Best Protein Shakes for Weight Loss: 10 Nutritionist-Approved Options

The Orgain grass-fed protein shakes really just have everything going for them. For one, they’re made with grass-fed whey protein, which is higher in essential fatty acids¹, like omega-3s, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)², and alpha-linoleic acid, than conventional proteins. They also have a clean ingredient list, especially for a pre-made protein shake.

Instead of artificial sweeteners, they’re sweetened with a combination of erythritol and stevia and flavored with natural ingredients and cocoa. Many of the ingredients are organic, too.

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol, so it may cause some digestive upset, like gas and bloating, for some, but it’s typically more well-tolerated than other sugar alcohols. It also doesn’t have as strong of an aftertaste as stevia or monk fruit, so many people will likely find these protein shakes more appetizing than some of the others that use stevia.

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Certified personal trainer (CPT) and GGR Head of Content Nicole Davis said she could pick up on a slight aftertaste, but it wasn’t off-putting. She also called out the creaminess as one of the things she loves about this protein shake.

“They’re very creamy—similar to whole milk. This was what sold me on these. You just can’t really achieve this consistency with protein powder at home (unless maybe you are mixing with whole milk, which I would never do),” she says. Nicole rates the texture a perfect 5 out of 5. 

They’re also low-calorie—Creamy Chocolate Fudge only has 160 calories per serving—with a high amount of protein, or 26 grams per serving. This makes it easy to fit them into a weight loss diet while still enjoying nutrient-dense whole foods.

Right now, the grass-fed version only comes in one flavor, so you do have to like chocolate, but hopefully the line will expand at some point.

Pre-bottled shakes generally need more fillers and ingredients to help maintain consistency and increase shelf life. But making your own protein shakes gives you more control over the ingredients. And as long as you’re starting with a high-quality protein powder, like this casein protein powder from Transparent Labs, you’ll be in a good spot.

It has five ingredients—grass-fed micellar casein, cocoa powder, natural flavor, Himalayan rock salt, and stevia for some sweetness. It only comes in chocolate, but certified nutrition coach (CNC) and former GGR expert contributor Amanda Capritto says it mixes in really well, and unlike most casein powders, she didn’t find it difficult to break up clumps, giving it a 4.5 out of 5 for solubility.

RELATED: What is Casein Protein?

It has a really fine texture to make it more soluble, so it can get messy. Amanda says it kind of “poofs” everywhere when scooping it, but this isn’t a huge deal if you’re careful.

Amanda also calls out that choosing a protein powder over a pre-made shake gives you the opportunity to get creative with your protein intake.

“Once upon a time, when I was obsessed with clean eating and macros, I learned to make pudding with casein. All you do is mix it with less liquid than usual. Let me tell you: This stuff tastes damn near like Jell-O chocolate pudding out of the little plastic tubs when mixed to mimic pudding. It’s so good! I actually crave this,” she says.

Transparent Labs Casein Protein has a nice macronutrient breakdown, too: There are 25 grams of protein, 120 calories, 0.5 grams of fat, and 4 grams of carbohydrates per scoop.

RELATED: Best Casein Protein Powder

Huel Black Edition protein powder is a true meal replacement, meaning it’s designed to provide the adequate nutritional value of a regular meal. One serving contains 400 calories, but Amanda Capritto, former GGR senior staff writer, CNC, and tester of this product, stresses that the point is to replace a full meal, so this is a good thing for that purpose. And they’re very filling.

“They are truly nutritionally complete with ample fat and carbs, as well as a ton of micronutrients. It’s hard for me to eat before morning training, so these help keep me fueled for early workouts,” Amanda says.

The Huel shakes were one of the highest-scoring options during our testing, too. Amanda rated them a 4 out of 5 for taste and a 5 out of 5 for effects since they were so filling. 

She did note that, as someone who primarily drinks milk protein shakes, she could pick up on an aftertaste that’s typical of plant-based protein shakes—and that was true of all the flavors she tried. 

RELATED: Plant-Based Protein Powder vs. Whey

However, she said that if you are vegan or vegetarian and are used to these types of proteins, you’ll probably find them tasty. And after drinking the shakes for a few months, she actually grew to like the flavors even more. 

“I’m not totally in love with the taste, but the effect of these shakes is so satisfying that I tolerate the plant-based taste. These have seriously become a lifesaver for me in terms of getting in all my calories during Ironman training, especially before early morning workouts when I just don’t want to eat yet,” she says.

The ingredient list in the Huel shakes is quite long, but there’s a lot of good stuff packed in. The protein comes from a blend of gluten-free oats, tapioca, pea protein, brown rice protein, and flaxseed. There are also medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut oil that can provide a quick-acting source of energy³.

There are no artificial flavors or sweeteners, and the drinks are gluten-free and non-GMO.

If you’re looking to put your protein intake on autopilot, you may want to consider a subscription to HLTH Code Complete Meal replacement shake. A subscription plan saves you $10 per bag, which is ideal because HLTH Code is a bit costly at $3.33 per serving with a subscription and over $4 per serving without a subscription. 

Although HLTH Code is on the upper end of what we like to see in price per serving (and earns a low 1-star rating from our testers in this category), its formulation provides more than just protein. HLTH Code is a meal replacement shake with 400 calories per serving, 27 grams of protein, 13 grams of carbs, and 27 grams of fat. 

The HLTH Code macronutrient profile has a bit more fat than we’d like to see, but it is formulated with Keto dieters in mind. “Over time, consuming too much saturated fat regularly is linked with heart disease, diabetes, and stroke,” Perry Nix, R.D., reminds us. “However, I like that this meal replacement features collagen protein along with whey and egg white protein, as that’s an ingredient typically not included in a product like this.”

For $3.33 per serving, you can get yourself a filling meal formulated from whey, egg whites, and grass-fed collagen. Each serving also contains 25 vitamins and minerals, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and fiber. 

Our experts appreciate a pre-made shake formulated with a high amount of protein. That’s why we were excited to taste-test the Jocko Molk Protein Shakes, which has a whopping 30 grams of protein per serving. The high protein content earned Jocko Molk a 5-star rating from GGR expert testers, Senior Director of Content Kate and Performance Editor Anthony. Our testers also liked that Jocko Molk is sweetened with monk fruit extract. 

Each bottle (one serving) offers 180 calories, which is not quite a meal replacement shake but will certainly keep you satisfied. Jocko Molk has a keto-friendly formation with only 5 grams of carbohydrates and either 4.5 or 5 grams of fat, depending on the flavor you choose. 

When it comes to taste and texture, Anthony and Kate scored Jocko Molk at 3.5 out of 5 stars in both categories. The Vanilla, Chocolate, and Sweet Cream Coffee flavors were a hit. Kate says the Sweet Cream Coffee flavor tastes like an iced mocha latte and even has 95 milligrams of caffeine. 

“Instead of having a second cup of coffee in the morning, I’ve been drinking the Jocko Sweet Cream Coffee shake and getting more protein earlier in the day,” says Kate.  

However, the taste (and texture) of Banana Cream flavor fell short for Anthony. “The first ingredient in this shake is water, and you can tell. It’s quite thin and, in my opinion, this kind of diluted the banana-like flavor,” Anthony explains. 

Kate had a similar middle-of-the-road attitude toward the texture. “These aren’t thick by any means, but they aren’t watery either. It’s somewhere in the middle,” says Kate. 

Jocko Molk retails for $44.95 for a 12-pack, which works out to about $3.75 per bottle. You can use the subscribe and save option to get the price down to about $3 per bottle.

Most protein shakes have a whey protein base. But the Ripple Vegan Protein Shakes are made with pea protein, one of the only plant-based proteins considered a complete protein⁴ (it contains all nine essential amino acids). However, pea protein is quite low in one amino acid, methionine, so it still doesn’t quite stack up to the whey protein powder.

It does have a good amount of total protein, though, especially for a vegan option. There are 20 grams per drink.

RELATED: Best Pea Protein Powder

Certified personal trainer and GGR Senior Staff Writer Lauren Strong gave it a 5 out of 5 for both taste and flavor. She tried the chocolate and said it’s just the right balance of creaminess. It’s not too thin or too thick.

“For a vegan shake, I was blown away. [The] chocolate flavor was smooth and not overly sweet. Both my husband and I liked these and drank them willingly,” she says.

The Ripple shake comes in three flavors—chocolate, vanilla, and coffee—all of which have more ingredients than we typically like to see. But as far as vegan protein shakes go, it’s still pretty decent. There is organic cane sugar, which bumps the calories and carbohydrates up pretty significantly, so you’ll have to be aware of that.

For the chocolate flavor, there are 200 calories per bottle—most protein shakes (not meal replacement shakes) have around 120—and 13 grams of carbohydrates, 9 grams of which come from added sugar.

Knowing that, we think this shake is best used as an occasional protein supplement when you’re having trouble meeting your macro goals instead of a daily go-to. 

However, Lauren did say she felt satisfied after drinking it, and thought it curbed her hunger and cravings, so it can serve as more of a meal replacement than a regular protein drink.

The KOS Vegan Protein Powder is more of a superfood powder than a standard protein shake. It has a protein blend that combines pea protein, flax seed, quinoa, pumpkin seed protein, and chia seeds. This makes the protein powder a complete protein, and ensures that you’re getting all the essential amino acids.

It also has a bunch of other health-supporting ingredients, like fruit and vegetable powders, mushroom extracts, vitamin and mineral blends, and digestive enzymes. This bumps up the micronutrient and antioxidant profile so you’re not just getting protein—you’re getting other important nutrients too.

Some other callouts are that it’s made with mostly organic ingredients, and it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, lactose-free, and soy-free. It’s sweetened with stevia, monk fruit, and coconut sugar which bumps up the sugar and carbohydrate content slightly. But it still only has 2 grams of sugar and 9 grams of total carbohydrates, which is pretty balanced for a shake that’s supplying so many other nutrients too.

It comes in a variety of flavors. There’s your basic chocolate and vanilla flavors, as well as salted caramel coffee, chocolate peanut butter, and unflavored. Amanda Cappritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, says, “This protein powder is the only vegan option I have that I’ll willingly drink. It’s definitely different from the whey protein I’m used to gulping, but it’s not bad.” She gave it a 3 out of 5 for taste because, while not bad, she has tried other vegan options she preferred more. 

One thing to note is that the serving size is two scoops. Most animal-based proteins provide a similar amount of protein in just one scoop, so this one might be a little harder to mix in since you need more to get the same amount of protein. That being said, reviewers rave about the taste and texture so the extra effort is probably worth it for those who prefer a plant-based protein powder.

For more, read Amanda’s in-depth KOS Vegan Protein review.

The Evolve shakes are another plant-based option. Overall, these scored a bit lower than the other picks on our list, but GGR editor Frieda Johnson, CNC, gave them a 5 out of 5 for taste and 4.5 out of 5 for texture. She tried the Mocha flavor and liked it.

“It’s not flavored exactly like a mocha, but I can tell what they’re going for, and it doesn’t just taste like chocolate milk,” she says.

She also says that the texture is good, but the protein drinks are better cold. The first one she tried was a little grainy at room temperature, but when it was cold, it was creamy and smooth. The Evolve shakes lost some points for side effects—Frieda gave them a 3 out of 5.

“I do have a little bit of GI distress after drinking this, which honestly isn’t surprising considering that it’s 20 grams of pea protein and 10 grams of fiber. That said, it isn’t too bad; I’m mostly just bloated and gassy the rest of the afternoon. Not the worst thing, but something to consider depending on what you’re doing that day!” she says.

She did feel satisfied after drinking the shakes, but said it wasn’t overwhelming trying to get them down. They are more filling because of the fiber but still only contain about 140 calories per drink, depending on which flavor you get.

The fiber also contributes to the overall carbohydrate count. There are 16 grams total, which is much more than the others on the list, but fiber is important for weight loss⁵ and can help keep you regular⁶, so there are benefits there.

The OWYN shakes are another plant-based protein option that also relies on a protein blend to ensure there’s enough protein per serving—and that the protein is high quality and rich in essential amino acids. It mixes pea protein with organic pumpkin seed and organic flax oil, which provides some healthy fats, too. And, of course, it’s gluten-free.

This one didn’t score as highly in the flavor department as some of the other options on the list. Certified personal trainer and GGR Performance Editor Anthony O’Reilly tried the Cookies and Creamless flavor, saying it was a bit watery and he picked up more “cream” than cookie flavor. However, he says it wasn’t really bad; he was just expecting something a little thicker. He gave the flavor and texture a 3.5 out of 5. 

There was no aftertaste, though, and Anthony says he didn’t get any weird lingering mouthfeel that sometimes comes with other protein shakes.

There’s also a greens blend (broccoli, spinach, and kale) snuck in, so not only are you getting a protein-rich drink, you’re also getting more micronutrients, like calcium and potassium, and some antioxidants, too. Anthony doesn’t call out any grassy or earthy undertones, so it’s well hidden; you won’t be getting something that tastes like a greens powder.

The exact macronutrient profile depends on which flavor you pick, but you can expect around 170 to 180 calories and 20 grams of protein per bottle, which is in line with other plant-based protein drinks.

There is some organic cane sugar in these too, so that bumps up the carbohydrates and sugar content a bit—you’ll get about 4 grams of added sugar and 9 to 10 grams of carbohydrates per bottle.

Read our full OWYN protein shake review for more info; plus, if you’re curious about more OWYN products, we have more details in our OWYN Protein Powder review.

The Aloha Organic Protein Shakes are a certified organic, non-GMO, and fair trade-certified option with an impressive ingredient list. These are vegan protein shakes, so the protein comes from a blend of pea protein and brown rice protein. 

They also have a coconut milk base instead of water, and have added MCTs. This makes them a little creamier than water-based shakes, but also gives them some healthy fats that have been shown to help promote weight loss⁷, too. 

GGR Senior Staff Writer Lauren Strong says they’re super tasty, especially for a vegan shake, and compares them to the Ripple shakes, which she also enjoyed. “There is a nice rich chocolate flavor (which is the one I got), and it’s not too sweet. Yes, it tastes different from whey protein, but it’s not overly earthy or plant-like,” she says.

RELATED: Aloha Protein Bar Review

Lauren also thought the texture was just-right. They’re not super creamy, but they’re also not thin and water-like. She says this is exactly how she likes a shake to feel, and said they were totally satisfying and helped curb her hunger in between meals. Both texture and flavor receive high marks of 5 out of 5 from Lauren.

Aloha Organic Protein Shakes are sweetened with a blend of coconut sugar and stevia, so they have about 5 grams of added sugar (depending on the flavor), but they’re still fairly low in calories—just 170 per bottle. Read our Aloha protein shake review for more info.