Top clean & healthy protein powders (best brands!)

When you think of “health” and “working out,” you probably picture the gym, yoga, whole foods, maybe someone with ripped abs… and protein powder. But just because it’s labeled a “health food” doesn’t mean it is. Most mainstream powders are packed with artificial sweeteners, gums, corn syrup, seed oils, fillers, and even heavy metals. Taking these daily can undo all the work you’re putting in at the gym and in your nutrition.

The bottom line: if you care about what’s on your plate and on your body, your protein powder should be just as clean. My rule of thumb is that anything I use or eat every single day has to be high quality.

Best overall healthy & clean protein powder: Puori

Best tasting healthy protein powder: Just Ingredients

Best budget (but still clean) protein powder: Truvani

Best bone broth protein powder: Ancestral Supplements Bone Broth Protein Powder

Best clean dairy-free / vegan protein powder: Truvani

Why should I choose a clean protein powder?

Honestly, choosing a clean protein powder really matters. Otherwise, you’re not just getting protein, you’re also taking in extra nastiness like harsh chemicals, fillers, and toxins that can mess with digestion, gut health, hormone balance, and so much more downstream.

I’ll be honest, though, the best way to get protein is through whole foods. Adding an extra egg to breakfast adds 6g, opting for Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt adds 18g for 6 oz, adding a glass of milk gives you 8g per cup, or an extra serving of chicken adds 14g for 2 oz to your dinner. There are a variety of ways to easily add more protein into your daily diet with foods you are already eating. Whole foods are easier to digest, more bioavailable, and packed with micronutrients that are good for you on a cellular level.

But...if you’re busy like me and can’t always hit your protein goals, a clean, high-quality powder can be a lifesaver!

However, as the protein supplement market has exploded in growth over the past few years, passing $9.69 billion in 2023, there has been a boom of "protein" products hitting the market. And, unfortunately, many of these protein products are far from healthy.

Last year, the Clean Label Project, an independent nonprofit, tested 160 top-selling protein powders. Nearly half exceeded safe limits for heavy metals, with plant-based powders showing three times more lead than whey-based options. Even worse, lead wasn’t the only problem—arsenic, mercury, cadmium, pesticides, and bisphenols (like BPA) also showed up.

And on top of it all, there are no comprehensive federal regulations specifically limiting heavy metals in protein powders. This isn’t just one study either, other research backs it up. At the end of the day, as consumers, we have to be aware and vigilant about the ingredients in the protein powders available.

What makes a protein powder “healthy” and “clean”

So, what exactly should you avoid in protein powders? There are other things to consider beyond heavy metals and BPAs.

Ingredients to avoid in protein powders:

• No gums
• No artificial sweeteners (ex: sucralose, aspartame)
• Ideally, grass-fed whey
• Free of heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium)
• No “natural flavors” (artificial/synthetic flavors)
• No dyes
• No hydrogenated oils/vegetable oils + fats
• No soy protein (soy proteins are sourced from genetically-modified sources with high pesticide use, could be linked to hormonal disturbances)
• No gluten
• No fillers and thickeners (like maltodextrin, xanthan gum, carrageenan, they are hard on the digestive system)
• No excess sugar
• No added fibers (just eat more veggies!)
• Nice to have’s:
  • Organic ingredients
  • You can look for certifications such as NSF certified, Clean Label Project Certified
  • No casein (hard on digestive system

Okay, you might be thinking, well now what? What options are out there that meet all these criteria? Well, there are options. Let’s get into it!

Best, healthy, and clean protein powders

Top pick - Puori

Flavors: Dark chocolate, bourbon vanilla

Price: $65+

Types: They offer both whey and vegan options

Ingredients: Whey protein concentrate (from pasture-raised cows), organic coconut sugar, natural flavors* (see note), vanilla powder, vanilla seeds.

While Puori is definitely on the higher end price-wise, they don’t just talk the talk — they are as clean as they claim. Each batch of they protein powder is third-party tested by The Clean Label Project against 200+ harmful contaminants. In fact, they are the only brand with the Clean Label Project Transparency Certificate. Their powders contain only 5 ingredients, non-GMO, no pesticides and no added hormones. And, they taste amazing too! They also a vegan option as well as collagen peptides powder.

*I generally say to stay away from “natural flavors,” but there are exceptions. Puori’s “natural flavors” make up less than 0.2% of the product and are derived from fermented stevia, making it safe to consume.

Best flavor: Just Ingredients

Flavors: Vanilla bean, chocolate, strawberry (my all time favorite), mint chocolate, peanut butter chocolate, plus seasonal releases like pumpkin spice).

Price: $60+

Ingredients: Grass-fed whey or plant-based options, monk fruit sweetener, organic cocoa, natural vanilla, natural flavors*, no gums, no soy, no refined sugar.

Type: Whey-based and dairy-free/vegan options

Just Ingredients protein powders are literally amazing and my personal favorite. They taste great and have super clean ingredients with no artificial aftertaste. Their whey-based powders are made from 100% grass-fed cows and organic ingredients, with no artificial flavors, dyes, gums, sugar alcohols, soy, or casein. They are third-party tested, NSF certified, and certified gluten-free. They also offer other products I love, like their electrolytes and tooth powder.

Truvani

Flavors: Chocolate, vanilla, banana cinnamon, peanut butter, strawberry, pumpkin spice, lemon cookie, unflavored and more

Price: $60+

Ingredients: Organic pea protein, pumpkin seed protein, chia seed protein, monk fruit, vanilla.

Type: Whey-based and plant-based options

Truvani is another excellent option for a healthy protein powder that avoids the nasty stuff. They are certified organic, primarily plant-based, and have a short ingredient list with no gums, soy, stevia, or added sugars. Their whey is sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows on USDA organic-certified farms. Truvani is also known for their plant-based vegan options too such as their chocolate protein powder!

FlavCity

Flavors: Vanilla, berries & cream, brownie batter, butter coffee, chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, vanilla latte and more

Price: $50+

Ingredients: Whey protein (grass-fed), collagen (grass-fed), organic fruit powders, organic coconut milk, organic reishi powder, organic stevia leaf, organic monk fruit extract, sea salt.

Type: Whey and dairy-free options

FlavCity’s Protein Smoothie Powders are ultra-clean, organic, non-GMO, grass-fed whey, and include grass-fed collagen peptides, reishi, and cordyceps. They are also gluten-free. They contain no natural flavors (love to see it!), no gums, fillers, or non-organic ingredients. FlavCity powders are top-tier quality and known for their taste. They also produce excellent electrolytes.

Promix

Flavors: Unflavored, chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter

Price: $45+

Ingredients: Grass-fed whey concentrate, organic cocoa, coconut sugar (in flavored), sunflower lecithin

Promix is another strong option. Their protein powders are made from grass-fed cows and contain no natural flavors, artificial sweeteners, hormones, antibiotics, refined sugar, gums, or fillers. They source 94% of their ingredients from North America, partner with 1% for the Planet, and manufacture in GMP-certified facilities.

Better healthy & clean protein powders

The protein powders recommended above are my top choices, but the ones below are still good options and are miles ahead of mainstream brands! I would still feel safe using these if that’s what you choose.

Ancestral Supplements Bone Broth Protein

Price: $60+

Ingredients: Bone broth protein, monk fruit extract, organic mushrooms, beef organs

Collagen-packed, paleo-friendly, great for anyone with gut concerns, with the added bone broth and beef organs!

Paleovalley Bone Broth Protein Powder

Price: ~$60 for 20 servings.

Ingredients: Grass-fed bone broth protein, colostrum, coconut milk powder

Pure collagen-rich protein, incredible for gut and joint health. I love the added nutrition from the colostrum.

Thorne

Price: $50+

Ingredients: Grass-fed whey isolate or vegan pea protein, sunflower lecithin, natural flavors, stevia.

Type: Offer both whey and plant-based options

Thorne is a solid option for protein powder. They maintain high standards, including NSF Certified for Sport, and all products are third-party tested, however they do include natural flavors and don't really disclose specifics.

Four Sigmatic

Price: ~$50 for 15 servings.

Ingredients: Pea, hemp, chia, pumpkin seed protein, coconut milk powder, and adaptogenic mushrooms.

I love that this brand leans on a secret ingredient: mushrooms! This adds immune and stress-support benefits.

Primal Kitchen Collagen Fuel

Price: $40+

Ingredients: Bovine collagen peptides, coconut milk powder, monk fruit, cocoa

I love putting this in my coffee in the mornings to add a kick of protein.

Naked Nutrition

Price: $40+

Ingredients: Grass-fed whey protein concentrate (plus cocoa/stevia in the flavored options).

Minimalist protein at a great bulk price with no surprises on the label.

Clean Simple Eats

Price: $60+

Ingredients: Whey isolate, sea salt, natural flavors, monk fruit, stevia.

These powders are decently clean and come in a wide variety of fun flavors. They do use some natural flavors, and don’t hold their natural flavors to as strict of standard as the above options, which aren’t as clean as other brands.

Frequently asked questions about healthy protein powder

What is the best healthy protein powder?

I’ve listed several great options, but my top five are Puori, Just Ingredients, Truvani, FlavCity, and Promix. These brands consistently contain the cleanest and healthiest ingredients available today.

Is protein powder good for you?

High-quality, clean protein powder is good for you—but not all protein powders are. If a powder contains toxins like heavy metals, synthetics, fillers, gums, artificial flavors, or dyes, then no, it’s not. Always read labels and choose the cleanest option for your health goals.

Does protein powder make you gain weight?

By itself, protein powder shouldn’t make you gain weight. If you are, it’s likely because you’re consuming too many calories overall.

How to use protein powder?

The easiest way is in smoothies, just add some fruit, milk, and blend! You can also mix it with water or milk. I prefer smoothies, but both are great options.

How much protein powder per day?

One serving is enough for most people’s health goals, but always consult your doctor or medical professional.

How much protein do I need today?

The average adult needs around 0.8–1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight. That’s for sedentary adults; if you’re active or play sports, you need more. The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend 1.2 to 1.7 grams per kilogram per day. This isn’t medical advice—your needs may differ. Consult your healthcare provider for personal guidance.

What is whey protein?

Whey protein powder is a dietary supplement derived from milk. It’s made from the liquid whey that separates during cheese-making. Whey protein is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids the body cannot produce on its own.

Is whey better than plant-based protein?

Whey is much more bioavailable and contains all essential amino acids in optimal ratios, making it the better option. But plant-based powders can still be a good option, especially for vegans or those with dairy intolerance.

Build those muscles with only the best

As I have said previously, it’s important that seeking to balance your diet with whole foods and meat should make up the majority, if not all, of your protein intake. However, if you are looking to supplement with protein powder, it’s essential to choose a high-quality, healthy option! I hope you find one you enjoy!