So what is the best protein powder for women? Years ago, there were very few protein supplements on the market designed specifically for women. Luckily, today we have a strong number of high quality options to pick from. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be a bodybuilder or exercise nut in order to reap the benefits of protein powders. Furthermore, many of the protein powders marketed towards men are safe for women as well.
Best Protein Powder for Women: Getting Started
Proteins are complex organic compounds made of amino acids that help your body to repair and rebuild cells. Generally, the more active you are, the more protein you will require. The Institute of Medicine recommends that healthy adults receive at least 10 percent to 35 percent of their daily calories from protein. For healthy adult women, 46 grams of protein per day is the accepted standard. For pregnant or lactating women, that daily protein intake increases to 71 grams, according to WebMD.
Women who lift weights and engage in other strength conditioning require more protein than less active women. According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association, women who regularly engage in strength training should consume twice the amount of protein as the average woman. Eating more protein rich foods isn’t always easy or desirable since this group includes animal protein found in high cholesterol meats. Adding protein powder to your diet can be a great solution. However, before we discuss the best protein powder for women, let’s take a quick look at the different types of protein powder.
Egg protein powder contains no fat or carbohydrates. It’s a good choice if you’re allergic to soy or whey, but obviously not a good choice if you’re allergic to eggs. Rice and vegetable protein powders are also safe for vegans and those allergic to eggs and soy.
Soy protein powders have been shown to ease menopausal symptoms because they contain chemicals that imitate estrogen. Soy is a high quality protein that doesn’t cause any of the harmful effects that animal proteins can cause.
Of all the protein powders available, whey powders seem most popular. These powders are safe and easily digested, which makes whey the best protein powder for women in most cases. In fact, our bodies process whey so efficiently that even small amounts can make a big difference whether our goals are weight loss or strength training.
Best Protein Powder for Women: Our Top 3 Picks
While we highly encourage you to browse the different protein powder reviews to find products that meet your specific needs, here are three reputable and excellent protein powders for women. First, we have EAS’s Myoplex Lite Powder, which is a low-calorie protein powder packed with 22 vitamins and minerals. Each serving of Myoplex Lite features 20 grams of pure protein at a low 180 calories. This supplement is designed to be taken within 30 minutes after your workout or as a snack replacement.
Next on our search for the best protein powder for women is BSN’s Syntha-6 Protein Powder. This product contains premium protein powder that is perfect for preserving and sculpting lean muscle mass. Syntha-6 also contains fiber and some healthy fats, which makes it an excellent meal replacement if you’re looking to lose weight. Aside from being quite nutritious, Syntha-6 is perhaps the best tasting protein powder on the market. It comes in delicious flavors such as vanilla ice cream, chocolate milkshake and strawberry milkshake.
Finally, we have the Cytosport’s Muscle Milk Light. While the original Muscle Milk is quite high in calories, the “light” version is designed for individuals looking to maintain lean muscle and lose weight. So, if you’re looking to increase your protein intake while sticking to a weight management plan, this may be the product for you. Similar to Syntha-6, Muscle Milk Light is also extremely delicious and it features 25 grams of protein per serving. While any one of these supplements could wear the crown of “best protein powder for women” you are encouraged to experiment with different options to see which protein powder works best for you.