If you want to add more protein to your diet, a protein shake is a fast and easy way to do it. According to Samantha Dieras, RN, DCN, director of ambulatory nutrition services at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, the best protein shakes complement a healthy, balanced diet. “They’re a simple solution if you struggle to get enough protein from whole foods alone.”
Protein is one of the three key nutrients our bodies need to function. “When we eat protein, it breaks down into amino acids, which the body then uses to build muscles, enzymes, hormones, and other essential structures,” explains nutritionist Mia Rigden, MS, CNS. “Protein plays a major role in the body—it repairs tissues, supports cell function, and regulates chemical reactions.”
To help you find the best protein shakes for your needs, we consulted dietitians and nutritionists on what to look for and how to choose the right one.
### Vogue’s Top Protein Shakes:
– Best Overall: Ritual Vegan Protein Powder with BCAA, $49
– Best Vegan: Ka’Chava All-in-One Nutrition Shake Blend, $80
– Best Chocolate: Iconic Protein Drink, $50
– Best Unflavored: Be Well by Kelly Grass-Fed Beef Protein Powder, $60
– Best Whey: Vital Proteins Vital Performance Protein Shake, $30
– Best Pea Protein: OWYN Pro Elite Vegan High Protein Shake, $47
– Best Lactose-Free: Slate High Protein Iced Latte, $35
– Best Tasting: Fuel For Fire Protein Smoothie Pouch, $35
– Best Vanilla: Ripple Vanilla Plant-Based Protein Shake, $34
– Best Organic: Orgain Organic Nutritional Protein Shake, $36
### In This Article:
– What Is Protein?
– What to Look for in a Protein Shake
– Are Protein Shakes Healthy?
– How Much Protein Should You Drink Per Day?
– What Is the Best Source of Protein to Drink?
– Is It Okay to Drink a Protein Shake Daily?
– Meet the Experts
### Best Overall Protein Shake: Ritual Vegan Protein Powder with BCAA
Price: $49 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: Made from organic, sustainably grown peas, this shake provides a complete amino acid profile. It blends smoothly with any cold liquid, and the brand is transparent about its ingredients. “Many protein powders aren’t third-party tested and may contain heavy metals or artificial additives,” says integrative nutrition coach Ale Lubezki. Ritual is Clean Label Certified and rigorously tested for contaminants.
Protein Per Serving: 20g
Protein Source: Organic yellow pea protein
Dietary Considerations: Vegan, gluten-free, allergen-free, non-GMO
Sweetener: Monk fruit
### Best Vegan Protein Shake: Ka’Chava All-in-One Nutrition Shake Blend
Price: $80 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: Packed with 85+ nutrients, superfoods, and plant-based ingredients, this shake offers 25g of protein along with digestive enzymes, probiotics, and electrolytes. It’s free from soy, gluten, dairy, GMOs, and artificial additives. With five tasty flavors, it’s a great choice for those who want more than just protein.
Protein Per Serving: 25g
Protein Source: Yellow pea protein, organic brown rice protein
Dietary Considerations: Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free
Sweetener: Organic coconut flower nectar
### Best Chocolate Protein Shake: Iconic Protein Drink
Price: $50 (Amazon)
(Continued as needed…)Founder and CEO Billy Bosch created this delicious protein drink after struggling to find a ready-made shake packed with protein and fiber—without unnecessary calories and sugar. The brand collaborates with nutritionists, dietitians, and food scientists to craft their supernutrient beverages. They source grass-fed milk protein isolate sustainably from Ireland, where cows roam freely on open pastures. Beyond its environmental and ingredient transparency benefits, the shake tastes amazing. While available in vanilla bean and café latte flavors, the chocolate truffle version tastes almost like dessert.
Protein Per Serving: 20g
Protein Source: Grass-fed milk protein isolate
Dietary Considerations: Kosher, vegetarian, gluten-free
Sweetener: Stevia extract
### Best Unflavored Protein Shake: Be Well by Kelly Unflavored Grass-Fed Beef Protein Powder
Price: $60 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: If you prioritize a protein shake with minimal ingredients, this unflavored option keeps it clean—just three or fewer components, including nine essential amino acids and three BCAAs. It blends seamlessly into homemade shakes without altering taste. Nutritionist Lubezki recommends pairing it with Greek yogurt, nut butter, berries, greens, and coconut water for a protein-packed, balanced shake.
Protein Per Serving: 23g
Protein Source: Grass-fed beef isolate
Dietary Considerations: Keto, paleo, soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free
Sweetener: Organic monk fruit extract
### Best Whey Protein Shake: Vital Proteins Vital Performance Protein Shake
Price: $30 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: With collagen peptides and 25g of lactose-free milk protein, this NSF-certified shake supports daily energy. Whey protein is rich in amino acids like leucine, aiding muscle recovery, and is highly absorbable. The coffee-flavored version includes 100mg of caffeine, making it a perfect midday boost.
Protein Per Serving: 25g
Protein Source: Whey and casein blend
Dietary Considerations: Lactose-free, gluten-free
Sweetener: Monk fruit
### Best Pea Protein Shake: OWYN Pro Elite Vegan High Protein Shake
Price: $47 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: Beyond protein, this shake includes superfoods, omega-3s, and pre/postbiotics. Pea protein is generally well-tolerated, though some may experience digestive sensitivity.
Protein Per Serving: 32g
Protein Source: Pea protein, organic pumpkin seed protein, flaxseed oil
Dietary Considerations: Kosher, vegan, keto
Sweetener: Monk fruit extract, cane sugar
### Best Vanilla Protein Shake: Ripple Vanilla Plant-Based Protein Shake
Price: $34 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: Made with pea protein, this shake has a smooth, creamy texture without chalkiness or excessive sweetness. Free from the top nine allergens, it’s ideal for those with sensitivities or who avoid stevia.
Protein Per Serving: 20g
Protein Source: Pea protein
Dietary Considerations: Vegan, soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free
Sweetener: Organic cane sugarHere’s the rewritten text in clear and natural English:
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Sweetened with cane sugar and monk fruit.
– Protein per serving: 20g
– Protein source: Pea protein
– Dietary considerations: Dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free, gluten-free, vegan
– Sweetener: Cane sugar, monk fruit
Best Lactose-Free Protein Shake: Slate High Protein Iced Latte
Slate High Protein Iced Coffee – $36 on Amazon
Why we love it: Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up, this creamy shake is made with milk specially filtered to remove lactose, making it ideal for those who love caffeine but struggle with lactose digestion. With four latte flavors to choose from, plus 20g of protein and 175mg of caffeine, it’s a smooth, coffee-flavored two-in-one.
– Protein per serving: 20g
– Protein source: Ultrafiltered skim milk
– Dietary considerations: Keto, lactose-free
– Sweetener: Stevia, monk fruit
Best Tasting Protein Shake: Fuel For Fire Protein Smoothie Pouch
Fuel for Fire Protein Smoothie Pouch – $65 on Amazon
Why we love it: Made with 10 ingredients or fewer, this shake is a great alternative to frozen smoothies or powders. It contains 10g of whey protein isolate with no added sugars or artificial sweeteners—just real fruit for natural flavor. With multiple delicious options, each pouch tastes even better than the last.
– Protein per serving: 10g
– Protein source: Whey protein isolate
– Dietary considerations: Gluten-free, soy-free, peanut-free
– Sweetener: Apple, banana, strawberries
Best Organic Protein Shake: Orgain Organic Nutritional Protein Shake
Orgain Organic Nutritional Protein Shake – $28 (originally $33) on Amazon
Why we love it: For a simple, organic option, this shake delivers 16g of grass-fed beef protein and is USDA-certified organic (95% of ingredients). It also includes vitamins, minerals, and blends of organic vegetables (tomato, spinach, beet, carrot, kale) and fruits (acai, apple, banana, blueberry, raspberry).
– Protein per serving: 16g
– Protein source: Whey
– Dietary considerations: Gluten-free, soy-free, kosher
– Sweetener: Cane sugar
### Everything You Need to Know
What is Protein?
Protein is essential for nearly every biological process in the body. It helps build and maintain muscle mass, organs, and tissues. Without enough protein, the body can’t repair itself, stay strong, or produce vital compounds. Protein also keeps you full longer, stabilizes blood sugar, and supports energy, cravings, stress levels, sleep, weight management, and insulin balance.
What to Look for in a Protein Shake
Start by checking the ingredient label—some shakes contain excess sugar or undesirable additives. Finding the right one may take trial and error. Taste matters too; if a shake has great nutrition but tastes bad, you won’t stick with it.
Are Protein Shakes Healthy?
Protein shakes can be a healthy choice for those looking to supplement their diet.
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Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!Many people struggle to balance their nutrition and don’t get enough protein. However, experts agree that protein shakes shouldn’t be your main protein source. “They work well as an addition to meals that are naturally low in protein, like green smoothies or overnight oats,” explains Mia Ridgen. “But most of your protein should come from whole foods like meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, and seeds.”
How Much Protein Should You Have Daily?
“Your total protein intake should match your calorie needs, age, gender, and any fitness or weight goals,” says Pasquariello. A simple way to calculate your daily protein needs is to multiply your weight in pounds by 0.65 to 1.0—this gives you the grams of protein to aim for each day.
Certain situations may change this recommendation. For example, highly active individuals (like athletes) need more protein than those who are less active. “People aiming to build muscle or older adults should aim for the higher end, closer to 0.75 as a multiplier,” Pasquariello adds. If you’re not meeting your protein needs through whole foods alone, you can supplement with shakes or smoothies. “The key is consistently hitting your weekly protein target,” she says.
What’s the Best Protein Source for Shakes?
While opinions vary on the best protein source, quality matters most. “Third-party testing is essential,” says Lubezki. “Look for minimal ingredients—just the protein source, like organic pea or pumpkin, beef isolate, or grass-fed whey, plus maybe a natural sweetener like monk fruit.” Whether you prefer animal or plant-based protein, clean sourcing and transparency are what make a shake reliable.
If you’re worried about heavy metals, check The Clean Label Project’s report on protein powders. Generally, vanilla, unflavored, whey, or egg-based proteins have lower metal levels than plant-based options (likely because metals are often found in soil). “That doesn’t mean good plant-based proteins don’t exist,” Ridgen notes. “Just be more careful about choosing products with certifications or third-party testing.”
Is It Safe to Drink a Protein Shake Every Day?
Dieras says daily protein shakes are fine, but they shouldn’t replace whole foods. “Shakes should only supplement your diet if you can’t get enough protein from whole foods,” she explains. “Always prioritize getting protein from natural food sources first.”
Meet the Experts
– Samantha Dieras, RN, DCN – Director of ambulatory nutrition services at Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC.
– Mia Rigden, MS, CNS – Nutritionist, chef, and author based in Los Angeles.
– Maddie Pasquariello, MS, RD – Registered dietitian and nutritionist in Brooklyn, NY.
– Ale Lubezki – Integrative nutrition health coach in NYC.