Did you know that the best protein powders for women actually aid weight loss? If you thought that protein powder is something only used by male workout junkies at the gym to bulk up, think again.
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Eating more protein is one of the best things to do to lose weight and maintain your healthy weight over the long term.
So contrary to popular belief, protein powders are an excellent supplement for women wanting to lose weight.
How does protein powder help you lose weight?
Adding more protein into your diet helps you to lose weight in multiple ways:
- Increase satiety: eating protein helps you feel full for a longer period of time, allowing you to eat less and lose weight (1).
- Maintain muscle mass: when you lose weight, your goal is to lose fat, but your body tends to lose muscle mass in the process as well. Increasing your protein intake helps to preserve your lean muscle mass while adding resistance-type exercises helps to keep those muscles strengthened (2).
- Boost metabolism: when you eat, the process of digesting and metabolizing protein burns more calories (20-30%) compared to carbohydrates (5-10%) and fats (0-3%) (3).
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Which protein is best for women’s weight loss?
There are so many types and brands of protein powders out on the market, here are some pointers and recommendations to help navigate your search for the best protein powders for weight loss:
1. Collagen Peptide Protein Powder
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body and a major building block of bones, skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It essentially acts like a glue that holds the distinct parts of our body together.
As we age, especially beyond the age of 30, the quantity and quality of our collagen decreases, leading to dry skin, wrinkles, weakened cartilage, loss of bone mass and osteoporosis.
Taking collagen supplements can combat these effects of aging.
Collagen peptides are collagen proteins that have been hydrolyzed to break down its essential amino acids into smaller molecules, making it easier to digest and absorb for your body.
There are at least 28 different types of collagen, but types I, II, and III form the majority of collagen in our body.
One weight loss benefit of collagen is that it may help suppress appetite. A study found meals with hydrolyzed collagen stimulated higher levels of satiating hormones in overweight subjects (4).
Check the sugar content in the protein powder if you are looking to lose weight!
Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder
This quality collagen peptide powder is free of gluten, dairy, and sugar.
It’s tasteless and dissolves easily in hot or cold drinks, whether it’s coffee, tea or smoothies.
I personally add a scoop of collagen peptide to my coffee every day, and my skin looks and feels more supple.
My occasional back and knee pain have subsided as well.
If you prefer the convenience of taking a pill instead of adding protein powders to foods or drinks, try this grass-fed collagen protein pills.
Looking for plant-based collagen? Research shows that certain plant-based foods can actually promote collagen synthesis (source).
This plant collagen superfoods powder combines 6 organic superfoods (including tocos and powerful tremella mushroom) to protect your natural collagen, replenish your skin, and improve skin tone and texture.
It comes in a creamy, subtle-vanilla flavor that makes it easy to add to smoothies, lattes, and even baked goods! Use code SPICEGREEN to get an extra 15% off at check out!
2. Whey Protein Powder
Whey protein is one of the most popular protein supplements as it is easily digested and absorbed by our body.
It is a milk-based protein and is considered a “complete” protein because it contains all of the amino acids that our body can’t produce on its own.
Developed by a doctor, this all-natural protein powder is free of added sugar, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Each serving comes with 21 grams of grass-fed clean whey protein to help you feel fuller, support lean muscle tissue and fat loss while giving you increased energy.
3. Casein Protein Powder
Casein protein is another milk-based protein, and also a complete protein.
Our body digests casein protein more slowly than whey, thus prolonging the feeling of fullness to reduce overeating.
However, not all studies found casein to be more effective than whey protein for weight loss, so more research is needed.
Nonetheless, casein protein powder is a powerful supplement to help fuel your weight loss.
This slow-digesting casein protein powder provides a whopping 25 grams of protein per serving at only 110 calories.
If you are looking for a guilt-free nighttime snack, especially for recovery after a workout, you can make a mouthwatering high-protein pudding by simply mixing one scoop of this casein protein powder with 5oz of almond milk.
4. Protein Powder Fortified with Plant-based Fiber
Your dietary fiber intake is strongly correlated to your body weight (7).
Eating more fiber helps prolong your feeling of fullness to help you to eat less.
Fiber also improves your digestive health by nourishing your gut bacteria to process food more efficiently and normalize bowel movement to aid weight loss.
Unfortunately, much of the fiber is lost during the manufacturing process of plant-based protein powders.
Fortifying protein powders with plant-based sources of fiber helps to turbo-boost your weight loss efforts.
Pea is an excellent plant-based source of fiber and prebiotic that helps to feed your gut bacteria.
This plant-based skinny protein powder mix contains pea protein powder, hemp protein powder, boosted with superfoods moringa, spirulina, and alfalfa.
It’s an organic clean protein powder mix that is free from gluten, dairy, soy, GMO, sweeteners, fillers, additives, preservatives, or anything superficial.
Prefer the taste of chocolate? Try this delicious plant-based chocolate protein with superfood ingredients that’ll help you build a strong body and mind.
Easily mix the powder with water, almond milk, or your favorite protein shake for a quick breakfast or snack drink. You can even add it when you bake muffins, cookies, and brownies for a protein energy boost.
5. Soy Protein Powder
Soy protein is a great supplement for people that follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, as it is a plant-based complete protein source.
Soy protein has been shown to provide health benefits for women.
A study of postmenopausal women found that women who consumed a daily soy supplement have less abdominal fat and overall body fat compared with the placebo group after a 3-month trial period (6).
This soy protein isolate powder is 90% pure protein so you get the most benefit per serving.
It provides 27 grams of protein per serving and is carbs and sugar-free. It’s rich in calcium which promotes healthy bones.
This flavorless powder is easy to mix and provides smooth consistency for soy protein shakes or drinks.
Don’t forget that protein powder supplements alone still can’t replace a healthy, clean diet for effective weight loss!
If you enjoyed this article on the best protein powders for women’s weight loss, and are looking to boost your metabolism and weight loss, sign up below to get a 5-minute recipe to lose 3 pounds this week!
It’s how I started my journey to eventually lose 28 pounds and shed 9 inches from my waist in 8 months while working full time and raising toddlers!
I really like the Orgain Organic. Do you have any experience with the Vega plant based protein for weight loss?
I’m glad you like Orgain Organic protein powders too, Jim. I’ve not had experience with Vega protein. Feel free to share your experiences.
Add these protein powders in daily diet will help to boosts metabolism which burns more calories and helps you to lose weight. I will definitely recommend them. Thanks and keep sharing..
Thanks for your support, Harvey!
Thank you for sharing this blog,from this blog i have learn new weight loss tips. and another thing is green tea is also good for weight loss.Green tea has received a lot of attention in the past few years. This is primarily due to its antioxidants which are beneficial in weight loss.
Glad you found this information helpful, Sanjeev. Thanks for sharing about green tea weight loss benefits.
Does the viral protein collagen protein help build muscle as well? If not could I take this with the origin to build muscle??
Hi Jen, studies do suggest that collagen supplements help boost muscle mass as well, so you should be covered with the vital protein collagen.