Written by Steve Theunissen | ISSA: CPT & Fitness Nutrition
Fact checked by Robert Iafelice, MS, RD, LDN
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Protein powder is being sold by the bucket load to people worldwide who, rightfully, see it as the vital ingredient in their muscle-building program. Today's protein powder market is a huge advance on what was available a few years back, with a massive array of blends and flavors. However, there's still a large demand for a plain vanilla protein powder that can be added to recipes and drinks without affecting the original flavor.
The number of protein powder brands on the market is enough to make your head spin, so finding the best vanilla protein powder to meet your needs can seem impossible. That's where we come in.
We've narrowed it down to the 7 best vanilla protein powders on today's market. We have even separated them by category to make it easy for you to get precisely what you need. We'll provide a research-backed overview of the benefits of taking a protein powder and supply you with a buyer's guide to help you know what to focus on when shopping for protein.
SFS Pick
Transparent Labs
Best Collagen
Vital Performance
Best Vegan Vanilla
Elm&Rye
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7 Best Vanilla Protein Powders
- Overall Best Vanilla Protein Powder: Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein
- Best Vanilla Protein Powder with Collagen: Vital Performance Protein Vanilla
- Best Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder: Elm&Rye Vegan Protein Blend
- Best Vanilla Protein Powder For Weight Loss: Live Conscious Organic Protein
- Best Vanilla Protein For Pregnancy: Ritual Essential Protein Pregnancy & Postpartum
- Best Vanilla Protein Powder For Baking: Cellucor Xtend Pro
- Best Vanilla Protein Powder Blend: BSN SYNTHA-6 Whey Protein
1. Overall Best Vanilla Protein Powder: Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein
Transparent Labs is a Utah-based company that is known for its pure, artificial flavoring-free, and research-dosed ingredients. Their grass-fed whey protein is sourced from American grass-fed cows. Each serving provides you with 28 grams of protein and 120 calories. As you would expect, there are absolutely no artificial sweeteners or preservatives in this product.
With just 2.5 grams of fat and 2 grams of carbs, Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey is a great choice for people on a keto diet or who are trying to lose weight. According to reviewers, this product mixes very smoothly, with no gritty residue. It's available in Mocha, Salted Caramel, Milk Chocolate, and French Vanilla. This is one of the best-tasting vanilla protein powders on the market.
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey is flavored with stevia. It should also be noted that this product is a little high in cholesterol, providing 24% of the RDA. That said, this is the best vanilla protein powder on the market in our opinion. We've tried dozens of vanilla protein powders over the years and we can say with confidence that Transparent Labs has knocked it out the park with this one.
Pros
- 24 grams of protein
- Low fat and carbs
- Mixes well
- No artificial additives
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
Made from naturally fed, hormone-free cow whey and clean of artificial sweeteners, food dyes, gluten, and preservatives, Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is one of the cleanest proteins on the market...
2. Best Vanilla Protein Powder with Collagen: Vital Performance Protein Vanilla
Vital Performance Protein Vanilla combines lactose-free milk protein isolate with collagen peptides to deliver a potent amino acid blend that will build muscle and enhance your bone and skin health. You get 25 grams of protein with every serving, which includes 10 grams of collagen from bovine sources.
The other ingredients in Vital Performance Protein Vanilla are tapioca dextrose (D-Glucose), cocoa powder, natural flavors, sea salt, MCT oil (MCT oil, acacia fiber), sunflower lecithin, stevia leaf, and monk fruit extract. The protein is sourced from cows that are grass-fed and pasture-raised. This is also an isolate form of whey protein so the lactose has been removed.
There are no artificial sweeteners or sugars in this product, though it does contain 5 grams of natural sugar. A serving size is two scoops and there are 21 servings in every container.
Pros
- Combines whey protein with collagen
- No artificial flavorings
- 25 grams of protein per serving
Cons
- Quite high in sugar at 5 grams per serving
By combining lactose-free milk protein isolate with collagen peptides, Vital Performance™ Protein Powder delivers 25g of protein designed to complement your fitness routine. This anytime protein powder supports improved recovery, stimulates muscle protein synthesis...
3. Best Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder: Elm&Rye Vegan Protein Blend
Elm&Rye Vegan Protein Blend was named as the healthiest protein powder on the planet by Discover Science magazine. While not that well known by the wider market, this is a very popular brand among vegans. The key ingredients are pea protein isolate, a mushroom complex powder, turmeric powder, collagen protein, and ashwagandha.
Pea protein has been shown to have almost as high bioavailability as whey protein. It is low in fat and high in fiber. The mushroom complex used is a blend of whole-fruiting bodies extracted for their bioactive compounds.
Elm& Rye employ third-party testers to analyze their protein powders for potency and purity. This powder mixes very well to produce a smooth, frothy drink when mixed in a blender with almond milk or other vegan beverages.
Pros
- Pea Protein based vegan protein
- High in fiber
- Includes a mushroom blend
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
Elm and Rye protein takes 0 shortcuts in this award-winning formula. Containing BCAAs, turmeric, collagen, mushroom complex, and ashwagandha...
4. Best Vanilla Protein Powder For Weight Loss: Live Conscious Organic Protein
Live Conscious Organic Protein is a pea-based protein powder that is designed to promote weight loss. With just 80 calories and 15 grams of protein per serving, it will keep you feeling full without adding unnecessary calories.
In addition to the pea protein, you also get rice, sacha inchi & pumpkin seed protein powder in the formula. This combination ensures that you are getting all 9 essential amino acids. It is available in Cosmic Cacao and Vanilla Dream flavors.
Live Conscious Organic Protein goes well with a wide range of foods, including baking recipes and desserts. It mixes well and its flavor will not detract from the main flavor of the food you are adding it to. This protein powder also makes a very satisfying stand-alone protein shake.
Pros
- Low calorie
- Blend of vegan protein sources
- Provides all 9 essential amino acids
Cons
- Only 15 grams per serving
With Pea, Rice, Sacha Inchi & Pumpkin Seed protein powders in the formula, Live Conscious Protein combines each strength in harmony to create a potent serving of all 9 essential amino acids...
5. Best Vanilla Protein For Pregnancy: Ritual Essential Protein Pregnancy & Postpartum
As the name suggests, Ritual Essential Protein Pregnancy & Postpartum has been created specifically for expectant and new moms. Each serving contains 250 mg of choline and 20 grams of plant-based protein to support the greater nutritional demands of pregnant and lactating women.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, choline is a key nutrient to support a baby's neurodevelopment during pregnancy. Protein also supports bone development and helps build lean muscle mass.
Ritual Essential Protein Pregnancy & Postpartum is soy-free, gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and is formulated without GMOs, stevia, sugar or sugar alcohols. The formula includes layers of sweet vanilla, along with hints of caramel and spice. It is sweetened with a combination of fermented sugarcane and monk fruit.
This product is 3rd party tested before being released onto the market.
Pros
- 20 grams of plant-based protein & 250mg of choline
- Sweetened naturally
- Vegan
Cons
- A bit of an acquired taste
The clean, traceable plant-based protein with an excellent source of Choline to help support new nutrient needs during pregnancy, postpartum, and lactation...
6. Best Vanilla Protein Powder For Baking: Cellucor Xtend Pro
Cellucor Xtend Pro is a 100% whey protein isolate with 25 grams of protein along with 7 grams of BCAAs. There are no artificial flavors, colors or dyes in this product. It's available in a range of tasty flavors, including vanilla.
This brand of whey protein is ideal for baking. It has a fine consistency that mixes very well when added to any recipe. On the other hand, it also makes a very appetizing shake when blended with milk.
Cellucor Xtend Pro is 3rd party tested for potency and purity. That gives you absolute confidence that what you are putting into your body is exactly what is listed on the label. That manufacturer offers this product either as a one-off purchase or on a monthly subscription basis, in which case you will save a whopping 35%.
Pros
- Great for baking
- 25 grams protein per serving
- 3rd party tested
- Subscription offer saves 35%
Cons
- Contains artificial sweeteners
XTEND PRO combines the incredible benefits of BCAAs with 25g of ultra-pure whey protein isolate to help maximize muscle recovery, retention, and growth...
7. Best Vanilla Protein Powder Blend: BSN SYNTHA-6 Whey Protein
BSN SYNTHA-6 whey protein is a blend of the six following protein sources:
- Whey protein concentrate
- Whey protein isolate
- Calcium caseinate
- Micellar casein
- Milk protein isolate
- Egg albumin
This blend provides you with 22 grams of protein per serving. BSN SYNTHA-6 is available in ten flavors, many of which are simply delicious. The French Vanilla flavor will provide you with a very pleasing taste and texture as a stand-alone protein shake as well as being ideal for baking and adding to desserts.
There are 2-3 grams of sugar per serving, depending on the flavor. Each serving is a single scoop and you get 48 servings per container.
Pros
- Blend of 6 protein sources
- 25 grams protein per serving
- Delicious flavors including Vanilla Ice Cream
- 22 grams of protein per serving
Cons
- May be a little high in sugar, depending on the flavor
Great tasting 22 gram protein matrix : Consisting of whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, calcium caseinate, micellar casein, milk protein isolate, and egg albumin...
What is protein powder?
Protein powder is a nutritional supplement designed to add branched chain amino acids to the body quickly in order to promote muscle building and protein synthesis. Protein powders are designed to be mixed with water, milk or other liquids to make a smoothie-type drink. They can also be added to baking recipes or sprinkled on soups, yogurt, oatmeal, and desserts.
Protein powders are available in a huge range of flavors. The best flavor if you want to combine your protein powder with other ingredients in a recipe is vanilla as it won't detract from the original flavor of the recipe.
Many protein powders have additional ingredients designed to enhance their muscle-building and workout recovery potential. These may include glutamine, branch-chain amino acids, and creatine.
Protein powders may be derived from a range of sources. These include whey and casein from the dairy industry, eggs, soy, and a range of plant sources such as pea and hemp.
Protein powders should be considered as a supplement to whole foods. So, your main protein sources each day should still come from foods like chicken, eggs, and red meat.
Consuming an adequate amount of protein each day is very important to:
- Muscle gain
- Improving cholesterol profile
- Controlling appetite
- Preserving muscle
- Thermogenesis
- Fat Loss
Taking a protein powder provides a convenient way to help meet your daily protein requirement.
Benefits of protein powder:
Protein powders have been studied quite extensively in recent years in order to determine just how effective they are. Here's an overview of the main research-backed benefits of taking a protein powder.
1. Weight Management
Protein powders are beneficial for both losing and gaining weight. Protein is a very satiating nutrient that fills you up quickly. It is also highly thermogenic so you burn a high number of calories when you digest it.1
To use protein powder as a weight loss aid, it should be used as a replacement for one meal per day.
2. Muscle Growth
The amino acids that make up protein are the building blocks of muscle tissue. When you stress a muscle through resistance exercise, you create mini tears in the muscle fiber. Amino acids provide you with the material to rebuild the muscle tissue, making it slightly larger and stronger than it was before.2
Just as important as getting quality protein into your body each day is the timing of that intake.
When you wake up in the morning, it is critical that you get some quality protein into your system as soon as possible. When you’ve been sleeping for eight or nine hours, you are essentially fasting. When you wake up, your muscles are starving. They are crying out for protein and are getting close to a catabolic state. That is the time to feed them with protein. Taking it in the form of protein powder shake drink allows it to be very easily and quickly digested into your system.
The second most important time to take your protein is directly after your workout. When you are working out, you are breaking down the muscle cell. That process is only reversed when you feed protein into the cell. You can get those amino acids directly into the cell right after your workout with fast-acting whey protein powder.
The third most important time of the day to take protein into your system is right before you go to bed. That is the time that you need a slow-digesting protein like casein. Casein is a very slow-digesting protein that will release protein into your system over the entire period that you will be sleeping. This will keep you in positive nitrogen balance during those hours that you are sleeping.
3. Improved muscle recovery
After a workout, your muscles are in a catabolic, or muscle-destroying state. The sooner you can switch to an anabolic, muscle-building state, the faster your muscles will be able to recover from the workout. A fast-acting protein powder, such as whey isolate, will supply the amino acids to allow you to repair your damaged muscle fibers, promoting recovery and new growth.3
4. Added Nutrition
A high quality protein powder will deliver a host of premium nutrients to your body. As well as all of the essential amino acids that your body cannot produce by itself, they may include other muscle-building and recovery nutrients as the B vitamins, citrulline, glutamine, and creatine.
Side Effects of taking protein powder
Protein powders are sourced from all-natural products and, as a result, do not carry any serious side effects. However, you may experience a degree of gas, bloating, and gut discomfort when you first take a protein powder.
People who are lactose intolerant will experience quite major stomach discomfort if they take a whey concentrate powder. By switching to a whey isolate, which has removed the lactose, they are able to overcome this issue.
The idea that high protein diets are unhealthy has been passed around by the media for decades. Usually, they quote potential side effects such as kidney damage, liver degeneration, and dehydration. The truth, however, is that there is no published evidence to date that demonstrates a positive link between a high protein diet and any of the negative health effects in otherwise healthy individuals. There are, in fact several studies that show high protein diets to be perfectly safe.
A year long cross over study conducted showed high protein diets actually had no harmful effects on any measure of health in resistance trained males.4
As a result of studies like the one just mentioned we conclude that there is no reason to deviate from a high protein intake of between 0.6 and 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight.
What to look for when buying protein powder:
In order to avoid being overwhelmed by the huge amount of choice on the market, you need to have some guidelines. Here are the key things to check for when buying a protein powder.
1. Type of protein
The quality of your protein powder will have a lot to do with the protein source. Here's a rundown of the most common protein sources:
Whey:
With around 30% of all sales, this protein is the most accessible and well-liked variety on the market. The by-product known as whey, which is produced during the manufacturing of cheese, was once thought to be trash. It has since been acknowledged as a superior source of amino acids. Leucine, iso-leucine, and valine, the three branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs), are abundant in whey.
Whey Isolate is whey protein with the fats and carbohydrates removed. It offers aminos in a quickly absorbed form. This makes it excellent for building muscle when consumed just after exercise when your muscles require fast protein. Whey also has a biological value of 100, which is ideal. The biological value counts the quantity of absorbed protein that is retained.
Casein:
In cow's milk, casein accounts for 80% of the total volume. It forms a gel in the stomach when it is consumed by people. Its contents slowly leak into the bloodstream as a result. This will take several hours, assisting in maintaining a healthy nitrogen balance in your body. This is crucial if you want to gain muscle mass.
Three varieties of casein protein exist:
- Micellar casein
- Calcium caseinate
- Milk protein isolate
Calcium caseinate is the most frequently utilized variety of casein protein in the supplement industry. Although it can be consumed at any time during the day, casein is best taken right before bed. In this way, the gradual release of amino acids will take place all night long to repair and rebuild your muscles.
Egg:
Egg whites are used to obtain egg protein. A great source of protein is eggs. It is free of lactose. Eggs are the gold standard for protein content in the eyes of nutritionists. It includes all of the necessary amino acids and is simple for the body to digest. All of the branch chain amino acids are also present. Additionally, eggs are a great source of micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
For those who are lactose intolerant and cannot consume milk products, egg protein is a good alternative. One drawback of eggs is that, due to their high sulphur content, they could result in bloating and flatulence.
Plant-Based Protein Powders:
About a third of the protein powders sold every day are plant-based. Vegetarians will inevitably choose vegetarian protein powders. However, there are some very solid arguments for why even meat eaters should think about trying the vegetarian diet. Pea protein powder is among the best and most widely used alternatives.
Let's examine its advantages:
It is a fantastic source of vital amino acids, has a high protein level of 85%, and has a terrific profile.
Pea protein releases more quickly than casein but less quickly than whey. When choosing between the two primary kinds of digestion, the intermediate speed of digestion offers a third alternative. This option allows you to choose how quickly you want the amino acids to enter your muscle cells.
Pea protein also has the advantage of being more affordable than animal sources. Legumes, of which peas are a part, are excellent suppliers of fiber and amino acids. They contain little fat, too.
Soy is another well-liked source of plant-based protein. It is made from refined soy flour that has had the fat removed. Both essential and non-essential amino acids are abundant in it. 90% of soy protein isolate is made up of protein. It has relatively little fat and carbohydrate content as well. A fantastic source of phyto-estrogens is offered by soy. Previously, it was believed that soy decreased men's testosterone levels, however, this misconception has been disproved.
2. Taste
No matter how beneficial a protein powder is for you, if you don't like it, you won't take it consistently. While a vanilla powder doesn't have a lot of flavor, it should still provide you with a pleasing taste similar to a vanilla milkshake. It should also not interfere with the flavor of other foods or beverages that you add the protein powder to.
3. Mixability
You should expect your protein powder to mix well, whether you are using a blender, a shaker bottle, or even a glass and spoon. You should expect a pleasing, frothy mixture, without any gritty substances sitting at the bottom of the glass.
4. Dosage
Look for a protein powder that provides you with between 20 and 30 grams of protein per serving.
5. Testing/transparency
Look for companies that employ 3rd party laboratories to test their products before release onto the market. This will give you confidence that the potency and purity of the product are top-notch.
The product label will have a 3rd party tested sticker if the company follows this practice.
6. Price
The price of protein powders varies greatly. Often you are paying a premium for a brand rather than a quality product. The best way to compare protein powder prices is on a per-serving basis. You should expect to pay between sixty and eight cents per serving.
7. Reviews
By checking verified user reviews of a protein powder, you will get a good idea of how well the powder mixes, whether it has an unpleasant aftertaste and if there are any nasty side effects, such as bloating and gas.
Protein Powder FAQs
Can I use protein powder every day?
Yes, you can use protein powder every day. However, we do recommend that you use it no more than one or two times daily. The bulk of your protein should come from whole foods, as the human body is designed to best absorb and utilize foods in whole form. Remember that protein powder is a supplement to a diet and not a replacement.
Is protein powder good for you?
Protein powder is good for you as long as you are consuming a brand that does not contain artificial preservatives, fillers, and sweeteners. It provides a ready source of easily digestible protein that, when combined with resistance exercise, can help you build muscle. However, if you take too much of it and do not exercise, you may gain unwanted body fat.
Is protein powder good for weight loss?
Yes, protein powder can be good for weight loss. Protein is very satiating, so it will fill you up quickly. Take one protein powder shake per day as a meal replacement for the best weight loss results. Just be sure to choose a powder that is low in calories (less than 150 grams per serving) and that has fewer than 5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
what are the side effects of taking protein?
There are no side effects to taking protein. However, some people who take a whey or plant-based protein powder may experience such minor side effects as bloating, gas and stomach upset. People who are lactose intolerant should choose a whey isolate that has had the lactose (milk fats) removed.
What vanilla protein powder is best?
The best vanilla protein powder on the market right now is Transparent Labs Grass Fed Whey protein. This powder is sourced from grass-fed American cows and has one of the highest protein-to-weight ratios in the industry at 88%. It is completely devoid of artificial sweeteners, food dyes, gluten, and preservatives.
Summary
Vanilla protein powder is the most versatile type of protein powder as it can be used with all sorts of different foods and beverages without affecting the taste. There are a ton of brands to choose from but not all of them are worth your money. In this article, we've narrowed it down to the 7 absolute best vanilla protein powders on the current market.
The best overall vanilla protein powder is Transparent Labs Grass Fed Whey protein, with its extremely high protein-to-weight ratio, great mixability, and clean, transparent ingredients.
More Best Protein Resources:
- Best Protein Powders
- Best Low Carb Protein Powders
- Best Lactose Free Protein Powders
- Best Whey Isolate Protein Powders
References
- Johnston CS, Day CS, Swan PD. Postprandial thermogenesis is increased 100% on a high-protein, low-fat diet versus a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet in healthy, young women. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002 Feb;21(1):55-61. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2002.10719194. PMID: 11838888.
- Omi N, Shiba H, Nishimura E, Tsukamoto S, Maruki-Uchida H, Oda M, Morita M. Effects of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin in supplementary protein powder on athlete body composition: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019 Sep 10;16(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s12970-019-0303-x. Erratum in: J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019 Oct 21;16(1):45. PMID: 31500646; PMCID: PMC6734270.
- Jäger R, Kerksick CM, Campbell BI, Cribb PJ, Wells SD, Skwiat TM, Purpura M, Ziegenfuss TN, Ferrando AA, Arent SM, Smith-Ryan AE, Stout JR, Arciero PJ, Ormsbee MJ, Taylor LW, Wilborn CD, Kalman DS, Kreider RB, Willoughby DS, Hoffman JR, Krzykowski JL, Antonio J. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017 Jun 20;14:20. doi: 10.1186/s12970-017-0177-8. PMID: 28642676; PMCID: PMC5477153.
- Antonio, Jose, et al. “A High Protein Diet Has No Harmful Effects: A One-Year Crossover Study in Resistance-Trained Males.” Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 2016, 2016, pp. 1–5, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5078648/, https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9104792.
Steve Theunissen
Author