The 7 Best Protein Powders for Men, According to a Dietitian
Protein powder can be a convenient way to add protein to your diet, particularly if you have increased protein needs and are having trouble meeting them from food alone. “Men have more muscle mass than women in general. And the more muscle mass you have, the more protein you need” says Dr. Kathryn A. Bohling, MD, a family medicine specialist at Mercy Medical Center.
The DRI (Daily Recommended Intake) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight for healthy adults; however, individual protein needs are dependent on many factors including physical activity level.1 If gaining muscle mass is your goal, you may require even higher protein needs, with some athletes needing anywhere from 1.2-2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight.2 Although protein powder supplements are a quick and easy way to fuel up pre and post-workout, they aren’t needed for muscle building. In general, consuming adequate protein throughout the day from whole foods is sufficient.
There are a wide variety of protein powders available on the market, depending on your taste preferences and individual lifestyle considerations. When selecting our top list of protein powders for men, we considered taste, protein content, amino acid profile and additional ingredients, including sugar and other additives.
Verywell Fit Approved Protein Powders for Men
Best Overall: Garden of Life Organic Whey Protein contains 21 grams of high-quality, pasture-raised, grass-fed protein per serving.
Best Plant-Based: If you prefer a plant-based protein, consider Sunwarrior Warrior Blend made from pea, hemp and goji berry, containing all nine essential amino acids.
Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs and which dosage to take.
In This Article
- OurPicks
- How We Select Supplements
- What to Look For
- Protein Powder for Men Dosage
- Best Overall: Garden of Life Certified Organic Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder Vanilla
Pros
- Provides probiotics for gut health
- Derived from grass fed cows
Cons
Sugar alcohol erythritol may not be well tolerated by some
Garden of Life's Certified Organic Whey Protein takes the top spot among protein powders for men because of its high-quality, pasture-raised, grass-fed protein. With 21 grams of easy-to-digest protein in each serving, the creamy vanilla flavor adds a delicious taste and a protein boost to your post-workout beverage.
The USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified protein is sweetened with stevia and is free of added sugars. Each serving contains 4.7 grams of branched-chain amino acids to help you refuel and repair muscles post-workout. It provides 130 calories per serving with only 7 grams of carbohydrates. It's also good for the digestive system, as each serving contributes 2 billion CFU probiotics from Bifidobacterium lactis.
While it is not third-party tested, we like this protein powder for its other notable certifications—USDA Organic (rBST and rGBH free), Non-GMO Project Verified, Humane Certified, and Certified Gluten-Free.