Best Protein Supplements for Women, According to Dietitians

They all taste delicious, too.

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It’s hard to go online right now without yet another reminder that you may not be eating enough protein. The obsession with the macro has reached a fever pitch, but some women still aren’t getting their needs met.

“It can be a challenge for some people to increase their protein intake from whole foods alone,” says Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., author of The Little Book of Game-Changers. That's particularly true for vegetarians and vegans, but also very active women, postpartum women, and those over 40—when the nutrient is especially important to support muscle retention and healthy aging. That's where protein supplements may be able to help.

It’s always a good idea to check in with a healthcare professional before adding any supplement to your routine, including protein powder. If your doctor gives the OK, there are certain factors that are important to keep in mind before you pick up a canister. For example, the best protein supplements for women use high quality sources of protein (more on those in a moment), as well as third-party testing, according to Tara Collingwood, R.D.N., C.P.T., a sports dietitian and certified personal trainer.

Meet the experts: Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., is the author of The Little Book of Game-Changers. Tara Collingwood, R.D.N., C.P.T., is a sports dietitian and certified personal trainer.

It's important to stress that you don’t need to take a protein supplement if you get enough through your diet. The recommended amount is set at 0.8–1 grams per kilogram of protein a day (or 54–68 grams of protein for a 150-pound person). But, this was created decades ago and hasn’t been adjusted since, despite new research, explains Cording. That's why she recommends that people strive to have 1.2–1.5 g/kg of protein a day (or 81–102 grams for a 150-pound person). But, again, it's a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider before putting yourself on a protein supplement or drastically changing up your diet.

With that in mind, these are the best protein supplements for women, according to dietitians, along with advice on what to look for when picking out the right product for you.

Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement the diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider.

Thorne is known for creating high-quality supplements, and the brand's whey protein isolate powder is no exception. "Thorne makes great protein powders that some of my clients love," Cording says. This particular powder is NSF Certified for Sport, meaning it meets high standards for purity, safety, and compliance. It also contains the natural enzymes bromelain and papain to support digestion.

At 27.9 grams of protein per serving, you're getting a lot from one scoop. And reviewers say it tastes pretty good, too. "The texture is great and it does not taste like a nasty, chalky chocolate but more like one of those powdered chocolate milk drinks from childhood," one fan wrote in the reviews.

Orgain uses a blend of organic pea, brown rice, and chia seed proteins for a plant-based powder plenty of people love. "Orgain is excellent," Cording says. Collingwood agrees, applauding its "good taste."

The supplement has some flavors you may not find elsewhere, including birthday cake, fruity cereal, and horchata. Each serving delivers 21 grams of protein, along with prebiotics and dietary fiber for digestive support. "The powder is velvety smooth and dissolves well," said one reviewer. "Great addition to a morning smoothie with fruit and greens powders, or blend with milk and ice for a shake." Another shared that they, "find it very filling."

Momentous' vegan protein powder is designed with athletes in mind, and Collingwood is a fan. The vegan recipe features pea and rice proteins and is naturally sweetened. It's also third-party tested, as well as boasting the NSF and Informed Sport certifications.

The brand recently updated its recipe, removing fillers and stabilizers for a more pure powder, according to the company. Each serving delivers 20 grams of protein. "The taste of this product is amazing," one reviewer said. "There is no grit taste like you get with most vegan powders. This is simply creamy and delicious."

If you're really looking to ramp up your protein intake, Collingwood recommends the Vega Sport protein powder. This vegan powder contains 30 grams of protein per serving. "It includes tart cherry and probiotics for recovery, too," she says.

The powder is NSF Certified for Sport and has no added sugar. Vega's powder comes in simple flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and mocha, but they blend easily into nearly anything. "It mixes well with water or milk, and the taste is clean and not overpoweringly sweet," one customer said. "It blends nice and smooth and tastes good," another said. "No funny aftertaste."

Dairy doesn't sit well with everyone and, unfortunately, the popular whey protein powders usually contain lactose. Drink Wholesome keeps things simple with its dairy-free protein powder that's created with sensitive stomachs in mind, and Cording says her clients love it. Although we could not confirm that it's certified by the NSF, USP, or Informed Choice (the certifying bodies the experts primarily recommend), the brand says it is third-party tested, and you can find more information here.

This powder, which delivers 15 grams of protein per serving, has just four ingredients: Egg whites, coconut, vanilla, and monk fruit. "Hands down my favorite protein powder I have tried," said a fan. Another shared that "it's made of actual natural ingredients that don't hurt my stomach, and save me time which is all I can ask for." Choose from flavors like chocolate, chocolate maple, and peanut butter.

Several protein supplement brands have different flavors, but Clean Simple Eats' powder comes in varieties you won't see elsewhere. Those include chocolate brownie batter, coconut cream, and mint chocolate cookie, along with the crowd-pleasing vanilla. "It's great for people who like fun flavors," Cording says. While this one also isn't certified by NSF, USP, or Informed Choice, more information on how their products are tested can be found here.

Each serving contains 20 grams of protein, along with 120 milligrams of calcium and a little fiber. But fans can't get over the taste. "It tastes like an actual dang mint cookie," one person wrote. "Flavor is great and, best of all ,my stomach doesn’t hurt like most other protein powders. I have tried other flavors and all are good," another said.

There are a few important elements to keep in mind when searching for a protein supplement.

Again, if you're getting enough protein through whole food sources, you don't need to take a protein supplement. But if you're struggling to meet the daily recommended allowance, Collingwood says a protein supplement may provide these perks:

If you're not able to meet your RDA for protein from whole food sources, Cording says you can likely benefit from a protein supplement. But Collingwood says the following groups can most likely benefit:

We consulted with two registered dietitians to help find the best protein supplements for women: Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., author of The Little Book of Game-Changers and Tara Collingwood, R.D.N., C.P.T., a sports dietitian and certified personal trainer. We also looked at the most popular protein powders on the market, analyzing ratings, reviews, and product specs to find the best options for women with a range of needs.

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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