When It comes to protein powder there are 100s of different options to choose from and it can be difficult to find which powders are going to work best for weight loss.
The best protein powders for weight loss will be low in sugar and whey-based.
A low-sugar powder will usually have fewer calories, which will help you create a calorie deficit, assisting you with weight loss. A whey-based powder will make you feel fuller for longer, meaning you will be less hungry and eat less food.
Protein powder does not directly cause weight loss, but if you use it to increase your protein intake while maintaining a calorie deficit, it can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
A lot of protein powders contain sugars to make them taste better or increase to increase the amounts of calories in them. However, you can also get protein powders low in sugar or completely sugar-free.
Top 3 Low-Sugar Protein Powders
When looking for the best low-sugar protein powders to aid your weight loss journey, it’s essential to consider options that not only work with your dietary goals but also provide the necessary nutrients for muscle recovery and overall well-being.
To help you make the best choice for you, here are the top three low-sugar protein powders, each with its unique features and benefits.
1. USN 100% Plant Protein
Sugar per 30g serving: 0.1g
Protein per 30g serving: 26g
Calories per 30g serving: 136kcal
USN 100% Plant Protein is an extremely low-sugar protein powder which is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. It contains essential amino acids, which help to rebuild your muscles after a hard workout.
Despite being extremely low in sugar, this plant based protein still has a nice, sweet, maple vanilla taste, and is personally my favourite tasting protein powder.
2. Form Performance Protein
Sugar per 30g serving: 0.2g
Protein per 30g serving: 30g
Calories per 30g serving: 384kcal
Performance protein is an extremely low-sugar protein powder which is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. It contains a large amounts of amino-acids and BCAAs, which help to rebuild your muscles after a hard work.
3. Applied Nutrition, Vegan-Pro
Sugar per 30g serving: 0.1g
Protein per 30g serving: 25g
Calories per 30g serving: 108kcal
Vegan-Pro is an extremely low-sugar protein powder which is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. It contains a large amounts of amino-acids and BCAAs, which help to rebuild your muscles after a hard workout.
Why is Whey Protein the Best Protein for Weight Loss?
Whey protein increases the levels of hormones in your body that control your appetite while simultaneously decreasing the levels of hunger hormones. This means you feel fuller throughout the day and are less likely to consume unnecessary calories
They are an easy and convenient way to add more protein to your diet that contain all 9 essential amino acids your body needs and help assist with muscle repair and growth.
Whey protein can help to increase your metabolism, when you consume them alongside regular exercise. Muscle mass is the main factor in your metabolic rate, and by consuming whey protein alongside regular exercise your muscle mass will increase, meaning you metabolism will also increase.
Top 3 Whey Proteins
Whey protein stands out as a popular and highly effective choice for weight loss supplements. It is known for its ability to support muscle recovery, boost metabolism, and control hunger, all of which can contribute to your weight loss goals.
To help you make the best choice for you, here are the top three low-sugar protein powders, each with its unique features and benefits.
1. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Sugar per serving: 1g
Protein per serving: 24g
Calories per serving: 120kcal
Optimum Nutrition’s GOLD STANDARD 100% WHEY is the world’s best-selling whey protein, and is formulated from premium whey sources, helping your body to repair and rebuild muscle fibres after training.
Each serving contains 24g of premium whey protein, 5.5 g of naturally occurring BCAAs, which help to increase and assist muscle growth.
As well as that, it only contains 1.4 g of fat, 0.7 g of sugars, and with 1.3 g of carbs, making it the perfect protein powder when trying to lose weight.
2. Orgain Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder
Sugar per serving: 1g
Protein per serving: 21g
Calories per serving: 140kcal
Orgain Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder has a complete amino acid profile, and nearly 5g of BCAAs, which help to assist muscle growth and support.
3. Legion Whey Isolate Protein Powder
Sugar per serving: 1g
Protein per serving: 23g
Calories per serving: 110kcal
Legion whey+ protein isolate powder is made with Grass Fed milk. It contains high-quality protein rich in all 9 essential amino acids to assist is muscle growth and repair.
How and When to Drink Protein Shakes for Weight Loss
So, now we know how protein can help us with weight loss, but how and when the to drink them is also important.
Protein powder is a supplement, not a meal replacement. It is important that you maintain a healthy diet and training plan alongside its use, using it to boost your protein intake, not replace meals.
Most people get enough protein by eating protein-rich foods alone, but having a protein shake once a day, either at breakfast or post-work, with whey protein powder is considered one of the best ways to take whey protein for weight loss.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to weight loss, it is very important to increase your protein intake. The best way to get this protein is from nutritional foods, but whey and casein protein supplements are also ideal to boost your intake.
To maximize the amounts of weight we lose, we should have between 0.5–1 gram protein per pound of body weight daily, or 25–35% of total daily calories.
Protein powder can be very useful for people who struggle to get enough protein needs from whole foods, vegans or vegetarians could be an example of this, and also athletes ad they require more protein.
If you already have a diet plan set up it is important that you do not add protein powder on top of your diet as it will just add calories onto your daily intake and we want to stay in a calorie deficit. Instead, choose one meal out of your diet plan and replace it with a high quality protein shake.
Hopefully this article has increased your knowledge of protein powders and you can choose the best one to suit your goals. If you have any questions, comment below and I will answer them as soon as possible.