

If you’re looking for the best protein powder for women, weight loss might be your goal. In that case, we recommend the Diet Protein Shake from Bulk.

  • Contains less than 4 g carbohydrate per serving
  • Added glucomannan to support weight loss
  • The blend of whey isolate, milk protein, and egg whites
  • Contains added flavor and sugar

Bulk offers a wide array of protein powders for all dietary restrictions and goals. If you’re trying to shed a few pounds, their Diet Protein Shake is a great option. With fewer calories than the standard formula, this flavored protein powder is made with whey concentrate and egg white powder to deliver a hefty dose of natural protein.

Bulk Diet Protein Shake contains less than 4 g of carbohydrates per serving and contains several ingredients that support weight loss. For example, glucomannan is a dietary fiber derived from the konjac plant, which has been shown[2] to support weight loss and improve blood sugar levels.

Why Is Protein Powder Important For Women?

A balanced diet consists of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. These are called macronutrients because they are the nutrients your body requires in large amounts. They provide your body with energy to maintain essential functions and bodily systems. 

Protein powders help you increase your daily protein intake without having to consume large volumes of food. Protein shakes can also be lower in calories than food sources of protein. For example, protein shakes generally provide from 10g to 30g of protein in a single 6-to-8-ounce serving. Most protein powders contain between 100 and 200 calories. Chicken breast contains about 38g of protein per cup but about 335 calories. 

Protein supplementation is important whether you’re simply trying to balance your diet, lose weight, or build muscle. Protein powders can be mixed with water to keep them low-calorie or blended with milk or non-dairy milk to improve the flavor. You can even add them to smoothies or milkshakes. 

How Much Protein Does A Woman’s Body Need?

Daily protein requirements vary depending on your body weight and fitness goals. The Recommended Dietary Allowance[3] (RDA) for protein is 0.8 g per kg of body weight (BW) daily or about 1.76 g per pound BW. 

While 0.8 g protein per kilogram BW is enough to meet your basic nutritional requirements, some women can benefit from higher protein consumption. If you lead an active lifestyle, your body may require more protein. Higher protein intake is also important if you want to maintain or build lean muscle. 

Protein requirements increase[4] with age to 1.0-1.2 g/kg for people over age 65. This increased amount is necessary to maintain and gain muscle mass as we get older.

A dietary intake[4] of 1.0 g protein per kilogram of body weight is sufficient for individuals who exercise minimally. Individuals who engage in regular moderate to intense physical activity may benefit from higher protein levels between 1.3vg and 1.6vg per kilogram BW. The recommended upper limit for long-term protein consumption is 3.5vg per kilogram of body weight.

How To Choose The Best Protein Powder?

Protein powder is a great way to boost your protein consumption without significantly increasing your daily calorie intake. It may also help you shed a few pounds, increase muscle mass, or gain weight. Finding the best protein powder for women depends on your goals, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for. 

Here are some factors to consider when shopping for the best protein powders for women:

Limited Number of Ingredients 

When choosing dietary supplements, it’s important to select a product that contains the ingredients you want with nothing unnecessary. Generally speaking, the shorter the list of ingredients, the better. 

Look for a protein powder that doesn’t contain unnecessary additives like artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, or artificial preservatives. 

Added Sugar

Most protein powders contain some kind of sweetener as well as flavorings such as vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, and fruit flavors. The healthiest protein powder is one that doesn’t contain a lot of added sugar. 

Ideally, you should choose a protein powder that contains less than 4 grams of sugar per serving. Consider a formula made with natural sweeteners as well, like monk fruit or stevia. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that men receive no more than 36 grams of added sugar and women no more than 24 grams of added sugar per day from all sources.

Type of Protein 

Perhaps the most important thing to consider is the type of protein. Look for a protein powder that contains complete protein – a protein that provides all the essential amino acids your body needs. 

Complete proteins[6] are largely animal-based protein powders, such as whey protein, or egg protein. There are, however, a few vegan or vegetarian options like soy protein and hemp protein. Other options include organic pea protein and brown rice protein if you’re not too concerned about complete protein. However, combining plant proteins can also provide all the essential amino acids.

Potential Allergens 

If you have dietary restrictions, it’s especially important to check the list of ingredients. Not all protein powders are vegan or vegetarian-friendly, especially options made from whey protein isolate. However, things like hemp protein and pea protein are plant-based, so they are dairy-free. 

In addition to checking the type of protein, look for other ingredients that might trigger allergies or intolerances like milk, soy, and artificial additives. 

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re trying to lose weight, increase muscle mass, or just improve the nutritional balance in your diet, protein powder can help. 

Using protein powder as a meal replacement can help you increase protein consumption while moderating calorie intake – this is especially beneficial if you’re trying to slim down. If you’re trying to bulk up, adding extra protein and calories to a regular weightlifting routine triggers muscle growth to help you meet your goals. 

There are many protein powders on the market in all kinds of flavors and made from a wide variety of protein sources. You can’t go wrong with any of the protein powders on this list.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the potential side effects of using protein powder?

When taking protein powder supplements, you need to be mindful of your daily protein intake. Excessive protein intake[7] can strain the liver and kidneys. Protein powders may also contain added sugars and calories, not to mention potential allergens like whey. Be sure to check the ingredients before you purchase protein powder.

What’s the best protein powder for women?

The best protein powder for women is one that contains a few high-quality ingredients, including a type of protein your body can process. It should be low in added sugar and calories with no artificial colors, preservatives, or other additives.

How do you use protein powder?

Whey protein, soy protein, and other protein powders are generally designed to be mixed with water or another liquid. Water keeps the beverage low in calories, but some women prefer the flavor of protein powder blended with milk or a dairy-free beverage. You can also add it to smoothies or purchase ready-to-drink protein shakes.


+ 7 sources

Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here

  1. NA; (2019). Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, [online] 18(1). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30681787/.
  2. Maia-Landim, A., Ramı́rezJ.M., Lancho, C., Poblador, M.S. and Lancho, J.L. (2018). Long-term effects of Garcinia cambogia/Glucomannan on weight loss in people with obesity, PLIN4, FTO and Trp64Arg polymorphisms. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, [online] 18(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2099-7.
  3. Phillips, S.M., Chevalier, S. and Leidy, H.J. (2016). Protein ‘requirements’ beyond the RDA: implications for optimizing health. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, [online] 41(5), pp.565–572. doi:https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0550.
  4. Wu, G. (2016). Dietary protein intake and human health. Food & Function, [online] 7(3), pp.1251–1265. doi:https://doi.org/10.1039/c5fo01530h.
  5. Lopez, M.J. and Mohiuddin, S.S. (2023). Biochemistry, Essential Amino Acids. [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557845/.
  6. Ioannis Delimaris (2013). Adverse Effects Associated with Protein Intake above the Recommended Dietary Allowance for Adults. ISRN Nutrition, [online] 2013, pp.1–6. doi:https://doi.org/10.5402/2013/126929.
Kate Barrington

Medically reviewed by:

Kathy Shattler

Kate Barrington holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and is the published author of several self-help books and nutrition guides. Also an avid dog lover and adoring owner of three cats, Kate’s love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care and nutrition. Kate holds a certificate in fitness nutrition and enjoys writing about health and wellness trends — she also enjoys crafting original recipes. In addition to her work as a ghostwriter and author, Kate is also a blogger for a number of organic and natural food companies as well as a columnist for several pet magazines.

Medically reviewed by:

Kathy Shattler

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