How to Find the Best Protein Powder for Smoothies

📌 Overview and Key Takeaways

This is a Dietitian’s guide on how to find the best protein powder for smoothies.

Discover how to easily supplement your protein intake by adding protein powder to smoothies.

Last Updated
Jan 15, 2026

Author and Medical Reviewer

Written by Jack, CNC

Jack is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Nutrition Coach.

Protein Powder for Smoothies

Why Should I Add Protein Powder to Smoothies?

Making a smoothie with protein powder is a convenient way to supplement your protein intake.

It is especially helpful for someone following a restrictive diet, such as a plant-based diet, as it can be difficult to consume enough protein from plant-based sources alone.

Protein powder can also make your smoothie more filling.

Protein is the most satiating macronutrient, meaning it keeps you feeling full for longer than fats and carbohydrates.

This, in turn, helps to curb cravings and prevent overeating.

Adding protein powder to your smoothie can improve the texture too.

Protein powder creates a smoother, creamier texture, making the smoothie feel more indulgent, almost like a milkshake.

It is important to note that not all protein powders are created equal, however.

What Is the Best Protein Powder for Smoothies?

To understand why some protein powders are better for smoothies than others, you have to take a close look at ingredient lists.

Most protein powders are made from protein concentrates and isolates, which have an unpleasant chalky aftertaste because they have been stripped of everything but the protein.

So, if you do want your smoothie to taste like chalk, you should avoid protein concentrates and isolates.

Many protein powders also have a bitter aftertaste because they are sweetened with sugar substitutes like sucralose and stevia.

Unlike sugar, most sugar substitutes activate bitter taste receptors in addition to sweet taste receptors (Genes Nutr, 2014).

It follows that the best protein powders for smoothies are either unsweetened, or sweetened with real sugar or monk fruit.

Moreover, many protein powders are flavored with artificial or natural flavorings, which have a chemical aftertaste that could ruin your smoothie.

For this reason, it is best to stick to protein powders flavored with real foods like cocoa and vanilla beans.

Finally, some protein powders, particularly plant-based protein shakes, are gritty because of their insoluble fiber content.

Generally speaking, the more insoluble fiber a protein shake contains, the grittier it is.

The grittiest protein powders tend to be those made with seeds (chia, pumpkin, etc.) and hemp.

In short, the best protein powder for smoothies is made from whole food protein sources, free from artificial sweeteners, stevia, and flavorings, and low in soluble fiber.

By checking all of these boxes, you can ensure that your protein powder will improve, not ruin, your smoothie.

Order Samples to see for yourself.

Sources

1. Genes & Nutrition (Genes Nutr). Genetic signature of differential sensitivity to stevioside in the Italian population. 2014.

Editorial Guidelines

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This article was written by a Registered Dietitian and reviewed by a Physician Assistant. We rely on peer-reviewed research and trusted medical sources, and regularly update our content to ensure accuracy and clarity.