How do you select the best protein shakes for women? There are some protein shakes being marketed specifically to women, but protein acts the same in any human body. The shakes that help men deliver results will also deliver results for women as long as they are selected for your personal health and fitness needs.
What you need to keep in mind when shopping for protein powder is your current fitness goal. What results do you want your protein shake to help you achieve? Those goals are what will ultimately help you decide between the many protein powders currently on the market.
This guide will help you identify some of the best protein powders currently on the market for a variety of fitness goals. Whether you want to lose weight or need to gain weight, you will find recommendations for some of the highest-quality products below. Make sure to read the entire page because there is always some overlap between fitness goals. For instance, some of the pre and post-workout suggestions are also some of the best protein shakes for women who want to lose weight.
Protein Shakes for Weight Loss and Meal Replacement
When selecting a protein shake that will help you lose weight, the nutritional profile is extremely important. You need a low-calorie protein powder that is also low in fat and carbohydrate. Since building lean muscle helps with weight loss, you still need your powder to contain at least 15 grams of protein per serving. That protein should come from a high-quality protein source, such as pure whey protein isolate.
One of the purest protein powders currently on the market is IsoPure Natural protein powder. This is a fat-free and carbohydrate-free whey protein isolate that contains just 110 calories per serving. Each scoop contains 26 grams of protein, and you can easily double the dose to receive 52 grams of protein for just 220 calories. This powder is gluten and lactose free, and it is loaded with natural BCAAs so you can use it for an after-workout recovery shake.
You can buy this protein shake unflavored or select the chocolate or vanilla flavors. The low calorie content allows you to mix in fresh fruits, vegetables, Greek yogurt, milk and other natural ingredients to create a more nutritious and delicious snack or meal replacement.
Another one of the best protein shakes for women interested in losing weight is the FitMiss Delight Nutrition Shake. This shake is one of the few designed specifically for women, and it is intended to be a snack or meal replacement without the need to add other ingredients. Each serving contains just 90 calories 16 grams of protein with 4 grams of carbohydrate and 1 gram of fat.
FitMiss added a blend of greens and fruit into this shake, so it is not your standard protein powder. If you will use your protein shake as a meal replacement or snack, this is a good product to keep on hand. You may also benefit from the Bizzy Diet Bundle which contains a selection of products designed to help with fat burn, muscle building and an overall healthy lifestyle.
Protein Shakes for Weight and Muscle Gain
Some women are scared to use protein powders, creatine and other muscle-building supplements because they don’t want to bulk up like a man. If you have that concern, rest assured that you can take a healthy protein supplement without looking too masculine. You need healthy muscle mass in order to burn fat and develop a lean, strong body that looks great and is less prone to injury in daily life.
If you are a naturally thin woman who struggles to put on any weight at all, then you may want to increase your protein and calorie intake through healthy foods and supplements. Protein supplements can help you increase your calorie intake without putting on body fat. You want to build healthy muscle that gives you a toned, sculpted look without unhealthy fat storage. A protein powder high in calories but low in carbohydrate and fat will work wonders as long as it delivers a strong dose of high-quality protein.
One of the best protein shakes for women interested in gaining muscle or weight is BSN True Mass protein powder. Each serving contains 50 grams of protein, 710 calories, 17 grams of fat, 90 grams of carbohydrate and 6 grams of fiber. The calorie content is high enough to give a substantial boost to overall daily intake, and the fiber will help with satiety between meals.
This is obviously not a suitable protein powder for anyone trying to lose weight. For those who need the calories and a lot of protein, the powder comes in a selection of flavors including Cookies ‘N Cream. BSN protein powders are known as some of the tastiest powders on the market, so you may not need to add anything to your shake to make it taste good.
Pre and Post-Workout Protein Shakes
If your weight loss goals involve muscle building, you may benefit from taking Now Sports Whey Protein Isolate. This is a pure whey isolate powder with a nutritional profile suitable to all women regardless of their overall fitness goals. It is just as suitable for those trying to lose weight as it is for those trying to build as much lean muscle as possible.
You can use this Now Sports isolate powder for pre and post-workout supplementation. It is also a good option for baking with protein powder since it is an unflavored, pure source of whey protein.
If you are interested in a pre-workout supplement that will boost your energy level and give your body a jumpstart on protein synthesis, look at MuscleTech NitroTech Lean Muscle Builder. This powder combines 30 grams of pure whey protein isolate with 3 grams of creatine per serving. The creatine is added to energize muscles so that you can hit your workout harder and longer, maximizing results.
Can You Use More than One?
If you are interested in more than one of the protein powders recommended on this page, you may have a use for multiple products. For example, many women use one protein shake for pre and post-workout supplementation and another product entirely for meal replacements and snacks. The powder that suits one of your needs will not necessarily fit all of your other needs, so in some cases multiple supplements do make sense.
Yes, multiple supplements do cost money. If you want to purchase just one protein shake that you can use for overall wellness and muscle recovery, go with a pure whey protein isolate like Now Sports Whey Protein Isolate. You get a reasonable amount of protein in every serving for very few calories, fat grams and carbohydrate grams. This powder is great before or after your workouts but also works well as a base for meal replacements you make with fresh greens, vegetables, berries and fruits.